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Murder Road
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2024)A young couple find themselves haunted by a string of gruesome murders committed along an old deserted road in this terrifying new novel.
July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.
When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.
July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.
When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Simone St. James
12 books17.2k followersSimone St. James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Book of Cold Cases, The Sun Down Motel, The Broken Girls and The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives outside Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,258 reviews
July 12, 2024
really liked this one! it kept me guessing. while i did guess some of the plot, a lot of it kept me on my toes in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. in addition to the plot of the book being something i really enjoyed, the cast of characters were important to me! i was invested in the couple we follow in this book so heavily that you can’t help root for them while still looking behind your back the entire time not quite sure what the author has up their sleeve. it was just really well done and i was thoroughly entertained!
March 11, 2024
Loved this! Nobody does ghost stories like Simone St James and this one did not disappoint. Fast-paced, entertaining, nostalgic. Even a few scenes that truly gave me chills!!🫣
March 5, 2024
Simone St. James delivers another solid SUPERNATURAL thriller, which might just raise the hairs on your arms…and it’s NOW AVAILABLE! Happy publication day!!
“If You See Her, You”ll Be The Next One Dead On The Side of the Road”
July 1995:
Eddie and April are newlyweds heading to a cabin for their honeymoon-part of a hotel on the shore of Lake Michigan. They had scrimped and saved and had been able to book five nights, planning to swim, BBQ burgers, drink beer, play scrabble and go to bed. Repeat five times and then head home to Ann Arbor where they would go to work all day, come home at five, have a sandwich together, go to bed, and repeat again, forever and ever, secure in their marital bliss.
But, something along the way, made Eddie take a wrong turn onto Atticus Line, a dark, deserted strip of road that has taken the lives of several hitchhikers over the past nineteen years, the first occurring in 1976.
Then, in the beam of their headlights, they saw a figure walking that appeared to need help, and stopping will change EVERYTHING.
Rhonda Jean isn’t drunk- she is bleeding-and although they rush her to the hospital in ColdLake Falls, when she dies, they somehow become “suspects” instead of the Good Samaritans they are!
Caught up in the mystery, of the original Jane Doe found, dubbed “The Lost Girl”, -they try to clear their names, but when they see her, they have to wonder if she IS just an urban legend ?!
WILL ONE (OR BOTH) BECOME HER NEXT VICTIM?
Fortunately, they will have the help of Rose, the proprietor of the B &B they are placed in by local Police, and Beatrice and Gracie Snell, two resourceful teenaged sisters who are better sleuths than the detectives in charge.
Full of fun 90’s nostalgia, and several eerie, ominous car rides-you will want to scream at Eddie and April whenever they venture back onto Atticus Line.
Just 👀 look at that gorgeous cover of the oncoming headlights on the desolate MURDER ROAD!
Then, as I flipped the pages on my Kindle, there was a dark line beneath each numbered chapter, which seemed to move as you reached the first page of every chapter-reminding me of the rhythmic flash of dashed lines you see dividing two lanes on highway at night as you speed past! Creepy!
If you have enjoyed the author’s work in the past, you don’t want to miss this one!
4.5 ⭐️
Thank You to Berkley for the very early gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
“If You See Her, You”ll Be The Next One Dead On The Side of the Road”
July 1995:
Eddie and April are newlyweds heading to a cabin for their honeymoon-part of a hotel on the shore of Lake Michigan. They had scrimped and saved and had been able to book five nights, planning to swim, BBQ burgers, drink beer, play scrabble and go to bed. Repeat five times and then head home to Ann Arbor where they would go to work all day, come home at five, have a sandwich together, go to bed, and repeat again, forever and ever, secure in their marital bliss.
But, something along the way, made Eddie take a wrong turn onto Atticus Line, a dark, deserted strip of road that has taken the lives of several hitchhikers over the past nineteen years, the first occurring in 1976.
Then, in the beam of their headlights, they saw a figure walking that appeared to need help, and stopping will change EVERYTHING.
Rhonda Jean isn’t drunk- she is bleeding-and although they rush her to the hospital in ColdLake Falls, when she dies, they somehow become “suspects” instead of the Good Samaritans they are!
Caught up in the mystery, of the original Jane Doe found, dubbed “The Lost Girl”, -they try to clear their names, but when they see her, they have to wonder if she IS just an urban legend ?!
WILL ONE (OR BOTH) BECOME HER NEXT VICTIM?
Fortunately, they will have the help of Rose, the proprietor of the B &B they are placed in by local Police, and Beatrice and Gracie Snell, two resourceful teenaged sisters who are better sleuths than the detectives in charge.
Full of fun 90’s nostalgia, and several eerie, ominous car rides-you will want to scream at Eddie and April whenever they venture back onto Atticus Line.
Just 👀 look at that gorgeous cover of the oncoming headlights on the desolate MURDER ROAD!
Then, as I flipped the pages on my Kindle, there was a dark line beneath each numbered chapter, which seemed to move as you reached the first page of every chapter-reminding me of the rhythmic flash of dashed lines you see dividing two lanes on highway at night as you speed past! Creepy!
If you have enjoyed the author’s work in the past, you don’t want to miss this one!
4.5 ⭐️
Thank You to Berkley for the very early gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
October 23, 2023
Ghostly
“It was the worst road in America.”
Murder Road is a CREEPY thriller about a couple on their honeymoon who become suspects in a murder investigation.
In Michigan in 1995, April and Eddie are driving to their honeymoon destination--a small lakeside resort in Michigan, but get sidetracked when they pass through Cold Lake Falls on a dark and deserted highway named Atticus Line.. Little do they know that their attempt to do a good deed not only will make them suspects in a murder, but also lead them to get haunted by the ghost of “The Lost Girl.”
Much of the mystery centers on the identity of “The Lost Girl," the first victim of the Atticus Line murderer. The other central mystery revolves around April and Eddie’s pasts. Both are keeping secrets, but only April’s POV is shared. Other characters who play a large role are inn owner Rose and the Snell sisters. I loved Rose, but the storyline with the Snell sisters didn’t work for me.
The atmosphere is eerie--not only are there hauntings to contend with, but also the murderer. How they kill their victims scared the sh*t out of me. On top of that, Cold Lake Falls is a strange town, and its inhabitants are even stranger.
I always find myself immersed in Simone St. James’ novels, and this book was no exception. I was engrossed from the start, scared for about 80% of the book, and intrigued by the mysteries. I had a few issues with parts of the plot (I won’t share because of spoilers), but overall, Murder Road set the tone for a spooky Halloween season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
“It was the worst road in America.”
Murder Road is a CREEPY thriller about a couple on their honeymoon who become suspects in a murder investigation.
In Michigan in 1995, April and Eddie are driving to their honeymoon destination--a small lakeside resort in Michigan, but get sidetracked when they pass through Cold Lake Falls on a dark and deserted highway named Atticus Line.. Little do they know that their attempt to do a good deed not only will make them suspects in a murder, but also lead them to get haunted by the ghost of “The Lost Girl.”
Much of the mystery centers on the identity of “The Lost Girl," the first victim of the Atticus Line murderer. The other central mystery revolves around April and Eddie’s pasts. Both are keeping secrets, but only April’s POV is shared. Other characters who play a large role are inn owner Rose and the Snell sisters. I loved Rose, but the storyline with the Snell sisters didn’t work for me.
The atmosphere is eerie--not only are there hauntings to contend with, but also the murderer. How they kill their victims scared the sh*t out of me. On top of that, Cold Lake Falls is a strange town, and its inhabitants are even stranger.
I always find myself immersed in Simone St. James’ novels, and this book was no exception. I was engrossed from the start, scared for about 80% of the book, and intrigued by the mysteries. I had a few issues with parts of the plot (I won’t share because of spoilers), but overall, Murder Road set the tone for a spooky Halloween season.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2024
Each time I begin another Simone St. James book, the haunting theme of "The Twilight Zone" starts playing in my mind, accompanied by eerie humming and buzzing sounds in the background. These sensations give me goosebumps, causing the hairs on various parts of my body to stand on end. I remember one instance when I was engrossed in one of her books, flipping through the pages like a machine. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I saw a resemblance to the tormented figure in Edvard Munch’s painting, "The Scream."
This book evoked a similar effect in me. It was chillingly horrifying yet incredibly captivating, a page-turner that kept me on edge until the very end. While some aspects may have initially seemed a tad far-fetched, the conclusion was skillfully executed. I must concede that even though the married couple, Eddie and April, are the central characters, the owner of the B&B, Rose, and the unsettling Snell sisters stole scenes whenever they graced the pages. I could even envision starting a fan club dedicated to them. Rose's dry-witted remarks, her eccentric demeanor masking vulnerability, and her peculiar adoration for Lady Diana captured my attention. The Snell sisters, surpassing the typical Nancy Drew wannabes or other young detective characters from TV shows, shone brightly. Their idiosyncrasies, sharp retorts, and knack for piecing together mysteries were the highlights of the book.
