Perception

February 1, 2012
This first sequel to Clarity (2011) delivers an even more involving, polished and downright nifty mystery. Clare still lives at home with her family of psychics, but this episode emphasizes suspense more than the supernatural. She's torn between ex-boyfriend Justin and hottie newcomer Gabriel (and will decide between them by the end of the book), but now she's more interested in her new friend Mallory and the disappearance of a local girl. Her mom forbids her to help with the case, but Clare can't stop herself from investigating. Mallory, a formerly shy girl who seems to be coming out of her shell, struggles to cope with events in their new friendship. Meanwhile, Clare worries that someone might be stalking her. The family's psychic abilities, especially Clare's ability to "read" objects, certainly play a part in the narrative, but Harrington more closely follows a standard mystery plot, tossing in some tasty red herrings, sprinkling clues throughout, building suspense and turning the tale at just the right time to keep readers involved. The supernatural element may entice some young readers to the book and then turn them into mystery fans. In any case, the believable characterizations, the suspense and the well-crafted plot twists score. A smart, paranormal mystery ride. (Paranormal mystery. 12 & up)

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March 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Harrington's sequel to Clarity (Scholastic, 2011) stars the highly acclaimed high school psychic and detective. Her mother is a telepath, and her brother, a medium, can contact the dead. Clare can place her hands on an object and perceive hidden visions from the past with her psychic powers. Now that she has escaped death thanks to her ex-boyfriend Justin and her connection to solving a murder in her small town, she is left to decide which of the two guys to choose: Justin or tall, dark, and handsome Gabriel, son of the new police detective in town. Trying to avoid the social scene, Clare prefers to stand in the shadows observing, but she soon starts to receive unsettling messages and gifts from a secret admirer. To top it off, a new girl has gone missing and was possibly murdered. Clare needs to guide herself quickly to the truth and crack the case. She is a strong female lead who, throughout the story, gains confidence and depth. A fast-paced psy-chick mystery.-Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2012
Grades 8-12 Readers of Harrington's first novel, Clarity (2011), will remember that Clare's family is anything but ordinary: her mother is a telepath; her brother is a medium; and Clarewell, Clare has the gift of retrocognitive psychometry, the ability to see into the past. She'll need that gift and more when a secret admirer becomes a stalker, a girl at school is murdered, and our heroine must choose between two suitors: her former boyfriend, Justin, and resident hottie Gabriel. So many mysteries, so many choices, so little time. Until next time, and there surely will be a next time for this paranormal crime solver.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)