Some things haunt us for a lifetime. For the Esmie siblings, it’s the disappearance of their baby brother, Ben. They were only children, playing a simple game of hide-and-seek, when Ben vanished—never to be seen again. In the aftermath, their parents grew distant, and as soon as they were old enough, Violet, Dodie, and Vail left their hometown behind. But Fell, New York, never truly let them go. Even after their parents’ deaths, they couldn’t bring themselves to sell the family home, clinging to the fragile hope that Ben might one day return.
Twenty years later, that hope is reignited. Violet receives a call from the landscaping company hired to maintain the abandoned property. They report strange sightings—people on the grounds, and a small boy who bears an unsettling resemblance to Ben. Even more chilling, the child reportedly whispered, “Come home.”
Convinced this is more than a coincidence, Violet gathers her siblings and returns to the place that has haunted them for decades. They don’t know what they’ll find waiting for them, but they’re finally ready to face the truth about what happened to their brother.
With A Box Full of Darkness, Simone St. James returns to Fell, New York—the same eerie setting that first unsettled readers in The Sun Down Motel. As in that novel, she weaves a story steeped in atmosphere, where both the place and its people feel haunted by the past. That sense of unease is still very much present, and there are moments of genuine chills throughout. However, this familiar approach has begun to feel a bit repetitive. While the mystery is engaging enough and the twist lands in a way that feels fitting, I found myself less connected to the characters than I had hoped. This disconnect ultimately diminished the story's horror.
There’s no denying St. James’s talent for crafting haunting settings and slow-building dread, and there are certainly readers who will find plenty to enjoy here. For me, though, this one didn’t quite reach the heights I know she’s capable of. It left me wishing for a deeper emotional anchor to match the atmosphere.
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(2026, 30)
I didn't find this one as scary as some of her other books, but I did like the three siblings and enjoyed their interactions with each other and with Ben.
ReplyDeleteThat's been my main complaint with most of her more recent releases. The scary seems to be done more because she feels like she has to than out of necessity. I think her characters often stand on their own.
DeleteOh wow, that would be hard and strange just to have a kid disappear liek that.
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a chilling mystery!
DeleteTHE SUNDOWN MOTEL is my favorite St. James book, so I enjoyed returning to Fell. I liked this one, too, just not as much as THE SUNDOWN MOTEL.
ReplyDeleteI'll agree with you there. The Sundown Motel was fantastic, but this one isn't as good.
DeleteI enjoyed this one, but it wasn't my favorite from her. Still an enjoyable listen!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good listen for sure, just not her best.
DeleteThis sounds kinda creepy! It's too bad it wasn't quite as good as her previous books.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you've read her before, but I highly recommend The Broken Girls and The Sundown Motel!
DeleteEveryone seems to love this author. Sorry it this one fell flat for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid her last few releases haven't been as good as I hoped they would.
DeleteI ended up loving Murder Road, though not the same way I loved the Broken Girls or the Sun Down Motel. Those wormed their way in and were so deeply etched into my bones, I still think about them. Did you ever read Ghost 19? It was a novella and I really liked it. I'm in line for this one at the library and I hope it does not disappoint. But given our similar tastes...
ReplyDeleteI liked Murder Road, too. Haven't read Ghost 19 yet, but I'll add it to my list!
DeleteIt's a quick little read; I would love for her to write more novellas.
DeleteI enjoyed this one, but not in the same way as previous books. Great review!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Thanks!
DeleteI might have to take a look at that other book instead
ReplyDeleteDefinitely recommend that one over this one.
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