October is such a spooky, autumnal month here. The leaves are changing colors and the weather is getting cooler. I tend towards books that are spooky and/or occur at a school because, for some reason, boarding schools and October go hand in hand in my mind. This book checked both those boxes.
The story takes place in two different time periods - Vermont 1950 and Vermont 2014. In 1950, there's a place for girls who no one wants for whatever reason. One of the girls, for instance, was born out of wedlock. They are placed in a school called Idlewild Hall and there are rumors that the school is haunted. Four roommates become friends and bond over this, then one mysteriously disappears. In 2014, Fiona Sheridan is obsessed with her older sister's death. Her body was found lying in the overgrown ruins near the school. She believes that there was something nothing quite right with the case, even though there was an arrest and conviction for the death. She then learns that it is being restored and decides to do a story about it. A shocking discovery is made during the renovations and all hell breaks loose.
I've read books by St. James before and I haven't been disappointed yet, and this book adds to that track record. There was a lot of suspense, mystery and the paranormal, not to mention a boarding school. It literally was exactly what I was looking for. St. James does a masterful job combining all of these and Fiona is written magnificently as a grieving sister who can't let it go. I enjoyed the 1950's charact ers and scenes much more so than the "present day." I also loved the spooky and paranormal element to this story as well. This chilling aspect was the best part of the book in my opinion.
Definitely a must read. Especially at this time of year.
