The Broken Girls
A journalist uncovers the dark secrets of an abandoned boarding school in this chilling suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.
Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the ones too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears....
Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan's elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling 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 renovations links the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won’t be silenced....
Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the ones too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears....
Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan's elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling 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 renovations links the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won’t be silenced....
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Community Reviews
I have to say, thereâs a reason Iâve been captivated by Simone St. James! This latest book has solidified her status as my all-time favorite author. Every page turned was pure magic, and itâs clear she will always be my go-to choice when Iâm on the hunt for my next great read! I can't wait to dive into more of her incredible stories!
This was a well written suspense novel that takes place in two time periods- the 1950âs and present day. I enjoyed reading about both time periods and the author really draws you into the setting. The mystery itself about who killed Fiona was well done. What I did not enjoy was the supernatural aspect of the book. The ghost, Mary Hand, is written as an actual character who has powers to show you things about your past.
3.5*
I think I may be in the minority here; this story just didn’t thrill me to the level like everyone else.
I didn’t feel a connection or even started to enjoy the story till about the half way point. It was a creepy (and I love creep) story. I enjoyed Katie, Roberta and CeCe, but in no way did I enjoy or even like Fiona. The writing was really great and the dual timelines ran smoothly together, but some sort of element seemed to be missing from the current day story.
This book would make a good October/Halloween read.
I think I may be in the minority here; this story just didn’t thrill me to the level like everyone else.
I didn’t feel a connection or even started to enjoy the story till about the half way point. It was a creepy (and I love creep) story. I enjoyed Katie, Roberta and CeCe, but in no way did I enjoy or even like Fiona. The writing was really great and the dual timelines ran smoothly together, but some sort of element seemed to be missing from the current day story.
This book would make a good October/Halloween read.
Simone St. James's "The Broken Girls" delves into a chilling mystery with its blend of historical fiction, crime thriller, and a touch of the supernatural. While the story of journalist Fiona Sheridan and her obsession with solving her sister's murder at the abandoned Idlewild Hall offers intrigue, the supernatural elements ultimately felt distracting in my opinion. I truly didn’t care for Fiona AT ALL. She was so irritating with her need to solve her sisters death. Twenty years later and she can’t make a move without it being about a dead sister? Made me a little bit upset because if its a modern day novel why didn’t she get therapy because its clear she needs it. Anyway onto the review.
St. James skillfully built a sense of unease and foreboding, switching between Fiona's present-day investigation and flashbacks to the 1950s focusing on four girls at Idlewild Hall: CeCe, Katie, Roberta, and Sonia. As the girls bond and face mysterious disappearances, a sense of foreboding builds around the school's eerie atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of Mary Hand, a ghostly figure whose actions blur the line between supernatural and human horrors. The dilapidated school itself exudes a haunting atmosphere, making it an undeniably compelling setting for a mystery to unfold.
The characters are multifaceted, particularly Fiona, whose relentless pursuit of the truth should be admirable but instead makes me want to shake her. However, while the ghostly presence of Mary Hand adds an eerie layer to the story, it ultimately felt like an unnecessary embellishment detracting from the core mystery's potential power. The focus on the supernatural aspects sometimes diluted the tension that St. James meticulously built in other parts of the novel. I was hoping beyond hope that Mary Hand was a serial killer versus a ghost but hey if wishes were that easy to make come true I would have won the MegaMillion jackpot last week.
I liked the book overall. It wasn’t what I would call an quick read or airport traveling book, although I did leave it at Hobby airport when I arrived back from my trip. Would I recommend this book and/or author? Probably not. Loved the four characters but I personally despise weak women who make weak choices.
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