The narrative unfolds with newlyweds April and Eddie, both in their mid-twenties, embarking on a road trip for their honeymoon. An unexpected twist occurs when April loses consciousness during the journey, and upon awakening, she realizes they've taken a wrong turn to Coldlake Falls, leading them to Atticus Lane. In a sudden flash of lightning, they spot a young woman slowly walking down this eerie and desolate road. Despite the woman's vague responses raising alarms, April and Eddie offer her a ride in their car. Little did they know that this decision would propel them into a harrowing sequence of events. They discover the woman is fatally wounded from a stabbing. Their attempt to rush her to the hospital makes them prime suspects in a case involving missing hitchhikers, capturing the attention of state detectives.
These detectives are determined to pin crimes on the couple, crimes they didn't commit. This conspiracy seems to trace back nearly two decades to the death of Jane Doe, who has morphed into an urban legend known as "The Lost Girl." According to the legend, her vengeful spirit roams the deserted roads, hunting hitchhikers.
Both April and Eddie harbor secrets from their pasts, secrets that could lead to their imprisonment if uncovered by the detectives. Consequently, they are compelled to unravel the mystery before them in order to safeguard their hidden skeletons. However, what if the Lost Girl is real, and what if there's a reason why they are repeatedly drawn back to Atticus Lane whenever they attempt to leave the town?
The grand revelation of the mystery seamlessly interweaves supernatural horror elements. This book was one of the swiftest reads I've encountered, and as an ardent fan of the author, I wholeheartedly recommend this exhilarating, immensely enjoyable journey. It's a remarkable paranormal mystery featuring well-developed and endearing characters.
My sincere gratitude extends to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest insights.
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This book evoked a similar effect in me. It was chillingly horrifying yet incredibly captivating, a page-turner that kept me on edge until the very end. While some aspects may have initially seemed a tad far-fetched, the conclusion was skillfully executed. I must concede that even though the married couple, Eddie and April, are the central characters, the owner of the B&B, Rose, and the unsettling Snell sisters stole scenes whenever they graced the pages. I could even envision starting a fan club dedicated to them. Rose's dry-witted remarks, her eccentric demeanor masking vulnerability, and her peculiar adoration for Lady Diana captured my attention. The Snell sisters, surpassing the typical Nancy Drew wannabes or other young detective characters from TV shows, shone brightly. Their idiosyncrasies, sharp retorts, and knack for piecing together mysteries were the highlights of the book.
The narrative unfolds with newlyweds April and Eddie, both in their mid-twenties, embarking on a road trip for their honeymoon. An unexpected twist occurs when April loses consciousness during the journey, and upon awakening, she realizes they've taken a wrong turn to Coldlake Falls, leading them to Atticus Lane. In a sudden flash of lightning, they spot a young woman slowly walking down this eerie and desolate road. Despite the woman's vague responses raising alarms, April and Eddie offer her a ride in their car. Little did they know that this decision would propel them into a harrowing sequence of events. They discover the woman is fatally wounded from a stabbing. Their attempt to rush her to the hospital makes them prime suspects in a case involving missing hitchhikers, capturing the attention of state detectives.
These detectives are determined to pin crimes on the couple, crimes they didn't commit. This conspiracy seems to trace back nearly two decades to the death of Jane Doe, who has morphed into an urban legend known as "The Lost Girl." According to the legend, her vengeful spirit roams the deserted roads, hunting hitchhikers.
Both April and Eddie harbor secrets from their pasts, secrets that could lead to their imprisonment if uncovered by the detectives. Consequently, they are compelled to unravel the mystery before them in order to safeguard their hidden skeletons. However, what if the Lost Girl is real, and what if there's a reason why they are repeatedly drawn back to Atticus Lane whenever they attempt to leave the town?
The grand revelation of the mystery seamlessly interweaves supernatural horror elements. This book was one of the swiftest reads I've encountered, and as an ardent fan of the author, I wholeheartedly recommend this exhilarating, immensely enjoyable journey. It's a remarkable paranormal mystery featuring well-developed and endearing characters.
My sincere gratitude extends to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest insights.
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March 7, 2024
“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”
― H.P. Lovecraft, Supernatural Horror in Literature
It’s July 1995, and newly weds April and Eddie Carter are travelling to their honeymoon destination, but they take a wrong turn and end up lost on a dark and lonely road late at night. Ahead of them, a woman is picked out by the beam of the headlights, and it’s clear that she’s in some kind of trouble.
Eddie stops the car, and when the woman gets in, she’s absolutely covered in blood - and this folks is only the beginning of a long and terrifying story that will have April and Eddie question everything they have ever believed in!
I have to say that this was a really creepy story - the kind of unsettling story that’s told around a campfire on a dark night, far away from civilisation, the wind eerily moaning through the treetops. If you enjoy a touch of the supernatural with your murder mysteries, then you’ll love this one. Join April and Eddie on their ride from hell - if you dare!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
― H.P. Lovecraft, Supernatural Horror in Literature
It’s July 1995, and newly weds April and Eddie Carter are travelling to their honeymoon destination, but they take a wrong turn and end up lost on a dark and lonely road late at night. Ahead of them, a woman is picked out by the beam of the headlights, and it’s clear that she’s in some kind of trouble.
Eddie stops the car, and when the woman gets in, she’s absolutely covered in blood - and this folks is only the beginning of a long and terrifying story that will have April and Eddie question everything they have ever believed in!
I have to say that this was a really creepy story - the kind of unsettling story that’s told around a campfire on a dark night, far away from civilisation, the wind eerily moaning through the treetops. If you enjoy a touch of the supernatural with your murder mysteries, then you’ll love this one. Join April and Eddie on their ride from hell - if you dare!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
March 22, 2024
I just want to say that when I read “The Book of Cold Cases” by this author, I deemed her my favorite author because I loved that book so much! However, the next few books I read after “Cold Cases” have been mediocre for me, including this latest release. Now, I’m not sure if it’s because my expectations are so high or because my tastes have swayed a bit. Whatever has happened, I’m just not quite feeling it. This book started off super strong for me, and then about halfway through I started to lose interest. I even felt as if this book could have been written for a YA audience (or maybe I’m just getting too old).
In this story we have newlyweds, Eddie Carter and April Delray (she hasn’t even had time to change her name yet). Eddie and April are headed to their honeymoon at the Five Pines Resort, when they realize they are lost and heading in the wrong direction. They are on the road of Atticus Line when they see a lone woman walking down the side of the road in the middle of the night. They stop, pick up the lone woman and it isn’t until they are driving that they realize this unknown woman is bleeding to death in their backseat.
Eddie and April take the bleeding woman, who had multiple stab wounds to her stomach to the hospital. It is there the woman dies, and Eddie and April are suddenly treated as suspects in the woman’s murder. Little do Eddie and April know that there have been several murders in the town of Coldlake Falls, which they are now in. All of the murders go back over 19 years, and all of them on Atticus Line. Who did this? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or is there something much more dangerous at hand?
I did enjoy Eddie and April’s backstories in this. However, the paranormal element was lacking for me. I think I was expecting more creepiness, maybe more of a twist (I figured it out early on), so something was missing for me. Maybe I read too many suspense novels, or paranormal just isn’t my thing anymore- but this just didn’t knock my socks off like I thought it would.
Murder Road was definitely a middle of the road rating for me…
In this story we have newlyweds, Eddie Carter and April Delray (she hasn’t even had time to change her name yet). Eddie and April are headed to their honeymoon at the Five Pines Resort, when they realize they are lost and heading in the wrong direction. They are on the road of Atticus Line when they see a lone woman walking down the side of the road in the middle of the night. They stop, pick up the lone woman and it isn’t until they are driving that they realize this unknown woman is bleeding to death in their backseat.
Eddie and April take the bleeding woman, who had multiple stab wounds to her stomach to the hospital. It is there the woman dies, and Eddie and April are suddenly treated as suspects in the woman’s murder. Little do Eddie and April know that there have been several murders in the town of Coldlake Falls, which they are now in. All of the murders go back over 19 years, and all of them on Atticus Line. Who did this? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or is there something much more dangerous at hand?
I did enjoy Eddie and April’s backstories in this. However, the paranormal element was lacking for me. I think I was expecting more creepiness, maybe more of a twist (I figured it out early on), so something was missing for me. Maybe I read too many suspense novels, or paranormal just isn’t my thing anymore- but this just didn’t knock my socks off like I thought it would.
Murder Road was definitely a middle of the road rating for me…
September 26, 2023
Welcome to the honeymoon from Hell!
In 1995, newlyweds April and Eddie take a wrong turn while driving to their honeymoon destination and find themselves lost on Atticus Line. They pick up a hitchhiker, afraid that she might be in danger. However, they soon learn that the woman has recently been stabbed. The only words she speaks are, “I’m sorry. He’s coming.” Unfortunately, she won’t survive the night.
Now the couple are stuck in Coldlake Falls, Michigan, questioned by the police and suspected of her murder. They decide to investigate a string of murders that all took place on Atticus Line. Are they all connected? Could there be a serial killer on the loose? Or is it just urban legend?
“If you see her, you’ll be the next one found at the side of the road.”
