Name: Coley T's review of The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Item: The Sun Down Motel
Rating: 4
Author: Coley T

Simone St. James

"The secrets lurking in a rundown roadside motel ensnare a young woman, just as they did her aunt thirty-five years before, in this new atmospheric suspense novel from the national bestselling and award-winning author of The Broken Girls. Upstate NY, 1982. Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets. Viv Delaney works as the night clerk to pay for her move to New York City. But something isn't right at the Sun Down, and before long she's determined to uncover all of the secrets hidden there. Upstate NY, 2017. Carly Kirk has always been fascinated by her aunt Viv who disappeared from the Sun Down before Carly was born. Using a small inheritance from when her mom dies, Carly leaves college to go to Fell to figure out what happened to her aunt thirty-five years ago. Soon, Carly is mirroring her aunt's life, working as the night clerk at the motel, which hasn't changed since 1982. The guest book is still handwritten, the rooms still have actual keys, and a haunting presence still lingers. Carly discovers that Viv had been trying to unravel mysteries of her own--including a possible serial killer working in Fell. If Carly can find the answers Viv was searching for, she might be able to solve the mystery that has haunted her family for years"--

The Sun Down Motel

Zoë Eitel

Okay I really liked this book - and it’s great as an audiobook because it’s a 2 person telling of a story. The voices are so well-suited to the characters, too. I like the mystery, the paranormal aspects. At times it was so spooky I found myself pausing it because I was scared of what was coming next and was home alone but then I remembered that’s not how books work and you have to keep listening. I had to listen to the gps with voice on if I had the audiobook on because otherwise I could legit miss my exit. 

All that being said…was anyone else a little bit let down by the Heather storyline?! I was so sure there would be 

 interesting connection. Like the grandson thing was a fun surprise I should have seen coming and somehow didn’t (probably because of the heather red herring). I dunno I just was so sure there was something that was coming and then it was nothing. But overall great book, especially for the spooky season as they say. 

Coley T

Okay I really liked this book - and it’s great as an audiobook because it’s a 2 person telling of a story. The voices are so well-suited to the characters, too. I like the mystery, the paranormal aspects. At times it was so spooky I found myself pausing it because I was scared of what was coming next and was home alone but then I remembered that’s not how books work and you have to keep listening. I had to listen to the gps with voice on if I had the audiobook on because otherwise I could legit miss my exit. 

All that being said…was anyone else a little bit let down by the Heather storyline?! I was so sure there would be some interesting connection. Like the grandson thing was a fun surprise I should have seen coming and somehow didn’t (probably because of the heather red herring). I dunno I just was so sure there was something that was coming and then it was nothing. But overall great book, especially for the spooky season as they say. 

Rebecca Hurd

Highly Recommend!! I loved this book, written in both Viv’s and Carly’s perspectives one in 1982 the other in 2012 both trying to solve a mystery the twists and turns of this book were incredibly interesting!!!!

Daphne

I love a 2 story timeline and this book did not disappoint! Kept me on my toes and wanting more. If you love murder and adding in ghost stories- this is your book! 

Lacee Foutch 

Darice de Cuba

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I seldom read these books (although big fan of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz), but this one really surprised me.

First, to set it clear, I wouldn't qualify this book as horror. Definitely more of a ghost/mystery/crime/thriller.

The Sun Down Motel has everything I like combined, the 80's, a small eery town stuck in time (figuratively), ghosts, gothic night setting, true crime enthusiasts and the mystery itself. 

The book is two storylines, one set in the early 80's following Vivian and the other is set in 2017 (present day in the book) following Carly while she tries to find out what happened to her aunt Vivian who disappeared from The Sun Down Motel in 1984. The books keeps switching between the timelines, I normally don't like multiple timelines books, but this one worked well. 

They both work as the night shift clerk at The Sun Down Motel and in parallels recounting it all comes together.



“The person who could be truly alone, in the company of no one but oneself and one’s own thoughts—that person was stronger than anyone else. More ready. More prepared.”
― Simone St. James, The Sun Down Motel 



It left me wanting more.

Eleanor 

** spoiler alert **
           A dark, atmospheric thriller with paranormal elements, perfect for spooky season. 

I can understand why some may view the dual timeline as confusing, as the two characters’ storyline had many parallels, but it was distinct enough for me to distinguish between the two. It somewhat added to the eeriness that Carly was following in the footsteps of her auntie and thus adding to the suspense regarding whether she would suffer the same fate. The supernatural element was perfect in the premise of this book; it was compelling, unearthly and spine-tingling in the sense that we were discovering whether the spirits were harmful or innocuous along with Carly and Viv. 

