The Finishing School by Joanna Goodman

It's been twenty years since Kersti Kuusk has been to the Lycée, the prestigious boarding school she attended as a teen. Kersti abruptly left the school during her senior year after her best friend Cressida mysteriously fell from the balcony of her dorm. Cressida's fall was declared an accident, but Kersti refuses to believe it. When a mutual friend of theirs passes away and sends Kersti a strange letter, it leaves even more questions about Cressida unanswered.

Now a successful author, Kersti is invited back to the Lycée's 100th anniversary celebration honoring women who have made a significant contribution to the world. Kersti sees this as the perfect time to delve a little bit deeper into exactly what happened the night of Cressida's accident. When a secret letter and incriminating Polaroids show up at Kersti's hotel, she finally puts together the missing pieces of the puzzle. Just how far will someone go to keep the secrets surrounding Cressida's accident?

The Finishing School is told in alternating chapters between the present day and Kersti's school years leading up to Cressida's fall from the balcony. This technique is effective in that it creates tension and suspense, particularly those chapters that focus on Kersti's present day findings.