They think they saw her…
Simone St. James is one of my favorite gothic authors. I can always count on her books to grip me from the first page, and Murder Road does just that. I read this one in two days and it did not disappoint! She explores themes of racism and PTSD, while delivering a spooky gothic mystery. I really enjoyed Rose Jones’s quirky character and the amateur detective duo of the Snell sisters.
This book was a five star read for me up until the reveal, as the motive just wasn’t believable. However, I did really enjoy the ride! Pun intended.
4/5 stars
Expected publication date: 3/5/24
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of Murder Road in exchange for an honest review.
In 1995, newlyweds April and Eddie take a wrong turn while driving to their honeymoon destination and find themselves lost on Atticus Line. They pick up a hitchhiker, afraid that she might be in danger. However, they soon learn that the woman has recently been stabbed. The only words she speaks are, “I’m sorry. He’s coming.” Unfortunately, she won’t survive the night.
Now the couple are stuck in Coldlake Falls, Michigan, questioned by the police and suspected of her murder. They decide to investigate a string of murders that all took place on Atticus Line. Are they all connected? Could there be a serial killer on the loose? Or is it just urban legend?
“If you see her, you’ll be the next one found at the side of the road.”
They think they saw her…
Simone St. James is one of my favorite gothic authors. I can always count on her books to grip me from the first page, and Murder Road does just that. I read this one in two days and it did not disappoint! She explores themes of racism and PTSD, while delivering a spooky gothic mystery. I really enjoyed Rose Jones’s quirky character and the amateur detective duo of the Snell sisters.
This book was a five star read for me up until the reveal, as the motive just wasn’t believable. However, I did really enjoy the ride! Pun intended.
4/5 stars
Expected publication date: 3/5/24
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC of Murder Road in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2024
Greetings from Outlier Island!!!
I want to start this off by saying that I loved The Broken Girls, The Sun Down Motel and The Book of Cold Cases. I fully expected to have the same experience with this one.
In fact, upon learning the title and reading the synopsis, I expected to enjoy it even more than those previous novels, as it sounded like this was going to be toeing over the line into my favorite genre: horror.
Unfortunately, here we are, 3-stars. My lowest rated St. James to-date; such a mixed bag for me. I'm sad about it, but feel like it is bound to be a one off.
It has to be. I find it hard to believe that it's not. For me, this felt completely different than her other books and not in a good way. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.
I really hadn't read any reviews prior to picking this one up, so after I finished it, shocked by how I didn't love it, I scurried over here and was even more shocked to discover I'm almost the only person who didn't love it!
I fully expected to find a mix of reviews. Those who loved it and those who didn't as much. I started to doubt everything. What did I miss? I can understand it's objectively still a good story, but it didn't deliver me the vibes, tension, or mystery I'm accustomed to with this author.
I felt I was being generous giving 3-stars, but apparently I am being the biggest Debbie Downer in the book community. So, apologies all around for that.
I am going to move on. I'm going to pretend it never happened. I'm looking forward to whatever Simone St. James writes next. I still love her and her work. For some reason this one just did not work for me.
I think it started off bad. I don't want to get too far into it, but the police suspecting these two MCs right away, the way they were treating them for assisting an injured woman was bizarre, to say the least. It was like, what?
It made no sense whatsoever for them to be treated with such hostility. Even though, ultimately we get a bit of an explanation for this, I wasn't buying it. Too little, too late. It felt so contrived on the part of the Officer involved.
I think that opening left a sour taste in my mouth that left me judging the rest of the story too harshly. I admit that. I can appreciate some of the aspects of the story, but for me, I just wish it had been told differently.
Nevertheless, I'm glad I gave it a shot and as mentioned, I look forward to more from this author. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. Even though it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't for you.
If it sounds interesting to you, please pick it up. You'd do well to just ignore everything I just wrote. You most likely will not find yourself on Outlier Island with me. But if you do, bring drinks!
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I love you and appreciate you.
I want to start this off by saying that I loved The Broken Girls, The Sun Down Motel and The Book of Cold Cases. I fully expected to have the same experience with this one.
In fact, upon learning the title and reading the synopsis, I expected to enjoy it even more than those previous novels, as it sounded like this was going to be toeing over the line into my favorite genre: horror.
Unfortunately, here we are, 3-stars. My lowest rated St. James to-date; such a mixed bag for me. I'm sad about it, but feel like it is bound to be a one off.
It has to be. I find it hard to believe that it's not. For me, this felt completely different than her other books and not in a good way. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.
I really hadn't read any reviews prior to picking this one up, so after I finished it, shocked by how I didn't love it, I scurried over here and was even more shocked to discover I'm almost the only person who didn't love it!
I fully expected to find a mix of reviews. Those who loved it and those who didn't as much. I started to doubt everything. What did I miss? I can understand it's objectively still a good story, but it didn't deliver me the vibes, tension, or mystery I'm accustomed to with this author.
I felt I was being generous giving 3-stars, but apparently I am being the biggest Debbie Downer in the book community. So, apologies all around for that.
I am going to move on. I'm going to pretend it never happened. I'm looking forward to whatever Simone St. James writes next. I still love her and her work. For some reason this one just did not work for me.
I think it started off bad. I don't want to get too far into it, but the police suspecting these two MCs right away, the way they were treating them for assisting an injured woman was bizarre, to say the least. It was like, what?
It made no sense whatsoever for them to be treated with such hostility. Even though, ultimately we get a bit of an explanation for this, I wasn't buying it. Too little, too late. It felt so contrived on the part of the Officer involved.
I think that opening left a sour taste in my mouth that left me judging the rest of the story too harshly. I admit that. I can appreciate some of the aspects of the story, but for me, I just wish it had been told differently.
Nevertheless, I'm glad I gave it a shot and as mentioned, I look forward to more from this author. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. Even though it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't for you.
If it sounds interesting to you, please pick it up. You'd do well to just ignore everything I just wrote. You most likely will not find yourself on Outlier Island with me. But if you do, bring drinks!
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I love you and appreciate you.
March 1, 2024
Chills! Absolute to-the-bone chills!😬
It’s 1995 and April and Eddie are on their honeymoon after a whirlwind romance. They just knew they were meant for each other. Perhaps a bit bent, yet fit together like peanut butter and jelly. They’ve booked four nights at a small lakeside hotel in Michigan. Road trip!
After waking from a nap during the car ride Eddie informs April that they’re hopelessly lost on this seemingly deserted road. No cars in sight. But up ahead is a lone woman walking along the side of the road. Being genuinely good people they cannot just drive past her.
Pulling off the side of the road to check on this mysterious wanderer they quickly realize something is seriously wrong. She’s covered in blood! Can they somehow find a hospital and get her help in time? Is the person responsible still close by?
I love how the storyline takes place in the 90’s. The author adds enough realistic detail to place you in that decade without bombarding you with so much 90’s trivia that it distracts from the story.
As with all books by Simone St James there’s a supernatural element to her storylines.👻Perhaps this book displayed that the most out of all her books. But not to worry my fellow scaredy cats! If I can get through this one you will too! (Just keep the lights on) JK!😉
But seriously, this book did give me spine tingling chills! Hope it does the same for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group
It’s 1995 and April and Eddie are on their honeymoon after a whirlwind romance. They just knew they were meant for each other. Perhaps a bit bent, yet fit together like peanut butter and jelly. They’ve booked four nights at a small lakeside hotel in Michigan. Road trip!
After waking from a nap during the car ride Eddie informs April that they’re hopelessly lost on this seemingly deserted road. No cars in sight. But up ahead is a lone woman walking along the side of the road. Being genuinely good people they cannot just drive past her.
Pulling off the side of the road to check on this mysterious wanderer they quickly realize something is seriously wrong. She’s covered in blood! Can they somehow find a hospital and get her help in time? Is the person responsible still close by?
I love how the storyline takes place in the 90’s. The author adds enough realistic detail to place you in that decade without bombarding you with so much 90’s trivia that it distracts from the story.
As with all books by Simone St James there’s a supernatural element to her storylines.👻Perhaps this book displayed that the most out of all her books. But not to worry my fellow scaredy cats! If I can get through this one you will too! (Just keep the lights on) JK!😉
But seriously, this book did give me spine tingling chills! Hope it does the same for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group
September 26, 2023
My new fav author! Had heard great things about Simone St. James but this book really blew me away. Reminded me of the first time I read Riley Sager—the amazing characters, spine-tingling action, and extra dose of what the hell is gonna happen next. Now I have to go back and binge on all her previous works. Yeah me!
April 17, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Simone St. James for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 3.5!!**
"I danced with the Devil, he tried to get my soul
Didn't recognize him on the dead man's road
Oh no, he's dead and cold
Don't go down the dead man's road" - Dead Man's Road, Doc Holliday
It's the summer of '97, and April and Eddie have tied the knot...and now it's finally time for a peaceful, relaxing honeymoon. Headed to their quiet resort town along the lake in Michigan, they can almost hear the lull of the waves and feel the warm sun on their faces already...even though it's nighttime. But when they stray off the beaten path and end up on a strange stretch of road known as Atticus Line...the vibes are a lot less Good Vibrations and a lot more 'Oujia Board on Halloween'. They see a hitchhiker stranded on the side of the road, and despite their better judgment (and the obvious kink in their original plans) they stop to help the young woman out...and it's only then they notice that she's COVERED in blood.
