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A Box Full of Darkness
Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home.
Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.
As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.
Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.
As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2026
1237 people are currently reading
52174 people want to read
About the author
Simone St. James
12 books19.5k followersSimone St. James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Book of Cold Cases, The Sun Down Motel, The Broken Girls and The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives outside Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,964 reviews
March 12, 2026
I always dive headfirst into Simone St. James’s books without reading the blurb, checking the genre, or even considering my work schedule—because let’s be honest, I’ll end up ignoring all responsibilities anyway. Why? Because I need my full focus to let her scare the living daylights out of me!
This particular book is an extra-special treat—it takes us back to the same eerie universe where The Sun Down Motel unfolds and even brings in a side character linked to The Broken Girls, two of my absolute favorite novels from St. James.
Imagine this: a fractured family, three siblings carrying invisible scars—haunted, neglected, and deeply marked by a shared tragedy. When they were young, their six-year-old brother Ben vanished without a trace. Their lives were shattered, and they each coped in wildly different, heartbreaking ways.
Violet, the oldest, has seen ghosts for as long as she can remember—visions that cost her everything: her marriage, custody of her daughter Lisette, and even her freedom when she was locked away in a psychiatric ward. She now works one of the most harrowing jobs imaginable: cleaning out the homes of the recently deceased... and yes, sometimes bumping into their lingering spirits. She’s tried to drink her trauma away, but the ghosts don’t care.
Vail, the middle sibling, was once a competitive diver—now he’s a fringe UFO investigator, drifting through towns and flings, hiding his pain behind sarcasm and solitude. And then there’s Dodie—dramatic, impulsive, emotionally explosive. She lives in New York, models hands and hair, goes on first dates but never second ones, and keeps everyone at arm’s length.
The siblings have long been estranged, each burying their shared trauma in different ways. But everything changes when Violet receives a call from landscapers working at their old childhood home in Fell. They saw something—or rather, someone. A boy. Six years old summoning his siblings to come home.
Ben is back. Or at least... something pretending to be him is.
If they want answers about his mysterious disappearance, they must return to the haunted house of their youth—where dark memories and sinister forces await them. But Ben’s case isn’t the only strange happening in the neighborhood. Violet’s only childhood friend had been found dead on the railroad tracks—heart failure, they say, but suspiciously young for that. And other boys have gone missing over the years. The danger is far from over.
Violet is hiding a secret about a ghost that tormented her as a child. Vail believes he was targeted by aliens. And Dodie? She keeps having the same recurring nightmare, night after night. What if their nightmares are more than trauma? What if they’re connected—to each other, to Ben, and to something evil?
Can they confront this malevolent force together, or will it destroy them the way it tried to destroy Ben? Think It meets The Haunting of Hill House with Simone St. James’s signature chills and character depth.
Let me just say—I was hooked! I absolutely loved the haunted house atmosphere, the slow-burning mystery of Ben, the clever references to The Sun Down Motel, and the emotional depth of these three beautifully broken siblings. It's a story of ghosts, grief, and ultimately, healing. The jump scares are perfectly timed, the pacing razor-sharp, and the ending incredibly satisfying. Simone St. James delivers yet again with a paranormal thriller that crawls under your skin and stays there.
⭐ Final Verdict: A must-read for 2026! Fans of old-school Stephen King, ghost stories with heart, and gripping mysteries—you need this book on your radar.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me an early copy of one of my most anticipated paranormal thrillers in exchange for my honest thoughts!
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This particular book is an extra-special treat—it takes us back to the same eerie universe where The Sun Down Motel unfolds and even brings in a side character linked to The Broken Girls, two of my absolute favorite novels from St. James.
Imagine this: a fractured family, three siblings carrying invisible scars—haunted, neglected, and deeply marked by a shared tragedy. When they were young, their six-year-old brother Ben vanished without a trace. Their lives were shattered, and they each coped in wildly different, heartbreaking ways.
Violet, the oldest, has seen ghosts for as long as she can remember—visions that cost her everything: her marriage, custody of her daughter Lisette, and even her freedom when she was locked away in a psychiatric ward. She now works one of the most harrowing jobs imaginable: cleaning out the homes of the recently deceased... and yes, sometimes bumping into their lingering spirits. She’s tried to drink her trauma away, but the ghosts don’t care.
Vail, the middle sibling, was once a competitive diver—now he’s a fringe UFO investigator, drifting through towns and flings, hiding his pain behind sarcasm and solitude. And then there’s Dodie—dramatic, impulsive, emotionally explosive. She lives in New York, models hands and hair, goes on first dates but never second ones, and keeps everyone at arm’s length.
The siblings have long been estranged, each burying their shared trauma in different ways. But everything changes when Violet receives a call from landscapers working at their old childhood home in Fell. They saw something—or rather, someone. A boy. Six years old summoning his siblings to come home.
Ben is back. Or at least... something pretending to be him is.
If they want answers about his mysterious disappearance, they must return to the haunted house of their youth—where dark memories and sinister forces await them. But Ben’s case isn’t the only strange happening in the neighborhood. Violet’s only childhood friend had been found dead on the railroad tracks—heart failure, they say, but suspiciously young for that. And other boys have gone missing over the years. The danger is far from over.
Violet is hiding a secret about a ghost that tormented her as a child. Vail believes he was targeted by aliens. And Dodie? She keeps having the same recurring nightmare, night after night. What if their nightmares are more than trauma? What if they’re connected—to each other, to Ben, and to something evil?
Can they confront this malevolent force together, or will it destroy them the way it tried to destroy Ben? Think It meets The Haunting of Hill House with Simone St. James’s signature chills and character depth.
Let me just say—I was hooked! I absolutely loved the haunted house atmosphere, the slow-burning mystery of Ben, the clever references to The Sun Down Motel, and the emotional depth of these three beautifully broken siblings. It's a story of ghosts, grief, and ultimately, healing. The jump scares are perfectly timed, the pacing razor-sharp, and the ending incredibly satisfying. Simone St. James delivers yet again with a paranormal thriller that crawls under your skin and stays there.
⭐ Final Verdict: A must-read for 2026! Fans of old-school Stephen King, ghost stories with heart, and gripping mysteries—you need this book on your radar.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me an early copy of one of my most anticipated paranormal thrillers in exchange for my honest thoughts!
medium.com
January 20, 2026
3.5
Simone St. James could not resist returning to Fell, N.Y. and neither could I, moving this book up to the top of my TBR pile, because I just couldn’t wait!
Fell, N.Y. has more than its share of Supernatural happenings and they do not ALL occur at the Sun Down Motel. Drownings and disappearances are pretty common occurrences in this small, run down town.
Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie grew up there, and although they didn’t know any different-they knew that they dreaded BEDTIME-and having to fall asleep.
Violet would see a menacing presence above her bed, “Sister” who terrorized her for years.
Vail, would have blinding lights pointed on him, with the directive to “WAKE UP”-Aliens?
And, Dodie would cower in her bed as rancid water would rise around her…
But yet, if their beloved little brother, Ben, their parents “later in life baby” would crawl into bed with them, the night terrors would stay away.
That is until the day that the four siblings played one of Ben’s favorite games with him- HIDE and SEEK, and Ben went to hide and was never found again.
Where did he disappear to?
Police scoured the property and surrounding woods but the mystery remained unsolved.
Eighteen years later, Violet gets a call from the landscape company who has maintained the abandoned property-a little boy has been spotted and he has asked his siblings to “Come Home”.
Will he lead them to the answers they have longed for?
This is a SLOW BURN GHOST story-and although the Supernatural cannot be completely explained-I did feel like the book ended without providing a few answers that it could have. It won’t share the shelf with a favorite of mine “The Sun Down Motel” for that reason, but it will provide you with the creeps!
It isn’t necessary to read that one first-but the motel is referred to and there are some cameos from earlier books. Here’s my review for “The Sun Down Motel”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A buddy read with MarilynW, Mary Beth and DeAnn. Was it a favorite for them? Be sure to watch for their reviews!
Available Now
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Simone St. James could not resist returning to Fell, N.Y. and neither could I, moving this book up to the top of my TBR pile, because I just couldn’t wait!
