Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

94 reviews

lisaarnsdorf's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Truly one of the scariest books I’ve ever read. Definitely St. James’s best book yet. Takes me back to being a kid and reading Wait Til Helen Comes and how terrified I was and also how compelled I was to keep reading. In addition to be so incredibly atmospheric, it’s a great mystery. The amateur true-crime sleuths remind me of Only Murders in the Building. Now pease excuse me while I go read something e trembly funny and light. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Child death

Minor: Sexual violence

rachaeldamms's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I picked this up after seeing glowing reviews on r/horrorlit. What a fun surprise of a novel! I loved a good dual timeline and this book pulls it off beautifully. This book lies at the intersection of true crime and the paranormal with an engaging story, intriguing characters, and an eerie setting. If you like family mysteries, true crime podcasts, and the liminal space you enter when staying awake all night, give this book a go. I will definitely be seeking out more from this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Stalking and Rape

Minor: Death of parent

jencanread's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Minor: Rape

ablondereading's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Blood

bxnnny's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

greatly enjoyed the pace of the story, the plot, and the two different timelines coinciding. though it was pretty predicitable, it was enjoyable and i read through it in one day.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Stalking

Minor: Sexism, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Pedophilia, and Cancer

murder, paranormal activity, and violence against women are main themes. rape is mentioned several times as well as some mentions of cancer. there are brief instances of homophobia and sexism. pedophilia is implied as well.

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Stalking, Death, and Sexual assault

Minor: Child death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Violence

dilani's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Incredible world building and characters. I felt immersed from the first chapter all the way to the last. The alternating POVs from Viv and Carly kept the plot interesting and engaging. I never felt like there was a dull moment with these two.

Overall, I had an amazing time reading this book and felt invested in all the characters. I can’t wait to read more of Simone St. James!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

Moderate: Kidnapping and Rape

Minor: Stalking and Cancer

libraryghost's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Grief, and Blood

Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Racism, Pedophilia, Murder, Misogyny, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Gore, Gaslighting, Death, Child death, Blood, and Body horror

Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Alcoholism

jax00's review

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I wish it had more supernatural at the beginning/middle of Viv's story. However, it does a good job of mixing true crime and supernatural.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Stalking, Child death, and Rape

Minor: Cancer

bookishbatz's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault and Rape