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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
4.25 ⭐️
A mixture of mystery and supernatural, set in two different timelines. An old broken down hotel where the dead walk the hallways and the living search for answers. This one felt like a movie in my head and I kept wanting to figure out what actually happened in this town. This was my first Simone St. James story and I can’t wait to read more!
Now for what didn’t work. There were moments that felt repetitive and towards the end the story dragged on for me. I think had it been a hundred pages shorter I would’ve loved it even more. BUT don’t let that stop you from reading this one if you are in the mood for a good mystery that has hints of horror
A mixture of mystery and supernatural, set in two different timelines. An old broken down hotel where the dead walk the hallways and the living search for answers. This one felt like a movie in my head and I kept wanting to figure out what actually happened in this town. This was my first Simone St. James story and I can’t wait to read more!
Now for what didn’t work. There were moments that felt repetitive and towards the end the story dragged on for me. I think had it been a hundred pages shorter I would’ve loved it even more. BUT don’t let that stop you from reading this one if you are in the mood for a good mystery that has hints of horror
I hate giving a book anything lower than 3 stars, but in addition to being a run-of-the-mill murder mystery this book required too much suspension of disbelief.
It starts off really promising.
Several cold case murders get renew interest from the niece of a missing person in a small town.
We alternate between 1982 and present day 2017 (love time hops!) as we get closer and closer to the truth.
The main problem was there were some details just too hard to believe. I think I normally overlook or forgive outrageous details in a thriller when the story is good enough, but this wasn't terribly compelling and it was redundant. For example,
If you like cold case murder mysteries, time hops, and a creepy motel vibe I would recommend anyway because there are a lot of readers who love this book. It's got a kind of creepy gothic vibe that I liked despite my other complaints.
It starts off really promising.
Several cold case murders get renew interest from the niece of a missing person in a small town.
We alternate between 1982 and present day 2017 (love time hops!) as we get closer and closer to the truth.
The main problem was there were some details just too hard to believe. I think I normally overlook or forgive outrageous details in a thriller when the story is good enough, but this wasn't terribly compelling and it was redundant. For example,
Spoiler
you mean to tell me this missing woman came back to town a few years later and NO ONE recognized her!? The reason given is totally implausible.If you like cold case murder mysteries, time hops, and a creepy motel vibe I would recommend anyway because there are a lot of readers who love this book. It's got a kind of creepy gothic vibe that I liked despite my other complaints.
This is the second book by Simone St. James that I've read. I didn't love this one as much as Broken Girls, but that had to do with the setting more than the writing or plot.
I love that her ghost stories are spooky, but ultimately not too scary because the ghosts seek to communicate rather than terrify.
Highly recommend for fans of true crime and ghost stories.
I love that her ghost stories are spooky, but ultimately not too scary because the ghosts seek to communicate rather than terrify.
Highly recommend for fans of true crime and ghost stories.
How is this not a show yet? So ripe for adaptation. Loved it. Great setting, characters and mystery.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had me on the edge of my seat until the last page
adventurous
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
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I'm not really a "ghost story" fan, but this was done very well.
Following two POV's and timelines, the two main characters Viv (1982) and Carly (2017), are aunt and niece. Viv disappeared in 1982, and in 2017 Carly is looking into the disappearance.
The pacing here was almost perfect, each change in POV offering just enough to keep the plot moving while peeling back the layers of the characters and the depth of the story and how everything was woven together.
It was fun and I binged it in less than a day. Worth the time to read. Now I'm looking into the author's other works.
Following two POV's and timelines, the two main characters Viv (1982) and Carly (2017), are aunt and niece. Viv disappeared in 1982, and in 2017 Carly is looking into the disappearance.
The pacing here was almost perfect, each change in POV offering just enough to keep the plot moving while peeling back the layers of the characters and the depth of the story and how everything was woven together.
It was fun and I binged it in less than a day. Worth the time to read. Now I'm looking into the author's other works.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No