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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.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2026
1034 people are currently reading
46499 people want to read
About the author
Simone St. James
12 books19.1k 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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January 21, 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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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
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/
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!
November 22, 2025
"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, they 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 had her 2 siblings played hide and seek with their little 6 year old brother. But they never found their year old brother that night or any other night. They called the police, they hunted, the searched, they pleaded and they cried, but they never found him. Now, 15 years later, he was calling them 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, they 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 had her 2 siblings played hide and seek with their little 6 year old brother. But they never found their year old brother that night or any other night. They called the police, they hunted, the searched, they pleaded and they cried, but they never found him. Now, 15 years later, he was calling them 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.
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
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.
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!
November 19, 2025
St. James never disappoints with a good, scary, leave your lights on in the dark story and her latest, is no exception.
I wasn't sure about this one at first. There, I said it. But I powered through because I trusted that St. James knew what she was doing, because, again, she has never let me down. And I am so glad I did because this was so good. I even liked the three different POVs and that doesn't always happen.
This truly kept me turning the pages once I got into the story, which, really, didn't take very long, and left me wanting more after each chapter. I just had fun with it.
St. James once again delivered an incredible story that was more than just a ghost story. More than just what goes bump in the night in the creepy little town of Fell. It's about family, and relationships. Friendships and seeking answers. It's about being better today than you were yesterday and getting closure and moving on.
This was fantastic!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I wasn't sure about this one at first. There, I said it. But I powered through because I trusted that St. James knew what she was doing, because, again, she has never let me down. And I am so glad I did because this was so good. I even liked the three different POVs and that doesn't always happen.
This truly kept me turning the pages once I got into the story, which, really, didn't take very long, and left me wanting more after each chapter. I just had fun with it.
St. James once again delivered an incredible story that was more than just a ghost story. More than just what goes bump in the night in the creepy little town of Fell. It's about family, and relationships. Friendships and seeking answers. It's about being better today than you were yesterday and getting closure and moving on.
This was fantastic!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
June 22, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 20, 2026.
3.5 stars
The three Essie siblings, Violet, Vail and Dodie, grow up in Fell, New York, partially feral as neither parent had much interest in them. One thing that united them was their love for their much younger brother, Ben; they cared for him like he belonged to them. However, when Ben was six and the four were playing a game of hide and go seek in their house, Ben hid…and was never seen again.
The remaining three siblings left Fell as soon as they could but all struggle as adults. Now, though, Ben is calling them back to the house because he wants to be found.
The book bridges the gap between thriller and horror. I think I’ve read St. James before but, if so, I can’t recall what book(s) and whether I liked it/them or not. This was not bad at all, a lot of your standard haunted house tropes. The characters were well drawn, the plot a bit predictable. Some very nice basement scenes that may stick with me and make me very glad I do not have a basement. Her regular readers will likely enjoy this.
3.5 stars
The three Essie siblings, Violet, Vail and Dodie, grow up in Fell, New York, partially feral as neither parent had much interest in them. One thing that united them was their love for their much younger brother, Ben; they cared for him like he belonged to them. However, when Ben was six and the four were playing a game of hide and go seek in their house, Ben hid…and was never seen again.
The remaining three siblings left Fell as soon as they could but all struggle as adults. Now, though, Ben is calling them back to the house because he wants to be found.
The book bridges the gap between thriller and horror. I think I’ve read St. James before but, if so, I can’t recall what book(s) and whether I liked it/them or not. This was not bad at all, a lot of your standard haunted house tropes. The characters were well drawn, the plot a bit predictable. Some very nice basement scenes that may stick with me and make me very glad I do not have a basement. Her regular readers will likely enjoy this.
January 11, 2026
*4.5 Stars*
Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie grew up in Fell, New York. Fell is full of mysterious deaths, and although it was not a happy childhood for the siblings, each of them was plagued with their own versions of hauntings and neglectful parents; they all loved their youngest brother, Ben. Ben seemed to keep the terrors away for the siblings until he disappeared during a game of Hide and Seek. Although police searched for Ben, his disappearance was never solved. Now, almost eighteen years later, all three siblings are called back by their little brother with the message to come home. Back in their old childhood home, the siblings are ready to uncover the truth about Ben and the darkness that is plaguing them and the town of Fell.
