Thrillers with a supernatural twist are always a gamble. When done right, they create a perfect blend of psychological tension and eerie suspense. But too often, I’ve been disappointed when an author throws in a ghostly element at the last minute, as if saying, Surprise! The ghost did it!—a lazy shortcut that undermines the story’s buildup. That’s why Murder Road by Simone St. James was such a refreshing and gripping read. This book doesn’t just add a supernatural layer for shock value; it seamlessly integrates it into a chilling, well-crafted mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Plot Summary:
A young couple find themselves haunted by a string of gruesome murders committed along an old deserted road in this terrifying new novel.
July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.
When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.
A Story That Hooks You Instantly
From the very first page, Murder Road sets an unsettling tone. St. James has a way of writing that immediately immerses you in the eerie atmosphere, making you feel the weight of every shadow, every whisper in the dark. The book follows a couple, newly married and on a road trip, who find themselves entangled in a decades-old unsolved murder. What starts as a simple overnight stay turns into something far more sinister as they realize the place they’ve stopped in has secrets—secrets that refuse to stay buried.
What I appreciated most was how the supernatural elements weren’t just sprinkled in for effect—they were deeply woven into the plot, making the mystery even more unnerving. There’s something truly chilling about a ghost story when the horror isn’t just in the haunting itself but in the way it ties into real-world fears and unresolved trauma. The tension is relentless, and the deeper I got into the story, the more I realized I wasn’t as brave as I initially thought.
Atmosphere That Gets Under Your Skin
If you’ve ever read a book that made you physically react—your heart pounding, your skin prickling, making you check over your shoulder because you swear you heard something outside your window—then you know exactly how Murder Road made me feel. The sense of dread builds slowly, tightening its grip until you’re practically holding your breath, waiting for the next reveal. St. James doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares; instead, she masterfully crafts an eerie, almost suffocating mood that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.
Complex Characters with Secrets of Their Own
What truly elevated this book for me was its characters. They weren’t just passive participants in a haunted house story—they had layers, secrets, and a depth that made them feel incredibly real. The couple at the heart of the story wasn’t just dealing with the horror around them; they were also confronting the cracks in their own marriage. The tension between them, the things left unsaid, and the way their personal histories fed into the unfolding mystery made everything feel even more urgent. There was a psychological weight to their journey, and that emotional complexity made me care about their fate in a way I don’t always experience with thrillers.
A Page-Turner You Won’t Be Able to Put Down
I picked this book up thinking I’d read a few chapters before bed. Big mistake. I ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting because I had to know what happened next. The pacing is perfect—fast enough to keep you on edge, but not so rushed that it sacrifices depth. Every chapter ends in a way that practically forces you to keep going, and before you know it, hours have passed.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Read for Thriller and Horror Fans
Murder Road is the kind of book that reminds me why I love thrillers with a supernatural twist. It’s eerie, immersive, and completely unputdownable. Simone St. James has created a story that is equal parts chilling ghost story and gripping mystery, with characters who feel real and a plot that keeps you guessing. If you love thrillers that make your spine tingle while also delivering a well-structured mystery, this book is a must-read. Highly, highly recommend.