Murder Road
Ratings70
Average rating3.6
Didn't really work for me. It was very average. Plot wasn't really pulling me through the pages. The mystery was somewhat bland even though the conclusion was ok. The characters were not compelling. I didnt connect with them.
I appreciate the author's efforts here but overall not really my bag.
This was a chore, boring as fuck, and it thinks it is doing shit much more crazy than is actually happening. It overplays its hand at every opportunity and the twist was dumb AF. Also its relationship to cops annoyed me.
After reading a LOT of mediocre suspense thrillers, I am so relieved to finally find one that not only meets the genre's requirements, but also exceeds them. Simone St. James's latest is atmospheric, unpredictable and character-rich. The highlight is the love story between April and Eddie, recent newlyweds who know almost nothing about each other. Their relationship deepens as they work together to solve the mysteries of “Murder Road,” but these two lonely, wounded people have dark secrets. I was rooting for them and wary of them at the same time.
I stopped reading Simone St. James's books when she moved from historical to more-or-less contemporary settings (the 1990s are NOT history!), but I may have to reconsider that decision.
First, it is set in Michigan! That was an immediate enjoyment factor. I was able to use book information and figure out where it was going down which helped me to think of the roads in that area and know that they can be dark and desolate. I enjoyed the ending even though it was a bit hectic. I did not like how secretive the FMC was. Oh, and the Inn Owner is a character to love. She is comedic in her interactions with everyone in the town.
Absolutely loved this book & it was perfect timing my library loan for it popped available on a road trip through Michigan.
My first experience with this author was The Sun Down Motel, I thought she was more of a horror writer and didn't appreciate that one as much as I should have.
This one took everything I loved about that and made it so much better. The twist was obvious but I felt like it was supposed to be. This was more of a journey and I loved it so much! Well written and a great story.
Part murder mystery part ghost story all great. I loved getting the story from April”s POV. The why and the how of the final mysteries were an interesting paranormal tale, Great book for readers who like paranormal thrillers.
Thank you BerkleyPub for the free copy!
The beginning started off so strong with the thriller portion of the book! I immediately was super into the story, but I wish this leaned more into the thriller aspect of the book, than the supernatural/paranormal. Take out the supernatural portions of this story, and It would have been a great small town murder mystery/thriller!
Overall, even with the supernatural aspect this was a good read!
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is my second Simone St James book and I have to admit, she does keep me reading. I feel like this book was fast paced from the very beginning and it's probably why I ended up mostly enjoying it.
There were a lot of small repetitions in here such as how hot it is and the sound that her flip flops make but it's easy to over look.
The paranormal scenes are always chilling and give you a thrill.
There's a review that said it well and it mentioned that this book doesn't quite scratch the itch and that's what it felt like for me.
Overall entertaining.
I was a little disappointed in the pace of this because the title implies a very fast-paced thriller, but it is more of a cozy small town mystery. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this one.
I will say: Simone St. James is a very predictable writer, but so long as you don't read all of her books in a short time period you will enjoy her work.
Loved this! Prob one of my favorites, def hit me right in the niche... lol This one was a bit paranormal forward and less developed that her previous stories, but combined with the writing style it just made sense.
I don't think this book is for me. I didn't expect so much crime, as in following a police investigation and amateur detectives trying to solve a case. There were some creepy and unsettling parts but I wish it committed to either Supernatural or Crime. Probably my least favorite of her books.
Twisty turny! I think this might be one that I have to sit with for a bit. It's not my favorite Simone St. James book, but this felt so....atmospheric? I could picture the road, the town, the heat. I really got lost in this one.
This is my first Simone St. James novel and it won't be my last. I had a great time with this supernatural take on the hitchhiker stories that I grew up listening on the internet. I also liked both April and Eddie as characters and the whole small town vibe set in the past.
Set in 1995, while traveling to a motel to celebrate their honeymoon April and Eddie take a wrong turn. While trying to find their way back to the road they should be on they see a young woman on the side of the road. They decide to stop and give her a ride which ends up changing their vacation plans altogether. The girl is not only wounded with blood everywhere but there's a truck that's now chasing them. After outrunning the truck and taking her to the hospital where she dies they become suspects in her murder. They end up staying in the small town as the police start their investigation but they soon realize that this may not be a new investigation but an ongoing investigation as there have been other murders on that deserted road they picked up the girl on. This may be the work of a serial killer. April and Eddie start trying to find their own answers and they go down a haunting path.
Simone St. James is amazing at blending a crime novel and a paranormal novel. Her characters always feel well rounded and a bit gritty but likable and this book was no exception. The setting of a small town in Michigan in the summer of 1995 is perfect for a murder investigation possibly involving a serial killer. While reading I could so vividly see the Blockbuster as we past by it on a hot day with the air conditioning barely keeping us cool. Also the frustration of getting lost but the uncertain confidence that we'll find the way back to where we're supposed to be. I got my license in the era of Mapquest that soon turned into GPS and have no idea how people would stay so calm getting lost with only a map as their directions but that's all I ever witnessed as a kid.
The mystery surrounding so many different aspects of this book kept me reading straight through. Not only the mystery of the murders and the possibly supernatural elements but the mysteries surrounding the different characters. Some, like April and Eddie I immediately loved but had so many questions and others I disliked but needed to know more. The way they interacted throughout the book built on the mystery throughout.
Though I saw the twist coming a mile away I was still very entertained and excited by it. While not my favorite Simone St. James novel this is still a solid one and did not disappoint. Definitely recommencd!