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Carole P. (Natick, MA)
Temple House Vanishing
Temple Vanishing has an interesting plot. The mysterious disappearance of a student and a teacher. Sadly, as much as I liked the storyline, I found the book hard to follow. I often had to go back and double check who the voice was at that point in time. When I was reading, I would get pulled in, but within a few pages I would loose interest. Always a bad sign, I could never remember what I had read. I love mystery's, but I would never classify this as one. In the end it was mediocre and confusing. I never like to give a so/so review, but this time I felt I had to. I read it through to the end and was relieved it was over.
Colleen T. (Lakewood, CO)
The Temple House Vanishing
An incredibly sad and terrifying coming of age story. You have young people who are still trying to discover who they are amongst the angst of attending Catholic school, being a new student and dealing with many rules and regulations and norms of the period. There is love found and lost, betrayal, and misunderstanding due to lack of life experiences. The story gives voice to the issue of mental health issues that are not dealt with and the ensuing ending result. I found the author command of language wonderful, but I personally did not like the conclusion of the story.
Henry W. (Lake Barrington, IL)
Slow March
The story is about the reconstruction of events that took place 25 years in the past. A tenacious reporter seeks to find out what happened to two people who disappeared 25 years ago. Much of the story takes place in a private school. It is a story about class, connection, belonging, competition among the students. The plot wanders what seems aimlessly as the authors drops bits and pieces of information. The resolution is somewhat unbelievable and incomplete as never find out what happened to the second missing person. The evil protagonist is revealed in an unlikely series of events at the end. In the end a
…more flawed plot and flawed execution. (less)I found this book to be a page turner! However, while it was engaging and easy to read, it was also easy to forget. I would consider this book to be for the 16-year-old age group.
Gin H.
The Temple House Vanishing
This book is about Louisa, a 16-year-old girl, who wants to reinvent herself at an elite Catholic girls' boarding school where she has earned a scholarship. She finds that the fee-paying girls look down on her as well as the nuns who run it. Soon Louisa meets a charismatic art teacher, Mr. Lavelle, and fellow student Victoria and things seem to be looking up. However, Mr. Lavelle and Louisa disappear. Years later a journalist is investigating the disappearances in the hope of solving the case. This is a gothic and atmospheric novel but the characters are difficult to connect with.
Karen W. (Atlanta, GA)
Disturbed people ruin each other's lives
Even though this is billed as a murder mystery, it is more about mentally disturbed people and their bad influence on each other. The mystery takes 100 pages to occur. The author spends too much time in setting a dismal scene at a decrepit girls' school. I did not enjoy it even though I usually like atmospheric mysteries, perhaps because none of the characters are the least bit appealing or even likeable.
Constance C. (Bristol, RI)
Good debut novel. The Temple House Vanishing
The Temple House is a girls boarding school run by nuns. They act as if they were in charge of a first class elite boarding school. However it is only a second rate school, with the building needing work. The plot concerns the disappearance on the same day of student Louisa and art teacher Mr. Lavelle. The book is narrative form, 2 people. Student Louisa and The Journalist. At times this is confusing. Louisa is a scholarship student and her only friend is Victoria from a wealthy family, her father on school board and so on. They form a close bond including the male art teacher. I must say that I cannot imagine
…more nuns allowing a young attractive male teacher to spend time with female students. I did not like the characters, I found them self centered and heartless. Quick to put up walls to protect themselves. The disappearance is nationwide big news. The 25th anniversary is coming up. Which explains The Journalist. She is digging around to write a big story. I can't give any more information, don't want to spoil the plot. The ending is dragged out too long, it uncovers a tragic tale and secrets. I found the book an enjoyable read, the author writes descriptive scenes very well, but too many. I give it three stars. (less)An intriguing story with gothic features, this novel is set in a Catholic boarding school by the sea, operated by nuns. The story builds up to the mysterious disappearance of a young student and the school Art teacher. This happening is being investigated years later by a persistent journalist.
This book contains beautiful descriptions that bring the reader to experience the setting almost first hand. It's atmospheric feel will attract you to the location, but the progression of the story seemed a bit slow at times. I felt the character development was thin making it hard for me to be invested in what happens to
…more them. I found myself wanting to witness demonstrations of what the characters were made of rather than being told about them. This being said, the twist at the end provides a surprising conclusion. This book's target audience may be better served as YA given the age of most characters and the subject matter explored. Overall an entertaining read. (less)
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