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A review by m_lefaye
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
5.0
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Have you ever read something, or in my case listened to something, that was so enjoyable you wish you could hear it again for the first time? That is how I would describe my enjoyment for “The Sun Down Motel”. Two time frames, two narratives, and the murder mystery that binds them.
Fell, New York, 1982. 20-year-old Vivian, Viv, Delaney dreams of making it in New York City. But after an uncomfortable encounter while hitchhiking, she finds herself “stuck” in the nowhere town of Fell. With little money and even less resources, she takes a night shift job at the seedy “Sun Down Motel” and soon learns that the guests who check in aren’t the only thing she should be wary of. As news of murdered women and a killer, or killers, still on the loose surface, Viv finds herself searching for answers to help give the ghosts who haunt the sundown some peace, the only question is, will she succeed before she joins them?
Fell, New York, fall 2017. 20-year-old Carley Kirk has arrived with a mission, find out what happened to her recently deceased mothers missing, and presumed dead, sister. Retracing her Aunts fated steps, Carley also takes a night shift job at the Sun Down Motel and learns not much has changed since the 80s. But the more she uncovers, the more she questions. Who of her aunts old acquaintances can she trust when they only seem to give her half truths while the few friends she makes seem to have skeletons of their own. But Carley is determined to learn the truth, just like her Aunt Viv before her, before it’s too late again.
I couldn’t get enough of this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery, but the authors feminine gaze and realistic implications of what it means to be a woman in a man’s world may resonate with some better then others. My only major complaint is one character arc that, while serving a purpose, also felt a little forced and abrupt. However, that wasn’t enough to deter me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TW/CW: Murder, Death, Implications of Assault, Ghosts, Disturbing Imagery.
Have you ever read something, or in my case listened to something, that was so enjoyable you wish you could hear it again for the first time? That is how I would describe my enjoyment for “The Sun Down Motel”. Two time frames, two narratives, and the murder mystery that binds them.
Fell, New York, 1982. 20-year-old Vivian, Viv, Delaney dreams of making it in New York City. But after an uncomfortable encounter while hitchhiking, she finds herself “stuck” in the nowhere town of Fell. With little money and even less resources, she takes a night shift job at the seedy “Sun Down Motel” and soon learns that the guests who check in aren’t the only thing she should be wary of. As news of murdered women and a killer, or killers, still on the loose surface, Viv finds herself searching for answers to help give the ghosts who haunt the sundown some peace, the only question is, will she succeed before she joins them?
Fell, New York, fall 2017. 20-year-old Carley Kirk has arrived with a mission, find out what happened to her recently deceased mothers missing, and presumed dead, sister. Retracing her Aunts fated steps, Carley also takes a night shift job at the Sun Down Motel and learns not much has changed since the 80s. But the more she uncovers, the more she questions. Who of her aunts old acquaintances can she trust when they only seem to give her half truths while the few friends she makes seem to have skeletons of their own. But Carley is determined to learn the truth, just like her Aunt Viv before her, before it’s too late again.
I couldn’t get enough of this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery, but the authors feminine gaze and realistic implications of what it means to be a woman in a man’s world may resonate with some better then others. My only major complaint is one character arc that, while serving a purpose, also felt a little forced and abrupt. However, that wasn’t enough to deter me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TW/CW: Murder, Death, Implications of Assault, Ghosts, Disturbing Imagery.