Simone St. James's The Sun Down Motel captivates with its dual-timeline narrative and eerie atmosphere. Positive reviews highlight suspenseful plot twists, well-developed characters, and effective Gothic elements. However, some critics find pacing issues and predictability in parts. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of supernatural mysteries.

A reader who would enjoy The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James is likely a fan of atmospheric thrillers with a touch of the supernatural. They may also appreciate novels like The Shining by Stephen King or The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson for their eerie, suspenseful narratives and richly developed settings.

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James alternates between two timelines, following Viv Delaney in 1982 and her niece Carly Kirk in 2017, both of whom work the night shift at the mysterious Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York. As they each investigate unexplained events and disappearances, they uncover dark secrets about the motel, its paranormal residents, and a series of connected murders.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Unnerving / Dark / Gritty

- The author, Simone St. James, primarily wrote historical romances before transitioning to her more well-known ghost story thrillers such as The Sun Down Motel.
- The Sun Down Motel is inspired by real-life stories of unsolved mysteries and the atmospheric motels of upstate New York, reflecting the author's interest in both mystery and supernatural elements.
- The novel alternates timelines between 1982 and 2017, employing a dual narrative structure that can challenge both the characters and readers to piece together the story's mystery.

**Carly Kirk**  
A determined 20-year-old who travels to Fell, New York, to uncover the truth about her missing aunt, Viv, and works the night shift at the Sun Down Motel to investigate mysterious events linked to her family.

**Vivian Delaney**  
A young woman who, in 1982, leaves Illinois to work at the Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York, where she becomes deeply involved in unraveling a series of strange and haunting occurrences.

**Nick Harkness**  
A resident of Fell with a troubled family history, who forms a close bond with Carly as they both seek to address the past and confront the secrets lingering around the motel.

**Alma Trent**  
A former police officer in Fell, who in Carly's timeline offers guidance and support while harboring her own secrets from the past.

**Simon Hess**  
A traveling salesman in 1983 with a suspicious presence at the Sun Down Motel, whose connection to several critical events raises questions about his true nature.

**Betty Graham**  
One of the ghosts haunting the Sun Down Motel, whose restless spirit influences the events unfolding throughout the story.

**Henry (The Smoking Man)**  
The ghostly former front desk worker of the Sun Down Motel, connected to a tragic incident at the motel's pool.

**William Dandridge (Billy)**  
A ghost of a young boy who died in a pool accident at the Sun Down Motel, often seen running through the corridors in confusion.

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Pages 277-326

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