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Review The Sun Down Motel

Cover The Sun Down Motel

Simone St. James’ novel of murdered girls and cheap motels, The Sun Down Motel, is both a crime and a speculative thriller, similar to The Lovely Bones. The book is told from two perspectives across two time periods. In 1982, Vivian Delaney, or Viv, leaves home to make it big in New York City. She ends up in Fell, New York at the Sun Down Motel, a dive on the edge of town. Running low on money, she accepts a job as a night clerk and disappears in three months. Meanwhile, in 2017, Viv’s niece Carly Kirk, fascinated by Viv’s vanishing act, decides to travel to Fell to investigate Viv’s disappearance. Because other women were murdered in Fell, Carly assumes her aunt is dead. The town hardly looked into Viv’s case, so Carly is on a mission to solve it once and for all. Ironically, she decides to follow in her aunt’s footsteps and take a position at The Sun Down Motel as the night clerk.

This summary barely scratches the surface of what happens to Viv and Carly at the hotel and the vast, supporting characters included in their adventures. This book came as a recommendation of thrillers with unique settings, and the same article promised that the Sun Down was a captivating place to read about. The article was right. Author St. James’ scenes at the motel are effective, creepy, and the highlight of the book. The Sun Down sets apart this book from the standard investigating-a-crime or investigating-the-missing storyline.

Other narrative choices that work for The Sun Down Motel are the Viv chapters are written in third person while Cary is first person. This cues the reader to keep the narrative threads apart. Subplots abound, some are important and others, less so (similar to Hitchcock’s Rear Window.) Both Viv and Carly share a restlessness about their future, avoiding a traditional and safe path to success. Carly, however, has more of a goal in mind—in particular, solving Viv’s murder.

The Sun Down is an eerie place, and scenes in the dead of night really come alive on the page. Furthermore, some of the best scenes happen early in the novel. This is a great read for a dark night in autumn, when the novel is set. With two narratives, the reader is treated to two climaxes. This could have been a double treat, but Carly’s moment is circumvented and seems forced. In fact, after reading the end, one has to wonder if this was originally only Viv’s story and St. James added Carly later. The Viv ending is spectacular whereas Carly’s ending with its resolution of a flat antagonist off-page doesn’t provide the same kick.

Overall, Carly’s ending is a minor point. The rest of the novel sparks with thriller energy and an “I’m onto you” vibe. Go ahead and check into the The Sun Down Motel. They’ll leave a light on for you…for a while.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S1K42R2

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Recommendation of Once Bitten

Once Bitten is an anthology centering on the character of Dracula. Full disclosure that I was included in this anthology, so this is more of a reflection on the other stories than a typical review.

The editors challenged the authors to be creative when writing their short stories. No retellings of Dracula, no same-old vampire tropes, no fan fiction of copyrighted material. The response was amazing. Nearly every speculative fiction genre was covered in addition to horror: science-fiction, western, historical, comedy, action-thriller, and fantasy. Dracula / vampires could be good or bad, living now or some other time, a humorous victim or a dispenser of terror. The settings vary from North America to a different planet.

Are you seeking romance and less horror? “Love Sucks” will do the trick. Or a twisty tale of a vampire coming back to life? “Fit to Kill” will scratch that itch. For those who like to read about vampires but less about the gore that accompanies them, try “The Pale New Kid” and “Children of the Night, Singing Sweetly.” Perhaps you like action. You’ll find it in old boarding schools (“Secrets in the Shadows”) or out of this galaxy (“Eyes Full of Stars”). You may be in the mood for the misadventures of a bloodsucker in “There Goes the Neighborhood,” laughing at the vampire’s expense. The last four stories fit more squarely in the horror genre. “Blood on the Throne” is historical horror fiction centering on the rise of Dracula along with another powerful figure in the past. “Screeched” continues the strange occurrences in Sardis County as well as deepening the relationship between two of its residents. “Substitutions,” with its unique voice, is truly frightening as the reader is ahead of the characters, watching the results without being able to warn them. And “Moonmist Eve,” builds an eerie world of human slaves to vicious vampires, bordering (but not crossing into) the territory of grimdark.

Once Bitten has something for every vampire lover whether you favor Dracula, Barnaby, Edward, or Grandpa Munster.

Note: The graphic below was created by Jessica Tanner. The sentence is the first line of my offering.