Simone St. James is an auto-buy author for me. I love the paranormal aspects of her books, and The Box Full of Darkness is one of my favorite reads. This book is the perfect slow-burn paranormal mystery. I couldn’t put this book down, as it seemed that every chapter gave you a new clue about what happened to Ben. My only complaint about this book is the ending. I was still left with some questions that I felt could have been included in the conclusion. However, I still loved this book and would highly recommend The Box Full of Darkness for any fans of paranormal thrillers.
A Box Full of Darkness is out January 20, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to review A Box Full of Darkness. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie grew up in Fell, New York. Fell is full of mysterious deaths, and although it was not a happy childhood for the siblings, each of them was plagued with their own versions of hauntings and neglectful parents; they all loved their youngest brother, Ben. Ben seemed to keep the terrors away for the siblings until he disappeared during a game of Hide and Seek. Although police searched for Ben, his disappearance was never solved. Now, almost eighteen years later, all three siblings are called back by their little brother with the message to come home. Back in their old childhood home, the siblings are ready to uncover the truth about Ben and the darkness that is plaguing them and the town of Fell.
Simone St. James is an auto-buy author for me. I love the paranormal aspects of her books, and The Box Full of Darkness is one of my favorite reads. This book is the perfect slow-burn paranormal mystery. I couldn’t put this book down, as it seemed that every chapter gave you a new clue about what happened to Ben. My only complaint about this book is the ending. I was still left with some questions that I felt could have been included in the conclusion. However, I still loved this book and would highly recommend The Box Full of Darkness for any fans of paranormal thrillers.
A Box Full of Darkness is out January 20, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to review A Box Full of Darkness. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 7, 2025
A Box Full of Darkness is one of those stories that settles into your bones. The town of Fell, New York is creepy in the best way, with strange drownings, unexplained deaths, and the long-shadowed mystery of a little boy who vanished during a simple game of hide and seek. The Esmie siblings’ return home after twenty years delivers exactly the eerie, ghost filled tension I was hoping for.
The book shines in its scary scenes. Some moments genuinely gave me chills, and the supernatural elements felt vivid without being over the top. I also loved the characters, especially Bradley, who brought such a grounding, heartfelt energy to the story.
My only complaint is the pacing. There are stretches that feel slow, and I found myself wishing the story would pick up a little sooner, especially in the middle. Still, the payoff is worth it, and the emotional weight of the siblings’ trauma really lands.
Overall, it is a haunting, atmospheric read with memorable characters and some fantastic scares. Just be prepared for a slightly slower burn.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book shines in its scary scenes. Some moments genuinely gave me chills, and the supernatural elements felt vivid without being over the top. I also loved the characters, especially Bradley, who brought such a grounding, heartfelt energy to the story.
My only complaint is the pacing. There are stretches that feel slow, and I found myself wishing the story would pick up a little sooner, especially in the middle. Still, the payoff is worth it, and the emotional weight of the siblings’ trauma really lands.
Overall, it is a haunting, atmospheric read with memorable characters and some fantastic scares. Just be prepared for a slightly slower burn.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2025
This book is definitely in my top 5 of 2025. I will cut to the chase and say I highly recommend you read it. The relationship between the siblings is chef’s kiss. They are infinitely loving and supportive while being snarky and petty… I wish I could be their sibling. Except without all the trauma. Speaking of trauma - the house is full up with it. The horror this book induced within me was incredible. Haunted house on steroids. I loved the settings of NYC vs a small town in NY. The mystery of their childhood was fascinating. I still have questions. Please come out with a part II!!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 23, 2026
I, too, am a box full of darkness.
When the Esmie siblings hear that the ghost of their missing, presumed deceased, younger brother is calling them home, they do just that. I was impressed with the characters and their depth. For a while, I was genuinely perplexed by the mystery. I liked that the women are largely unlikable (same).
I think there were a few too many things left unsaid. The climax was so rapid - like the scene was SO fast and solved very simply. I think with the depth of the three siblings, the parents were extremely lacking in explanation.
I didn't have the best time, but I didn't have the worst time. This was fine and I can't complain. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!
