The Clarity

Thomas’s strong debut, a paranormal thriller, stars Ashanique Walters, an 11-year-old girl with an unusual ability. Ashanique, who lives in a Chicago housing development with her mother, Janice, can recall the memories of other people, including those of the last soldier killed during WWI. These memories have put Ashanique and Janice in danger, forcing them to be prepared to run at a minute’s notice. The danger is heightened following a visit from Matilda Deacon, a psychologist and social worker specializing in researching how memories are stored. Though skeptical at first, Matilda believes that Ashanique may indeed harbor others’ memories, especially when the child references memories of the Night Doctors, a murderous group mentioned by another patient of hers before he committed suicide. The stakes rise when Rade, a merciless assassin who knows that the recovered memories may contain secrets that could recast history, starts to pursue mother and daughter. Thomas maintains the believability of his tightly coiled plot throughout. Agent: Lisa Gallagher, DeFiore & Co. (Feb.)