The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Description: “A suspense novel from the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare…
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. . . . ”
Review: “The Broken Girls” has some great aspects and others that I really struggled with. I found the characters to be unlikable and wasn’t sure why some plot elements were included. There really is no need to have the paranormal ghost element, I kept thinking that it must be something besides a ghost but nope, it’s just your run of the mill ghost hunting. This book alternates between the present and the early 1950’s. I found that the present day parts dragged on and the characters were one dimensional. I could not relate to the obsessed journalist who has a one track mind or the cop who is only sees good. I did find the parts about the girls attending the boarding school in the 50’s to be really interesting. The girls at the boarding school all have complex pasts and I wanted to know more about this. I wish the book was completely about the eerie boarding school in the 50’s and the ghost, Mary Hand. Now I do realize that I am in the minority here, many people rave about this book. I say don’t knock it until you try it!
*please note that I received an advanced copy of the book from NetGalley