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Thrillers that deserve a film

Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 isn’t getting great reviews, unfortunately. The book has been highly recommended to me, so I won’t be watching until I read it. The Ware adaption makes me pause, however, I still have recommendations to the streaming services to produce other thrillers. Quite frankly, those of us reading Mystery, Suspense, and Horror know that the movie industry is missing the boat with some gems. The following is my list.

The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

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One-sentence Plot (almost impossible to summarize in one sentence): A man has multiple attempts to solve a murder before he is “reset” to the start of the day. I’m floored Hollywood hasn’t made a movie about this yet. Mysterious mansion, impossible murder, and time loops. This is a modern classic. How? Why?

The Three Coffins by John Dickson Carr

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One-sentence Plot: A professor greets a man entering his room, locks the door, and is murdered, but no murderer is found when the door is opened. And that is the first of two impossible murders that occur in this novel. From modern to golden age classic. All the Agatha Christie movies, and no love for John Dickson Carr (who Dame Christie praised). If you’re unfamiliar, he was an American who wrote during Agatha Christie’s period. This is his “Orient Express.”

One by One by Ruth Ware

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One-sentence Plot: A company takes a sabbatical in a ski lodge where somone starts killing them. Perhaps Hollywood chose the wrong Ware movie to adapt? The creepy vibe of And Then There were None meets the modern age with a thrilling climax.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

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One-sentence Plot: A woman makes arrangements for her funeral and is found murdered that very day. They make so many Anthony Horowitz adaptions, why the first of this fantastic series where Anthony himself is a main character. Think “Scream” but as a mystery. The meta along with a solid whodunnit.

A Night in Lonesome October by Roger Zelzany

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One-sentence Plot: Told from the POV of a dog, a man and many other famous characters are after a “treasure” in the month of October. More of a horror comedy, I suppose, but on everyone’s top ten list. It has mystery elements. Could be a Halloween classic if done right.

I would buy access to the streaming service if any one of these were made.

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Review Lover’s Leap

Cover of Lover’s Leap

This debut novel by Rikki Goodwin features few characters, an atmospheric setting, and enough haunted house techniques to rattle a ouija board. Hazel and her boyfriend Dimitri are invited for a weekend to a bed and breakfast by their friends Finn and Lucy. Finn and Lucy are checking out the cheap B&B to determine if they want to buy it, and Finn wants to employ Hazel and Dimitri to help run it. The weekend is a perfect opportunity to break free of their jobs and their routine, until they arrive and meet the owners.

The owners are expecting one couple, not two, and Hazel and Dimitri’s presence appears to annoy them. Soon, all is forgiven and the foursome are allowed to spend the weekend in the mammoth lodge themselves. The B&B is rumored to be haunted. Never mind what is lurking in mirrors, or mysterious doors in dark hallways. As the unnatural occurrences become more visible and alarming, the Hazel and her friends must contend with giving up their dream future or becoming haunted forever.

Lovers’ Leap starts with a gripping opening chapter. The narrative follows the tangled pasts of Hazel and Finn, once lovers, before they split and became friends. As the unsettling events increase in the house, the couples turn to each other. Will their relationships and friendships survive? Or will the house consume them all?

The creepiness factor is dialed up in this delightful novel. While this is her first book, Rikki Goodwin writes like an author who has plenty of experience keeping readers awake at night. Her characters have murky motivations and pasts, and the backstory adds a nice ectoplasmic layer to the haunting tale. Ghost story aficionados will revel in the spectral scenes, and those who want a bit more than ghosts will be in for a treat as well. Though the third act becomes heavy in exposition, the climax powers through to a satisfying ending and epilogue.

Haunts of tortured souls and tortured memories abound in Lovers’ Leap. Do yourself a favor and check into a B&B yourself with this book under your arm.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ9MXGDD

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Review of The October Society Season 3

Cover The October Society 3

The October Society concludes in this trilogy of spooky campfire tales (are there any other kinds of spooky tales?) told by mysterious children. All the books in this series are styled after a television show, complete with commercial interruptions. Each child tells a scary story to the others. In the first two, the purpose behind this October gathering was kept from the reader. Instead, the reader is treated to criticisms and observations about the tellers. All is revealed in this, the last entry of the trilogy.