Eddie and April get the woman (named Rhonda Jean) to a hospital...but unfortunately not soon enough to save her. What they later learn is that she's far from the first to disappear on that fated stretch of road...Atticus Line is known for missing hitchhikers, and one particular hitchhiker is known by all of the locals as "The Lost Girl." This Jane Doe has never been found, and with a string of other unsolved murders taking place on this SAME stretch of highway, police begin to narrow their focus onto the two people who just HAPPENED to be there when Rhonda was found soaked in blood: Eddie and April.
Desperate to clear their names and get to the bottom of the case, the married duo tap into local resources: the owner of the B&B they are staying at, Rose, and true Hardy Girls in the flesh, the Snell Sisters, who are teens obsessed with the murders and doing a bit of detective work on their own, and attempt to tackle the last 30 YEARS of unsolved cases to find out just what happened to all of this missing wanderers...and if their spirits are still haunting the same eerie stretch of highway. Can Eddie and April get to the bottom of the mystery with all eyes cast upon them? Or does The Lost Girl have her eyes on a NEW victim...or possibly a pair of victims...and won't stop until she FINALLY exacts her revenge?
I have to admit, I've been on the fence about continuing to read Simone St. James' books since my very first. I have always felt like I loved the IDEA of her books more than the finished product itself, and have relied heavily on her fantastic use of atmosphere and her AMAZING ghosts to keep me hooked and hoping for something more each time I pick one up. Oftentimes in the past, her plots have felt very convenient to me, with everything and everyone being in the right place, at the right time for everything to work, with a certain level of suspended disbelief ALSO required just to get me from A to B in terms of plot. I've never felt compelled to keep reading OTHER than to revisit her ghosts again and again, which is a bit bizarre, but just speaks to the quality of her writing when it comes to the paranormal.
But with Murder Road, I am thrilled to say that St. James took EVERY aspect of her writing to the next level...and the result was a thriller that was spooky, dripping in 90's nostalgia, and a TWISTY page turner that kept me EASILY enthralled from beginning to end!
St. James' atmosphere is ALWAYS on point, but as a 90's kid with a soft spot for the aforementioned era, I feel that she absolutely NAILED the essence of the 90s. This cover says it all: it could just have easily been on a Christopher Pike or R.L Stine book from the same era...and I mean that as an ABSOLUTE compliment! There are plenty of references thrown in along the way to remind you of the time period, but rather than beat her readers over the head with them, for the most part St. James slyly tosses them in as background or scene setting material, from TV footage around big news stories of the time to music playing on the radio during one of April and Eddie's many car rides...and THIS is how you do it. Lots of gentle nods, but nothing in your face: she played it JUST right. 👏
There's also a fabulous balance between the mystery and the paranormal elements of the book. This one is equal parts whodunit and spooky ghost story, and the ghost(s) popped in and out enough of the narrative to remain a steady uncertain unknown, but not enough to remove the more realistic aspect of the story. I appreciated that St. James also spent a fair amount of time showing the strong bond between Eddie and April and their more tender moments, as well as full developing the characters of Rose and the Snell Sisters to the point where you hoped beyond hope that THEY weren't involved in the murders somehow...because trust me, you'll be considering EVERY option! While some reveals felt a bit predictable once they occurred, it was the time spent ramping up the tension that made this one feel so special and DIFFERENT from St. James' books.
And unlike the other two St. James books that I've read thus far, one of my other FAVORITE aspects of this one was that it in no way felt like YA. Even when the narrative dealt with younger characters (or younger iterations of characters) it never felt as though the content had been watered down or read as 'young': Eddie and April were very much the adult married couple they were, and the dramatic tension felt just about as developed as I could hope from St. James. The dialogue was never 'off', and this was one of those 'fun' mystery thrillers where I just ENJOYED anytime I got to grab it for a few minutes and flip the pages. A step or two up in terms of quality from a pure popcorn thriller, but it had that 'feel' and I also felt like I was getting waves of twangy guitar like you might hear in a 60's song like Dead Man's Curve...there's something about the spirit of this one that starts with the cover and NEVER lets up until the last page, and it's the kind of book that finally (and I MEAN finally, because I've been craving the feeling for SO long!) that has me chomping at the bit for St. James' next terrifying tale! 👻
(And although it goes without saying, has FIRMLY cemented the fact that I will NEVER, EVER pick up any hitchhikers! I mean...unless something OTHERWORLDLY comes a-calling!) 😱
😉
4 stars
"I danced with the Devil, he tried to get my soul
Didn't recognize him on the dead man's road
Oh no, he's dead and cold
Don't go down the dead man's road" - Dead Man's Road, Doc Holliday
It's the summer of '97, and April and Eddie have tied the knot...and now it's finally time for a peaceful, relaxing honeymoon. Headed to their quiet resort town along the lake in Michigan, they can almost hear the lull of the waves and feel the warm sun on their faces already...even though it's nighttime. But when they stray off the beaten path and end up on a strange stretch of road known as Atticus Line...the vibes are a lot less Good Vibrations and a lot more 'Oujia Board on Halloween'. They see a hitchhiker stranded on the side of the road, and despite their better judgment (and the obvious kink in their original plans) they stop to help the young woman out...and it's only then they notice that she's COVERED in blood.
Eddie and April get the woman (named Rhonda Jean) to a hospital...but unfortunately not soon enough to save her. What they later learn is that she's far from the first to disappear on that fated stretch of road...Atticus Line is known for missing hitchhikers, and one particular hitchhiker is known by all of the locals as "The Lost Girl." This Jane Doe has never been found, and with a string of other unsolved murders taking place on this SAME stretch of highway, police begin to narrow their focus onto the two people who just HAPPENED to be there when Rhonda was found soaked in blood: Eddie and April.
Desperate to clear their names and get to the bottom of the case, the married duo tap into local resources: the owner of the B&B they are staying at, Rose, and true Hardy Girls in the flesh, the Snell Sisters, who are teens obsessed with the murders and doing a bit of detective work on their own, and attempt to tackle the last 30 YEARS of unsolved cases to find out just what happened to all of this missing wanderers...and if their spirits are still haunting the same eerie stretch of highway. Can Eddie and April get to the bottom of the mystery with all eyes cast upon them? Or does The Lost Girl have her eyes on a NEW victim...or possibly a pair of victims...and won't stop until she FINALLY exacts her revenge?
I have to admit, I've been on the fence about continuing to read Simone St. James' books since my very first. I have always felt like I loved the IDEA of her books more than the finished product itself, and have relied heavily on her fantastic use of atmosphere and her AMAZING ghosts to keep me hooked and hoping for something more each time I pick one up. Oftentimes in the past, her plots have felt very convenient to me, with everything and everyone being in the right place, at the right time for everything to work, with a certain level of suspended disbelief ALSO required just to get me from A to B in terms of plot. I've never felt compelled to keep reading OTHER than to revisit her ghosts again and again, which is a bit bizarre, but just speaks to the quality of her writing when it comes to the paranormal.
But with Murder Road, I am thrilled to say that St. James took EVERY aspect of her writing to the next level...and the result was a thriller that was spooky, dripping in 90's nostalgia, and a TWISTY page turner that kept me EASILY enthralled from beginning to end!
St. James' atmosphere is ALWAYS on point, but as a 90's kid with a soft spot for the aforementioned era, I feel that she absolutely NAILED the essence of the 90s. This cover says it all: it could just have easily been on a Christopher Pike or R.L Stine book from the same era...and I mean that as an ABSOLUTE compliment! There are plenty of references thrown in along the way to remind you of the time period, but rather than beat her readers over the head with them, for the most part St. James slyly tosses them in as background or scene setting material, from TV footage around big news stories of the time to music playing on the radio during one of April and Eddie's many car rides...and THIS is how you do it. Lots of gentle nods, but nothing in your face: she played it JUST right. 👏
There's also a fabulous balance between the mystery and the paranormal elements of the book. This one is equal parts whodunit and spooky ghost story, and the ghost(s) popped in and out enough of the narrative to remain a steady uncertain unknown, but not enough to remove the more realistic aspect of the story. I appreciated that St. James also spent a fair amount of time showing the strong bond between Eddie and April and their more tender moments, as well as full developing the characters of Rose and the Snell Sisters to the point where you hoped beyond hope that THEY weren't involved in the murders somehow...because trust me, you'll be considering EVERY option! While some reveals felt a bit predictable once they occurred, it was the time spent ramping up the tension that made this one feel so special and DIFFERENT from St. James' books.
