There’s something deeply unsettling about a deserted road at night. The inky darkness broken only by your headlights, the eerie stillness punctuated by the hum of your engine. What might be lurking just beyond the reach of your high beams? It’s the stuff of urban legends and campfire tales—the hook-handed killer, the vanishing hitchhiker. In her latest supernatural thriller Murder Road, Simone St. James taps into those primal fears of the unknown darkness, crafting a story that will have you double-checking your locks and eyeing that lonely stretch of highway with newfound wariness.
A Honeymoon Gone Horribly Wrong
It’s July 1995, and newlyweds April and Eddie Carter are headed to a lakeside resort for their honeymoon. But a wrong turn lands them on Atticus Line, a remote road with a sinister reputation. When they stop to help a lone woman on the roadside, they inadvertently set in motion a series of events that will upend their lives and force them to confront long-buried secrets and an evil that has haunted this town for decades.
From the opening pages, St. James builds an atmosphere thick with dread and foreboding. You can practically feel the oppressive summer heat and smell the exhaust fumes as April and Eddie’s car cruises down that lonely stretch of asphalt. When they encounter the injured Rhonda Jean, the tension ratchets up to almost unbearable levels. The author’s taut prose puts you right there in that car with them, pulse quickening as headlights appear in the rearview mirror, growing larger by the second.
A Town Full of Secrets
What follows is a masterclass in slow-burn suspense as April and Eddie find themselves trapped in the small town of Coldlake Falls, trying to prove their innocence while unraveling the mysteries of Atticus Line. St. James excels at creating richly-drawn characters, from the prickly B&B owner Rose to the ice-cold Detective Quentin. Even minor players feel fully-realized, hinting at hidden depths and motivations.
The author skillfully peels back the layers of this seemingly sleepy town, revealing the rot underneath. Long-time residents trade whispered rumors about “The Lost Girl” said to haunt Atticus Line. A series of unsolved murders stretching back decades has cast a pall over Coldlake Falls. Everyone seems to be hiding something.
As April and Eddie dig deeper, aided by a pair of precocious teenage sisters with a knack for uncovering secrets, the line between past and present begins to blur. St. James deftly weaves together multiple timelines and viewpoints, slowly revealing how all the pieces fit together. The pacing is relentless, urging you to turn just one more page, read just one more chapter.
Things That Go Bump in the Night
While the central mystery is gripping in its own right, it’s the supernatural elements that truly elevate Murder Road into something special. St. James has always had a deft touch when it comes to ghost stories, knowing just how much to show and how much to leave to the reader’s imagination. Here she ratchets things up a notch, delivering some genuinely chilling moments that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing up.
The Lost Girl herself is a particularly effective creation—by turns pitiful and terrifying. Her appearances are used sparingly but to great effect, each one ratcheting up the tension. St. James taps into something primal with this character, evoking the universal fear of being alone on a dark road with something otherworldly.
But it’s not just jump scares and creepy apparitions. The author uses the supernatural elements to explore deeper themes of grief, regret, and the sometimes destructive power of secrets kept too long. The ghosts here are as much metaphorical as literal, representing the weight of past sins and unresolved trauma.
The Ties That Bind
At its core, Murder Road is a story about family—the ones we’re born into and the ones we choose for ourselves. Both April and Eddie are carrying the scars of difficult childhoods, and their relationship is tested by the crucible of events on Atticus Line. St. James depicts their bond with sensitivity and nuance. These aren’t fairy tale newlyweds, but two damaged people learning to trust and lean on each other.
The theme of family extends to the other characters as well. We see the complicated dynamics between sisters Beatrice and Gracie Snell, the lingering grief of Rose for her late husband, the toxic father-daughter relationship between John and Shannon Haller. Even the ghostly presence at the heart of the story is motivated by familial bonds twisted by tragedy.
A Master of the Craft
With Murder Road, Simone St. James once again proves why she’s one of the most exciting voices in contemporary supernatural thrillers. Her prose is hypnotic, drawing you in and immersing you fully in the world she’s created. She has an uncanny knack for building tension, knowing just when to ratchet things up and when to offer a moment of respite.
The plot is intricately crafted, with numerous twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Yet it never feels convoluted or overly complicated. Each revelation flows naturally from what came before, puzzle pieces clicking satisfyingly into place. The final act brings everything together in a pulse-pounding climax that will have you on the edge of your seat.
A Few Bumps in the Road
While Murder Road is an engrossing read from start to finish, it’s not without a few minor flaws. Some readers may find the pacing in the middle section a bit slow as April and Eddie’s investigation hits various dead ends. A few plot threads are left dangling, presumably to be picked up in future books. And those looking for concrete answers to every mystery may be slightly frustrated by the deliberately ambiguous ending.
But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar novel. St. James is clearly writing at the top of her game, delivering a story that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
The Road Goes Ever On
For fans of St. James’ previous works like The Sun Down Motel and The Book of Cold Cases, Murder Road will feel like coming home. It hits all the notes we’ve come to expect from the author—a vividly-realized setting, complex female characters, a twisty mystery, and genuine scares. Yet it never feels formulaic or repetitive. This is an author constantly pushing herself and evolving her craft.
Newcomers to St. James’ work will find Murder Road an excellent entry point. While it shares some thematic DNA with her earlier novels, it stands perfectly well on its own. No prior knowledge is needed to get swept up in this gripping tale.
Final Thoughts
Murder Road is a masterfully crafted supernatural thriller that will keep you up way past your bedtime, compulsively turning pages to unravel its mysteries. It’s a ghost story, a murder mystery, and a poignant exploration of trauma and healing all rolled into one irresistible package.
Simone St. James has delivered another winner, cementing her place as one of the premier voices in contemporary gothic fiction. Clear your schedule and buckle up for a wild ride down Atticus Line—just make sure to leave the lights on.
Who Should Read This Book
- Fans of supernatural thrillers with a strong mystery element
- Readers who enjoy gothic atmospherics and slow-burn suspense
- Anyone looking for a genuinely scary read that goes beyond simple jump scares
- Those who appreciate complex female protagonists
- Fans of authors like Riley Sager, Jennifer McMahon, and Catriona Ward
Who Should Skip It
- Readers who prefer their thrillers firmly grounded in reality with no supernatural elements
- Those looking for a quick, breezy read—this one requires some patience and attention
- Anyone extremely sensitive to themes of child abuse or domestic violence (while not graphic, these topics are present)
The Verdict
Murder Road is a haunting, atmospheric thriller that showcases Simone St. James at the height of her considerable powers. With its intricate plot, richly-drawn characters, and genuine scares, it’s a must-read for fans of supernatural suspense. Just maybe save it for daylight hours—you won’t want to put it down, and Atticus Line is no place to be after dark.