Fell, N.Y. has more than its share of Supernatural happenings and they do not ALL occur at the Sun Down Motel. Drownings and disappearances are pretty common occurrences in this small, run down town.
Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie grew up there, and although they didn’t know any different-they knew that they dreaded BEDTIME-and having to fall asleep.
Violet would see a menacing presence above her bed, “Sister” who terrorized her for years.
Vail, would have blinding lights pointed on him, with the directive to “WAKE UP”-Aliens?
And, Dodie would cower in her bed as rancid water would rise around her…
But yet, if their beloved little brother, Ben, their parents “later in life baby” would crawl into bed with them, the night terrors would stay away.
That is until the day that the four siblings played one of Ben’s favorite games with him- HIDE and SEEK, and Ben went to hide and was never found again.
Where did he disappear to?
Police scoured the property and surrounding woods but the mystery remained unsolved.
Eighteen years later, Violet gets a call from the landscape company who has maintained the abandoned property-a little boy has been spotted and he has asked his siblings to “Come Home”.
Will he lead them to the answers they have longed for?
This is a SLOW BURN GHOST story-and although the Supernatural cannot be completely explained-I did feel like the book ended without providing a few answers that it could have. It won’t share the shelf with a favorite of mine “The Sun Down Motel” for that reason, but it will provide you with the creeps!
It isn’t necessary to read that one first-but the motel is referred to and there are some cameos from earlier books. Here’s my review for “The Sun Down Motel”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A buddy read with MarilynW, Mary Beth and DeAnn. Was it a favorite for them? Be sure to watch for their reviews!
Available Now
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
August 4, 2025
Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home.
Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.
As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.
I always get excited when I open up a Simone St. James book! She never disappoints me. I love supernatural stories and there isn't any author that writes a supernatural book like she does! She is the Queen of supernatural thrillers! She is a favorite author. I also love haunted house stories and this is that kind of story. I loved the creepy atmosphere and we get a revisit from the book, The Sundown Motel.
The story took place in a town called Fell. I loved the creepy, spooky, and evil atmosphere of this town. Strange things happen in Fell, New York and it is frightening.
I felt so sorry for the Esmie Family. They are a dysfunctional family. The Esmie siblings are so strange. They are living in a haunted house. They had such a traumatic life. I felt so sorry for Violet. She still sees dead people. She was terrorized for years.
I had some questions that weren't answered in the story. I was kept on the edge of my seat and I didn't see the twist and turns coming! I did enjoy the ending and I loved this book.
I want to thank Netgalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.
As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.
I always get excited when I open up a Simone St. James book! She never disappoints me. I love supernatural stories and there isn't any author that writes a supernatural book like she does! She is the Queen of supernatural thrillers! She is a favorite author. I also love haunted house stories and this is that kind of story. I loved the creepy atmosphere and we get a revisit from the book, The Sundown Motel.
The story took place in a town called Fell. I loved the creepy, spooky, and evil atmosphere of this town. Strange things happen in Fell, New York and it is frightening.
I felt so sorry for the Esmie Family. They are a dysfunctional family. The Esmie siblings are so strange. They are living in a haunted house. They had such a traumatic life. I felt so sorry for Violet. She still sees dead people. She was terrorized for years.
I had some questions that weren't answered in the story. I was kept on the edge of my seat and I didn't see the twist and turns coming! I did enjoy the ending and I loved this book.
I want to thank Netgalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
There’s slow burn, and then there’s “so slow I’d rather go and watch the grass grow” burn. Let’s just say my lawn is seeming pretty attractive right now. I kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting for something to happen, and by the time it finally did I cared more about counting down the remaining pages than I did about the events of the story. I nodded off a few times, but that also might just be the fact that my life has devolved into a chaotic, soul-crushing mess that’s preventing me from achieving more than three hours of sleep per night. But I digress…
These annoyingly-named siblings were absolutely grating. I didn’t like any of them, and really wished they would spend less time being self-involved nincompoops, and more time doing what they came back to their house to do. Like, can we please focus on finding our ghost brother already?
I usually like St. James’ books, so I’ll just chalk this up to being an outlier, and one that many people apparently enjoyed. I guess what I’m saying is that this very well could be me. I might be the broken one, and this might be a good book.
There’s slow burn, and then there’s “so slow I’d rather go and watch the grass grow” burn. Let’s just say my lawn is seeming pretty attractive right now. I kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting for something to happen, and by the time it finally did I cared more about counting down the remaining pages than I did about the events of the story. I nodded off a few times, but that also might just be the fact that my life has devolved into a chaotic, soul-crushing mess that’s preventing me from achieving more than three hours of sleep per night. But I digress…
These annoyingly-named siblings were absolutely grating. I didn’t like any of them, and really wished they would spend less time being self-involved nincompoops, and more time doing what they came back to their house to do. Like, can we please focus on finding our ghost brother already?
I usually like St. James’ books, so I’ll just chalk this up to being an outlier, and one that many people apparently enjoyed. I guess what I’m saying is that this very well could be me. I might be the broken one, and this might be a good book.
January 21, 2026
You can feel it right away… that electric chill signalling something dark is waiting just beneath the surface.
Darkly atmospheric, unsettlingly moody, & deliciously haunted!
From the very first page, A Box Full of Darkness cast that eerie, creeping spell Simone St. James does so well. The shadows felt close, the air thick with dread, and I was never quite sure if what I was feeling was the characters’ fear or my own.
It is one of those reads where the unease settles in early and never fully lets go. Sometimes that is my favourite kind of tension, the kind that hums quietly in the background, but here it also left me wondering if some of my discomfort came from the story itself rather than the haunting it portrayed. That uncertainty became part of the reading experience and stayed with me afterwards.
A few key thoughts:
• 🐌 Slow burn tension that seeps in
• 😯 A constant edge of uncertainty
• 🪶 Unease that lingers beneath the surface
• 🌀 Drawn in but never fully comfortable
• 🚀 An ending that surges forward
• 🔍 Questions left in the dark
Creepy, spooky, and lingering in ways I am still thinking about, this was a read that kept me off balance in the best and occasionally most perplexing way.
Happy Publication Day—January 20, 2026
🇨🇦 Canadian author
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC. Also, a big shoutout to my Witches Words buddy read crew Carolyn, Dorie, and Brenda. Sharing these chills made the experience even richer. Highly recommended for fans of supernatural suspense with an edge.
Darkly atmospheric, unsettlingly moody, & deliciously haunted!
From the very first page, A Box Full of Darkness cast that eerie, creeping spell Simone St. James does so well. The shadows felt close, the air thick with dread, and I was never quite sure if what I was feeling was the characters’ fear or my own.
It is one of those reads where the unease settles in early and never fully lets go. Sometimes that is my favourite kind of tension, the kind that hums quietly in the background, but here it also left me wondering if some of my discomfort came from the story itself rather than the haunting it portrayed. That uncertainty became part of the reading experience and stayed with me afterwards.
A few key thoughts:
• 🐌 Slow burn tension that seeps in
• 😯 A constant edge of uncertainty
• 🪶 Unease that lingers beneath the surface
• 🌀 Drawn in but never fully comfortable
• 🚀 An ending that surges forward
• 🔍 Questions left in the dark
Creepy, spooky, and lingering in ways I am still thinking about, this was a read that kept me off balance in the best and occasionally most perplexing way.
Happy Publication Day—January 20, 2026
🇨🇦 Canadian author
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC. Also, a big shoutout to my Witches Words buddy read crew Carolyn, Dorie, and Brenda. Sharing these chills made the experience even richer. Highly recommended for fans of supernatural suspense with an edge.
February 10, 2026
I can’t believe this book was penned by the author of The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel.
I generally hate first-person narrative especially when it comes to crime/mystery and this book had three of those. Three! And all of them sounded the same.
The unlikeable characters who were supposed to be grown-ass adults acted like teenagers.
And the boring, repetitive and irrelevant conversations were the cherries on top.
Oh, and for most of the book, nothing happens.
I generally hate first-person narrative especially when it comes to crime/mystery and this book had three of those. Three! And all of them sounded the same.
The unlikeable characters who were supposed to be grown-ass adults acted like teenagers.