And unlike the other two St. James books that I've read thus far, one of my other FAVORITE aspects of this one was that it in no way felt like YA. Even when the narrative dealt with younger characters (or younger iterations of characters) it never felt as though the content had been watered down or read as 'young': Eddie and April were very much the adult married couple they were, and the dramatic tension felt just about as developed as I could hope from St. James. The dialogue was never 'off', and this was one of those 'fun' mystery thrillers where I just ENJOYED anytime I got to grab it for a few minutes and flip the pages. A step or two up in terms of quality from a pure popcorn thriller, but it had that 'feel' and I also felt like I was getting waves of twangy guitar like you might hear in a 60's song like Dead Man's Curve...there's something about the spirit of this one that starts with the cover and NEVER lets up until the last page, and it's the kind of book that finally (and I MEAN finally, because I've been craving the feeling for SO long!) that has me chomping at the bit for St. James' next terrifying tale! 👻
(And although it goes without saying, has FIRMLY cemented the fact that I will NEVER, EVER pick up any hitchhikers! I mean...unless something OTHERWORLDLY comes a-calling!) 😱
😉
4 stars
January 30, 2024
4.5 stars
“There are more things in heaven and earth [Horatio]
Than are dreamt in your philosophy”. This quote from Hamlet perfectly sums up the book.
July 1995. Wow. That’s how you start a novel, foot on the gas, 0-100 mph immediately. Eddie and April Carter are on their way to their honeymoon motel when he takes the wrong exit from the interstate. It’s dark, so dark, but then the headlights pick out a walker at the side of the road, they slow down and soon realise that something is very wrong. This is Rhonda Jean, she’s badly hurt, they persuade her to get into their car and set off for Coldlake Falls, Michigan, perilously pursued by a truck. When Rhonda dies, the couple are cast as a suspects and furthermore, it transpires that the road they pick her up on is Atticus Line, and Rhoda isn’t the first murder on that road, not by a long chalk. This is the Murder Road. What follows is certainly not the honeymoon that April hopes for as she narrates the mysterious and atmospheric tale.
Oh my days. To say there is tension in the air from the start is an understatement. From the get go, I have so many questions in my head and I love books like that. First of all, there’s an air of mystery attached to April. Who is she? Where is she from? She becomes increasingly disconnected and uncertain about why they ended up on THAT road. Why did Eddie take that particular turning ? There seems no rational explanation. What does he have to say about it?? What’s his story too? The characterisation of the couple is excellent and then there are the strange characters in Coldlake Falls in particular, Detectives Quentin and Beam. They appear on the spot very rapidly and that seems odd. They then seem to be playing an unpredictable game of cat and mouse with the couple and you feel their confusion. Then we have to consider their strange landlady, Rose, at the B and B the detectives insist they stay at. After an unpromising start, Rose thaws and begins to help them especially about the Murder Road and the ghostly legends of the Lost Girl. “If you see her you’ll be next “. This part of the storytelling is fantastic and riveting.
This well written novel is chock full of moments of fear, of mounting dread, its sinister, eerie, spooky and downright creepy at times with some fantastic imagery so you can picture scenes vividly. There are moments when there is tangible menace, your nerves jangle and chills go up and down the spine. Some scenes are so suspenseful with tension that is so taut I realise I’ve held my breath. When the truth comes, well now, that’s a stranger thing though perhaps the ending could have packed more of a punch since what precedes it sure does.
Overall, it’s chilling and gripping and at times a horrifying supernatural tale and a definite page turner. The 90’s timescale perfectly fits and the context is excellent. At times it put me in mind of “Don’t look now” … and that still creeps me out all these years later!! This is a novel that will stick in the mind.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
“There are more things in heaven and earth [Horatio]
Than are dreamt in your philosophy”. This quote from Hamlet perfectly sums up the book.
July 1995. Wow. That’s how you start a novel, foot on the gas, 0-100 mph immediately. Eddie and April Carter are on their way to their honeymoon motel when he takes the wrong exit from the interstate. It’s dark, so dark, but then the headlights pick out a walker at the side of the road, they slow down and soon realise that something is very wrong. This is Rhonda Jean, she’s badly hurt, they persuade her to get into their car and set off for Coldlake Falls, Michigan, perilously pursued by a truck. When Rhonda dies, the couple are cast as a suspects and furthermore, it transpires that the road they pick her up on is Atticus Line, and Rhoda isn’t the first murder on that road, not by a long chalk. This is the Murder Road. What follows is certainly not the honeymoon that April hopes for as she narrates the mysterious and atmospheric tale.
Oh my days. To say there is tension in the air from the start is an understatement. From the get go, I have so many questions in my head and I love books like that. First of all, there’s an air of mystery attached to April. Who is she? Where is she from? She becomes increasingly disconnected and uncertain about why they ended up on THAT road. Why did Eddie take that particular turning ? There seems no rational explanation. What does he have to say about it?? What’s his story too? The characterisation of the couple is excellent and then there are the strange characters in Coldlake Falls in particular, Detectives Quentin and Beam. They appear on the spot very rapidly and that seems odd. They then seem to be playing an unpredictable game of cat and mouse with the couple and you feel their confusion. Then we have to consider their strange landlady, Rose, at the B and B the detectives insist they stay at. After an unpromising start, Rose thaws and begins to help them especially about the Murder Road and the ghostly legends of the Lost Girl. “If you see her you’ll be next “. This part of the storytelling is fantastic and riveting.
This well written novel is chock full of moments of fear, of mounting dread, its sinister, eerie, spooky and downright creepy at times with some fantastic imagery so you can picture scenes vividly. There are moments when there is tangible menace, your nerves jangle and chills go up and down the spine. Some scenes are so suspenseful with tension that is so taut I realise I’ve held my breath. When the truth comes, well now, that’s a stranger thing though perhaps the ending could have packed more of a punch since what precedes it sure does.
Overall, it’s chilling and gripping and at times a horrifying supernatural tale and a definite page turner. The 90’s timescale perfectly fits and the context is excellent. At times it put me in mind of “Don’t look now” … and that still creeps me out all these years later!! This is a novel that will stick in the mind.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2024
As the novel begins, we meet newlyweds April & Eddie in 1995 en route to their honeymoon destination near Lake Michigan. They realize they have lost their way when they find themselves on a deserted stretch of road where they encounter a grievously injured hitchhiker, Rhonda Jean, whom they rush to the nearest hospital. Tragically, the young woman succumbs to her injuries and the police deem them persons of interest. It is revealed that Rhonda Jean’s death was not an isolated incident and several hitchhikers had been killed on Atticus Line in separate incidents over the last twenty years. Forced to stay back in Coldlake Falls as the local authorities investigate, Eddie and April embark on their own investigation into the town and the murders in an effort to clear their name.
I was intrigued by the premise Murder Road by Simone St. James. Atmospheric and suspenseful, this novel had a lot to offer. The paranormal element was interesting ( I don’t dabble much in this genre, but I do like the author’s way of incorporating the surreal elements into her plotlines) and the sub-plots were well woven into the narrative which flows well. But after a strong start, I found aspects of the plot a tad too contrived to fully enjoy. While I can’t say that I disliked this novel in its entirety, guessing a large part of the “mystery” midway (it was rather obvious) left me less than engaged as the narrative progressed. I also found the outcome of one of the crucial plot points more than a tad underwhelming. I did enjoy the nineties' references, but somehow didn’t find the same integral to the story in any way. I have to admit that I found the supporting characters (The Snell sisters and Rose) more interesting than the main characters.
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that Brittany Pressley’s narration rendered this an entertaining immersion reading experience even though I wasn’t too taken with the execution of the novel overall.
However, I have enjoyed the author’s work in the past and hope to do so again in the future.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
I was intrigued by the premise Murder Road by Simone St. James. Atmospheric and suspenseful, this novel had a lot to offer. The paranormal element was interesting ( I don’t dabble much in this genre, but I do like the author’s way of incorporating the surreal elements into her plotlines) and the sub-plots were well woven into the narrative which flows well. But after a strong start, I found aspects of the plot a tad too contrived to fully enjoy. While I can’t say that I disliked this novel in its entirety, guessing a large part of the “mystery” midway (it was rather obvious) left me less than engaged as the narrative progressed. I also found the outcome of one of the crucial plot points more than a tad underwhelming. I did enjoy the nineties' references, but somehow didn’t find the same integral to the story in any way. I have to admit that I found the supporting characters (The Snell sisters and Rose) more interesting than the main characters.
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that Brittany Pressley’s narration rendered this an entertaining immersion reading experience even though I wasn’t too taken with the execution of the novel overall.
However, I have enjoyed the author’s work in the past and hope to do so again in the future.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
October 23, 2023
Murder Road is set in the summer of 1995 and is centered around the newlywed couple April and Eddie. While on their way to a small resort town in Michigan to enjoy their honeymoon, the couple finds themselves lost. While traveling down a rural, deserted road named Atticus Lane, the couple spots a young woman hitchhiking. Soon after they pick up the hitchhiker they discover that something is wrong, there is blood pouring from her body and a truck is chasing after them. The couple takes the hitchhiker to a local hospital where she dies soon after being admitted.
While at the hospital, the local police begin to interrogate the couple and put them as prime suspects in the hitchhiker's death, which forces them to stay in the small town. The couple soon learns that this isn’t the first hitchhiker who has been murdered on Atticus Lane. In the past two decades, there have been numerous hitchhikers who have been murdered on that lone deserted road. The couple finds themself trying to not only clear their names but, to also find out what is happening to the hitchhikers on Atticus Lane.
This is my 7th read by St James so it goes without saying that I'm a big fan of her work. One of my favorite things about her books is that you cannot pin them down to one particular genre and this one is no exception. Murder Road has supernatural horror elements, and a thriller twist, but at the heart of the story is a mystery. Full of loveable yet flawed characters with 90s nostalgia, Murder Road is one of those books that's almost impossible to put down.
Simone St James knows how to pen an atmospheric ghost story. Her books always contain ghostly elements and I love what she did in Murder Road. She took it to a whole new level in Murder Road and made the ghostly element truly terrifying (but in the best way)!
Murder Road by Simone St James Will be available on March 5. A massive thanks to Berkley Pub and NetGalley for the gifted copy!!
While at the hospital, the local police begin to interrogate the couple and put them as prime suspects in the hitchhiker's death, which forces them to stay in the small town. The couple soon learns that this isn’t the first hitchhiker who has been murdered on Atticus Lane. In the past two decades, there have been numerous hitchhikers who have been murdered on that lone deserted road. The couple finds themself trying to not only clear their names but, to also find out what is happening to the hitchhikers on Atticus Lane.
This is my 7th read by St James so it goes without saying that I'm a big fan of her work. One of my favorite things about her books is that you cannot pin them down to one particular genre and this one is no exception. Murder Road has supernatural horror elements, and a thriller twist, but at the heart of the story is a mystery. Full of loveable yet flawed characters with 90s nostalgia, Murder Road is one of those books that's almost impossible to put down.
Simone St James knows how to pen an atmospheric ghost story. Her books always contain ghostly elements and I love what she did in Murder Road. She took it to a whole new level in Murder Road and made the ghostly element truly terrifying (but in the best way)!
Murder Road by Simone St James Will be available on March 5. A massive thanks to Berkley Pub and NetGalley for the gifted copy!!
February 26, 2024
Murder Road is a delightful supernatural murder mystery set in my home state of Michigan. I was a little wary in the beginning because it was mentioned that April was “pretty” about sixty-seven thousand times (maybe a slight exaggeration) in the first few chapters. I don't know why exactly, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. Once the author had established that Very Important Fact, however, things improved quite a bit and I found myself getting completely wrapped up in the story.
None of the main characters in this book are exactly likable, so if you need likable characters this may not be the book for you. While Eddie and April weren't horrible people or anything, I felt as if they were a little too wrapped up in how broken they were and how difficult their lives had been. Their histories did make them more interesting characters, however, so this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Snell sisters were fantastic characters and I wish they had had a bigger part to play in the story – although it wouldn't have advanced the plot at all, I would have loved to read more about their wild conspiracy theories. Rose was also a brilliant character and her obsession with Princess Diana was a highlight of the book.
The mystery itself was super suspenseful and I had no idea where it was going until near the end. I did guess who The Lost Girl was fairly early on, but that was about it. The one part I didn't find all that believable was how intent the cops were on pinning the newest murder on April and Eddie (at one point in the book, Eddie makes a really good argument about why it was so ridiculous, but I won't spoil things here), but I suppose they explain that away somewhat at the very end.
Overall, Murder Road is an exciting and riveting read that I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys supernatural thrillers. This is the first book I've read by Simone St. James but it certainly won't be the last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
None of the main characters in this book are exactly likable, so if you need likable characters this may not be the book for you. While Eddie and April weren't horrible people or anything, I felt as if they were a little too wrapped up in how broken they were and how difficult their lives had been. Their histories did make them more interesting characters, however, so this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Snell sisters were fantastic characters and I wish they had had a bigger part to play in the story – although it wouldn't have advanced the plot at all, I would have loved to read more about their wild conspiracy theories. Rose was also a brilliant character and her obsession with Princess Diana was a highlight of the book.
The mystery itself was super suspenseful and I had no idea where it was going until near the end. I did guess who The Lost Girl was fairly early on, but that was about it. The one part I didn't find all that believable was how intent the cops were on pinning the newest murder on April and Eddie (at one point in the book, Eddie makes a really good argument about why it was so ridiculous, but I won't spoil things here), but I suppose they explain that away somewhat at the very end.
Overall, Murder Road is an exciting and riveting read that I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys supernatural thrillers. This is the first book I've read by Simone St. James but it certainly won't be the last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
September 24, 2024
—— 3.5.✰ stars.
well, this was my first book categorized as horror, and I have to say I enjoyed this but I wasn’t scared, just mildly creeped out at some points. I have to add that I’m a scary cat, so if this didn’t scare me, it’s not scary at all.
➷ plot:
We follow our newly married couple, Eddie Carter and April Carter, both of them with secrets to hide. On their way to the honeymoon, they get lost and end up on Atticus Lane, where they find an injured woman who dies on their car when they try to help her. They became murder suspects and have to stay on the town, where weird things happen.
➷ my thoughts:
I never really dwell in the characters on thriller books, since I feel like explaining them can end up in unintentional spoilers, but I have to say I liked our main couple and characters.
The pace started amazing, but it slows down a bit and it got a little repetitive. Over all an enjoyable read, perfect if you want a non very scary horror book with murder mysteries.
“The things we’ve seen mean the world is crazy. Not us.”
well, this was my first book categorized as horror, and I have to say I enjoyed this but I wasn’t scared, just mildly creeped out at some points. I have to add that I’m a scary cat, so if this didn’t scare me, it’s not scary at all.
➷ plot:
We follow our newly married couple, Eddie Carter and April Carter, both of them with secrets to hide. On their way to the honeymoon, they get lost and end up on Atticus Lane, where they find an injured woman who dies on their car when they try to help her. They became murder suspects and have to stay on the town, where weird things happen.
➷ my thoughts:
I never really dwell in the characters on thriller books, since I feel like explaining them can end up in unintentional spoilers, but I have to say I liked our main couple and characters.
The pace started amazing, but it slows down a bit and it got a little repetitive. Over all an enjoyable read, perfect if you want a non very scary horror book with murder mysteries.
“Stories don’t always end the way they’re supposed to. They don’t always end at all.”
March 29, 2024
Eee gads, dial up the creep factor!
Like your mystery-thriller served with paranormal elements à la Dean Koontz? Then Simone St. James’ latest release, Murder Road, should be right up your alley.
In fact, as a fan of the bestselling Odd Thomas series from Koontz, I was giddy with delight meeting newlyweds Eddie and April Carter, who gave me a large dose of Odd Thomas/Stormy Llewellyn vibes.
Eddie and April are a young couple on their honeymoon in July 1995.
En route, they pick up an injured hitchhiker and try to help by bringing her to the nearest hospital in Coldlake Falls, Michigan.
Sadly, she dies from stab wounds in the ER. Turns out, young Rhonda Jean is only the latest in a string of hitchhikers stabbed, choked, or bludgeoned along that very same road. Yikes.
There’s been six murders on Atticus Line over the last 19 years — no witnesses or suspects. Until…
Instead of being labeled Good Samaritans, Eddie and April become prime suspects in the police investigation.
As they try to clear their names and uncover the truth behind the murders, they quickly realize that something supernatural is at work in Coldlake Falls.
The small town is vividly brought to life with its murky secrets and dark history. The remote stretch of highway known as Atticus Line adds to the sense of isolation and danger that pervades the story.
A supporting cast of characters are a hoot and a half: two teenage sisters/wannabe detectives and a quirky owner of the town’s bed and breakfast, who’s enamored with Princess Diana.
With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and eerie setting, Murder Road is a haunting and atmospheric tale.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
March 22, 2024
I got 50% through and felt it was appropriate for a rating. This is the most boring and underwhelming, repetitive nonsense. The details are tedious. The plot is incredibly….stupid.
I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t take the “you don’t know how dangerous I am” troupe without giving us a REASON why the protagonist was so dangerous….and I couldn’t hang on to care anymore. I can’t deal with the shoddy police work troupe. I can’t deal with the bad, one dimensional dialogue. And I certainly can’t deal with the wrong facts (The Gulf War ended in 1991, Madam.) This book takes place in the 90’s and just repeating “Princess Diana” and naming popular bands of the era a million times doesn’t convince me it’s the 90’s.
This is lazy writing. This is a book produced because a contract stated Ms. St James needed “x” number of books to fulfill the contract and this is what we got.
DNF at 50% for my own mental health.
I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t take the “you don’t know how dangerous I am” troupe without giving us a REASON why the protagonist was so dangerous….and I couldn’t hang on to care anymore. I can’t deal with the shoddy police work troupe. I can’t deal with the bad, one dimensional dialogue. And I certainly can’t deal with the wrong facts (The Gulf War ended in 1991, Madam.) This book takes place in the 90’s and just repeating “Princess Diana” and naming popular bands of the era a million times doesn’t convince me it’s the 90’s.
This is lazy writing. This is a book produced because a contract stated Ms. St James needed “x” number of books to fulfill the contract and this is what we got.
DNF at 50% for my own mental health.
