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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
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…
This was a really nice, suspenseful, gothic tale. Not exactly what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a haunted ghost story, but the ghost aspect was more of a side story to a murder mystery. I was sad that the ghost story wasn't the main focus, but don't get me wrong. This was a very good book! The writing was solid and the plot kept you guessing all the way til the ending. This was the first time I read something by this author and I really enjoyed it. I would have no problem checking out some of her other work.
I listened to the audio book and I thought the narrator was ok. She had a little bit of a problem where a lot of the characters all kind of sounded the same. So that was a bummer.
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…
This was a really nice, suspenseful, gothic tale. Not exactly what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a haunted ghost story, but the ghost aspect was more of a side story to a murder mystery. I was sad that the ghost story wasn't the main focus, but don't get me wrong. This was a very good book! The writing was solid and the plot kept you guessing all the way til the ending. This was the first time I read something by this author and I really enjoyed it. I would have no problem checking out some of her other work.
I listened to the audio book and I thought the narrator was ok. She had a little bit of a problem where a lot of the characters all kind of sounded the same. So that was a bummer.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first Simone St James book and I really enjoyed it. Can't wait to read more by this author.
4.5 i really enjoyed this and found the writing easy to read and i didnt expect some of the plot twist i had fun with it and that’s what i look for in a book.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Told from multiple POV’s in both the 1950s and the 2000s, we get multiple murder mysteries and a ton of suspense. While it’s not a twisty thriller, you can feel the tension through the pages. Present day’s FMC Fiona, is a journalist who wants to figure out what really happened when her sister was murdered and dumped on the grounds of a closed down all girls boarding school 20 years ago. The 1950s POV’s are from four different teenage girls who were students at the all girls school, Idlewild, when one of them went missing. Pair all of this with the haunting of Idlewild by a girl everyone called “Mary Hand”, and you get suspense throughout.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fast read, kept my interest.
alternating timelines always seem to be enjoyable to me.
1950 Idlewild Hall, an all girls boarding school for the girls no one wants, the trouble makers, the shame of the family. We get to hear from Katie talking about her and her 3 friends. Then one of them goes missing, shotty police work says she is a runaway, but her friends never thought that was the case.
2014 journalist Fiona is struggling with life since her sister Deb was killed 20 years ago and her body was left on the abandoned field at Idlewild Hall. She knows that the killer is behind bars, but something nags at her and she just can't stop picking at it.
Now a rich woman Margaret has bought Idlewild Hall and wants to restore it to an all girls school again and when the digging starts a body is found, this starts Fiona down a trail of trying to find out what happened to this girl along with still trying to find out what really happened to her sister.
Amongst all of this, there is a ghost story entwined. Mary Hand, she has been haunting the grounds of Idlewild Hall for more than 60 years. Even if you don't like ghost stories she fits into this one nicely.
Honestly there wasn't anything "bad" about this book, it is quite unbelievable but that doesn't really bother me. It was a fast read, I devoured it in a day so it clearly kept my interest. It was just good though, nothing earth shattering but I enjoyed the story and wanted to know how it was going to end, even if some of it became pretty predictable throughout.
alternating timelines always seem to be enjoyable to me.
1950 Idlewild Hall, an all girls boarding school for the girls no one wants, the trouble makers, the shame of the family. We get to hear from Katie talking about her and her 3 friends. Then one of them goes missing, shotty police work says she is a runaway, but her friends never thought that was the case.
2014 journalist Fiona is struggling with life since her sister Deb was killed 20 years ago and her body was left on the abandoned field at Idlewild Hall. She knows that the killer is behind bars, but something nags at her and she just can't stop picking at it.
Now a rich woman Margaret has bought Idlewild Hall and wants to restore it to an all girls school again and when the digging starts a body is found, this starts Fiona down a trail of trying to find out what happened to this girl along with still trying to find out what really happened to her sister.
Amongst all of this, there is a ghost story entwined. Mary Hand, she has been haunting the grounds of Idlewild Hall for more than 60 years. Even if you don't like ghost stories she fits into this one nicely.
Honestly there wasn't anything "bad" about this book, it is quite unbelievable but that doesn't really bother me. It was a fast read, I devoured it in a day so it clearly kept my interest. It was just good though, nothing earth shattering but I enjoyed the story and wanted to know how it was going to end, even if some of it became pretty predictable throughout.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes