Review: The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Title: The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Historical (1950), Supernatural, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The “clever and wonderfully chilling” (Fiona Barton) 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:

Seamlessly weaving between 2014 and 1950, The Broken Girls by Simone St. James is a beguiling mystery with a ghostly element.

In 1950, Idlewild Hall is a boarding school for troubled girls. Roommates Katie Winthrop, CeCe Frank, Sonia Gallipeau and Roberta Greene are close friends who are quite protective of one another.  They have each experienced the supernatural phenomena of  resident ghost Mary Hand but they, like others before them, do not tell anyone what they see during these encounters.

In 2014, thirty seven year old journalist Fiona Sheridan is still grieving the loss of her sister Deb who was murdered twenty years earlier.  Deb’s boyfriend Tim Christopher was convicted of her murder and he is still in prison although he has always maintained his innocence. When Fiona learns the long abandoned Idlewild Hall property is about to brought back to life, her curiosity is piqued. Why on earth would current owner Margaret Eden want to reopen the school? Well, Fiona is going to put her journalist skills to work and write a story in which she hopes to answer this very question. She is on the property when remains are discovered in a well on the grounds and Fiona is more determined than ever to uncover the truth about the victim’s identity and hopefully unmask her killer.

The murder of her sister tore apart their family and Fiona has never quite recovered from her loss.  She still lives in her hometown and she writes freelance fluff articles  for a local magazine. Fiona’s decision to write an in depth article on Idlewild Hall is met with resistance from her cop boyfriend, Jamie Creel. He is worried about the effects of spending so much time on the property will have on her since Deb’s body was dumped there after her murder. Fiona ignores his objections and she, with the help of her journalist father, quickly manage to uncover the identity of the young woman found in the well.  She hits a dead end almost immediately since the girl immigrated to the United States not long after World War II.  Fiona is tenacious as she continues asking questions about her sister’s death and tries to find out more information about the victim found in the well.

The chapters featuring Kate, CeCe, Sonia and Roberta are quite poignant since life at Idlewild Hall is not easy. The teachers are harsh and lacking in empathy for their students’ plight.  Many of the girls are sent to the school for circumstances that are well beyond their control and they endure horrible conditions at Idlewild Hall. Adding to their woes are the ghostly encounters with Mary whose tragic past is the subject of numerous rumors and much speculation.

The Broken Girls is a wonderful atmospheric mystery that is quite spooky and full of suspense.  The events in the past are just as fascinating as the ones in the present and the two story arcs converge in an absolutely unexpected  manner.  With plenty of twists and turns, Simone St. James brings Fiona’s search for the truth about her sister’s death to an action-packed conclusion. A brilliant mystery that fans of the genres will love.