The Sun Down Motel

I am really digging this unique blend of straightforward mystery and supernatural spooky elements St. James has going in this book and The Broken Girls. Not sure any of her other works have quite the same mix (we know I don't do thrillers so I'm hesitant to explore her whole bibliography), but I would happily read another in this vein.

Such a sensitive, yet raw, affecting examination of the realities of women trying to live lives existing in a world with an acknowledged prevalence of male violence against women seemingly shored up by the patriarchy: how women are socialized into unsafe scenarios (be nice), how they're admonished to protect themselves, physically (don't go out alone at night) and socially (good reputation is best defence against anyone thinking the victim put themselves in harm's way) because it's acknowledged there are men that will hurt them if they can get away with it. 
Arguments can be made about the gender binary emphasis but you risk missing the lived experience of people who identify as women if you're not acknowledging this as part of a broader discussion on the violence that humans of all gender do to each other. 

The paired modern and historical time line also bring into sharp relief the added trouble that comes when misogyny is more blatant, when women cannot rely on being held as credible as professionals, witnesses or victims - if no one believes you, what would you or could you do to make the bad thing stop? 

Love interest doesn't take over the story, but I think St. James recognized including a positive male presence as a good addition. 

Pitch perfect: not misandrist, not exploitative, but rather compelling and twisty. 

I didn't expect the exploration of justice/ethics in the third act, but I like the book better for having it. 

If any other authors similarly skillfully toe this line of mystery NOT thriller, supernatural NOT gross, compassionate NOT sensationalist PLEASE tell me! 

 I'm on the fence about whether a specific side character is technically ace rep or alternatively touch averse and dealing with heightened anxiety in relation to physical intimacy with men based on overexposure to material on heterosexual crimes (male assault, murder) against women as a further data point in how violent misogyny has a range of effects on women. Food for thought.  

I appreciate the discussion of, and respect for, mental health, a parallel acknowledgement of how similar situations were handled in the 80s versus in 2017.

⚠️SA, misogyny, heavy focus on violence against women, dated/offensive language (1980s timeline) regarding homosexuality and sex workers