The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Cover art for the novel The Sun Down Motel by author Simone St. James.

Simone St. James’s The Sun Down Motel follows two women—Viv in 1982 and her niece Carly in the present day—whose lives intersect at a rundown, eerie roadside motel in upstate New York. When Viv mysteriously disappears while working the night shift, Carly arrives decades later determined to uncover what really happened. As both timelines unfold, the motel reveals itself as a place steeped in violence, restless spirits, and long‑buried truths that refuse to stay hidden.

I gave this novel a four‑star rating because St. James kept me guessing at every turn. The dual timelines are woven so effectively that nearly every character, motive, and clue feels like it could be the missing piece—or a misdirection. Even once the story points toward the person responsible, the narrative still holds back just enough to deliver a final twist that lands with real impact. It’s the kind of mystery where you think you’ve solved it, only to realize St. James has been one step ahead the whole time.

What made the book especially enjoyable is St. James’s skill at crafting an atmosphere that’s both suspenseful and emotionally grounded. The motel itself becomes a character—menacing, unpredictable, and charged with the weight of past tragedies—while the alternating perspectives allow the reader to remain slightly off balance following a path that seems to lead in different directions. The result is a story that’s propulsive and spooky. It’s a great pick for readers who love mysteries with a supernatural edge and strong, determined heroines.

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