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 … 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….
more
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James is a story about Idlewild Hall, a boarding school for troubled and unwanted girls, the ghost that haunts the place and a couple of mysteries. These mysteries involve past times, past disappearances, brutal attacks and murders. The author’s storyline is well-developed and ends up answering all questions and solves the mysteries.
I was interested in reading about this methodical investigation by journalist Fiona Sheridan. I appreciated her dedication, determination and hard work. She didn’t give up even when things got tough. This is a well-written story. The pace is a little slow at times but I believe that couldn’t be helped because so much background needed to be established. The intricate background detail added much to the story.
Riveting and wonderfully irresistible! If you don’t think you enjoy ghost stories, think again. The Broken Girls is perfectly executed from start to finish. Told in dual storylines, past and present, it manages to be a haunting mystery, historical fiction, and a dash of romance, all blended seamlessly to create a truly ingenious book that had me hooked from the first page.
We have the 1950 storyline, which tells the story of four ‘misfits’ who become friends at a boarding school called Idlewild Hall; and we have the 2014 storyline, in which Fiona, a journalist still haunted by the murder of her older sister at Idlewild Hall, decides to write a story about the renovations that have begun there. These two stories interact in surprising and unexpected ways.
Atmospheric, haunting and intriguing, The Broken Girls is the perfect read for this time of year. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more from St. James.
A bit uneven and some head-scratching moments but otherwise a decent creepy ghost story.
A fantastic creepy gothic mystery with romance romance!! I had a hard time putting it down, and when I did I couldn’t stop thinking about it. This is my second Simone St. James book, and her writing is ah-mazing!! Highly recommended!!!
Written before her latest (The Sundown Motel), this story is the precursor to that book with similar story elements and tone. While I enjoyed “Sundown”more, this story stands on it’s own merit and makes for a very satisfying and gripping read.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I had a hard time putting it down and read it very quickly. I enjoyed the current and the historical mysteries and the way they were intertwined. There is paranormal subplot that adds to the creepy mysteries. Fiona, a present day journalist, solves both mysteries. I really liked the rural Vermont setting and the characters. The mysteries are good and the solutions make sense. Enjoy this page turner.
An excellent book for readers in New England, especially those familiar with the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont.
A very well written mystery indeed. I could feel the cold described. The sadness, anger and yet the hope the girls carried. Truly a very very good read.
Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down.
There is a missing girl 60 years ago. A girl murdered recently. There is a ghost that many people have seen. She tells them things that is only for that person. Then there is our heroine who seeks the truth and finds someone wants to stop her by any means. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
This book grabbed me from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down. Plot twists, goosebumps, fun read.
Read what you !
I absolutely loved this book. I was a little worried because the time period part of the book was set in was a long time ago. I was sucked in almost immediately. The characters had such depth and the glimpses into the past was just more insight. Definitely a great one. I will be reading more from this author.
It took me a couple of days to gather my thoughts about this book. It is shelved under thriller and horror but it is much more than that. It had me laughing and crying along with being scared. It deals with friendship and grief that I think about the book even better. I loved the two timelines and the 1950 timeline worked well with the 2014 timeline. I really felt what Fiona was going through with her sister’s death, cause I am going through something similar but with my cousin’s death. The difference is that I wasn’t young when he was killed but seeing her go through the anger and grief hit me hard. The horror elements in the book with Mary Hand had me on the edge of my seat and I felt the fear the girls were feeling. I liked that it wasn’t the main focus of the story but it still added to it. I will be getting St.James other books and reading them very soon.
Simone St. James is one of my new favorite authors, and her books always include a mystery and a ghost or two. This one is set in Vermont with a dual timeline of 1950s and present day. I loved the setting of a deserted and dilapidated girls’ school haunted by the ghost of a wronged girl. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, I didn’t. I love it when that happens. Highly recommended if you like a spooky read and a mystery as the days turn darker.
This is my first read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The mystery and spooks kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked how we went from past to present and it was all tied together beautifully.
Simone St. James is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. She knows how to write an amazing ghost story that literally keeps me guessing up until the very end.
I honestly treated most of this book as if it were two separate storylines operating within the same book. I was a bit apprehensive for how the two timelines would ultimately converge since the two timelines seemed to operate completely independent of one another. Needless to say, the story comes crashing together to reveal a truth that I never saw coming. Bravo St. James. Bravo.
This novel has multiple timelines: the present, the recent past (1970s), and the more distant past (1950s), and the really distant past (1800s). I enjoyed the 1950s storyline the most–a tale of four boarding school roommates who were condemned to a school that reminded me of Lowood in Jane Eyre. The author does a good job of linking the realistic crime story and the very believable ghost story.
I saw this book recommended by another author I know, so I grabbed it and I’m not sorry I did. I love how different this thriller/mystery was. Not your everyday mystery/domestic thriller that we see echoed again and again in the ranks of best sellers. This one was beautifully dark and equally satisfying to read. A wonderfully crafted page-turner. The story jumps between present day and a boarding school from the 1950s and the young girls that lived there, all left behind for one reason or another. What they went through spans the time of half a century and is everything finally comes to a head and is uncovered accidentally by a young journalist in 2014. I loved the pace, the way it all played out, the characters. It was all relatable and the history in the pages was engrossing. If you enjoy takes that are dark and somehow still beautiful I would say put this one on your reading list.
This story is not your average, run-of-the-mill, ghost story. It starts out predictable enough, or at least you think it does! Then it takes a turn and becomes something totally unexpected. The author effectively brings together several plot lines spanning decades for an enjoyable read. I gave it a 3 star rating because I thought the ending fell short. But, still a good book for a chilly fall night!
I love the mix of mystery and ghost story! Simone St James has become one of my auto-buy authors.