The Sun Down Motel

by Simone St. James

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.

• ISBN10: 0440000173
• ISBN13: 9780440000174
• Publish Date: 18 February 2020
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 30 June 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780440000174

Reviews

[Kim Deister]

The story is told through the past (1982) and present (2017) timelines of Viv and Carly respectively, who are aunt and niece. Although Viv disappeared before Carly was born, she’s always wanted answers about what happened. Her mother refused to talk about it, so it wasn’t until after she died that Carly felt she could find the answers she needed. 

I loved the two women as main characters. Despite never having met or influenced each other, they are startingly similar to one another. Both are smart, independent women who live life on their own terms, taking risks in pursuit of their goals. Even their storylines parallel one another’s. But even with all of their similiarities, they are very different people, and that’s what makes the story so interesting. 

My full review is here: http://acuppabooks.kimdeister.com/the-sun-down-motel/

[kentholloway]

What a few of the more negative reviewers, I believe, have failed to grasp is that this book is neither 'horror' nor 'true crime' (it's fiction, after all). It is, however, a great example of paranormal mystery. Was it scary? No, but it wasn't intended to be. Was it creepy in places? I'd say yes. But we also need to remember the 'real' monster in this story is living and breathing, not necessarily the ethereal occupants of the motel.

I've read some complaints about the shifting of points of view, from Viv in the past to Carly in the present. Okay, so you don't like that approach. That's fine. But I see no reason to discount the story entirely based on your personal preference and give it a negative review. Honestly, the shifts in points of view quite simply worked. And they worked very well to weave the over-arcing story together in a fun and dynamic way.

If I had any complaints (as a few have mentioned already) is that it seems Ms. St. James spends a little too much time describing the clothing and hairstyles of every character every single time they appear in a scene. I get the need to the supply descriptions of hairstyles and clothing when establishing the differences in fashion between 1982 and 2017, but once or twice is really all you need. I got to where I'd skip the descriptions of people entirely (which in a mystery novel could potentially be an issue if something they're wearing is a clue). This foible, however, is personal preference on my part and doesn't take away from the story.

In truth, this is my first St. James novel and I was thoroughly impressed. It was a great mystery with great atmosphere and with great paranormal presence. It did what a book of this kind is intended to do: let me veg out for a while and escape from day to day life while entertaining me thoroughly. Absolutely enjoyed this book!

I did not want to put this down. Creepy, mysterious, ghosts, a serial killer and a missing relative. I was hooked from start to finish

[bestmessever]

This could have been a strong four star if it wasn't for the homphobia and racism. I can't believe this book got through an editor especially since to my memory there was nothing of the kind in The Broken Girls. This stuff shouldn't be flying in 2020. I'm even more shocked by how few people actually are catching these things.

There are two instances of homophobia. Once is when Viv roommate is asking about the kind of things she sees working the night shift at the hotel. She literally asks, "Have you seen any homos? Oh wait they probably go to the park still seems to be a rough place to work," Dude seriously what the fuck?

Then we get a scene in the present where Carly is taking to Heather her roommate. They are talking about boys and Heather tries to confide in her saying that guys aren't really her thing. Which Carly seems to take in a weird almost panic way since Heather very quickly follows with, "Oh no not that, I really just don't like anyone at all touching me." So basically Carly panic because she thought Heather might be into girls but this also seems acephobic to me. Because Carly just nods and says she gets it and Heather seems to be ready to tell her something deeper but decides not to. Probably cause she realized Carly wouldn't understand and would be an asshole about it. This whole scene is just frustrating in general.

Now the racism is when Viv is meeting with the P.I. who happens to be black and they are meeting in the diner. Basically the author makes a big point on how weird it is that a white and black lady would be sitting in public together and Viv is also very shocked that a black woman could be a P.I.

Anyways I just wanted to cite the instances since a lot of people have been giving this book pretty high ratings and like I said I have only seen a couple of reviews that actually touch on these issues. Also if anyone starts reading it like I did and going Wtf? Is that what I think it is or am I just overreacting? You're not overreacting it is really there and you don't have to finish the book.

