Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James


There's something not quite right about the Sun Down Motel. And it's not just because people have died there. Viv Delaney is sure that it's haunted. She's the night clerk at the motel and she keeps a notebook of the happenings and hauntings that go on there. But when she learns about Betty, Cathy and Victoria--three young women who were all murdered in Fell, New York, within the last four years--she begins investigating their deaths. Because she thinks they're connected. And she thinks she knows how. Only no one believes her. And then, on November 29, 1982, she disappears.

Thirty-five years later Carly Kirk comes to Fell to solve the mystery of Viv Delaney's disappearance--Viv is the aunt she never got a chance to meet. She follows Viv's tracks, even taking a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down. And that's when strange things start to happen: unexplained noises and smells, motel doors opening for no reason, and the appearance of a woman in a floral dress who isn't real. Soon, Carly is investigating more than just her missing aunt. She has some handsome help, too. Nick Harkness is staying at the motel...and he's seen the ghosts, too.

My thoughts:
A great combination of mystery and ghost story, The Sun Down Motel is one of those dual timeline novels that alternates between Viv's POV in 1982 and Carly's in 2017. I found both characters likable and engaging in their own ways, and I quickly got drawn into both of their stories. What I didn't love at first was jumping back and forth between the two narratives and having to remember where I last left Viv or Carly, and what suspenseful thing had just happened to each of them. Happily, St. James's writing pulled me back in every time. And the two story lines soon paralleled each other in a way that kept the suspense building. There's some great supernatural action throughout. I also liked the way Viv and Carly were able to solve the mysteries in their own respective timelines. I ended up really loving this one. But then, I've loved most of Simone St. James books. She's become one of my favorite authors. What made this one even better? Reading it with Melody! Be sure to check out her review to see what she thought of it.

Happy Reading!

Melody's questions to me about this book:

Q. What did you think about the dual timeline between Viv and Carly? In what ways are Viv and Carly similar and different from each other?
A. I thought the dual timelines worked well in this book; I liked how Carly's story often echoed Viv's, and how the ghosts and the same people showed up in both timelines. As for how they're similar, Carly and Viv are both inquisitive and surprisingly fearless. Viv felt like more of a loner than Carly; Carly a bit more naive. I did think Viv was the better detective. She also had an intensity about her that Carly lacked. But I liked them both.

Q. So we know going in this was a ghost story and a haunted motel. Have you ever encountered anything strange or scary while staying in a hotel? If not, is there any other strange experiences that you can share with us?
A. Although I've stayed in some sketchy motels over the years, none of them have been scary, or have felt haunted in anyway. I did feel an eerie vibe when I was visiting Chaco Canyon, especially when the wind blew, that made me think the ruins there could definitely be haunted by the spirits of the past. But mostly my life has been ghost free.

34 comments:

  1. The cover of this book gets me every time -- and Viv and Carly sound like determined, curious women and what happens to them

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    1. They are determined women, for sure. I think that's why I liked them so much. :)

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  2. I'm so glad we read this book, Lark! I've enjoyed a few of Simone's books and I'm glad this book didn't disappoint (always love the Gothic touch in most of her books.) Thanks for another great buddy read! :)

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    1. I love the Gothic vibe St. James creates in her books, too. Thanks for waiting for me to get this one so we could read it together. :)

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  3. As I told Melody on her post, I love it when you two do these buddy-reads. Such fun for all of us! I'm a Gothic and ghostly lover too and look forward to reading this one. Good job, Lark and Melody!

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    1. Thanks, Kay! You're sweet. Hope you like this one as much as we did. :)

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  4. I really liked this one! I did find the back and forth a bit confusing, especially because the two story lines were so similar.

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    1. I got confused at the start of this one with all the switching back and forth, too. But it got better.

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  5. This sounds like a spooky good read. I love dual timelines, when done right, so this book is very tempting to me. :)

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    1. You should give it a try, see if you like it! :)

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  6. This is our Ladies Of Horror Fiction Goodreads group read for August. I'm looking forward to it and am so glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Hope you enjoy it, too! :)

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    2. thanks! I am so excited for it. This months book was a bit of a dud by the looks of the posts.

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    3. You hope every book you try is going to be an awesome read, but they don't always turn out that way, do they?

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  7. This is a new author for me but it does sound like a book that I would like.

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    1. You'd probably like her first two books, too. They're my favorite of her novels. :)

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  8. I really enjoyed this one, too, although I thought it lagged a little in the middle. Also, the switch back and forth stole a little of the suspense in the story. Still, this was pretty darn good. I'll have to read more by James.

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    1. The switching back and forth did give away a few of the plot twists, didn't it?

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  9. Dual timelines can be hit and miss of course but when both timelines are equally interesting, it does work well. I hate reading a dual where one timeline is great and the other is boring!

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    1. I hate that, too.With books like that I usually end up not reading the one timeline which means I end up skipping half the book. Luckily, both timelines worked here.

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  10. Dual timelines can work very well and I am glad that was the case here!

    Kind regards,

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    1. I don't mind them when they're done well. :)

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  11. Hi Lark, Great review and you really have me interested in reading this book. In fact I've downloaded a sample on my kindle. I like the dual timeline and the fact that the story is set in a creepy motel in upstate NY. And last but not least is the cover art which in my opinion really sells the book.

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    1. It is a great cover; and the motel does play a significant role in this book. I hope you enjoy this one! :)

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  12. Sound fabulous! I think I might save this one and read it around Halloween time.

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    1. This would make a good Halloween read! :)

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  13. I really enjoyed this one, too. It's the second I've read by the author and I've liked both. I need to read more of hers.

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    1. I really like St. James's books. She's become a favorite author. :)

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  14. Oh what a great review and buddy read! Now I have to know how this ends. It's one that's definitely on my list.

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  15. Man I need to make time for this one!

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    1. I seem to say that about a lot of books these days. ;D

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