By Book Club Team 
Simone St. James delivers a masterful blend of ghostly suspense and true crime in The Sun Down Motel. The story weaves between the 1980s and the present day, drawing readers into the eerie and sinister happenings at a rundown motel in Fell, New York. Both a gripping mystery and a chilling ghost story, the novel explores themes of justice, loss, and resilience as two women—separated by decades—seek to uncover the truth behind a series of unsolved murders and supernatural occurrences.
| Author | Simone St. James |
| Publication date | February 18, 2020 |
| Goodreads Rating | 4,01 |
| Page count | 327 pages |
| Genres | Mystery, Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Paranormal, Suspense, Ghosts, Adult |
The Sun Down Motel Summary
The story is told in two alternating timelines:
1982 Timeline
The 1982 timeline of The Sun Down Motel follows Viv Delaney, a young woman in her early twenties, as she moves to Fell, New York, in search of independence and adventure. What she finds instead is a rundown, eerie motel with a history of violence and secrets that gradually consumes her life.
Viv’s Arrival in Fell
Viv leaves her small hometown behind, hoping to find something new and exciting in the quiet, unremarkable town of Fell. She takes a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel, a shabby, nearly abandoned roadside inn. From the start, she notices something off about the place: doors open and close on their own, lights flicker, and a strange chill permeates the air.
Discovering the Motel’s Dark History
Viv learns from her coworkers and locals that the motel has a troubled past. Several women were murdered or went missing in the area, and some of the victims were last seen near the motel. The police wrote off many of these cases as accidents or isolated incidents, but Viv senses a deeper connection.
The paranormal activity at the motel grows increasingly unsettling. Viv begins seeing and hearing things she cannot explain—ghostly figures appear, footsteps echo in empty hallways, and she hears whispers in the night. These apparitions include Betty Graham, one of the murder victims, whose presence becomes a harbinger of Viv’s growing obsession with the motel’s secrets.
Viv’s Investigation
Viv, unable to ignore the motel’s haunting atmosphere, decides to investigate the murders. She dives into local newspaper archives and questions locals, uncovering unsettling patterns that suggest the presence of a serial killer. Viv becomes increasingly convinced that the police have ignored critical clues, allowing the killer to operate with impunity.
Her obsession begins to alienate her from others. She spends late nights alone in the motel, risking her safety by pushing boundaries in her search for the truth. The ghosts seem to guide her at times, revealing hints about the victims’ final moments, though they also leave her shaken and afraid.
Danger Lurking in the Shadows
Viv’s determination brings her closer to the truth but also puts her in danger. She discovers that Alma Trent, the motel’s owner, is connected to the murders. Alma harbors a twisted sense of morality, targeting women she deems “undesirable.” As Viv pieces together Alma’s motives and crimes, Alma begins to suspect that Viv knows too much.
The story reaches its climax when Viv confronts Alma. In a tense and violent showdown, Viv kills Alma in self-defense. Realizing the danger of staying in Fell, and knowing Alma’s powerful family might come after her, Viv stages her own disappearance. She leaves behind her belongings, creating the illusion that she was another victim of the motel’s dark legacy.
Viv’s Sacrifice
Viv’s decision to fake her death marks the end of her timeline, but her actions reverberate through the years. She ensures that clues about Alma’s crimes are left behind, hoping someone will eventually uncover the truth. Her sacrifice and bravery are not in vain, as her niece Carly picks up the trail decades later, solving the mystery Viv left behind.
Present Day Timeline
The Present Day Timeline follows Carly Kirk, a young woman in her early twenties, as she arrives in Fell, New York, in search of answers about her aunt Viv’s mysterious disappearance in 1982. Carly’s journey uncovers dark secrets about the Sun Down Motel, her family’s history, and the town of Fell, intertwining her story with Viv’s in chilling and unexpected ways.
Carly’s Arrival in Fell
Carly, reeling from the recent death of her mother, learns that her aunt Viv vanished decades earlier while working as a night clerk at the Sun Down Motel. Haunted by her family’s silence about Viv’s fate, Carly decides to uncover the truth. She moves to Fell and, mirroring Viv’s path, takes the same job at the Sun Down Motel.