[kaliwinn]

What you need to know: ghosts, spooky, a sprinkle of feminism, multiple perspectives

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I want to start by saying I am not a big horror fan. The Sun Down Motel, however, was the just creepy enough to keep me entertained but not so creepy that I needed to keep my lights on at night! After this, I am strongly considering picking up another Simone St. James book. Would you recommend any other of her books? 

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It's not a huge surprise when I tell you that SDM centers around an haunted, run-down hotel in the middle of Fell, New York. In the present day, Carly travels to the Sun Down to try to discover what happened to her long-lost aunt who was last seen working the night-shift at the Sun Down. While working the night-shift herself, Carly discovers that this tiny town was not as sleepy as it seemed. During the time her aunt Viv was living in Fell, there were a string on murders of young girls. Told between the perspectives of Carly and Viv, we slowly uncover who the murderer is and what really happened to Viv.

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You can also see my reviews on IG @alittleshelf.ish

[MurderByDeath]

I am not a fan of horror, but I'm a big fan of old-fashioned ghost stories, when read in broad daylight.  I've been a big fan of Simone St. James' ghost stories since I first found The Haunting of Maddy Claire, the first of ... five?... historical ghost stories.  She branched off in a new direction with The Broken Girls, going with a dual time-line plot, which I read hesitantly, but enjoyed thoroughly.  The Sun Down Motel is another such book: a dual time-line mystery firmly rooted around a haunted place, this time a hotel that was pretty much doomed before it ever opened its doors.

I'm still a fan of St. James - I think this was a riveting read, and I devoured it in 2 sittings (daylight hours, all of them), but it wasn't as good as some of her others for two reasons, both purely subjective.  The first was the heavy handedness of the message: that women have always been, and sadly will always be, to some extent, vulnerable and expendable.  This is as unavoidable a fact as it is an inexcusable one, but more subtle writing would have had more powerful an impact.  Instead, there were times - just a few - that I felt like I was the choir and I was being preached at.  This wasn't a massive issue; it was just enough to pull me out of my head and the story a time or two.

The second reason is almost silly:  the ghosts.  They were almost exactly my right level of scary, but, and it took me some time to figure this out, they didn't have quite the effect on me as the ghosts in her previous books, because they never really focused on the main characters.  These hauntings were almost the remnant-kind: they were there acting in an endless loop, whether anyone witnessed or not, although there was a trigger.  The main ghost communicated with the historical time-line mc, but only once without being pushed into it by Viv.  The other ghosts communicated with the present day mc, Carly, but benignly.  They were spooky, absolutely, but at a remove, so that they fell just short of spine-tingling.

And I guess, as I write this I was left unsatisfied by Nick's story; it felt like it should be going somewhere and it didn't.  I'm also disappointed that there was never an explanation for the present-day entry in the guest book of one James March who registered the day Carly and Nick had their first real experience with the Sun Down Motel.  That was a BIG little thing to leave hanging with no follow up.

But overall, it was a good story; I liked that both Viv and Carly had solid friendships in their timelines; I liked that Nick was her support from pretty much page 1, and I liked the investigatory process of the mystery plot, even if I thought Viv was a reckless idiot.  The story sucked me in, and I remain a solid fan of St. James' books.

[leahrosereads]

Had some genuinely great creepy parts, but I was definitely left wanting more of specific elements. The thriller aspects were really well done, and I liked how the story unfolded between the dual POVs...

But gosh golly I wanted more freaking ghosts! That part fell flat, and it's a shame, because it really could've been an amazing added aspect.

[pagesbycyndy]

 

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is a book that will haunt me for a while to come. Told in two different timelines, this tale is both bone-chilling and haunting. Set in Upstate New York in the town of Fell in 1982,  Viv Delaney works as the night clerk on the way to bigger and brighter lights of NYC but Viv never makes it out of Fell, or so it seems. Years later in 2017  Carly, Viv's niece, takes over the job as a night clerk in the creepy Sun Down Motel.