The fact that it was the guy who was the suspect all along was both genius and anticlimactic. It was presented as too obvious and thus lead you onto a wild goose chase to figure out the culprit, but as a result you were not hit with a massive plot twist.
However, I really enjoyed this book!

Jason Lo

Honestly really disliked the first couple of chapters, as the book really lays it on thick with some classic “isn’t it cool how uncool these characters are?”

Once it’s finally done telling you how /bad/ everyone is though, the core mystery is fun and the pace especially in the final third is very fun.

“She’s fine. She just likes to read about murder, that’s all.”

Abandoned creepy hotels, serial killers, and deserted small towns intersect in a niche mystery/crime genre venn diagram that I need more books from.

Simone St. James delivered an unsettling story told in two perspectives set in two different timelines. I think it worked really well with both of our main characters having distinctive narrative voices.

I do wish we didn’t have the supernatural elements, it would’ve made this book even more bone chilling. I’m also not sure about Carly’s sidekick friend and love interest; something about them felt gimmicky.

Jawahir M

“She’s fine. She just likes to read about murder, that’s all.”

Abandoned creepy hotels, serial killers, and deserted small towns intersect in a niche mystery/crime genre venn diagram that I need more books from.

Simone St. James delivered an unsettling story told in two perspectives set in two different timelines. I think it worked really well with both of our main characters having distinctive narrative voices.

I do wish we didn’t have the supernatural elements, it would’ve made this book even more bone chilling. I’m also not sure about Carly’s sidekick friend and love interest; something about them felt gimmicky.

Jonathan Garcia

To be honest I had a lot of ups and downs w this book, I did enjoy it but I just feel like a lot of the information was repeated between the 2 main characters and I found that it got a bit boring in some parts of the book. Over all I did enjoy it tho and would recommend!

Sonia Grgas

3.5 Recommended for those who normally don't like to read thrillers with paranormal feature but like to dip their toes in once in a while. Also lends itself well to book club discussion.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 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 New York Times 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.

Syahla Aurel

I don’t believe in curses, but the Sun Down is just one of those unloved place.

I didn’t expect the ghost part, so at first I thought It was silly but after I read it I realized it added a new element to the thrilling parts. 
Was it scary? not really, was it enjoyable? yeah, did it change your life? no, so 4 stars it is.

Leticia Leal

I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a rut lately. The majority of the books I’ve read lately have been about missing women/girls and murder and amateur sleuths. I am a bit tired of it. Well The Sundown Motel also has all of the above, but with the addition of GHOSTS. Combined with sharp writing, a compelling, creepy setting, and strong characters The Sundown Motel manages to stand out from the pack.

Kenzi Linton

This is definitely my favorite book by Simone St. James. I was intrigued throughout the chapters and had my own theories going on in my head. I could imagine the story as I read it and could picture the setting. All of the characters were greatly written. The only downside is that I feel like the ending was a bit rushed, but other than that, it was an amazing book!

Lamia Hajani

I’m not usually one for a ghost story, but this one wasn’t bad. I found myself spellbound by this page-turner.

Jenna Wooten

Loved the mystery and the connections between all the main characters! I would of enjoyed it more without the paranormal aspect, but the rest was amazing!

Lisa Lindquist 

there’s ghosts! and murder! and women fighting to be LISTENED to 

i did enjoy this book, although having the two narrators did make it a bit clunky; the same setting, although 30 years apart, and both having identical personalities meant there was a lot of repetition.

i think i’d like to read more by this author, however i read a preview of “the broken girls” and it’s the similar style that i found difficult with this one - so perhaps i won’t bother.

Crystal L

There is so much to say about The Sun Down Motel! First clearly 5/5 stars. I wanted to absorb this book as I read so that I would already have it all and know it all. It's far from the traditional whodunit, as the story travels over time and among narrators. 

What we know: Viv has been missing since 1982 and it seems that no one has ever looked for her. Not her family, not her friends, and not even the police. Carly, Viv's niece, has been searching for answers for most of her life. Her mother, Viv's sister, refused to talk about it, her family told her not to mention it, but Carly could never let the mystery go. While searching for the truth Carly moves to the town where Viv disappeared, finds a room in the same place Viv lived over 30 years ago, a job from the same place Viv disappeared, and ghost stories that Viv was trying to unravel. 

