The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
At a school for girls, on a Sunday night during dinner, the headmistress and her brother drop dead after taking a few bites of a delicious veal. The girls at the school having no love for the poor souls came up with a shameless plan to hide the deaths and go on with their lives at the school. Unfortunately for them things didn't work out as planned including the possibility of the murderer returning for its next victim.
There is not one thing I disliked about this book. But instead of long paragraphs of gushing let me tell you about my most favorite aspects: the setting, the voice and plot.
I've always been interested in stories set in the Victorian era. The way they talked, their mannerisms, their values and sometimes lack thereof. I may not be an expert but I felt like the author did well. I didn't want to close the book and leave the world she created when the story was over.
The girls were so different and unique in their personalities but at the same time they complemented each other the way sisters do. When they conversed I didn't get lost. I could tell right away which one of the girls was speaking.
The murder mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and the girls' shenanigans will kept my heart pounding, waiting for someone to uncover their plans. I thought I had it all figured out but did not see the last twist coming, and that was a definite plus.
I do have to say that, the book is one of those that are on the border between older Middle Grade fiction and Young Adult because of the content.
I, too, like Victorian books, but they are a hard sell with my students. So many good ones.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! So much fun!!!
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