Nilufer Ozmekik's Reviews > Murder Road

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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