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A review by ofclumsywords
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is one of the most spine chilling books I’ve ever read. St. James sets such an atmosphere around the motel that as the reader you feel like you are there right along side Vivian and Carly. It was so vividly written that I felt the same terror as these characters felt as they experienced the motel coming to life around them as the mystery unraveled. I honestly don’t know if I will ever find another book that transports me into its pages like this one does.
I also enjoyed the fact that this book has two timelines; Vivian’s in 1982, and her niece Carly’s in 2017. Both of their stories connect, but yet they clearly have their own story to tell. When the POV changed I was both excited to get back to the other timeline and yet frustrated because I needed to know more of the other and didn’t want to be left hanging. St. James kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and yet made it so spooky that I almost didn’t want to turn the next page. This is exactly the kind of ghostly murder mystery I’ve been looking for!
I also enjoyed the fact that this book has two timelines; Vivian’s in 1982, and her niece Carly’s in 2017. Both of their stories connect, but yet they clearly have their own story to tell. When the POV changed I was both excited to get back to the other timeline and yet frustrated because I needed to know more of the other and didn’t want to be left hanging. St. James kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and yet made it so spooky that I almost didn’t want to turn the next page. This is exactly the kind of ghostly murder mystery I’ve been looking for!