From her first shift, Carly senses that the motel is not an ordinary place. The atmosphere is oppressive, and strange occurrences—flickering lights, unexplained noises, and the sensation of being watched—make her uneasy. Carly soon learns that the Sun Down Motel is rumored to be haunted, with a history of ghost sightings and eerie phenomena linked to the murders of several women decades earlier.
Discovering Viv’s Trail
Carly begins investigating her aunt’s disappearance and quickly realizes that Viv was investigating the murders in Fell before she vanished. Carly retraces Viv’s steps by visiting the local library, reviewing old newspapers, and talking to longtime residents. She uncovers a disturbing pattern of violence against women in the town, with many cases going unsolved.
The parallels between Carly and Viv’s experiences deepen as Carly encounters the same ghosts her aunt did, including Betty Graham, one of the motel’s victims. The ghosts appear to Carly in frightening yet purposeful ways, pointing her toward the truth about the murders and Viv’s fate.
Building Allies
Carly’s investigation is supported by several key allies:
- Heather: Carly’s quirky and crime-obsessed roommate, who becomes her closest confidante. Heather’s enthusiasm for solving mysteries provides both emotional support and practical help, such as assisting Carly with research and offering theories about the case.
- Nick Harkness: A mysterious local man with a dark past. Nick works as a handyman and has his own ties to the motel’s sinister history. Initially wary of him, Carly eventually comes to trust Nick as he helps her navigate the dangers of her investigation.
Confronting the Motel’s Haunting Secrets
As Carly delves deeper into the motel’s history, the paranormal activity escalates. Ghostly figures appear more frequently, and their presence becomes both a warning and a guide. Carly learns that Viv’s disappearance is directly tied to the motel’s owner, Alma Trent, and the murders she orchestrated in the 1980s.
Carly also faces real-world dangers. As her investigation threatens to expose long-buried secrets, she attracts the attention of people who want to keep those truths hidden. Her determination to uncover the mystery puts her in harm’s way, mirroring Viv’s experiences decades earlier.
Solving the Mystery
Carly pieces together Viv’s actions in 1982, discovering that her aunt had identified Alma Trent as the killer and confronted her. Carly learns that Viv killed Alma in self-defense and faked her death to escape the fallout. Viv’s decision to disappear was a calculated sacrifice to protect herself from retaliation and to ensure that someone would eventually uncover the truth.
Through her investigation, Carly not only solves the mystery of Viv’s disappearance but also exposes the larger web of violence and corruption in Fell. The ghosts haunting the motel find closure, and the supernatural activity diminishes as justice is finally brought to light.
Carly’s Growth and Resolution
Carly’s journey transforms her. She begins the story as a grieving young woman searching for answers about her family’s past but grows into someone who understands the importance of perseverance and justice. By uncovering Viv’s fate and bringing the truth to light, Carly honors her aunt’s sacrifices and finds a sense of closure for herself and her family.
The novel ends with Carly deciding to move forward with her life, carrying the lessons of her investigation with her. She leaves the Sun Down Motel behind, but its dark history and the courage of those who sought justice remain with her.
The Sun Down Motel Review
From the moment I opened The Sun Down Motel, I was hooked. Simone St. James knows how to create a spine-tingling atmosphere, and the eerie, decaying motel at the heart of this story felt so real, I could almost hear its flickering neon sign buzzing in the background. The blend of ghost story and true crime was absolutely gripping, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages, even when the chills crept up my spine.