And the boring, repetitive and irrelevant conversations were the cherries on top.
Oh, and for most of the book, nothing happens.
January 18, 2026
2.5 stars
Haunting setting with a silly storyline.
A sighting of the ghost of their 6-year-old brother brings three adult siblings back to the childhood home they abandoned eighteen years ago.
Growing up with distracted and uncaring parents, the Esmie children fled their small town as soon as they could. With their younger brother’s disappearance having never been solved, their hometown harboured more heartache than happiness, and they left hoping to never look back.
The mystery behind this storyline never quite grasped my full attention. I enjoyed the creepy and ominous feel of the abandoned family home, but it never truly engrossed me. A big pull of what should have been tension and suspense was the fact that strange things happened to the siblings in their childhood that they didn’t sort out at the time and now, almost twenty years later, they are investigating. Having such clear memories of incidents from twenty years ago didn’t ring true for me. It didn’t seem realistic that all three siblings immediately drop their current lives to return to their childhood home with determination to search for clues that would be long gone. This didn’t work for me.
The sibling bond felt forced. I found much of the dialogue lacked natural ease and felt awkward between the siblings. What should have been sibling love and loyalty felt like cheesy memories and forced chumminess. Reminiscing on the love they had for each other twenty years ago, yet they’ve had no relationship since. Also, I was annoyed at the ridiculous amount of times muscular men used “their biceps” or good looks to distract women or get information. This cheesiness turned me off completely. There is an estranged mother-daughter relationship in the mix of this storyline that bothered me and felt unnecessary.
This novel takes place in the 1980’s and I felt this was a large missed opportunity for nostalgia and atmosphere. The writing didn’t embrace the 1980’s vibe whatsoever. I actually forgot that the plot timeframe was in the past a few times while reading.
The overall pace of this novel was very drawn out and repetitive. I found myself skim reading in the second half and not missing much. Additionally, the supernatural element didn’t work for me. This author is known for her exceptional supernatural themed writing abilities which I usually love, but this part of the storyline felt silly and completely over-the-top, further causing me to feel distanced from the overall plot.
I enjoyed the references to this authors previous novel, The Sundown Motel. You don’t have to have read that book, but it was a great addition for her loyal readers.
Overall, this didn’t work for me. I am finding that this authors newer work doesn’t hit me the same way as her earlier books did. If you are new to this author, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one. My favourites are The Broken Girls and The Sundown Motel. Get your hands on a copy of those if you haven’t read them yet!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy! This publishes on Jan 20th.
Haunting setting with a silly storyline.
A sighting of the ghost of their 6-year-old brother brings three adult siblings back to the childhood home they abandoned eighteen years ago.
Growing up with distracted and uncaring parents, the Esmie children fled their small town as soon as they could. With their younger brother’s disappearance having never been solved, their hometown harboured more heartache than happiness, and they left hoping to never look back.
The mystery behind this storyline never quite grasped my full attention. I enjoyed the creepy and ominous feel of the abandoned family home, but it never truly engrossed me. A big pull of what should have been tension and suspense was the fact that strange things happened to the siblings in their childhood that they didn’t sort out at the time and now, almost twenty years later, they are investigating. Having such clear memories of incidents from twenty years ago didn’t ring true for me. It didn’t seem realistic that all three siblings immediately drop their current lives to return to their childhood home with determination to search for clues that would be long gone. This didn’t work for me.
The sibling bond felt forced. I found much of the dialogue lacked natural ease and felt awkward between the siblings. What should have been sibling love and loyalty felt like cheesy memories and forced chumminess. Reminiscing on the love they had for each other twenty years ago, yet they’ve had no relationship since. Also, I was annoyed at the ridiculous amount of times muscular men used “their biceps” or good looks to distract women or get information. This cheesiness turned me off completely. There is an estranged mother-daughter relationship in the mix of this storyline that bothered me and felt unnecessary.
This novel takes place in the 1980’s and I felt this was a large missed opportunity for nostalgia and atmosphere. The writing didn’t embrace the 1980’s vibe whatsoever. I actually forgot that the plot timeframe was in the past a few times while reading.
The overall pace of this novel was very drawn out and repetitive. I found myself skim reading in the second half and not missing much. Additionally, the supernatural element didn’t work for me. This author is known for her exceptional supernatural themed writing abilities which I usually love, but this part of the storyline felt silly and completely over-the-top, further causing me to feel distanced from the overall plot.
I enjoyed the references to this authors previous novel, The Sundown Motel. You don’t have to have read that book, but it was a great addition for her loyal readers.
Overall, this didn’t work for me. I am finding that this authors newer work doesn’t hit me the same way as her earlier books did. If you are new to this author, I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one. My favourites are The Broken Girls and The Sundown Motel. Get your hands on a copy of those if you haven’t read them yet!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy! This publishes on Jan 20th.
June 29, 2025
Here is another book I was super excited for. I loved the cover, the synopsis, and I enjoy this author. However, the book started off super strong for me, getting to know all three Esmie siblings, and then the book kind of tanked for me throughout the middle. The ending was decent again, but not enough for me to bring up my rating. And although all the Esmie siblings were adults, I got a YA vibe from this book the whole time I was reading it, and I’m not sure why 🤷🏻♀️
This story starts with all three Esmie siblings: Violet, Vail, and Dodie, returning back to the home they grew up in in Fell, NY. Their brother Ben, who disappeared 20 years ago has beckoned them back. Ben disappeared when he was six years old during a game of hide & seek, and he was never found. He was lost without a trace…
Once the three siblings meet back up in their childhood home, we get flashbacks of how their life was growing up. There are many paranormal/supernatural activities in this story that take place- so if that’s your thing you may enjoy this story a lot more. Also, if you are a fan of Simone St. James and have read The Sundown Motel, there are many references to that motel as well. I thought that was kind of cool.
While I thought that this book was good, not great- I still say give it a shot as you may enjoy it much more than I did!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for a DRC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: January 20, 2026
This story starts with all three Esmie siblings: Violet, Vail, and Dodie, returning back to the home they grew up in in Fell, NY. Their brother Ben, who disappeared 20 years ago has beckoned them back. Ben disappeared when he was six years old during a game of hide & seek, and he was never found. He was lost without a trace…
Once the three siblings meet back up in their childhood home, we get flashbacks of how their life was growing up. There are many paranormal/supernatural activities in this story that take place- so if that’s your thing you may enjoy this story a lot more. Also, if you are a fan of Simone St. James and have read The Sundown Motel, there are many references to that motel as well. I thought that was kind of cool.
While I thought that this book was good, not great- I still say give it a shot as you may enjoy it much more than I did!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for a DRC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: January 20, 2026
February 8, 2026
Loved it, great haunted house setting. The characters were great. Still wanted a little bit more from that ending, but overall enjoyed it.
February 21, 2026
Woof!
I have a g'zillion questions/comments I could make, but I shall refrain.
You're welcome.
January 24, 2026
4 solid stars for St. James "Box Full of Darkness" I had seen some mixed reviews and had actually tempered my reading expectations, but I really ended up liking this one quite a bit. I liked the three grown Esmie siblings & how broken they were apart & yet strong together. I also appreciated that this was set in Fell, NY & all the call-backs to the "Sundown Motel" - IYKYK!! Plenty creepy but also a slow reveal as to what's really going on & it held my interest throughout.
September 5, 2025
Come Home.
This story will haunt you.
In the 1960s in Fell, upstate New York, Violet, Dodie and Vail Esmie’s six-year-old brother Ben vanishes during a game of hide and seek and is never seen again. As soon as they can, the three leave their home and live their lives as best they can but all are haunted in various ways. By the 1980s, no one has lived in their childhood home for years although they pay for the landscaping. When they notify Violet of several sightings of Ben calling for them to return home, they reluctantly do so but with heavy hearts. What will they face? It seems there is not just loss and sadness in Fell but also something that is hell bent on revenge.
