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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Simone St. James' The Sun Down Motel is a well-crafted blend of ghost story, thriller, and mystery that hooks readers with its eerie atmosphere and twisty, dual-timeline narrative. Set in the small, ominous town of Fell, New York, the story alternates between 1982 and the present day, following Viv Delaney and her niece, Carly Kirk. Both women are drawn into the unsettling secrets of the Sun Down Motel—Viv as a night clerk in the 80s, and Carly as she investigates her aunt's mysterious disappearance decades later.
The book's atmospheric setting is a highlight, immersing readers in a creepy, small-town vibe where danger and secrets lurk in the shadows. St. James delivers suspense in spades, with well-paced reveals and a tension-filled plot that keeps you guessing. The dual timelines drive the mystery, as past and present intertwine in surprising and satisfying ways.
The characters are well-developed and engaging, though their occasional tendency to make risky choices may stretch believability for some readers. Despite this, the emotional depth of Viv and Carly's journeys, combined with the book's haunting suspense, more than makes up for any criticisms.
Perfect for fans of spooky, character-driven mysteries, The Sun Down Motel is an ideal October read. With its atmospheric setting, strong storytelling, and a well-wrapped conclusion, it’s no wonder it was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in Mystery & Thriller and chosen as a Librarian’s Husband’s Book Club pick. Highly recommended for readers who love a good chill and a twisty tale!
The book's atmospheric setting is a highlight, immersing readers in a creepy, small-town vibe where danger and secrets lurk in the shadows. St. James delivers suspense in spades, with well-paced reveals and a tension-filled plot that keeps you guessing. The dual timelines drive the mystery, as past and present intertwine in surprising and satisfying ways.
The characters are well-developed and engaging, though their occasional tendency to make risky choices may stretch believability for some readers. Despite this, the emotional depth of Viv and Carly's journeys, combined with the book's haunting suspense, more than makes up for any criticisms.
Perfect for fans of spooky, character-driven mysteries, The Sun Down Motel is an ideal October read. With its atmospheric setting, strong storytelling, and a well-wrapped conclusion, it’s no wonder it was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in Mystery & Thriller and chosen as a Librarian’s Husband’s Book Club pick. Highly recommended for readers who love a good chill and a twisty tale!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Terminal illness
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is a supernatural thriller. It’s 1982 and 20-year-old Viv Delaney finds herself working the night shift at the Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York. But, there’s something strange about the Sun Down… the mysterious cigarette smoke, the doors inexplicably opening and closing, the curious phone calls. And, at the same time, young women in Fell are being murdered.
•
Decades later, 20-year-old Carly leaves college after the death of her mother, determined to find out what happened to her Aunt Viv, who disappeared from the Sun Down Motel in 1982.
•
Oh. My. Goodness. This book was creepy to the point where I knew I shouldn’t read it at night, BUT I did anyways because I just couldn’t put it down. The two timelines bolster the thrill of the mystery. St. James does a superb job slowly and consistently teasing information that leaves you addicted from the first page to the last, while also, I might add, subtly addressing sexism today and in 1982. Eerie and ominous, this book will keep you on your toes! An absolute must read!
•
Decades later, 20-year-old Carly leaves college after the death of her mother, determined to find out what happened to her Aunt Viv, who disappeared from the Sun Down Motel in 1982.
•
Oh. My. Goodness. This book was creepy to the point where I knew I shouldn’t read it at night, BUT I did anyways because I just couldn’t put it down. The two timelines bolster the thrill of the mystery. St. James does a superb job slowly and consistently teasing information that leaves you addicted from the first page to the last, while also, I might add, subtly addressing sexism today and in 1982. Eerie and ominous, this book will keep you on your toes! An absolute must read!
A wonderful who done with a touch of the supernatural. This was a page turn that I whole heartily recommend.
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Creepy small-town vibes, ghosts in the hallways, and a dual timeline that kept me flipping pages late into the night. A chilling, atmospheric read that blended mystery with the paranormal beautifully.
Just couldn't get into the plot and the switching pov's of the characters was confusing.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
With the ratings this had I thought it would be better than it was.