What Makes a Good Mystery?

I'm addicted to mysteries - love teen mysteries and cozies. Yesterday I wrote up a guest post for Teen Librarian Toolbox. Check out what I think makes a good mystery!

Author Visit: Kim Harrington

I was lucky enough to get the fabulously funny Kim Harrington to appear for our Teen Summer Reading Kick-off Program.

Here's the book table with all her fabulous books:

And the goodies table, because it's not an author visit without dessert

Kim talked about how she got ideas for her books and how she has an idea notebook now. She talked about characters - and now Clare might be her favorite because she wished that she always had a snarky comeback when she was being bullied, instead of walking away.

Kim shared foreign covers with her. Some are great and some are very strange, not making a whole lot of sense to me. Here's the UK copy -which looks awesome! The model on the cover has major attitude!

Kim talked about her middle grade trilogy, which is super cute. The two main girls are super nerdy and super proud of it, which is great. Kim, herself, is a HUGE Star Wars fan.  I'm loving the nerdy girl trend.

All in all, it was an evening full of bookish talk, lots of laughter, and left several readers eager to read more of Kim's work. Really, it was perfect.

And here are the two if us together - Don't you LOVE Kim's shirt? I do!

 

Kim was gracious enough to pose for a READ poster for the library. Here's what I came up with! Do you like it?

Review: Clarity

Clarity's family is a little different. They have powers. Clare's mom can read thoughts. Her brother can communicate with the dead. Clare can see visions after touching objects belonging to that person. They set up shop in a tourist town, where they generate a lot of interest. The tourists love them, but everyone else hates them.

Clare's used to the stares, the whispers, and the bullying. She's not used to her ex-boyfriend asking for help using her gifts.

After a young girl's been murdered, the police are left with few clues. He comes to Clare asking for her help, asking her to use her powers for good.

She agrees. Together with the police detective's son and her ex-boyfriend, the mayor's son, they attempt to solve the murder.

Clare doesn't want to share what she witnesses - her brother with the victim before she died. Now more than ever, she needs to solve this crime, if only to save her brother.

My Thoughts: I devoured this book. I enjoyed Clare's position within the town. She has incredible snark and sarcasm, resulting in much laughter.I liked the relationship between Clare and Gabriel and Clare and Justin. The love triangle works well. Of course I have a favorite of the two boys! (Do you?)

I loved Clare's relationship with her family and their "readings". I would love to visit and have then perform a reading for me.

All in all, this was a great debut filled with danger, action, the sounds of summer, and romance.

Cover Thoughts: The girl looks so much like Clare. Plus the way the light works is simply amazing. Source: Bought at the Clarity Launch, check out Kim Harrington's blog for pictures of the super fun event! Check out that cake!

So looking forward to Perception - the sequel!

Challenge: Debut Author Challenge

Similar Read: Don't Die Dragonfly