Saturday, July 28, 2018
Review The Broken Girls by Simone St James
Review The Broken Girls by Simone St James
Title: The Broken Girls
Author: Simone St. James
Published: March 2018, Berkley Books
Format: ARC Paperback, 336 pages
Source: Publisher
Summary:
A breakout suspense novel from the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare.
Vermont, 1950. Theres a place for the girls whom no one wants--the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. Its called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where its 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 shes tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sisters death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sisters boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona cant 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 wont be silenced. . . .
My thoughts: I first became aware of Simone St. James when I read her previous book, Lost Among the Living, which I really enjoyed. So of course, I knew I had to get my hands on her latest book...and I was so happy to have won a copy from a publisher giveaway!
While its true that I am not a huge fan of pure ghost stories, I do like them when they are blended with a such a compelling tale as this one was. And what a story this one turned out to be - I mean it is chock full of secrets, there is this amazing thread running through that brings the past to the present, and the ghost story has just enough of a role throughout to give a creep factor without overplaying its hand - it enhances and adds to the tension without becoming too much.
I am a big fan of dual timelines, but never have I seen it used so effectual as I have here. It was so easy to get caught up in the story lines going on here - both the present day and the past and I was equally engaged in both! I just couldnt get enough of both Fionas story and the girls at the boarding school, and I loved that each time we were back in the past, we got a different girls perspective, so we really got to know all four of the girls.
This is a book that will totally consume you once you start reading it. I was able to think of nothing else once I delved into these pages and even after, I really havent stopped thinking about it. These characters were so vividly drawn and even the setting was so vivid and atmospheric that it puts a chill in your bones as you frantically flip through the pages to find out what is going on. It is just haunting enough to keep you reading long past your bedtime until all the pieces have come together. I highly recommend this and look forward to reading more of Simone St. Jamess books...she is certainly an author I enjoy!
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