The Sun Down Motel is more than just what happened to Viv, it's what happens in small towns when no one believes women, it's what goes on at roadside hotels in the night, and it's about the ties that bind us to family, community, and friends. As Carly searches for what really happened to Viv, she finds a much larger mystery, one with ghosts, murderers, and long-buried secrets that no one wants brought to the surface.

Boothby

Readable, likeable, and exactly what it's trying to be. St. James managed to portray the drudgery in good investigative work at the same time that she crafted a pretty gripping investigation, which must be a challenging line to walk! The descriptions of hauntings are competent, if not especially inventive. Doors open and shut, lights flicker on and off, and clear manifestations ghosts wander walkways between the rooms... etc. etc. I like my hauntings a little weirder, I think this book is more interested in the murder investigation. I enjoyed the symmetries between Carly and Viv's story, and I love that they speak with almost the same voice. Their parallel investigations could get a little repetitive, since both characters in both time periods were investigating several of the same disappearances--that probably can't be helped much, so that's not a knock, just an acknowledgement.

Victoria

I was so wrong in my guessing. This was another terrific read from Simone St. James. I can’t wait to read her latest book!

Jenna Pascale 

Need a book to get you out of a reading slump? This is the one. After almost a week of not being able to get into any of the 4+ books I picked up, this one had me hooked before the end of chapter one. 

This book gives all the vibes: small town, spooky, ghosts, murder, etc etc. 

Equal parts heartwarming and bone chilling - Simone St. James D E L I V E R E D. 

With multiple POV’s in different time periods, there was constantly something happening, something to uncover, and someone to root for. Uncovering this mystery both in first hand experiences and through investigation decades letter was thrilling. St. James did a great job keeping you on the edge of your seat but keeping you fully invested despite many unanswered questions throughout. Everything wraps up into a nice, neat little bow which is utterly satisfying. 

Absolutely loved this read, cannot stop recommending enough. I’ll be thinking about this for months to come and you will too.

Felt a little drawn out/repetitive at times, but had a few good twists and interesting, well-crafted characters 

Maria🧸

Midori Kobayashi

absolutely loved this thriller. there weren't no twists after twists after twists just to get that one gotcha moment from the reader, which for some reason seems to be the backbone of modern thrillers since the last couple. 
this was a dual storyline and extra element of spookiness just added to the overall reading experience. i haven't read a lot of books with thriller and supernatural together off late and this was on spot for a lot of things. 
The fact that I was screaming "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING, DON'T DO THAT-" internally like all the while just shows i was very much invested. def one of the few thrillers i liked this year.

Shareca

** spoiler alert **
           The Sun Down Motel
Simone St. James
★★★☆☆

If I had left The Sun Down Motel at 50%, I would have given it four stars. Compared to the previous checkpoint, my views have significantly changed as the plot of this book diminishes in the second half. The narrative was convoluted and hurried as several plots and questions were to be answered in a short period - with two POVs. Those final two hundred or so pages felt much too short, leading to a somewhat abrupt conclusion to the overall premise. The main characters, Viv and Carly, did not yield any payoff for me. As well, I would have preferred if the romance between Carly and Nick had been omitted.

Many of the characters' ultimate revelations were subpar since the story began as a thriller yet morphed into something entirely different. Thus, it no longer functioned as a thriller novel but rather an anti-thriller novel that had been purified, perfected, and polished in order to provide a satisfactory conclusion. Ideally, this book should have been much, much darker. The conclusion did not give me goosebumps but rather a feeling of satisfaction after reading it. When I read a book like this about the supernational, serial killers, this nebulous area between intrigue and obsession, I want to experience something similar to the way Joe Goldberg makes me feel. On the basis of the first half, it seemed to be leaning more towards the goosebumpy aspect, but it did not persist so much in the second half.

The prose of this book was excellent, the blending of perspectives was marvelous, and the characters were well-developed and rounded. I found the entire blending of plotlines, decades, and characters to be an excellent way to develop this novel. Reading something such as this was refreshing. I would reread it, even though the second half did not appeal to me. Although I might stop at the 50% point, it exhibits some quality that encourages me to return. For those who enjoy quick, gripping true-crime fiction, this is it, with a happy ending for us "dead girls."

Zoë Eitel &
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

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