If that was not creepy enough for me things start to go bump or rather crash in the night. The story is full of ghosts, mysteries, and a host of strange characters. I applauded Carly's tenacity in bringing justice or at least closure for her aunt. This book had me stressed out at some parts because it was just that scary good!

I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. Simone St. James knows how to tell a great story with twists, complex but well-developed characters, and supernatural powers at work, this book was awesome!This review was originally posted on Cindy’s Book Stacks

I really enjoyed [a:Simone St. James|4981568|Simone St. James|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1541540226p2/4981568.jpg]'s [b:The Broken Girls|35533431|The Broken Girls|Simone St. James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498686713l/35533431._SY75_.jpg|50481438], so I was pretty excited to receive this book in my January Book of the Month box.

The plot was pretty intriguing. It’s a mix of suspense with an eery ghost story as we follow the main character who’s trying to solve the mystery of her late Aunt’s disappearance back in 1982. As the story progresses, the suspense really built up and I was flying through the pages. I definitely wanted to learn more about the motel and how it related to all of the characters. I did however, feel like the ending was TOO tidy for the amount of suspense the book offered though, but don’t let that deter you from reading it! It’s a good (non-cheesy) ghost read for those who are a fan of the genre.

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of Sun Down Motel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Sun Down Motel is Simon St. James’ latest novel, a paranormal thriller worth reading (and remembering. We’ve all read the story of a girl gone missing – this is that story, but with several dramatic and surprising twists.

Carly has spent her whole life knowing that her aunt went missing one day. Even though this is an aunt she never got to meet – Carly is determined to solve the 35-year-old case. She needs the close. But more than that, she is enraged at the idea of her aunt just being forgotten so easily. That anyone could go missing and not be found. Or even searched for.

Viv Delany had big dreams for herself. She wanted to get away from home. Maybe even get all the way to New York City. Instead, she ended up in Fell – a small town in the middle of nowhere. But there’s something captivating about Fell, even, or perhaps especially, considering the mysteries and murders of the area.

“It wasn’t fair that Vivian was forgotten, reduced to a few pieces of newsprint and nothing else.”

Warnings: The Sun Down Motel has a lot of typical thriller elements. But some are especially worth noting/warning about. There’s kidnapping, rape, and murder all within these pages.

The Sun Down Motel was an intensely brilliant read. It has been a long time since I’ve read a paranormal thriller, and I had honestly forgotten how much I love them. So for that reason alone, I am truly grateful for this novel.

But don’t worry! There are plenty of other reasons to love this novel as well. I promise. This is a tall full of mystery, intrigue, deception, and righteous rage. The town of Fell has been rife with mystery – from murdered girls to missing women. There’s a lot of tension in the air, and Carly is about to add to it.

You see, Carly’s character is actually somebody that many of us can empathize with. She’s well and truly angry at the idea of anyone going missing, especially when nobody really bothered to look for her. She’s tired and hurt, and looking for resolution.

There’s something poignant in her journey, something that I personally resonated with. I know that I’m not the only one that will feel that way, which is why I’m recommending this book so heavily.

The Sun Down Motel is broken into two perspectives, set 35 years apart from one another. One is the story of Viv Delany – the aunt that goes missing. The other is obviously of Carly. Seeing the events unfold in this manner, bouncing back and forth each chapter, allowed for a steady buildup, as well as some creative twists along the way.

Everything I’ve mentioned so far is enough to make this an interesting thriller. But I haven’t touched the paranormal elements. That’s part of what made this novel so unique – the inclusion of ghosts. It certainly made the run down motel a whole lot more interesting. It also added a fair amount of obfuscation, which was surprising – but very well done.

I really enjoyed reading The Sun Down Motel. I can honestly tell you that I haven’t read anything like it in quite some time – though that is something I intend to fix. I foresee a whole lot more paranormal thrillers in my future.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks