The time has finally come for Scott Dempsey to head off to college. It is no surprise that his school of choice is South Cuthbert University, a favorite among locals and the alma mater of his parents. Scott is so excited for the new experiences and freedom that college life will afford that he fails to notice the uncomfortable looks and pointed glances exchanged by his mom and dad as they drive to the campus. In fact, Scott is blissfully unaware that his father Chase, now a homicide detective, was once the prime suspect in a murder that happened nearly thirty years prior. The crime occured during Hell Week just as Chase was ready to be initiated into the Kappa Chi Rho fraternity. A fellow pledge turned up dead and Scott’s father ended up with decades of guilt and regret. Although Scott has no plans to join a fraternity, the social perks are just too good to pass up. So he follows in his father’s footsteps. What neither Dempsey man is counting on is how closely history can repeat itself.
Filled with all the boundless possibilities of youth, Broken Pledges is a proper rites of passage novel with a murderous twist. Kilgarriff’s story weaves the ever present themes of brotherhood and family bonds throughout this sound psychological thriller. Anyone who has ever had the experience of revisiting an impressionable place or time in life will enjoy the familiar notes of nostalgia. But don’t be fooled! This book is more than just frat parties and binge drinking. The weighty premise leaves nothing to the imagination as it dives into the sensitive topic of hazing. Complete with a sufficiently believable villain and a parent forced into an unthinkable position, this fleet-footed novel will keep you rooted to your seat until the closing pages. A perfect fit in the dark academia sub-genre, Broken Pledges promises a killer good time!