The first book received high marks from me, mostly due to the stories and the intertwining vignettes with the children. This all came together in a true eerie fashion. The second offering suffered the fate of most “middles.” The stories weren’t as inspired this time around, and what was happening to the children—their leader goes missing—was the best part of the collection. Unfortunately, it’s only a small portion of the book, and worse, it ends on a cliffhanger. Onward to book three.

Book three starts where book two ends, resolving the cliffhanger but not answering all its questions. The stories and interstitials guide the narrative to slowly unveil what is happening to the October Society. The scenes between the stories are, as in the second book, more intriguing than the stories the children tell. Again, the stories the children tell are a large portion of the book; therefore, they must be fascinating, no matter how interesting the main narrative.

The stories are improved in this go-around. The originals in the first book were best, but some thrillers are presented in this third go-around. “The Boardwalk Banshee,” “Their Hungry Stare,” and “The Boy that Dared the Dark” are the highlights, for certain. Ironically, one segment is the start of a scary tale told by the most unlikely member of all. This brief, unfinished vignette was perhaps my favorite of the book.

October Society 3 focuses more on origins, characters, and our fascination with the dark and the light. True to movie form, the book brings everything to a cinematic conclusion. Less horror, more thrilling, but engaging nevertheless. Christopher Robertson has landed the plane successfully, and deserves the cheers from his passengers.

Overall, the book is recommended. As for the series, read one or all three, don’t stop at October Society Two. Even if, like me, you aren’t thrilled with the middle offering, consider it a part one to the third book.

The trilogy is more of a Halloween treat than a trick.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH6N2W35

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Review of Cage the Wolf

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Stefanie Gilmour’s Cage the Wolf is the second in the Alex Steward series of a young woman dealing with the duality of lycanthropy. In this world, the transformation isn’t automatic or strictly based on a moon phase. The afflicted person has some measure of control, even more with practice. Alex is early in the process of unifying with her inner wolf at the start of the novel.

After vanquishing a sinister league in the Midwestern town of Hopewell, Alex is getting along with her new werewolf pack as well as her witch and human friends. She has a new boyfriend, so life is looking up. Yet, she still has reservations about a secret governing body (called The Council) aware of the witches and werewolves in the town. They are charged with keeping the supernatural creatures hidden.

The second offering in this series starts with a new human member joining the Council’s normies (humans) and supernaturals (werewolves and witches). This newbie wants to invite a werewolf hunter into town after the lycanthropic pack is unfairly accused of crimes. Alex must prove the hunter is a murderer to sway the Council’s vote. All the while, she must keep her nature secret from her best normie friend, Anne. Hiding the truth from Anne is hard considering they’re investigating the same murder for different reasons.

Cage the Wolf hits the right notes for a second book in a sequence. The plot progresses story lines started in the first book, and a new threat keeps the reader’s interest and investment in the characters. The werewolf pack trusts her with missions now that Alex is more in control of her nature. Alex is more purposeful and confident in this offering.

In the last book, best friend Emma played a major role in the plot. She plays a far lesser role than Alex’s other friend, Anne, who is getting close to her secrets. Certainly, Alex is hanging around Trish and Nate (her werewolf pack) more, much to Anne’s chagrin. And then there’s Ben, the boyfriend. The relationship becomes complicated when Ben’s sister Joan arrives. Joan upsets the equilibrium of the already complicated girlfriend/boyfriend dynamic. Joan’s presence also reveals insights into Ben’s past. In addition to the familiar characters from the prior book, the reader meets other supernaturals—a definite highlight.

Cage the Wolf continues more werewolf adventures for Alex and her friends. The book is both a second in a series and a superior standalone novel. The reader is treated to suspenseful action, mysterious pasts, and an expanding world. Cage the Wolf is another standout novel in this superior urban fantasy series.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQF9VB5D

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Review of Legend Has It

Cover of Legend Has It

We’ve all heard the legends of the extreme-horror ten-level house, if you make it to the end, you’ll receive a cash bonus. When we look for such a house, we find it’s an urban legend. Legend Has It by D. J. Slater is a horror novel that explores the age-old question of what if the legend was real.

Seth McCartney and his best friend Peyton Fischer have explored haunted houses for years. They started in grade school and now are in their early twenties. Seth feels let down when Peyton admits that he’s outgrown the thrill of their October ritual. Seth’s loath to walk away from his past. A short time later, Seth and Peyton learn their friend Marcus has found an extreme haunted house in the Wisconsin wilderness. They recruit three more friends—Dante, Angie, and Jessica to accompany them for one final thrill. They arrive at an abandoned, haunted house with no one else around. The attractions greeter appears suddenly, accepts no money, and warns them they won’t survive. He leads them to the back entrance, and they descend four levels to a horrifying, and deadly, experience.