I don’t think there’s another current author who can deliver on the ghostly, creepy or mysterious quite like Simone St James. The tone is ominous, disconcerting and chilling and is established right from the start. Once they arrive at their childhood home in Fell, the silent (at the start), neglected, forbidding, unhappy house which resembles something not unlike Miss Haversham’s Satis House, it’s strangeness is overwhelming and so the creepy vibes are palpable. Its atmosphere and the bad memories it evokes in Violet, Dodie and Vail is both mysterious and sinister and that is maintained throughout the novel and nothing seems to add up. The property surrounding their home, the town of Fell and some of its inhabitants help to build the layers of weird, eerie, spooky, menacing and at times the downright spine chilling and you know something dire is about to happen. As it propels towards the ending, I nearly jump out of my skin at times and I like how it all comes together. Parts are expected but some definitely not.
As for the three siblings, they’re chalk and cheese and their rivalry is almost a character in its own right! The most likable at the start seems to be Vail as Violet and Dodie can be very disconcerting, but they’re obvious love for Ben, the burden of grief they carry and the lack of parenting when they need it, ultimately makes me care about what happens to them and so the way it ends really works for me.
Overall, this is another really good novel from a must read author and I thoroughly enjoy the references to Sun Down Motel and characters from previous novels.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
This story will haunt you.
In the 1960s in Fell, upstate New York, Violet, Dodie and Vail Esmie’s six-year-old brother Ben vanishes during a game of hide and seek and is never seen again. As soon as they can, the three leave their home and live their lives as best they can but all are haunted in various ways. By the 1980s, no one has lived in their childhood home for years although they pay for the landscaping. When they notify Violet of several sightings of Ben calling for them to return home, they reluctantly do so but with heavy hearts. What will they face? It seems there is not just loss and sadness in Fell but also something that is hell bent on revenge.
I don’t think there’s another current author who can deliver on the ghostly, creepy or mysterious quite like Simone St James. The tone is ominous, disconcerting and chilling and is established right from the start. Once they arrive at their childhood home in Fell, the silent (at the start), neglected, forbidding, unhappy house which resembles something not unlike Miss Haversham’s Satis House, it’s strangeness is overwhelming and so the creepy vibes are palpable. Its atmosphere and the bad memories it evokes in Violet, Dodie and Vail is both mysterious and sinister and that is maintained throughout the novel and nothing seems to add up. The property surrounding their home, the town of Fell and some of its inhabitants help to build the layers of weird, eerie, spooky, menacing and at times the downright spine chilling and you know something dire is about to happen. As it propels towards the ending, I nearly jump out of my skin at times and I like how it all comes together. Parts are expected but some definitely not.
As for the three siblings, they’re chalk and cheese and their rivalry is almost a character in its own right! The most likable at the start seems to be Vail as Violet and Dodie can be very disconcerting, but they’re obvious love for Ben, the burden of grief they carry and the lack of parenting when they need it, ultimately makes me care about what happens to them and so the way it ends really works for me.
Overall, this is another really good novel from a must read author and I thoroughly enjoy the references to Sun Down Motel and characters from previous novels.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
December 31, 2025
This haunting novel literally gave me the chills! In a small town named Fell, creepy and strange things happen. I really enjoyed reading this novel from beginning to end. It starts off slow, then builds up in the middle, then the ending came with a great, surprising scene. This is a slow burn paranormal mystery that came with a dark atmosphere and had an intriguing plot! This is a thriller book that made me want to know what was going to happen next.
It made me feel tense, hopeful and emotional. I feel that the characters were strongly developed and believable. Some of the themes that are explored in this story are family trauma, grief, and truth versus protection. The writing style was easy to read and well written. This book was twisty, exciting, had a clever plot and a satisfying conclusion! Be sure to check the trigger warnings and stay healthy. Overall, I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars! I was overall very impressed with this one. It gave me the movie, “The Conjuring” vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Simone St. James and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on 1/20/2026
It made me feel tense, hopeful and emotional. I feel that the characters were strongly developed and believable. Some of the themes that are explored in this story are family trauma, grief, and truth versus protection. The writing style was easy to read and well written. This book was twisty, exciting, had a clever plot and a satisfying conclusion! Be sure to check the trigger warnings and stay healthy. Overall, I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars! I was overall very impressed with this one. It gave me the movie, “The Conjuring” vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Simone St. James and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on 1/20/2026
November 20, 2025
This did absolutely nothing for me. I didn’t hate it but it was boring and the only thing that intrigued me ended up being pretty lackluster
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https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTreapFPC/
October 12, 2025
Simone St. James delivers yet again 👻
Simone St. James has been an auto-read author for me since I read The Broken Girls when I was a baby bookstagrammer in 2018. All of her books have delivered for me and all of them are solid 4-star reads. Her newest novel, A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS, comes out this January and I couldn’t wait to dive into this paranormal mystery!
When three estranged siblings return to Fell, New York, they’re haunted by the ghost of their long-missing brother and the dark memories of the night he vanished. Once plagued by visions and a menacing spirit called Sister; Violet, Vail, and Dodie are forced to confront the horrors they ran from and the truth waiting in their childhood home.
Simone St. James once again proves she’s the queen of supernatural thrillers. Fell’s eerie atmosphere and the Esmie family’s tragic past kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved all three siblings and was happy that St. James provided a their own POVs throughout the story. Each of them is unique and compelling. The story starts off very fast-paced and then settles into a slower, suspenseful pace for the rest of the story. It took me longer than expected, but it fully delivers. It’s chilling, emotional, and full of twists—I couldn’t look away. I am 5 for 5 with 4 stars for Simone St. James, but this may have been my favorite. STARS: 4, PUB: 1/20/26
Simone St. James has been an auto-read author for me since I read The Broken Girls when I was a baby bookstagrammer in 2018. All of her books have delivered for me and all of them are solid 4-star reads. Her newest novel, A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS, comes out this January and I couldn’t wait to dive into this paranormal mystery!
When three estranged siblings return to Fell, New York, they’re haunted by the ghost of their long-missing brother and the dark memories of the night he vanished. Once plagued by visions and a menacing spirit called Sister; Violet, Vail, and Dodie are forced to confront the horrors they ran from and the truth waiting in their childhood home.
Simone St. James once again proves she’s the queen of supernatural thrillers. Fell’s eerie atmosphere and the Esmie family’s tragic past kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved all three siblings and was happy that St. James provided a their own POVs throughout the story. Each of them is unique and compelling. The story starts off very fast-paced and then settles into a slower, suspenseful pace for the rest of the story. It took me longer than expected, but it fully delivers. It’s chilling, emotional, and full of twists—I couldn’t look away. I am 5 for 5 with 4 stars for Simone St. James, but this may have been my favorite. STARS: 4, PUB: 1/20/26
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💙✨️💙✨️💙✨️💙✨️💙✨️💙✨️💙
Beloved author, Simone St. James, returns to Fell, New York, in her latest Paranormal Mystery, A Box Full of Darkness.
For avid fans of St. James, you may recognize Fell as being the same location as her earlier novel, The Sun Down Motel, which I adored when it released in 2020.
The start of this reminded me so much of The Haunting of Hill House. The Netflix show, not the book. We follow three siblings, Violet, Vail and Dodie, who are essentially called back to the house they grew up in, alongside their younger brother, Ben, who disappeared years before.
There are reports that the property is being haunted by a spirit, at least according to the recent landscaper's reports. The siblings agree to go back, deal with the past and try to figure out, once and for all, what really happened to Ben all those years ago.
I was really intrigued by this set-up. I liked meeting all the siblings and learning about them. They're all vastly different, but you can feel the love and support they have for each other.
It's with great apprehension that the three return to the Fell house and you can feel that uncertainty through the page. The vibes of the house were rich and unsettling. I wanted to know everything about it, and what happened not only to Ben, but everyone else in the family around that time.
I loved this mystery and was completely hooked into it. There were also references alluding to events at The Sun Down Motel, and also, I believe, The Broken Girls, which was really fun. I love little Easter Eggs like that connecting author's various works.
Overall, I found this very engaging and entertaining. I loved this group of siblings and their complicated family history. I won't claim it's a perfect story, but I think if you are looking for something to keep your attention and keep you guessing, this is a fantastic option.
It's got St. James's signature style of 'is it paranormal, is it not paranormal', which I really love about her stories. I'm so happy with my experience with this one and look forward to more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I always look forward to Simone St. James's new releases and this one didn't disappoint!
Beloved author, Simone St. James, returns to Fell, New York, in her latest Paranormal Mystery, A Box Full of Darkness.
For avid fans of St. James, you may recognize Fell as being the same location as her earlier novel, The Sun Down Motel, which I adored when it released in 2020.
The start of this reminded me so much of The Haunting of Hill House. The Netflix show, not the book. We follow three siblings, Violet, Vail and Dodie, who are essentially called back to the house they grew up in, alongside their younger brother, Ben, who disappeared years before.
There are reports that the property is being haunted by a spirit, at least according to the recent landscaper's reports. The siblings agree to go back, deal with the past and try to figure out, once and for all, what really happened to Ben all those years ago.
I was really intrigued by this set-up. I liked meeting all the siblings and learning about them. They're all vastly different, but you can feel the love and support they have for each other.
It's with great apprehension that the three return to the Fell house and you can feel that uncertainty through the page. The vibes of the house were rich and unsettling. I wanted to know everything about it, and what happened not only to Ben, but everyone else in the family around that time.
I loved this mystery and was completely hooked into it. There were also references alluding to events at The Sun Down Motel, and also, I believe, The Broken Girls, which was really fun. I love little Easter Eggs like that connecting author's various works.
Overall, I found this very engaging and entertaining. I loved this group of siblings and their complicated family history. I won't claim it's a perfect story, but I think if you are looking for something to keep your attention and keep you guessing, this is a fantastic option.
It's got St. James's signature style of 'is it paranormal, is it not paranormal', which I really love about her stories. I'm so happy with my experience with this one and look forward to more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I always look forward to Simone St. James's new releases and this one didn't disappoint!
February 23, 2026
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced thriller. It has engaging protagonists, wit, a touch of humor, mystery, intrigue, suspense, twists and turns, a bit of romance, and a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed visiting the town of Fell, NY again. The narrators, Anna Caputo, Saskia Maarleveld, and Ari Fliakos are truly talented and do an excellent job voicing the characters and bringing the story to life.
February 10, 2026
Ready or not, here I come!
Three siblings return home to Fell, New York because they are called back by the ghost of their brother who disappeared many years ago during a game of hide-and-seek. Many years ago, strange things began happening in Fell. A young girl was found dead by the railroad tracks and there was a mysterious drowning at the roadside motel. After leaving town, the siblings were determined never to come back…until now.
What happened to Ben? Why has he returned?
Simone St. James is one of my absolute favorite authors and I have read all her books. I was excited that she decided to set the plot of her new book in the previously used fictional town of Fell, which is where The Sundown Motel took place. St. James excels once again with character development in this book. I was instantly connected to each of the three main characters and couldn’t wait to see how she would eventually connect the dots of the plot.
Unfortunately, while the plot had me on the edge of my seat, I was left with so many questions at the end. I’m still not sure why Ben disappeared in the first place or why he came back. While I am all for suspending my belief for the sake of fiction, some of the events in this book also just didn’t seem plausible.
I am still a huge fan of this author and will gladly read her next novel.
4/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely Publishing Group for the ARC of A Box Full of Darkness in exchange for an honest review.
Three siblings return home to Fell, New York because they are called back by the ghost of their brother who disappeared many years ago during a game of hide-and-seek. Many years ago, strange things began happening in Fell. A young girl was found dead by the railroad tracks and there was a mysterious drowning at the roadside motel. After leaving town, the siblings were determined never to come back…until now.
What happened to Ben? Why has he returned?
Simone St. James is one of my absolute favorite authors and I have read all her books. I was excited that she decided to set the plot of her new book in the previously used fictional town of Fell, which is where The Sundown Motel took place. St. James excels once again with character development in this book. I was instantly connected to each of the three main characters and couldn’t wait to see how she would eventually connect the dots of the plot.
Unfortunately, while the plot had me on the edge of my seat, I was left with so many questions at the end. I’m still not sure why Ben disappeared in the first place or why he came back. While I am all for suspending my belief for the sake of fiction, some of the events in this book also just didn’t seem plausible.
I am still a huge fan of this author and will gladly read her next novel.
4/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely Publishing Group for the ARC of A Box Full of Darkness in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2026
"Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness."
And so begins our next story in Fell, New York. Violet gets a sudden phone call - her landscaping crew for her empty childhood home are calling to inform her they quit. When she asks repeatedly, the caller finally confesses. A little boy appeared to his crew. He told them, "Come home."
So here she is, Violet, the big sister, calling her siblings home. Years ago, when they were just kids, she and her 2 siblings played hide and seek with their little 6 year old brother. But they never found their little brother that night or any other night. They called the police, they hunted, they searched, they cried, but they never found him. Now, 15 years later, he is calling his siblings home.
I absolutely LOVED this one! Simone St. James is, honestly, one of the best spooky ghost story tellers. This one kept me guessing and wondering. It kept me hooked to learn more about the siblings and what they had experience. It was jaw-dropping and spine tingling in so many places, this story kept me on my toes. I couldn't help but wonder if I would be as brave as Vail, as protective and angry as Violet, or as sturdy and sassy as Diode - but if I'm not, I'd love to have any of them by my side. What an amazing story, I can't wait for the next one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
And so begins our next story in Fell, New York. Violet gets a sudden phone call - her landscaping crew for her empty childhood home are calling to inform her they quit. When she asks repeatedly, the caller finally confesses. A little boy appeared to his crew. He told them, "Come home."
So here she is, Violet, the big sister, calling her siblings home. Years ago, when they were just kids, she and her 2 siblings played hide and seek with their little 6 year old brother. But they never found their little brother that night or any other night. They called the police, they hunted, they searched, they cried, but they never found him. Now, 15 years later, he is calling his siblings home.
I absolutely LOVED this one! Simone St. James is, honestly, one of the best spooky ghost story tellers. This one kept me guessing and wondering. It kept me hooked to learn more about the siblings and what they had experience. It was jaw-dropping and spine tingling in so many places, this story kept me on my toes. I couldn't help but wonder if I would be as brave as Vail, as protective and angry as Violet, or as sturdy and sassy as Diode - but if I'm not, I'd love to have any of them by my side. What an amazing story, I can't wait for the next one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 28, 2025
*3.5 stars
A Box Full of Darkness is a highly atmospheric tale centered around a mystery and a dysfunctional family.
The book immediately pulled my attention in and I loved the haunted house as well all the paranormal aspects. I liked getting to know the Esmie siblings and learning their backstories as well as revisiting Fell NY and all the nods to Simone’s 2020 work, The Sundown Motel.
I did find A Box Full of Darkness to be a bit too slower paced in parts and some questions are left unanswered at the end, but overall I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it! A Box Full of Darkness is my seventh read by Simone St James so of course I'll continue to read whatever she writes next.
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St James will be available on January 20. Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
A Box Full of Darkness is a highly atmospheric tale centered around a mystery and a dysfunctional family.
The book immediately pulled my attention in and I loved the haunted house as well all the paranormal aspects. I liked getting to know the Esmie siblings and learning their backstories as well as revisiting Fell NY and all the nods to Simone’s 2020 work, The Sundown Motel.
I did find A Box Full of Darkness to be a bit too slower paced in parts and some questions are left unanswered at the end, but overall I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it! A Box Full of Darkness is my seventh read by Simone St James so of course I'll continue to read whatever she writes next.
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St James will be available on January 20. Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
March 11, 2026
Well, Simone St James has done it again. She’s created another creepy, scary, ghost story with a really dark vibe and malevolent spirit. As if that wasn’t weird enough, it’s even in the same small town (Fell, NY) as her Sun Down Motel story, another great St James story that I highly recommend.
As the book summary states, sisters Violet and Dodie and brother Vail return to the house where their little brother Ben disappeared 18yrs ago during a game of hide and seek; he or his body was never found. What the book doesn’t mention is what the siblings have been doing since they left. Violet ended up in a mental institution because of the dead people/ghosts that she sees. Subsequently, her husband divorces her and takes custody of their daughter, Lisette. Now, she cleans out houses after people die. Vail becomes a ufologist for an organization called VUFO. Until he returned home, he was convinced that aliens had abducted Ben. Then there is Dodie, who is a NY product model where she never shows her face, and she prefers it that way; she also never does second dates - ever. Suffice it to say that the siblings are not very mentally/emotionally/psychologically balanced individuals.