May 30, 2024
Reading Vlog/Review: HERE
Precursor: A few things that had me looking way too critically into this book - (1) I read it for a book club and kept notes of all my thoughts. (2) I vlogged it. (3) I read the damn thing twice.
That being said, this is not the kind of story to take seriously. The plot is flimsy. The characters are problematic and make decisions only based on building the reader's suspense instead of logic. This is a basic mystery that if you close one eye and play music really loudly in the background, you could probably enjoy.
...I was trying to make the 1 star rating less egregious but I fear I've only made it worse somehow 🤦🏻♀️
Precursor: A few things that had me looking way too critically into this book - (1) I read it for a book club and kept notes of all my thoughts. (2) I vlogged it. (3) I read the damn thing twice.
That being said, this is not the kind of story to take seriously. The plot is flimsy. The characters are problematic and make decisions only based on building the reader's suspense instead of logic. This is a basic mystery that if you close one eye and play music really loudly in the background, you could probably enjoy.
...I was trying to make the 1 star rating less egregious but I fear I've only made it worse somehow 🤦🏻♀️
April 23, 2024
Probably my least favorite of Simone St. James that I've read, but not terrible! Taking place in the 90's, a newlywed couple pick up a hitch-hiker on a secluded highway. But soon they realize the girl they've picked up is dying, and a truck is in pursuit of them. After the girl perishes at the hospital, the couple are the number one suspects for her murder.
Sun-Down Motel and The Broken Girls are some of my favorite books ever, so Murder Road had a lot to live up to and it didn't quite reach. I found I didn't care about the mystery of it all or most of the characters in this book which is really a shame. Even the twists and turns seemed really out there and yet... boring at the same time. I mostly enjoyed this book hence three stars, but this was the weakest of this author's books I've read so far and it was quite the disappointment as a fan of hers.
Sun-Down Motel and The Broken Girls are some of my favorite books ever, so Murder Road had a lot to live up to and it didn't quite reach. I found I didn't care about the mystery of it all or most of the characters in this book which is really a shame. Even the twists and turns seemed really out there and yet... boring at the same time. I mostly enjoyed this book hence three stars, but this was the weakest of this author's books I've read so far and it was quite the disappointment as a fan of hers.
February 17, 2024
Eerie ghost story meets 90s nostalgia in MURDER ROAD, the latest gripping paranormal thriller from Simone St. James. I loved everything about it, and if you're new to her spooky books, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend starting with this one.
It's summer 1995, and a young honeymooning couple gets entangled in a paranormal murder mystery when they pick up a doomed hitchhiker along a deserted Michigan road. While police keep them in town for questioning, April and Eddie discover that road is known for a string of unsolved murders going back to the 1970s, and also the local legend of the Lost Girl. With some time to kill and a desire to clear their own names, they investigate the history of this haunted road on their own.
I enjoyed the complex mystery in this one, and the supernatural elements blended in perfectly for many chilling moments. The characters are what I loved most about this book. April was flawed from the emotional baggage of her past, yet so brave and clever in their current precarious situation. And then there's Eddie — be still my heart. Even the secondary cast was well-rounded and compelling.
I've read MURDER ROAD twice because it is addictive, and I wanted to experience the creepy goodness again. The ominous atmosphere, the dark supernatural, the genuine characters, and the 90s make this an unputdownable read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
It's summer 1995, and a young honeymooning couple gets entangled in a paranormal murder mystery when they pick up a doomed hitchhiker along a deserted Michigan road. While police keep them in town for questioning, April and Eddie discover that road is known for a string of unsolved murders going back to the 1970s, and also the local legend of the Lost Girl. With some time to kill and a desire to clear their own names, they investigate the history of this haunted road on their own.
I enjoyed the complex mystery in this one, and the supernatural elements blended in perfectly for many chilling moments. The characters are what I loved most about this book. April was flawed from the emotional baggage of her past, yet so brave and clever in their current precarious situation. And then there's Eddie — be still my heart. Even the secondary cast was well-rounded and compelling.
I've read MURDER ROAD twice because it is addictive, and I wanted to experience the creepy goodness again. The ominous atmosphere, the dark supernatural, the genuine characters, and the 90s make this an unputdownable read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC. Opinions are my own.
November 22, 2024
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Buckle up for an unforgettable ride down Murder Road! It's July 1995, and newlyweds April and Eddie Carter take a wrong turn onto Atticus Lane in rural Michigan. What starts as a simple navigation blunder turns into a heart-pounding encounter with a blood-covered hitchhiker and a terrifying pursuit by a menacing pickup truck. They find themselves prime suspects in a string of mysterious deaths in the town of Coldlake Falls.
In her latest thriller, Simone St. James weaves a chilling tale that combines horror, mystery, and the supernatural. Set in the mid-90s, this story is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, complete with grunge music and Princess Diana. But don't let the throwback vibe fool you—this is a modern thriller with twists and turns that will leave you breathless.
What truly sets Murder Road apart is its characters. April and Eddie are complex, flawed, and utterly compelling, and you'll find yourself drawn into their web of secrets and hidden fears. But they're not alone—the residents of Coldlake Falls are equally intriguing, each with their own role to play in this haunting story.
And speaking of Coldlake Falls, the town itself is a character, shrouded in an ominous atmosphere that will send shivers down your spine. With a history steeped in tragedy and a chilling legend about a vengeful spirit, this town is the perfect setting for a ghost story.
If you're a fan of Simone St. James, Murder Road is a must-read. And if you love a spine-tingling mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this novel won't disappoint. Just be sure to keep the lights on—this is one ride you won't want to take alone!
Just After reading:FULL RTC…… It was my first time reading Simone St. James, and it won’t be my last time. I will post a review later. I stayed up till 6:00 a.m. reading. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it! 4 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I listened to it on audio. Brittany Pressley did a fantastic job narrating!
Buckle up for an unforgettable ride down Murder Road! It's July 1995, and newlyweds April and Eddie Carter take a wrong turn onto Atticus Lane in rural Michigan. What starts as a simple navigation blunder turns into a heart-pounding encounter with a blood-covered hitchhiker and a terrifying pursuit by a menacing pickup truck. They find themselves prime suspects in a string of mysterious deaths in the town of Coldlake Falls.
In her latest thriller, Simone St. James weaves a chilling tale that combines horror, mystery, and the supernatural. Set in the mid-90s, this story is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, complete with grunge music and Princess Diana. But don't let the throwback vibe fool you—this is a modern thriller with twists and turns that will leave you breathless.
What truly sets Murder Road apart is its characters. April and Eddie are complex, flawed, and utterly compelling, and you'll find yourself drawn into their web of secrets and hidden fears. But they're not alone—the residents of Coldlake Falls are equally intriguing, each with their own role to play in this haunting story.
And speaking of Coldlake Falls, the town itself is a character, shrouded in an ominous atmosphere that will send shivers down your spine. With a history steeped in tragedy and a chilling legend about a vengeful spirit, this town is the perfect setting for a ghost story.
If you're a fan of Simone St. James, Murder Road is a must-read. And if you love a spine-tingling mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this novel won't disappoint. Just be sure to keep the lights on—this is one ride you won't want to take alone!
Just After reading:FULL RTC…… It was my first time reading Simone St. James, and it won’t be my last time. I will post a review later. I stayed up till 6:00 a.m. reading. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it! 4 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I listened to it on audio. Brittany Pressley did a fantastic job narrating!
June 6, 2024
Sorry to say but it's a swing and a miss for this reader.
I had so many issues with this story that I can't be bothered to list them all. Just know that this story is boring as heck, repetitive beyond belief, and it lacked spookiness which is odd with a ghost story.
I don't know what's happened to Simone St. James but her last two books have completely bombed for me even though they seem to be a hit for everyone else.
Maybe it's me. Maybe it's her. Maybe I'll have better luck next time. I can only hope. Onwards! 2 stars!
Thanks to Overdrive for the loan.
I had so many issues with this story that I can't be bothered to list them all. Just know that this story is boring as heck, repetitive beyond belief, and it lacked spookiness which is odd with a ghost story.
I don't know what's happened to Simone St. James but her last two books have completely bombed for me even though they seem to be a hit for everyone else.
Maybe it's me. Maybe it's her. Maybe I'll have better luck next time. I can only hope. Onwards! 2 stars!
Thanks to Overdrive for the loan.
March 17, 2024
A Wrong Turn...
MURDER ROAD by Simone St. James
No spoilers. 3 stars. At 2:00 a.m., newlyweds Eddie and April Carter took the wrong exit off interstate 75 and were lost...
The couple were on their way to the Five Pines Resort Motel on the shores of Lake Michigan for their honeymoon...
Instead, they had entered THE TWILIGHT ZONE...
They were on a long, dark back road called Atticus Line, known to the locals as Murder Road...
... where several unsolved murders had occurred over the past 20 years...
This story seemed like it was going to be a garden variety mystery, but the author added some of the supernatural to the mix.
The problems with this novel were several. The police segments were unbelievable throughout, and the couple were somewhat unlikable (especially the woman, April, who spent a lot of time telling the reader how pretty she was).
The plot was confusing, and the reveal was truly lame with many unanswered questions.