Legend Has It has an intriguing hook as this local legend had persisted for decades. Movies like Hell House LLC and Haunt riff on the same theme. This novel has a meta-moment before they enter where the six visitors discuss what makes for a frightening experience. Seth proposes a slow build up, disarming the audience when the thrills come. This novel follows that blueprint.

It takes a few chapters but then it becomes clear to the group that their lives are in danger, and the panic sets in. The “house” increases its punishments as the six proceed upward. Author Slater uses many haunted attraction tricks but then twists them toward a deadlier outcome. The house not only has savage denizens, but murderous traps as well.

The highlight of Legend Has It includes the creative themes of each level. Again, the settings rely on horror tropes of a darkened hallway with chains, stone passageway, or a rundown hotel interior. What is unique is how they twist to become an element of horror. Curved mirrors, two-image pictures, exhibits behind glass transform into the reader’s nightmares. The scenes are effective and chilling.

The characters serve their purpose with Seth being the most fleshed-out. While they contain a typical cast—the horror aficionado,  the athlete, the love interest—they each have a moment where they show their mettle. As the novel progresses, the reader roots for them.

Superb setting descriptions, realistic dialog, and entertaining puzzles round off this exciting offering.  A few minor drawbacks include the choice of omniscient point-of-view, a handful of technical issues, and a misdirection that is used twice. However, the strength of the rest of the narrative overshadows any of these quibbles.

Legend Has It is for readers who love horror novels, creepy creations, and interesting traps. For fans of urban legends that come to life, especially haunted houses, it’s highly recommended.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DH8R3BWX

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Follow the Rules, then Don’t

Nearly every new fiction writer has a writing hook, something about the way they tell this story that will draw the reader in. In this blog, instead of focusing on plot or characters, let’s examine the way the words unravel to the reader. Some of these writing styles are creatively designed and were part of the original conception of the manuscript. The author believes the world is going to be agog when they read their work.

Writing advice

And then, the author reads about common writing mistakes and finds their wonderfully conceived idea on the list. Perhaps it’s the use of multiple first-person point-of-views, a non-linear narrative, a prologue/epilogue, and the list goes on. The gut reaction is that your story is different, your style doesn’t need to adhere to these rules. Who are these so-called experts to tell you about rules? You are an artist.

The sad truth is, if you’re starting off, you should follow the rules. This may mean a rewrite, unfortunately, and (what you first perceive as) a dimming of the initial story’s spark. For the sake of your story, you should at least give following writing guidelines consideration. Spend some time with the advice, write a few chapters without your gimmick. See what unfolds.

But why? If you are learning the craft, you must become proficient in it before taking on an unconventional style. The rules aren’t there to limit you; they exist to guide you. An agent or publisher is interested in your style, especially if you use the rules to better your plot, characters, or themes. Your writing style is the selling point. Too often, an unconventional choice will distract your agent, publisher, or reader and leave them rejecting your work.

“But,” you say, “I know of many stories with these ‘writing mistakes,’ and they are successful.” True, but do you think this was the author’s first attempt? I’ll admit in rare cases, they work. Stuart Turton’s Evelyn Hardcastle comes to mind. However, most authors have a series of published credentials before they try a writing maneuver that flaunts the rules. For example, both authors of This is How you Lose the Time War, an epistolary novel, have many novels to their credit. The novel’s unique style wasn’t their first rodeo.

If the story cannot be written in a conventional way, then go for it. It’s always better to write the story than not. But, be conscientious that you’re at a disadvantage from the start. Make the decision purposefully, not as a reaction.

After you gain experience and skill, play with the rules if you want. A novel that flaunts the rules is usually a delightful read.

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Review of European Travels for the Monstrous Gentlewoman

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The second book of the Athena Club involves the main female characters traveling far from their London home to stop a fiendish scheme. The Athena Club consists of the daughters of Dr. Jekyll (Mary Jekyll) and Mr. Hyde (Diana Hyde). Also, the poisonous daughter of mad biologist named Beatrice, the puma woman of H. G. Wells’ Island of Dr. Moreau named Catherine, and Justine, Frankenstein’s female creation. The five members have received a note asking them to help an imprisoned girl, Lucinda Van Helsing in Vienna. And if that wasn’t enough, they are to proceed to Budapest to break up a convention of the evil Alchemical Society. This society is the one that made them all monsters through various branches of science (e.g. Moreau created Catherina from vivisecting a puma).

