About the author
Simone St. James is a Canadian author of mystery, historical fiction, and romance novels who previously spent twenty years in the television business before leaving to write full-time. The first books she wrote were set in the 1920s, and she later decided to write for other time periods like the 1950s. She was inspired to write her first book because she wanted to read a ghost story that was creepy but not gory and contained a romance, and since she could not find one, she wrote it herself. St. James's novels are known for themes that often include ghosts, crime, and an investigation. Although she claims never to have seen a ghost personally, her books are all about the possibility and specifically about the what-if moment. Horror readers value this approach because her stories deliver a creepy atmosphere focused on supernatural mystery and investigation without relying on gore. New readers might start exploring her work with stocked titles such as The Haunting of Maddy Clare, The Sun Down Motel, The Broken Girls, or Murder Road.
📖 Where to start with Simone St. James
💬 What our editors say about Simone St. James's books
“Simone St. James crafts a dual-timeline mystery that relies heavily on mood rather than explicit supernatural explanations. The motel itself serves as a central character, refusing to change across decades and trapping characters…”
Horror Reads editorial team, Horror desk · on The Sun Down Motel
“Simone St. James presents a compelling examination of haunting visions and menacing presences like Sister. The linear timeline effectively bridges the gap between the brothers' disappearance two decades ago and the siblings'…”
Horror Reads editorial team, Horror desk · on A Box Full of Darkness
“Simone St. James constructs a tense atmosphere through the juxtaposition of 1977 crimes and modern investigation, focusing heavily on psychological nuance rather than procedural details. While effective for fans of…”
Horror Reads editorial team, Horror desk · on The Book of Cold Cases
📋 Editions by Simone St. James in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sun Down Motel | 2020 | Berkley Books | 352 | 9780440000204 |
| A Box Full of Darkness | 2026 | Berkley Books | — | 9780593200414 |
| The Book of Cold Cases | 2023 | Berkley Books | 368 | 9780440000235 |
| The Broken Girls | 2018 | Berkley Books | 352 | 9780451489388 |
| The Other Side of Midnight | 2025 | Berkley Books | 336 | 9780593952931 |
| The Other Side of Midnight | 2015 | Berkley Books | 318 | 9780451419491 |
| Murder Road | 2025 | Berkley Books | — | 9780593200391 |
| Murder Road | 2024 | Berkley Books | — | 9780593200384 |
| An Inquiry into Love and Death | 2024 | Berkley Books | — | 9780593641682 |
| The Haunting of Maddy Clare | 2012 | Berkley Books | 431 | 9780451235688 |
| Silence for the Dead | 2014 | Berkley Books | 374 | 9780451419484 |
| Lost Among the Living | 2016 | Penguin Publishing Group | 337 | 9780451476197 |
| The Broken Girls | 2020 | Berkley Books | 448 | 9780593201497 |
