The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

February 18th, 2020 Kimberly Review 18 Comments

18th Feb
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Something hasn’t been right at the roadside Sun Down Motel for a very long time, and Carly Kirk is about to find out why in this chilling new novel from the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of The Broken Girls.

Upstate New York, 1982. Viv Delaney wants to move to New York City, and to help pay for it she takes a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York. But something isnʼt right at the motel, something haunting and scary.

Upstate New York, 2017. Carly Kirk has never been able to let go of the story of her aunt Viv, who mysteriously disappeared from the Sun Down before she was born. She decides to move to Fell and visit the motel, where she quickly learns that nothing has changed since 1982. And she soon finds herself ensnared in the same mysteries that claimed her aunt.

thriller mystery SUSPENSE 2020 Fave

I have a new favorite author. ?Her first novel The Broken Girls made my top ten list and is one I continue to recommend. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James will be as well! Addictive, atmospheric, and original, I could not set this down!

Move over Norman & the Bates Motel, welcome to Fell, New York and the Sun Down Motel. Fair warning ⚠️ Turn off your phone, lock your door and tell everyone you have plans because once you begin this tale you won’t be able to set it down. St. James delivers an atmospheric tale that is part mystery and part murder-mystery. It weaves in plenty of supernatural elements to get the heart racing. I. Loved. It.

The story is told from two time lines, both from the POV of a twenty-year-old. Both are compelling and both made my heart race as they sent shivers down my spine.

The first time-line is from 1982. Viv Delaney, left home and ended up taking a job as the night desk clerk at the Sun Down Motel in Fells, NY. It wasn’t planned, in fact when she left she told her mother she was headed to NY to become a star, but here she is. Something is wrong at the Sun Down and Viv is scared.

The second time line is present day 2017. Carly Kirk’s mother has just died from cancer and she takes time off from school to learn more about her Aunt Viv. Aunt Viv mysteriously disappeared from Fells, NY in 1982. When she visits, she soon finds herself caught up in same mysteries that haunted her aunt. Will she find answers, or will she disappear too?

The synopsis is vague, and if I am completely honest, I didn’t even read it before reading. I loved the author’s first book that much. I will not give spoilers either. Why ruin the fun! I will tell you there is plenty of mystery and suspense as both girls try to answers questions about the motel and things happening locally. Both are quite clever. There were twists I didn’t see coming, and the paranormal elements were pure perfection.

Atmospheric, original, and addictive The Sun Down Motel is a must for lovers of paranormal suspense, mysteries and thrillers. This is a book I will recommend to a broad spectrum of fans from those who like Joe Hill to those who fancy Karen White.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James was atmospheric, suspenseful and the perfect mystery thriller to curl up with. #NewRelease #2020Fave #MustRead Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

18 Responses to “The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James”

  1. Lorna

    Well you sold me. You read instead of listened? I think I will listen instead. I’m heading to Audible.

  2. Sophie

    OK this is the last straw! You convinced me Kimberley! I had my sight on this one seeing all the raving reviews now, it’s ordered LOL

  3. Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

    I love atmospheric reads, and this one sounds like a superb murder mystery. I love that is has paranormal elements and twists that you don’t see coming. Excellent Review Kim!

  4. Olivia Roach

    Yay for having a new favourite author! That’s always such a fun feeling and it sounds like this one was just such a page turner. I am happy you were incredibly addicted. I think sometimes it is for the best that synopses are left vague as sometimes they spoil too much!

    Olivia Roach recently posted: A Curse So Dark and Lonely [Book Review]