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There are currently 24 member reviews
for The Temple House Vanishing
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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.
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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 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.
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Marianne L.
The Temple House Vanishing
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 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.
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