First time for this author for me. I liked this book. There are not too many books that have ghosts written has not a sci-fi story.
I think having the story in two time periods and point of view was very effective. In brought me in to the story. I liked reading about Viv in the 80's and her niece, Carly looking for the same answers in the 20th century. Their lives were parallel in each phase of their "investigation".
I do think the media did play a part in the investigation of Betty,Victoria, Cathy. I think assumption is that with girls/women are working the streets, on drugs, or just plain asking for it. And for that it's not taking seriously that they are in trouble.
Today it's a bit better. But media does characterize that there is something wrong with the girl/woman, something underlying. We still have a long way to go.
From the beginning Viv is determined to uncover the 1st female victim ghost from the motel. I think it was important because she felt that this ghost (Betty) was personal to the killer. Viv was from Illinios and because of personal reasons to leave ended up in Fells, NY. Not by choice. Someone was creepy to her. Hence why she feels so strongly. But Fells is a small town, homey and the motel was some place that she felt important to solve what Viv is interested in.
I think women are more active in true crimes because there is an intuition to them. The questions that are asked and putting two and two together are very much a strong suit to women.
Rage and empowerment are in this story. Even though scared Viv pushed through on her own. Carly had focus with lights going on and off, doors opening and closing in the motel. She pushed through to find out what was going on. Even when Callum pushed her in the empty pool.
I think Alma and Marrnie got involved with Viv's search because I think they seen themselves in her. An empowered woman.
Again why these characters kept coming back to Fells including Carly, is because it's a small town. People look after each other. Home!
Why a small town setting because things are usually calm, eery almost. You could put the Sun Down Motel right next to the Batels Motel. Strange things happen!
I think it's interesting to find the killer being a traveling salesman. You don't see salesman today going door to door like in the old days. Hess had some strange ways about him. Convinced Betty was in love with him and vice versa. As well for Victoria and Cathy that they needed help being left alone. I'm not sure how Viv could have gotten her killer. But I believe it was a little out there, strange. It made me think was there really ghosts that were settling after Hess died? Or was it all the water and mold that were playing tricks. I would like to think it was the ghost.
I give The Sun Down Motel 5----------->
If there is a chance I would like to look into more of Simone St. James books