And maybe I missed it, but what was the bright light in the woods surrounding Atticus Line (Murder Road)? No matter, I sure wasn't going back to see if I had missed the answer or... was it a dangling loose end, one of many in the book.
Although the flow of the story was there, this is a novel that I recommend readers wait to checkout at the library. It's certainly not a book that I would buy because I would never read it again.
My assessment: Not one of this author's best stories. Try SUN DOWN MOTEL for a better reading experience with this author.
MURDER ROAD by Simone St. James
No spoilers. 3 stars. At 2:00 a.m., newlyweds Eddie and April Carter took the wrong exit off interstate 75 and were lost...
The couple were on their way to the Five Pines Resort Motel on the shores of Lake Michigan for their honeymoon...
Instead, they had entered THE TWILIGHT ZONE...
They were on a long, dark back road called Atticus Line, known to the locals as Murder Road...
... where several unsolved murders had occurred over the past 20 years...
This story seemed like it was going to be a garden variety mystery, but the author added some of the supernatural to the mix.
The problems with this novel were several. The police segments were unbelievable throughout, and the couple were somewhat unlikable (especially the woman, April, who spent a lot of time telling the reader how pretty she was).
The plot was confusing, and the reveal was truly lame with many unanswered questions.
And maybe I missed it, but what was the bright light in the woods surrounding Atticus Line (Murder Road)? No matter, I sure wasn't going back to see if I had missed the answer or... was it a dangling loose end, one of many in the book.
Although the flow of the story was there, this is a novel that I recommend readers wait to checkout at the library. It's certainly not a book that I would buy because I would never read it again.
My assessment: Not one of this author's best stories. Try SUN DOWN MOTEL for a better reading experience with this author.
February 24, 2024
Simone St. James always delivers and this one is no different. A supernatural take on a hitchhiker serial murderer urban legend - very entertaining and a fun ride that I couldn't put down
August 26, 2024
Murder Road is the newest book by Simone St. James and I liked this one!
The book takes place in the summer of 1995 in Michigan. April and Eddie have just been married and they're heading to a lake resort for their honeymoon.
Eddie takes a wrong turn, they end up on a deserted road and find a hitchhiker that’s been attacked.
April and Eddie do the right thing by taking the hitchhiker to the hospital, but the hitchhiker ends up dying.
April and Eddie are now the prime suspects for the murder because this road, Atticus Lane, has been the site of unexplained murders for years.
Will they be able to clear their names or do the detectives have a reason to suspect them?!
Murder Road has some good plot twists and the paranormal atmosphere is creepy. I loved all the moments when things go bump in the night!
The characters are also great in this one. The main characters of Eddie & April are well written along with the secondary ones. They all felt different and realistic to me.
Detective Quentin (ass!!), our B&B host Rose, and the Snell sisters are all great. I could see the Snell sisters doing their own true crime podcast if this book was set during this time. 😂🤣
If you enjoy paranormal plots, I think you’ll enjoy Murder Road. I read this one quickly and the pacing was excellent!
The book takes place in the summer of 1995 in Michigan. April and Eddie have just been married and they're heading to a lake resort for their honeymoon.
Eddie takes a wrong turn, they end up on a deserted road and find a hitchhiker that’s been attacked.
April and Eddie do the right thing by taking the hitchhiker to the hospital, but the hitchhiker ends up dying.
April and Eddie are now the prime suspects for the murder because this road, Atticus Lane, has been the site of unexplained murders for years.
Will they be able to clear their names or do the detectives have a reason to suspect them?!
Murder Road has some good plot twists and the paranormal atmosphere is creepy. I loved all the moments when things go bump in the night!
The characters are also great in this one. The main characters of Eddie & April are well written along with the secondary ones. They all felt different and realistic to me.
Detective Quentin (ass!!), our B&B host Rose, and the Snell sisters are all great. I could see the Snell sisters doing their own true crime podcast if this book was set during this time. 😂🤣
If you enjoy paranormal plots, I think you’ll enjoy Murder Road. I read this one quickly and the pacing was excellent!
November 24, 2024
3.5⭐ Honeymoon horror!
It's 1995, April and Eddie are heading to a resort for their honeymoon but somehow have taken a wrong turn. On Atticus Line, they come across a hitchhiker and give the young woman a lift. The woman is bleeding from injuries which prompts them to drop her at a local hospital where she dies.
It appears that the honeymoon is over and the couple becomes the prime suspect in the woman's death and gets tangled in Coldlake Falls unsolved mystery and deaths.
Murder Road is eerie and fast pace. I've enjoyed many novels by Simone St. James, this is my fourth. I like these characters and feel invested in the two main characters, their backstories, and supporting characters, but I'm not convinced about the motive! I feel the reveal makes no sense. 🤔 I still think it's an enjoyable spooky ride that's worth a read if you're into spookish mysteries.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the DRC.
Published Mar 05, 2024
It's 1995, April and Eddie are heading to a resort for their honeymoon but somehow have taken a wrong turn. On Atticus Line, they come across a hitchhiker and give the young woman a lift. The woman is bleeding from injuries which prompts them to drop her at a local hospital where she dies.
It appears that the honeymoon is over and the couple becomes the prime suspect in the woman's death and gets tangled in Coldlake Falls unsolved mystery and deaths.
Murder Road is eerie and fast pace. I've enjoyed many novels by Simone St. James, this is my fourth. I like these characters and feel invested in the two main characters, their backstories, and supporting characters, but I'm not convinced about the motive! I feel the reveal makes no sense. 🤔 I still think it's an enjoyable spooky ride that's worth a read if you're into spookish mysteries.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the DRC.
Published Mar 05, 2024
March 1, 2024
Simone St. James is the queen of paranormal suspense and she is also the queen of the 4-star reads for me. I've read many of her books and they've always been solid 4-stars, and her upcoming novel, MURDER ROAD continues that trend with me. The story is centered around a young couple, April and Eddie, in 1995, where they take a wrong turn on the way to their honeymoon and end up seeing a woman walking alone and bloodied by herself. When April and Eddie try to get her help, they realize that she was attacked and try to take her to the hospital. When she dies at the hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the local police. As April and Eddie dig into the history of the town while the investigation begins, they start noticing that the town has some secrets of their own. Some secrets that they can't quite comprehend and April has secrets of her own that she doesn't want being discovered as well.
I not only read MURDER ROAD, but listened to the audiobook. I think that the audiobook's narration was incredible. I don't have many notes for this one, but I definitely enjoyed it. I would recommend the audiobook narration over the physical copy as I noticed my entertainment value stemmed mainly from the audio. I do think that this book will be more polarized than the author's previous works as she definitely ventures into thriller territory than her previous paranormal suspense novels. I will continue to read and recommend Simone St. James and I can't wait to see what readers think!
I not only read MURDER ROAD, but listened to the audiobook. I think that the audiobook's narration was incredible. I don't have many notes for this one, but I definitely enjoyed it. I would recommend the audiobook narration over the physical copy as I noticed my entertainment value stemmed mainly from the audio. I do think that this book will be more polarized than the author's previous works as she definitely ventures into thriller territory than her previous paranormal suspense novels. I will continue to read and recommend Simone St. James and I can't wait to see what readers think!
June 6, 2024
If I had to pick one word to describe this story, it would be spooky. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it had just enough mystery and creep factor to keep me invested, without hitting full horror (which only Stephen King can trick me into reading).
The strength of the book was the characters who have been dragged into a small town’s decades old mystery/haunting. From our young honeymooners to the law enforcement, teen detectives, and cantankerous B&B owner, you’ll never really know from one moment to the next, who is telling the truth or just tricking you into thinking they are who they say they are. (And I will have to admit that the B&B owner, Rose, has now made my list of unforgettable literary feature characters.)
Were there a few holes in the narrative I’d like to have had filled (absolutely), but here’s a book that answered all the questions that needed to be resolved. For that, St. James earned the fourth star. The ending? It was exactly what I would have picked if she had offered me a few choices.
There are some authors whose endings leaving you wanting more… but I loved where this went (even if the reader might get there first) and definitely thought the characters got the endings they all deserved.
Like I said… solid spooky read! (I probably should have mentioned that I read this in a few nights— but I had to change books when the lights went out… lol)
(Reviewed 5/27/24)
The strength of the book was the characters who have been dragged into a small town’s decades old mystery/haunting. From our young honeymooners to the law enforcement, teen detectives, and cantankerous B&B owner, you’ll never really know from one moment to the next, who is telling the truth or just tricking you into thinking they are who they say they are. (And I will have to admit that the B&B owner, Rose, has now made my list of unforgettable literary feature characters.)
Were there a few holes in the narrative I’d like to have had filled (absolutely), but here’s a book that answered all the questions that needed to be resolved. For that, St. James earned the fourth star. The ending? It was exactly what I would have picked if she had offered me a few choices.
There are some authors whose endings leaving you wanting more… but I loved where this went (even if the reader might get there first) and definitely thought the characters got the endings they all deserved.
Like I said… solid spooky read! (I probably should have mentioned that I read this in a few nights— but I had to change books when the lights went out… lol)
(Reviewed 5/27/24)
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