What I Loved
- The Atmosphere:
The Sun Down Motel isn’t just a setting—it’s a character. St. James describes it in such vivid, unsettling detail that I could practically smell the stale air and hear the faint footsteps of ghosts roaming the halls. Every time Carly or Viv walked through those dimly lit corridors, I felt a shiver of anticipation (and dread). - The Dual Timelines:
I loved how the book alternated between Viv in 1982 and Carly in the present day. Both women are strong and determined in their own ways, and their stories mirror each other beautifully. As the puzzle pieces of their timelines came together, it felt like uncovering the truth alongside them, which made the mystery even more engaging. - The Ghosts:
I’m a sucker for a good ghost story, and this one delivered. The spirits haunting the motel aren’t just creepy—they’re tragic. They felt like real victims, desperate for justice, and their presence added so much emotional weight to the story. I’ll admit, a couple of their appearances made me hesitate to read late at night! - Viv and Carly:
Both of these women were so easy to root for. Viv’s bravery and Carly’s determination really resonated with me, and I loved how their stories showed the strength it takes to stand up for what’s right, even when the odds are against you.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me
- The Pacing:
As much as I loved the mystery, there were moments—especially in the middle—where the story slowed down. Both Viv and Carly spend a lot of time researching the murders, and while it’s interesting, it sometimes felt like the momentum took a bit of a dip. - The Villain:
Alma Trent was creepy, no doubt about it. Her twisted motives and actions were chilling, but I wish we’d gotten a little more insight into her character. A deeper dive into her psychology could have made her even scarier and more memorable. - A Few Predictable Twists:
If you’ve read a lot of mysteries, you might guess a few key plot points before they’re revealed. That said, the way the story unfolds is so well-written that it didn’t bother me much—I was still eager to see how everything played out.
The Sun Down Motel was such an enjoyable read. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to keep the lights on while reading, but it’s not just about the scares—it’s about justice, resilience, and the strength of women standing up against a world that often tries to silence them. The supernatural elements added an extra layer of intrigue, and I found myself thinking about the story long after I finished it.
Our Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
This book is perfect for fans of atmospheric mysteries and ghost stories with strong female protagonists. While a few pacing issues and a slightly predictable villain kept it from being a perfect 5, it’s still a story that I’ll be recommending to anyone who loves a good, eerie read.
The Sun Down Motel Characters
The characters in The Sun Down Motel are richly drawn, each contributing to the novel’s eerie atmosphere and complex narrative. The protagonists, Viv and Carly, are compelling representations of resilience and determination, while the supporting cast adds depth to the mystery and supernatural elements of the story. Below is an introduction to the key characters and their roles in the plot:
- Viv Delaney: A courageous and independent young woman working as the Sun Down Motel’s night clerk in 1982. Viv becomes obsessed with solving the murders connected to the motel, even as it draws her into a dangerous web of lies and threats. Her tenacity drives the 1982 timeline, making her a beacon of justice for the story’s victims.
- Carly Kirk: The niece of Viv Delaney, Carly is a curious and determined woman who seeks to uncover the truth about her aunt’s disappearance. Taking the same job at the motel decades later, Carly mirrors Viv’s investigative efforts while confronting her own fears and uncovering long-buried secrets.
- Heather: Carly’s quirky and supportive roommate, who brings humor and camaraderie to the present-day timeline. Heather’s fascination with true crime helps Carly piece together crucial details of Viv’s case.
- Nick Harkness: A brooding yet sympathetic local man with a mysterious past. Nick provides insights into the town’s dark history and assists Carly in her investigation, hinting at a possible romantic connection.
- Alma Trent: The menacing owner of the Sun Down Motel in 1982. Alma hides a sinister secret as the story’s primary antagonist, whose twisted motivations have deadly consequences.
- The Ghosts: The spirits of the murdered women, including Betty Graham, who haunt the Sun Down Motel. These ghosts act as eerie yet vital figures, guiding both Viv and Carly toward the truth about the murders.
The Sun Down Motel Book Trigger Warnings
The Sun Down Motel contains themes and scenes that may be distressing to some readers.
- Violence and Murder: Detailed descriptions of killings and physical danger.
- Implied Sexual Assault: References to victimization, though not graphically depicted.
- Paranormal Elements: Ghostly encounters with unsettling and eerie descriptions.
- Trauma and Grief: Themes of unresolved loss and the psychological impact of violence.
- Isolation and Fear: The motel’s setting creates a persistent, claustrophobic sense of dread.
If you’re sensitive to violence or supernatural horror, proceed with caution.