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The Sun Down Motel cover art

The Sun Down Motel

Written by: Simone St. James
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Kirsten Potter
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Publisher's Summary

An Instant New York Times Best Seller

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 best-selling 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.

©2020 Simone St. James (P)2020 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"There are very few novels that leave me feeling genuinely spooked....Simone St. James's The Sun Down Motel is very much one of those books, taking twists and turns that are equal parts compelling and creepy." (PopSugar)

“Spooky, unsettling, and brilliantly written, The Sun Down Motel is mesmerizing from the first page. A breathlessly suspenseful supernatural mystery that will hook you early, and never let go.” (Jennifer Hillier, author of Jar of Hearts, ITW Thriller Award-winner for Best Novel)

“Simone St. James takes danger and fear to a new level with The Sun Down Motel, a place so chocked full of secrets, the rooms all but tremble at their door hinges. An excellent blend of mystery and the mysterious. Don't miss this.” (Jamie Mason, author of The Hidden Things)

What listeners say about The Sun Down Motel

Average Customer Ratings
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Semi Spolier Below

I found this book initially hard to get in to, but once I was, I was hooked. It is a serial killer story, with supernatural twist. The supernatural piece seems like a minor piece compared to the focus of the this story, which is a mystery regarding a missing family member and the disappearance of other young women. I found the jumps between time a little confusing at first, but caught on quick enough.

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Riveting!

Narration was perfect! Their ability to change into each character even during a conversation was nothing but amazing. Story was fascinating and kept me engaged as I binge listened. Def recommend!

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Very gripping

I couldn’t stop listening. It’s a very interesting plot. I always enjoy the author’s weaving of actual mysteries and ghost stories. I was also happy that this one didn’t have any romance. I find her romantic subplots really weak.
Having said that, the story is predictable but that didn’t ruin the charm at all. I was completely hooked.

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I liked this story

I enjoyed this story. A bit of a mystery, with some supernatural events, too. I don’t understand why it’s called a horror, is not scary. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The old roadside motel.

We’ve all seen them on a road trip or family vacation, every town has one right on the pre-Interstate Highway system, the roadside motel. They were a place to stop and get a few winks on your way from point A to point B. In this day and age of chain hotels and frequent flyer plans, the old roadside motel has taken a hit. They have been replaced by the need to get “there” faster and to need the sameness and standardization that we expect, and Norman Bates may have hurt the industry a wee bit. The ones that have survived seem rundown and outdated; this gives them a creepiness that Simone St. James has capitalized on.

The Sun Down Motel was a great story. The Audible version mimics the parallel timelines with two narrators, one for each protagonist, and fits perfectly with the story. I’m a sucker for the parallel timelines, two great suspense stories for the price of one admission, St. James pulled this off masterfully.

St. James’ characters were fabulous. I loved the many levels of quirk that she added to them. Each one, dead and alive, had their own unique personality.

I had my own personal icks with this story. With the innovative story, incredible characters and impeccable selection of narrators, I still saw the twist coming a mile away. Beyond this, St. James felt the need to insert a #metoo element to her story. I get it, authors want to be relevant and to put their own personal feelings into their books. For myself, when I read, I like to get away from the ugliness of reality.

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Solidly mediocre

Decent but uninspired writing. Some atmosphere, in parts, but unoriginal, plodding stuff. Highly forgettable.

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Prey vs,Predator

A cat and mouse story which builds exciting momentum at concluding chapters. The two timelines require att3ntion, but well worth as a young, naive woman in 1980s finds work as a night clerk in a really weird hotel with a bad history. She suspects that one of Sun Down Motel’s regular guests may be a serial killer, but no one is willing to believe her. She sets out to find proof of her suspicions. The final scenes were unexpected, explosive as prey meets predator, learnsthe truth. Unusual plot twists made this a great listen. I believe the author has hit her stride with this novel!

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Kept me up all night

Loved it ! Love the connections of past and present and the building of the characters

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So engaging!

Oh, I just loved this read! The plot was great, characters were well developed, and the narration was done well. I liked the two perspectives, although my favourite was from the aunt's point of view. I think this would make a great movie if they ever decided to turn it into one. Definitely an engaging read/listen!

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absolutely amazing story

I was hooked from the very start and was genuinely caught off guard by the twists and turns the story took. highly recommend this to anyone who loves mystery, ghosts and a lil but of romance on the side.

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