Most of the story flips back and forth between the siblings after they return home and start to investigate Ben’s disappearance. Then Vail invites an associate, that he’s worked with before on alien investigations, come and “read” the house. This reveals some confusing information that has them questioning what they actually know and remember about Ben and their childhoods with their parents and the house. During their research into Ben and their childhoods with their parents and the house, they come across a collection of really strange info that leads them to a very disturbing conclusion.
I’m not going to say much more about the storyline because that would be a spoiler, but I will say that the siblings were warned (by the ghost of Violet’s dead friend that she’s seeing since returning home) that “while three of them walked into the house, only two would walk out”. The ending was really frightening and intense and had me on edge and fearing which sibling wouldn’t be walking out.
The character development of the siblings and Ben was well done. The pacing was steady to fast and never dragged and had me engrossed from the get-go. The storyline was very interesting, but then, I’m a big fan of creepy ghost stories. The writing was outrageous and classic St James. This is the part where I feel compelled to mention that if you are the kind of reader whose enjoyment of a story is contingent on the story’s level of believability, then this is not the story for you because this is a wild and crazy ghost story folks – definitely my kind of story. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.4 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. For me, the wilder and crazier, the better. I also want to mention that on the Donne horror scale of 1-5, five being horror-filled, I would rate this a 2.5.
As the book summary states, sisters Violet and Dodie and brother Vail return to the house where their little brother Ben disappeared 18yrs ago during a game of hide and seek; he or his body was never found. What the book doesn’t mention is what the siblings have been doing since they left. Violet ended up in a mental institution because of the dead people/ghosts that she sees. Subsequently, her husband divorces her and takes custody of their daughter, Lisette. Now, she cleans out houses after people die. Vail becomes a ufologist for an organization called VUFO. Until he returned home, he was convinced that aliens had abducted Ben. Then there is Dodie, who is a NY product model where she never shows her face, and she prefers it that way; she also never does second dates - ever. Suffice it to say that the siblings are not very mentally/emotionally/psychologically balanced individuals.
Most of the story flips back and forth between the siblings after they return home and start to investigate Ben’s disappearance. Then Vail invites an associate, that he’s worked with before on alien investigations, come and “read” the house. This reveals some confusing information that has them questioning what they actually know and remember about Ben and their childhoods with their parents and the house. During their research into Ben and their childhoods with their parents and the house, they come across a collection of really strange info that leads them to a very disturbing conclusion.
I’m not going to say much more about the storyline because that would be a spoiler, but I will say that the siblings were warned (by the ghost of Violet’s dead friend that she’s seeing since returning home) that “while three of them walked into the house, only two would walk out”. The ending was really frightening and intense and had me on edge and fearing which sibling wouldn’t be walking out.
The character development of the siblings and Ben was well done. The pacing was steady to fast and never dragged and had me engrossed from the get-go. The storyline was very interesting, but then, I’m a big fan of creepy ghost stories. The writing was outrageous and classic St James. This is the part where I feel compelled to mention that if you are the kind of reader whose enjoyment of a story is contingent on the story’s level of believability, then this is not the story for you because this is a wild and crazy ghost story folks – definitely my kind of story. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.4 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. For me, the wilder and crazier, the better. I also want to mention that on the Donne horror scale of 1-5, five being horror-filled, I would rate this a 2.5.
January 23, 2026
I love a Simone St. James novel, especially her older ones. I love the supernatural elements and how well she unfolds the mystery aspect to her novels. Even Murder Road, which I wasn’t crazy about due to its predictability, I could appreciate because of how well the story was told.
But A Box Full of Darkness? It didn’t even feel like a St. James novel. The premise was there… a haunted small town (from the Sun Down Motel), an abandoned family home, a missing child… but the flow of the story was choppy at best, the characters were surface level, the sibling banter was just bad, and at the end of the story you’re left with more (big) questions than answers.
Also, there were multiple, some major some not, details the reader was expected to accept without any explanation as to how or why and, for me, it caused confusion and for the book to fall completely flat. One example, Ben just magically appeared as a baby with no explanation as to how he got there and the parents of the Esmie siblings, who were portrayed as neglectful and absentee parents, just accepted Ben as one of their own.
Then just some of the questions… why did he come back from the dead as a ghost baby? Why did he just disappear that random day? Why did it take 18 years for him to reappear? His gravestone was on the property, was his body found and buried? If so, what was the point of the siblings going to the cellar ACROSS THE STREET (if Vail was sleeping in Ben’s actual bedroom the cellar would have been the basement of that house) if not to not find Ben’s remains? To kill Sister? Two out of the three sibling didn’t even know she existed up until the day before Sister’s “murder”. Speaking of Sister, how did that name come to Violet when she was a little girl? Etc. etc. etc.
Make it make sense 🙄
But A Box Full of Darkness? It didn’t even feel like a St. James novel. The premise was there… a haunted small town (from the Sun Down Motel), an abandoned family home, a missing child… but the flow of the story was choppy at best, the characters were surface level, the sibling banter was just bad, and at the end of the story you’re left with more (big) questions than answers.
Also, there were multiple, some major some not, details the reader was expected to accept without any explanation as to how or why and, for me, it caused confusion and for the book to fall completely flat. One example, Ben just magically appeared as a baby with no explanation as to how he got there and the parents of the Esmie siblings, who were portrayed as neglectful and absentee parents, just accepted Ben as one of their own.
Then just some of the questions… why did he come back from the dead as a ghost baby? Why did he just disappear that random day? Why did it take 18 years for him to reappear? His gravestone was on the property, was his body found and buried? If so, what was the point of the siblings going to the cellar ACROSS THE STREET (if Vail was sleeping in Ben’s actual bedroom the cellar would have been the basement of that house) if not to not find Ben’s remains? To kill Sister? Two out of the three sibling didn’t even know she existed up until the day before Sister’s “murder”. Speaking of Sister, how did that name come to Violet when she was a little girl? Etc. etc. etc.
Make it make sense 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2026
Violet, Vail and Dodie return to their childhood home in Fell, New York when their brother requests they come home. The thing is, their brother, Ben, went missing at the age of five decades prior. Each sibling has their own baggage, especially Violet. Ever since she was a child, Violet has been able to see ghosts. One ghost in particular that she names, Sister, is extremely malevolent. She is convinced that if they return to their childhood home, they can hopefully find Ben.
The first half of the novel had me hooked. I enjoyed the supernatural elements as well as the mystery of discovering what happened to Ben. The shift for me liking it to not really liking it was around the 80% mark. It seemed like one of those endings that after all the buildup just kind of resolved itself way too quickly. It was just kind of meh. I also felt that there was still some threads to be tied up in regard to Ben. (At least for me there were.)
I have found that I seem to like this authors earlier novels more so than the newer ones. Other readers have really enjoyed this novel so please check out their reviews.
The first half of the novel had me hooked. I enjoyed the supernatural elements as well as the mystery of discovering what happened to Ben. The shift for me liking it to not really liking it was around the 80% mark. It seemed like one of those endings that after all the buildup just kind of resolved itself way too quickly. It was just kind of meh. I also felt that there was still some threads to be tied up in regard to Ben. (At least for me there were.)
I have found that I seem to like this authors earlier novels more so than the newer ones. Other readers have really enjoyed this novel so please check out their reviews.
February 28, 2026
**Many thanks to Berkley and Simone St. James for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**
And with A Box Full of Darkness, so begins a Return to Fell...
What IS Fell, exactly? (So glad you asked...guessing you haven't read St. James' The Sun Down Motel! 😉) Fell, NY is a small town in Upstate, NY that is more than a bit haunted...and it has a bevvy of ghosts to prove it! Unexplained deaths and terrifying occurrences are par for the course, so when Violet, Vail, and Dodie are compelled to RETURN to their hometown...guess who made the call? (No, not the Ghostbusters...the GHOST itself!) The eerie call of a spirit named Sister seems to be indicating that their brother Ben, who died many years ago under very mysterious circumstances, NEEDS them to return to Fell so that he can 'come home' at last.
