Book Review - The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Title: The Broken Girls
Series: -
Author: Simone St. James
 
Description: 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 is 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: Set in Vermont in the 1950s, four girls share a room at Idlewild Hall, a boarding school for girls. All of them being disowned by their families for different reasons. Reliant on each other, a deep friendship develops. When one of the girls suddenly disappears, they are unanimous that the truth must come out.
 
Years later, someone has plans to have the haunted Idlewild Hall restored and turned back into a school. Journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot understand this; her older sister Deb was found dead on the grounds of Idlewild Hall twenty years ago. The culprit is behind bars, but Fiona has never been able to let go of the case. She doubts the truth. She decides to write a story about the renovation of Idlewild Hall, to find out the truth about the past.
 
I’ve had several of Simon St. James’ books on my shelves. This was the one I heard about the most and I decided to pick it up first. I’m glad that I did, because I loved “The Broken Girls”.
 
We follow two storylines, the one set in the 1950s and one that takes place in 2014. Fiona manages to unravel the real story of Idlewild Hall piece by piece. Past and present blend together beautifully and once again a story with dual timelines manages to captivate me from start to finish.
 
In the chapters set in the 1950s we meet four young girls that go to Idlewild Hall, each time a chapter is told from another girl’s perspective. This way each of them get a voice and they become all are well fleshed out. All girls have a feeling of not belonging anywhere and together they form their own little family.
 
The 2014 timeline is completely told from Fiona’s point of view. An interesting character, driven, determined and smart. She want to find out what really happened to her sister, but stumbles upon other mysteries revolving around Idlewild Hall. I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy the supernatural element, but I surprisingly did.
 
“The Broken Girls” is a very well-written and strong mystery, that remains in the dark for a long time. The setting, Idlewild Hall, is atmospheric and eery. Friendship, suspense, fear and unprocessed grief are all themes in this story. It’s the type of book that will stay with you for a long time.
 
Rating: 5/ 5