The Broken Girls

By Simone St. James

Summary:

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 local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding 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…[summary from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318472/the-broken-girls-by-simone-st-james/9780451489388/]

Group Reviews/Comments:

Thumbs up:  11

Liked the modern story. Liked how the main character and boyfriend’s relationship was depicted.

Was hard to keep track at first of all the girls but it got much better as the story progressed

Very spooky

Really like the past/present formula. Creates a real buildup of suspense.

Hesitant because I don’t like kids involved, but it worked out. A little heavy.

Really surprised about the ending.

Quick read, really enjoyed it.

Well done switching back and forth in time frames. Liked the dual time line.

Entertaining.

The writing that showed the same situation from different perspectives was very compelling.

Atmospheric quality well done, really set the mood.

Modern mystery twist was surprising.

Was worried it would be a trite “haunted girl’s school” but not at all.

Pretty good mystery.

Liked the main and minor characters.

Liked how the relationship between Fiona and her boyfriend was there at the beginning, tested and evolved.

Set up perfectly.

Liked how the girls’ friendships developed. Each one is different, a unique character.

The ambience was well done.

Interesting, different take on the murder victim.

Wove all the pieces together really well.

Thumbs down:  ~ 2 (sorry I forgot to write this down, but I’m estimating by the number of attendees and knowing at least a couple people didn’t get a chance to read it)

Didn’t feel really connected to Fiona.

Boyfriend character was a little wooden until the end.

Didn’t like the ghost story characteristic.

Ending wasn’t terribly surprising.

Modern day stuff nowhere near as well done as the 1950s part.

Fiona’s internal struggle wasn’t as compelling as the girls’ stories from the past.

Many of us don’t like the supernatural in our mystery.

Didn’t like that others didn’t understand why Fiona was obsessed about her sister’s death.