What began many years ago as a game of Hide and Seek ended with Ben being 'hidden' for good...but can the trio, led by their frightening otherworldly companion, lead them to his 'hiding spot?' Is it possible that there is MORE than the town of Fell's unique and spooky history at play here...and an entire FAMILY history they haven't ever known that could have set these mysterious events in motion? And will their brother Ben be GLAD to return home...or will he instead take the opportunity to get otherworldly revenge...and have his SIBLINGS join him on the other side?
When it comes to this one, I will COMPLETELY blame myself for my expectations. After thoroughly enjoying and being pleasantly surprised by the spooky, exciting, nostalgia-tinged read that was Murder Road, I think I had sort of convinced myself that Simone St. James was a bit more of a solid author for me than she actually has been thus far. When I actually think BACK to the other two books I've read thus far from her they BOTH were 3.5 star reads, and unfortunately, this one rounded out a rather unpleasant trio...the dreaded 3.5 star middle-of-the-road, slow burn mystery read.
I think another reason I had such confidence going into this book was the fact that it VERY clearly revolved around a ghost...and one element of every St. James book I read that has been beyond solid (ironically, I suppose!) are her ghosts. Atmosphere and an air of eerie spookiness linger in every page, and even when her PLOTS have left a bit to be desired, her books HAVE at times given me the back-of-the-neck tingles...you know the kind! In this story, however, there was SO MUCH GOING ON with two DIFFERENT ghosts that I had a hard time locking in...and even thrusting us back into the known commodity of Fell, NY wasn't enough to get my blood pumping. While I had my issues with Sun Down Motel, the bright spot THERE was the setting...and here, it felt more like familiar but faded wallpaper.
There's no way around it: this is a SLOW burn, and a bit of a messy one at that. I had a hard time differentiating between the characters, was put off by their super weird names (I'll give you Violet because it reminds me of Violet Baudelaire, but VAIL and DODIE? Seriously?!) and the fact that this book seemed to vacillate back and forth between reminding us just how creepy Fell is and all that has transpired there, building tension (read: PETTY tension) between the siblings, AND attempting to give us both backstory on Ben, backstory on the rest of the family, and then PRESENT day discovery about Ben and all that the siblings needed to learn in order to find him. Oh, and also spending a LOT of time on Violet's encounters with the 'Sister' spirit. I would go so far as to say this is St. James' weakest book in terms of overall pacing, and it took me almost THREE WEEKS to read, whereas other books of hers I've finished in 3-4 days. ☠️
Even though this is a small cast of characters, I unfortunately found ALL of them unlikable in their own way, making it even more difficult to care whether each one got their heart's desires or not. While I wanted to feel a sense of impending doom throughout, I felt more like we had to weed through a bunch of extraneous detail to get there and I kept mentally checking out even when I fought with ALL my might to stay invested. Trying to tie each 'suspenseful' moment in the present to some detail uncovered about the past felt arduous rather than effortless, and by the end, I was less exhausted by the thrill of discovery and more so exhausted by the endless laps I felt I'd done...and let's just say having flashbacks to gym class is NEVER a good sign. 🏃
And while this title and premise intrigued me, I'd argue that the opening this Box of Darkness in this one was more like opening Pandora's Box...and I wish I'd simply have left it closed.
3.5 stars
And with A Box Full of Darkness, so begins a Return to Fell...
What IS Fell, exactly? (So glad you asked...guessing you haven't read St. James' The Sun Down Motel! 😉) Fell, NY is a small town in Upstate, NY that is more than a bit haunted...and it has a bevvy of ghosts to prove it! Unexplained deaths and terrifying occurrences are par for the course, so when Violet, Vail, and Dodie are compelled to RETURN to their hometown...guess who made the call? (No, not the Ghostbusters...the GHOST itself!) The eerie call of a spirit named Sister seems to be indicating that their brother Ben, who died many years ago under very mysterious circumstances, NEEDS them to return to Fell so that he can 'come home' at last.
What began many years ago as a game of Hide and Seek ended with Ben being 'hidden' for good...but can the trio, led by their frightening otherworldly companion, lead them to his 'hiding spot?' Is it possible that there is MORE than the town of Fell's unique and spooky history at play here...and an entire FAMILY history they haven't ever known that could have set these mysterious events in motion? And will their brother Ben be GLAD to return home...or will he instead take the opportunity to get otherworldly revenge...and have his SIBLINGS join him on the other side?
When it comes to this one, I will COMPLETELY blame myself for my expectations. After thoroughly enjoying and being pleasantly surprised by the spooky, exciting, nostalgia-tinged read that was Murder Road, I think I had sort of convinced myself that Simone St. James was a bit more of a solid author for me than she actually has been thus far. When I actually think BACK to the other two books I've read thus far from her they BOTH were 3.5 star reads, and unfortunately, this one rounded out a rather unpleasant trio...the dreaded 3.5 star middle-of-the-road, slow burn mystery read.
I think another reason I had such confidence going into this book was the fact that it VERY clearly revolved around a ghost...and one element of every St. James book I read that has been beyond solid (ironically, I suppose!) are her ghosts. Atmosphere and an air of eerie spookiness linger in every page, and even when her PLOTS have left a bit to be desired, her books HAVE at times given me the back-of-the-neck tingles...you know the kind! In this story, however, there was SO MUCH GOING ON with two DIFFERENT ghosts that I had a hard time locking in...and even thrusting us back into the known commodity of Fell, NY wasn't enough to get my blood pumping. While I had my issues with Sun Down Motel, the bright spot THERE was the setting...and here, it felt more like familiar but faded wallpaper.
There's no way around it: this is a SLOW burn, and a bit of a messy one at that. I had a hard time differentiating between the characters, was put off by their super weird names (I'll give you Violet because it reminds me of Violet Baudelaire, but VAIL and DODIE? Seriously?!) and the fact that this book seemed to vacillate back and forth between reminding us just how creepy Fell is and all that has transpired there, building tension (read: PETTY tension) between the siblings, AND attempting to give us both backstory on Ben, backstory on the rest of the family, and then PRESENT day discovery about Ben and all that the siblings needed to learn in order to find him. Oh, and also spending a LOT of time on Violet's encounters with the 'Sister' spirit. I would go so far as to say this is St. James' weakest book in terms of overall pacing, and it took me almost THREE WEEKS to read, whereas other books of hers I've finished in 3-4 days. ☠️
Even though this is a small cast of characters, I unfortunately found ALL of them unlikable in their own way, making it even more difficult to care whether each one got their heart's desires or not. While I wanted to feel a sense of impending doom throughout, I felt more like we had to weed through a bunch of extraneous detail to get there and I kept mentally checking out even when I fought with ALL my might to stay invested. Trying to tie each 'suspenseful' moment in the present to some detail uncovered about the past felt arduous rather than effortless, and by the end, I was less exhausted by the thrill of discovery and more so exhausted by the endless laps I felt I'd done...and let's just say having flashbacks to gym class is NEVER a good sign. 🏃
And while this title and premise intrigued me, I'd argue that the opening this Box of Darkness in this one was more like opening Pandora's Box...and I wish I'd simply have left it closed.
3.5 stars
July 15, 2025
Simone St. James' books are always an intriguing read. I read this book in two sittings.
Vail, Violet, and Dodie grew up in Fell, Ny. They were born into a dysfunctional family. They had a brother Ben who vanished when he was 6. As they ask grew up, they all went their different ways and vowed to never return to Fell. One day, they all get the call they need to return. As it turns out, Ben wasn't the only one to disappear or die under mysterious circumstances. The the vow to find out what happened to their bother many years ago.
I went into this book blind and I recommend doing the same. It started out a bit slow but then kept building suspense. In true Simone St. James fashion this book is full of suspense, paranormal, and mystery.
A big thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication January 20, 2026
Vail, Violet, and Dodie grew up in Fell, Ny. They were born into a dysfunctional family. They had a brother Ben who vanished when he was 6. As they ask grew up, they all went their different ways and vowed to never return to Fell. One day, they all get the call they need to return. As it turns out, Ben wasn't the only one to disappear or die under mysterious circumstances. The the vow to find out what happened to their bother many years ago.
