The
Affliction
reintroduces Maggie Detweiler and her socialite friend Hope
Babbin. What starts off as an evaluation of a faltering boarding
school called Rye Manor School for Girls, turns into a murder
investigation of a respected teacher who liked to talk….a
lot. Who would want to kill Florence Meagher? Her husband
who didn’t always treat her right? Some random stranger?
Someone involved in some questionable real estate goings-on
at the school?
The setting of
The Affliction added some ambiance to the story,
as it being a boarding school in Upstate New York. This reader
has been in the area so could picture what the school and
area looked like; other readers might not be able to have
a clear picture. There were some minor characters who this
reader is wondering why they had a part in the overall story.
They did not seem to add necessary information in regard to
the murder or the investigation. There was confusion on why
Hope would be involved as she was not part of the evaluation
committee that Maggie was on that brought her to the school,
other than being Maggie’s friend. The cast of suspects
was a solid one, but the characterization of the police detectives
ruined it.
What started off as strong and had good potential of being
a good mystery, fell flat at the end. This reader feels that
there was no clear solution to some of the suspects-like why
they were no longer suspects. The very ending could be disturbing
to some readers, but was good for the character as it was
one of their biggest fears brought to life.
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