July Book Club Selection: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Nichole Miller

July 9, 2020

Aiken Bella Magazine Book Club

July Book Club Selection: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Summer is one of my favorite times to grab a fast-paced read. Our July Book Club choice is The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. For those who are not familiar with St. James, she is master of the period ghost story. In The Sun Down Motel she hits the mark again with a chilling ghost-based mystery that straddles two time periods.

In 1982 Vivian Delaney runs away from home with ambitions to move to New York City. However, she ends up in Fell, New York, alone, with her money running out quickly. Stuck in a town, without enough money to make it to New York City, she takes a job working the night shift at The Sun Down Motel. After a few shifts she realizes that The Sun Down has many unregistered guests. One night, Vivian goes missing from work and is never found.

After the death of her mother, Carly Kirk, cannot seem to forget about the aunt she never met. Her Aunt Vivian had gone missing from The Sun Down Motel in 1982, leaving her family with no answers. In an attempt to find closure, she goes to Fell to see whether there is any evidence of what happened. What was meant to be a weekend stay quickly leads to Carly’s taking the same night shift position at The Sun Down. Suddenly, she is walking in her aunt’s shoes.

Split between the years of 1982 and 2017, this book straddles the line between mystery and ghost story as no other author could. Carly is in danger, but should she fear the living or the dead? This book grabs you from the first chapter and does not let you go until the very end.

Bella Book Host

After Nichole selected this book I decided to use one of my Audible credits to listen to, rather than read, the book. This audiobook features two narrators, one for the voice of present day Carly Kirk, and another for 1982’s Vivian Delaney. Each narrator was engaging to listen to.

For me, one thing that makes a great ghost story is when it skates at the edge of plausibility. We have all heard the stories of those who go missing with no trace and wonder what might have happened. The other thing I love is a twist that I don’t see coming until the end. This novel offers both, along with vividly described settings and characters.

This would be a great beach read (or listen) or good for a long road trip, as long as your destination is not a creepy semi-abandoned roadside motel. One piece of advice I must give about this novel — you probably do not want to read it alone in the dark. The tension had me on the edge of my seat, until the refrigerator’s icemaker went off, launching me across the room with a sudden urge to check the door locks. Note to self: disable icemaker before reading any more thrillers.

~ EmilyAnn Raynor, Executive Assistant

Nichole Miller

Nikke is a busy nurse practitioner but in her spare time is an avid reader of all genres. Other hobbies include kayaking, writing, and sleeping. She and her husband have two daughters, three cats, and one kombucha scoby. To rationalize her book addiction, she will be bringing us a monthly book club selection.

Nichole Miller

In the know

It’s Springtime!

This little avian family Chose to live at the best address In the best small town in all the South! Now, how smart can that be? The welcome sign was clearly in view And Mrs. Wren knew exactly what to do. A welcoming door, a basket of dogwood A habitat so natural, it looked so good No matter the flowers were artificial The location was perfect, so beneficial. A place protected from wind, sun, and rain Maternal instinct her place to claim The nest, a masterpiece of architecture A perfect place her brood to nurture. Eggs — three, perfect and sky blue When they would hatch only mother knew A

Aiken Center for the Arts Exhibition: Grounded

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch, the Aiken Center for the Arts (ACA) presents a collective exhibition of works to celebrate the splendor of historic Rye Patch and Hopelands Gardens as shared spaces of community, connection, and inspiration. Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch have provided a quiet and peaceful haven for citizens and visitors as well as inspiration to write, paint, sculpt, and photograph. Since 1971 the nonprofit Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch has worked to raise funds for the preservation, improvement, and use of these historic properties as treasures of the Aiken community. Now in their 50th year of service, Friends

My Mask

You say you recognize my mask, made by a mutual friend from fabric your Mother left behind. And smiling, I recall the neat piles of fabric always surrounding my own Mother. So many years of sunlight streaming down on her bent head As she trundled the machine, deft hands guiding the needle, Gentle tugs to keep things right. Seersucker bedspreads, poodle skirts, crinoline slips, gently made for two young sisters. Curtains for every window in every house. My own first effort — a nursery draped in yellow baby ducks. So, in your prayers tonight, thank your Mother for the mask that’s keeping me safe today, the mask that has held

Animal Conservation, a Million Dollar Business

Aiken Artists support the rescue efforts of endangered animals through art Paul Swart, from Rhino Conservation Botswana, was the featured speaker at the Aiken Center for the Arts on Friday, February 18. He explained that poverty in Botswana is a motivating factor for poaching rhinos. “The horn is believed to have medicinal value and can produce enough powder to earn $65,000 on the black market in Asia,” he said. There are fewer than 30,000 black and white rhinos left in the world. Through efforts to transport, guard, and breed these animals, conservationists strive to keep the species from extinction, but it is a million dollar business. The government provides some