I went into this book blind and I recommend doing the same. It started out a bit slow but then kept building suspense. In true Simone St. James fashion this book is full of suspense, paranormal, and mystery.
A big thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication January 20, 2026
February 4, 2026
This had all the makings of a great ghost, haunting story, a story that would be best to read on a cold winter's night.
Eighteen years ago the siblings of a missing young brother, left the house and vowed never to return. However, when Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie, receive a message to come home from their lost brother, they all return to the house, the neighborhood, the area, that is both frightening and horrifying, but may lead them to their beloved brother, Ben.
As they all come home to a house deserted many years go, we learn of the trials the siblings had experienced during those the eighteen years. Violet sees dead people and has been terrorized by an entity named Sister for so many years.
Searching for Ben, finding answers is their mission and although the scare factor is high, they are determined to find their lost brother. The town of Fell calls to them and casts its wicked spell upon them.
Will they find the answers they seek, will they begin to normalize their lives, and begin a trek back to reality or will the house, the entities contained within continue to harass them and leave them in so much pain after a simple game of hide and seek that many years ago?
Eighteen years ago the siblings of a missing young brother, left the house and vowed never to return. However, when Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie, receive a message to come home from their lost brother, they all return to the house, the neighborhood, the area, that is both frightening and horrifying, but may lead them to their beloved brother, Ben.
As they all come home to a house deserted many years go, we learn of the trials the siblings had experienced during those the eighteen years. Violet sees dead people and has been terrorized by an entity named Sister for so many years.
Searching for Ben, finding answers is their mission and although the scare factor is high, they are determined to find their lost brother. The town of Fell calls to them and casts its wicked spell upon them.
Will they find the answers they seek, will they begin to normalize their lives, and begin a trek back to reality or will the house, the entities contained within continue to harass them and leave them in so much pain after a simple game of hide and seek that many years ago?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"Simone St. James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, returns with her scariest, most shocking novel yet in this pulse-pounding story about siblings who return to the house they fled 18 years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request: Come home."
The Esmie siblings are called back home to Fell, NY twenty years after the mysterious disappearance of their brother Ben. Ben disappeared at six years old. They were all playing hide and seek and counted to ten. When they went to find him he had vanished without a trace. Other strange happenings have occurred around town such as a mysterious drowning in a hotel bathtub and a girl found by the railroad tracks. Violet, Vail and Dodie return reluctantly to town and are not exactly welcomed back home. Violet has seen dead people since her brother's disappearance. She also feels the paranormal and menacing presence of Sister. Will the siblings find out what happened to Ben and will they live to tell the tale?
This book had me riveted from start to finish! It is haunting, sharp, and propulsive with a threatening undertone that leaves you with an unsettling feeling and the need to know more. I would describe it as a paranormal thriller and not horror which I typically don't have the constitution for.
The audiobook performance by Saskia Maarveled, Ari Fliakos and Anna Caputo is an outstanding full cast performance that connects you with the characters and storyline. If you enjoy these types of books or are a fan of Simone St. James, then I highly recommend reading this book.🎧📚
Many thanks to PRH Audio for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
The Esmie siblings are called back home to Fell, NY twenty years after the mysterious disappearance of their brother Ben. Ben disappeared at six years old. They were all playing hide and seek and counted to ten. When they went to find him he had vanished without a trace. Other strange happenings have occurred around town such as a mysterious drowning in a hotel bathtub and a girl found by the railroad tracks. Violet, Vail and Dodie return reluctantly to town and are not exactly welcomed back home. Violet has seen dead people since her brother's disappearance. She also feels the paranormal and menacing presence of Sister. Will the siblings find out what happened to Ben and will they live to tell the tale?
This book had me riveted from start to finish! It is haunting, sharp, and propulsive with a threatening undertone that leaves you with an unsettling feeling and the need to know more. I would describe it as a paranormal thriller and not horror which I typically don't have the constitution for.
The audiobook performance by Saskia Maarveled, Ari Fliakos and Anna Caputo is an outstanding full cast performance that connects you with the characters and storyline. If you enjoy these types of books or are a fan of Simone St. James, then I highly recommend reading this book.🎧📚
Many thanks to PRH Audio for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
March 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down for Goodreads.
Three of you went into the house. Only two of you will leave.
A Box Full of Darkness is a slowburn paranormal thriller/horror. It deals with complex family dynamics, grief, a cursed and haunted home, and the most entertaining trio of siblings I've read to date.
The book is indeed a slowburn. However, the characters were anything but boring. Their banter and relatable sibling relationship, brought some humor to this dark book. I always love a creepy and ancient home. A house that has history and holds secrets within its walls. This book delivered in that aspect. There was some creepy and disturbing imagery that went hand in hand with that as well.
A a reader, I really connected with the main characters. I could feel their grief through the pages, and their desperation for answers. I also have to add, it was quite refreshing to read a paranormal horror where the characters didn't need to be convinced that something otherwordly was going on. I liked how the story unfolded and the build-up to the climax. Nonetheless, the book left me with some unanswered questions.
I felt like the author started to uncover something, then at the last minute decided not to bother with it. I have been thinking about a few things that were left unresolved for the past thirty minutes. I still don't quite understand the fate of Ben. I wish that part was a bit clearer. In addition to that, despite liking the build-up, the ending felt a tad bit rushed. Wrapped up too quickly, with a neat little bow. Not my favorite.
The only thing this book left me with truly, was the urge to read The Sun Down Motel. So, kudos to Simone for shamelessly plugging her other work. I am sold. I would still recommend to others. A good read, if not great. Still entertaining.
Three of you went into the house. Only two of you will leave.
A Box Full of Darkness is a slowburn paranormal thriller/horror. It deals with complex family dynamics, grief, a cursed and haunted home, and the most entertaining trio of siblings I've read to date.
The book is indeed a slowburn. However, the characters were anything but boring. Their banter and relatable sibling relationship, brought some humor to this dark book. I always love a creepy and ancient home. A house that has history and holds secrets within its walls. This book delivered in that aspect. There was some creepy and disturbing imagery that went hand in hand with that as well.
A a reader, I really connected with the main characters. I could feel their grief through the pages, and their desperation for answers. I also have to add, it was quite refreshing to read a paranormal horror where the characters didn't need to be convinced that something otherwordly was going on. I liked how the story unfolded and the build-up to the climax. Nonetheless, the book left me with some unanswered questions.
I felt like the author started to uncover something, then at the last minute decided not to bother with it. I have been thinking about a few things that were left unresolved for the past thirty minutes. I still don't quite understand the fate of Ben. I wish that part was a bit clearer. In addition to that, despite liking the build-up, the ending felt a tad bit rushed. Wrapped up too quickly, with a neat little bow. Not my favorite.
The only thing this book left me with truly, was the urge to read The Sun Down Motel. So, kudos to Simone for shamelessly plugging her other work. I am sold. I would still recommend to others. A good read, if not great. Still entertaining.
December 12, 2025
The audiobook narration was giving 5 stars, but unfortunately the plot just wasn’t enough. Her books always seem to stay in the “had potential but fell flat” category which is a bummer.
I do think if you like tame ghost/paranormal stories, this is a good author for that!
I do think if you like tame ghost/paranormal stories, this is a good author for that!
February 12, 2026
4.5 Stars.
This was so good. I got literal chills whilst reading this, it truly was creepy. I loved the moments with The Sun Down Motel, seeing that mentioned in here seen as we're back in Fell. I believe there were some bits that crossed over with Broken Girls as well but I'm yet to read that one.
I was so interested in knowing exactly what was going on in this one. The mysteries just kept pilling up, and I really liked how it all wrapped up in the end. A great book to read in one sitting and the audiobook was brilliant.
This was so good. I got literal chills whilst reading this, it truly was creepy. I loved the moments with The Sun Down Motel, seeing that mentioned in here seen as we're back in Fell. I believe there were some bits that crossed over with Broken Girls as well but I'm yet to read that one.
I was so interested in knowing exactly what was going on in this one. The mysteries just kept pilling up, and I really liked how it all wrapped up in the end. A great book to read in one sitting and the audiobook was brilliant.
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