Mary and Justine decide to travel to Vienna to investigate, receiving help from an acquaintance of Sherlock Homes. Travels by train and carriage ensue along with several adventures for all the club members. Spies for the Alchemical Society, prison breaks, kidnappings, and more exciting action occurs throughout the book. A handful of famous characters in this genre: Abraham Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, and Edward Prendick are the villains. The Athena Club meets other interesting adversaries en route.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter. The assembly of the Athena Club and the mystery that surrounded them was captivating and worthy of the term “gaslamp horror.” This time around, we have a longer novel, so long it can’t be finished if you were really traveling between London and Budapest. This book should have been exciting with a chase across Europe, multiple secret enclaves, and (in case you haven’t guessed it) vampirism. Instead the ordinary elements overwhelm the extraordinary.

European Travels for the Monstrous Gentlewoman has its moments. The story takes great pains to make readers feel they’re in London, on the Orient Express, in Vienna, or in Budapest. The character interactions, especially those with Diana, are often funny. Each woman has her own personality, and they form an interesting group. And for the uninitiated, the previous book is summarized near the beginning.

On the other hand, the book goes on far too long. Lengthy passages describe nothing relevant to the story. And for some reason, all the heroes are flipped to villains. This reviewer has no idea why given the outcome of the story. The villains are completely flat, not even aspiring to mustache twirling. Last, the male characters in this novel are either evil, inert, or exist purely to have a monstrous gentlewoman fall in love with them. They have no personality of their own. And the owner of the residence the women lodge in in Budapest should have been a real stunner. But as far as I can tell, the reason he’s in the story is to provide money for the Athena Club.

This novel should be entitled The Strange Case of the Writer Who Fell in Love with Her Own Story and Couldn’t Stop. The book has, at its center, a good story, but it needs a development editor to pull it out. Some reviewers noted they didn’t want to continue the series after this one, and I understand why.

European Travels for the Monstrous Gentlewoman is humorous, has delightful characters, and presents some surprising cameos. Yet, it loses its story somewhere along the way of this journey.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RN7DR3

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Review of Visionary Investigations

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Visionary Investigations, book 1.5 of Dead and Back Again series by C. Rae D’Arc, is a short collection of three novellas set in the world of Novel. Novel was introduced in the Haunting Romance trilogy, and Inspector Specter was the first in this new series.

Visionary Investigations details the mysteries of three private detectives: Truth Locke, Nita Incog, and Aeron Spade. The narrative is from Truth’s perspective. Rather than being adjunct tales that support the novels, the plots continue the events of the initial book. In Novel, the three detectives live in a noir-ish county, and Truth and Aeron both have magical abilities. Their talents and logic help them solve mysteries.

The first novella is Sole Searching, a Case (in Novel, Cases are capitalized as they are central to what the country does) about a murderer who overdoses their victims with cocaine and steals their shoes. Though bizarre, the situation is treated seriously by all involved and the conclusion follows Novel’s logic. This offering has the most outlandish premise and sets up an arc for Detective Locke.

The second entry is Death in the Family. The middle story concerns itself with a friend of our three main detectives being murdered. All suspicions point to an abusive husband at first, but reader beware! Do not jump to conclusions. A trespasser who hates art and another close friend play a significant part in this mystery. This novella is a slow build with a creative payoff and the closest to a classic mystery.

Last we have Undead Murder in which a member of the undead community is seemingly murdered by impossible means—impossible to kill the undead, that is. The setting is a party at an immense, gloomy mansion with a mysterious host. Outside, a vicious crowd has gathered, surrounding the building. Undead Murder is wildly conceived: a chilling setting, a “locked-room” type of murder, and a reveal about one of our detectives. This story ensures the trilogy of novellas ends on a strong note.

The characters and the setting of this collection are bursting with creativity. The method Truth uses to read her victims in the first story, the clever who-could’ve-dunnit-next pace of the second entry, and the supernatural impossible crime of the third—and best—tale are imaginatively designed. The pacing, humor, and surprises are all top-notch. If you want to read a set of novellas unlike any other, read Visionary Investigations.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKD2KDJC