Book Review: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
There’s something inherently captivating about a haunted motel, isn’t there? As someone who’s always been drawn to the eerie charm of roadside stops, I couldn’t resist picking up The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. Known for her haunting narratives and strong characters, St. James has given us another book that lingers in both memory and imagination. This novel effortlessly melds the chilling atmosphere of a ghost story with a gripping mystery, making for a delightful reading experience that’s hard to put down.
Set against the backdrop of upstate New York, The Sun Down Motel takes us twice back in time: first to 1982, where Viv Delaney is trying to carve out a new life as the night clerk at the titular motel, and then to 2017, where her determined niece, Carly Kirk, arrives to uncover the secrets surrounding Viv’s mysterious disappearance. The plot flows seamlessly, intertwining their stories as both women navigate the dark, unsettling ambiance of a place that has not only witnessed horrors but may be harboring them within its walls.
St. James excels at creating a palpable sense of dread, perfectly encapsulated in her characterizations. Viv’s youthful ambition is juxtaposed poignantly against Carly’s earnest search for truth, and their journeys, while separated by decades, resonate deeply. The supporting cast—particularly the motley group of staff and guests—adds layers to the narrative that make Fell, New York, feel like both a quaint town and a dark, lurking entity. I found myself frequently pondering who could be trusted and who might have secrets hidden as deeply as the ghosts that haunt the motel.
One standout aspect of the storytelling is the author’s pacing. While some readers have noted a slower start, I found it to serve as a necessary build-up to the tension that ultimately unfolds. St. James has a knack for flavoring her prose with hauntingly beautiful descriptions. “The motel has a way of drawing people in,” she writes, encapsulating that curious blend of allure and dread that keeps us glued to the page. Each flicker of the motel’s lights and echoing whisper of its past ghosts feels intentional, making me both shiver and yearn for the next revelation.
As I delved deeper, I couldn’t help but appreciate the balance between supernatural elements and gritty realism. The interactions between Carly and the ghosts of Viv’s past are not overly melodramatic, which allows the narrative to maintain its authenticity. Instead of being mere plot devices, the ghosts serve as metaphors for unresolved trauma, particularly the struggles faced by women throughout time—a theme that resonated with me on a personal level.
In conclusion, The Sun Down Motel is a must-read for fans of thrilling mysteries and supernatural tales alike. If you’re drawn to strong female protagonists and enjoy stories that are as psychologically probing as they are chilling, this book is for you. Whether you read it under the glow of a warm lamp or huddled beneath a blanket with the autumn chill outside your window, this novel is sure to leave a memorable mark. It’s a testament to how the past can echo into the present, forming an intricate tapestry of mystery and intrigue.
For those who appreciate the darkly atmospheric and the intricately plotted, I wholeheartedly recommend this work. St. James has crafted a novel that explores love, loss, and the secrets we all keep—proving yet again why she remains a beloved author.