Author: Simone St. James
Published: February 18, 2020
Publisher: Berkley Books
Pages: 327
The Sun Down Motel
The Sun Down Motel is a thrilling supernatural novel by Simone St. James. She is well-known for effectively mixing mystery, suspense, and paranormal themes. The book is praised for its eerie atmosphere, intricate plot, and strong characters. In the fictional town of Fell, New York, a strange motel holds dark secrets and restless ghosts.
The book is praised for its dual timeline, which shifts between 1982 and 2017. The story connects two women: Vivian Delaney and her niece, Carly Kirk. They are both drawn to the motel but for different reasons. The novel explores themes of family, justice, and the lingering effects of the past.
The Sun Down Motel Summary
The story begins in 1982 with Vivian Delaney, a young woman working as a night clerk at the Sun Down Motel. Vivian wants to find out what’s happening at the motel. Strange things are going on, like ghostly figures and odd sounds. Her investigation uncovers unsolved murders in Fell. Then, she suddenly disappears, leaving her family with many questions.
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Fast-forward to 2017. Carly Kirk, Vivian’s niece, arrives in Fell to learn more about her aunt’s disappearance. She takes a job at the same motel and begins to experience the same eerie phenomena. Carly digs into the past and finds shocking secrets. They link her aunt’s disappearance to the motel’s dark history.
The novel’s dual narrative grips readers. The past and present mysteries mingle, revealing a chilling truth.

The Sun Down Motel Movie
As of October 2023, there is no news about a movie based on The Sun Down Motel. Fans are excited about the book’s popularity and hope it will be made into a movie. The novel has a spooky setting, an exciting plot, and supernatural themes, making it a perfect pick for a thrilling horror-mystery film.
The movie can use flashbacks and parallel storytelling, which will show two timelines, like the book. Fans have shared their thoughts on casting. Some suggest Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy for the roles of Vivian and Carly.
The Sun Down Motel Book
The Sun Down Motel is a standalone novel by Simone St. James, published by Berkley Books in 2020. The book has won praise and done well in sales, even making it to the New York Times Best Sellers List.
- Genre: Supernatural Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
- Pages: 327
- Availability: Available in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats.
The novel’s unique blend of mystery and the paranormal has made it a favorite among fans of both genres. It’s praised for its rich atmosphere, solid plot, and strong female leads.
The Sun Down Motel Genre
The Sun Down Motel is a supernatural thriller, mystery, and suspense story. The novel blends horror and detective fiction. It keeps readers guessing until the end.
- Supernatural Thriller: The book features ghostly apparitions, unexplained phenomena, and a haunted setting.
- Mystery: The story uncovers the truth about Vivian’s disappearance and the unsolved murders in Fell.
- Suspense: The dual-timeline narrative builds tension and keeps readers engaged.
The Sun Down Motel Ending Explained
Spoiler Alert: This section contains details about the ending of the book.
At the climax, Carly finds out that Nick Harkness, a local cop, murdered her aunt Vivian. He is linked to the unsolved murders. Vivian had uncovered Nick’s crimes and planned to expose him, but he silenced her to protect himself.
Carly confronts Nick at the motel, where the spirits of Vivian and other victims aid her. Nick is ultimately killed, and justice is served. The ending wraps things up nicely. It calms Carly and the restless spirits at the Sun Down Motel.
The Sun Down Motel Characters
The novel features a cast of compelling characters, each playing a crucial role in the story:
- Vivian Delaney: A young woman working at the Sun Down Motel in 1982. She is determined to uncover the truth behind the motel’s mysteries.
- Carly Kirk: Vivian’s niece, who arrived in Fell in 2017 to investigate her aunt’s disappearance.
- Nick Harkness: A corrupt police officer and the story’s primary antagonist.
- Helen: A ghost who haunts the motel and helps Carly with her investigation.
- Marnie: Carly is a supportive and resourceful friend.

PDF Details
If you want to read The Sun Down Motel in PDF format, you can buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Google Books. Downloading pirated PDFs is illegal and unethical. Purchasing books from authors helps them keep telling great stories.
The Sun Down Motel Quotes
The novel has many memorable quotes. They show its eerie mood and deep emotions.
- “The Sun Down Motel was where people came to disappear.”
- “The past is never really gone. It’s waiting for you to find it.”
- “Sometimes the dead are more honest than the living.”
These quotes show the book’s themes of mystery, the supernatural, and how the past affects us.
TV Series
There has been no official announcement about a TV series adaptation of The Sun Down Motel. The book has a complex plot and a dual timeline, making it a great choice for a limited series. A TV adaptation could explore the characters’ pasts and the town’s dark history, giving viewers a richer experience.
Fans want to see the story on a streaming platform like Netflix or Hulu. These platforms are famous for their successful adaptations of mystery and horror novels.
Spoilers
Spoiler Alert: This section reveals key plot points.
- Vivian’s Fate: Nick Harkness kills Vivian after she finds out he’s linked to the unsolved murders.
- Carly’s Discovery: Carly learns the truth about her aunt’s disappearance. With help from the motel’s ghosts, she brings Nick to justice.
- The Motel’s Spirits: The spirits of Vivian and other victims find peace after Nick’s death.

Conclusion
The Sun Down Motel is a well-crafted novel. It mixes mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. This blend creates a haunting and memorable story. Simone St. James writes with a unique atmosphere and complex plots. This book is a must-read for genre fans. The Sun Down Motel will make a lasting impression. You might love its spooky setting, interesting characters, or exciting plot.
This novel is a perfect choice for those who enjoy stories that keep them on the edge of their seats. Don’t miss out on this chilling tale—pick up a copy today and experience the mystery for yourself.
Author Bio: Simone St. James is a Canadian writer known for her historical fiction and supernatural thrillers. Her other notable works include The Broken Girls and Silence for the Dead. She has won many awards for her writing and continues to capture readers with her unique storytelling.
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