The Broken Girls
Boarding schools
Berkley
March 20, 2018
E-book
336
Publisher via NetGalley
Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants--the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it's located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming--until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . . Vermont, 2014. As much as she's tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister's death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister's boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can't shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case. When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past--and a voice that won't be silenced. . . .
My review:
When I read the synopsis of this one, I knew I wanted to read it. It takes place at a boarding school (these stories always attract me), in Vermont (where I grew up), and involves a mystery surrounding a young student's death. Sign me up! The only thing I did not pick up on was that there would be a ghost involved (one of my immediate turn offs). Kudos to the author, because despite my intense dislike of books containing ghosts, I wanted to keep reading this one regardless. Yes, the other parts of the book are that good! I loved the way the characters were drawn, the good ones and the bad. The setting was just creepy enough so you could read it without being terrorized, and I loved the references to places that actually existed from my past. The mystery was well written, and its outcome, with a few details that were a bit too convenient, was satisfactory. I particularly appreciated that the writing took you where you needed to go without a lot of unnecessary fluff thrown in. Was the ghost necessary? I'm sure many would say it was an integral part of the plot, and added that much more to the story. The jury is out for me, so I'm going to let you read it and decide 🙂
While I personally could have done without the ghost parts (for which I did remove a star), this is a great book that will keep you turning pages, not only to discover the who-dunnit, but to find out how all the characters lives turn out.
Great review.
I don't like ghosts either, but I didn't think this ghost played a big part.
I enjoyed this book too. It was my first Simone St. James book.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I have a review and giveaway going live on Thursday, March 22, for THE BROKEN GIRLS.
Elizabeth
Still too much for me....ha ha, but I see where you're coming from. It was a great book!
I love mysteries and horror, so the combination in this novel sounds great! I can't wait to read it!
I think most will really enjoy this one! If I could get over my aversion to ghosts in books, I would have loved it even more 🙂