When the Esmie siblings hear that the ghost of their missing, presumed deceased, younger brother is calling them home, they do just that. I was impressed with the characters and their depth. For a while, I was genuinely perplexed by the mystery. I liked that the women are largely unlikable (same).
I think there were a few too many things left unsaid. The climax was so rapid - like the scene was SO fast and solved very simply. I think with the depth of the three siblings, the parents were extremely lacking in explanation.
I didn't have the best time, but I didn't have the worst time. This was fine and I can't complain. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!
October 2, 2025
There are two authors where I jump for joy when they have a new book and Simone St. James is one. I was a little worried about this one because some of her loyal readers didn’t love this one as much as her previous books, most notably The Sundown Motel which is mentioned in this book. I didn’t feel that way at all though! That’s why it’s important to read books and then judge them for yourself.
A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS had Simone St. James signature style. There was a feeling of dread throughout the book that left me scared to get out of bed which I really appreciate 😂. What I love SO much about her books it’s not a run of the mill scary story. Her stories are intricate with a lot of background info and this one was no different.
This book starts off strong with one of the siblings seeing someone who isn’t quite there. Soon she receives a message she can’t ignore and is summoned back to her childhood home. When these she and her two siblings return home they start to dig into the past of their home, their family, their brother, and their town. Each one is grappling with their own demons and the dual POV really explored this.
Another thing about Simone St. James’ books is that there is often a love story in the mix and I look forward to it every time!
I hadn’t had a five star read in a long time so I REALLY needed this one.
A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS had Simone St. James signature style. There was a feeling of dread throughout the book that left me scared to get out of bed which I really appreciate 😂. What I love SO much about her books it’s not a run of the mill scary story. Her stories are intricate with a lot of background info and this one was no different.
This book starts off strong with one of the siblings seeing someone who isn’t quite there. Soon she receives a message she can’t ignore and is summoned back to her childhood home. When these she and her two siblings return home they start to dig into the past of their home, their family, their brother, and their town. Each one is grappling with their own demons and the dual POV really explored this.
Another thing about Simone St. James’ books is that there is often a love story in the mix and I look forward to it every time!
I hadn’t had a five star read in a long time so I REALLY needed this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always look forward to reading Simone St. James' books. This was another great mystery about three siblings who head back to their hometown of Fell, NY when learning that their brother who went missing some 15 years ago, has returned. This is a slow burn, atmospheric and creepy read, with a paranormal touch, just like her past books, but this story felt more emotional and sad. I loved getting the POV’s from each of the three sisters. Each really added to the mystery. I enjoyed the ending and just wished I got some answers to a few things, but overall, I loved how it all came together.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
July 10, 2025
2.5 stars rounded
I wish I had better things to say about this book as I typically enjoy Simone St. James and her style of writing. Unfortunately, this lacked most of the techniques and plot forms that I usually find intriguing in her books.
I will start off saying that I did quite enjoy the idea of the book and how there were little Easter eggs for readers who have read her previous works. These were really fun and made me feel special for reading her other books.
However, the execution and the characters felt lackluster. One of my favourite things about reading a Simone St. James book is never being 100% sure if a book is supernatural or not. It tends to go that way no matter what, but I love the back and forth in the first half trying to decipher if it’s real, a ploy, or a true supernatural entity. This was not the case here as it was immediately apparent this was some sort of haunting and there was no spectacle. While that’s not inherently negative, it did lose intrigue for me and I was a little let down by her typical style not being here.
AS A CAVEAT, I’m not usually a supernatural horror or thriller reader, it’s not a genre I typically get invested in. Which is why her typical technique of making me question things is important to my love for her books. Please keep this in mind when reading this review, as I don’t want to sway readers from a beloved, and rightfully so, supernatural thriller writer!
This wasn’t bad by any means but the characters felt a bit underdeveloped for my taste, it was too slow burning that I felt bored up until the very end, and I just didn’t catch the spark that usually makes me fall in love with her stories.
I wish I had better things to say about this book as I typically enjoy Simone St. James and her style of writing. Unfortunately, this lacked most of the techniques and plot forms that I usually find intriguing in her books.
I will start off saying that I did quite enjoy the idea of the book and how there were little Easter eggs for readers who have read her previous works. These were really fun and made me feel special for reading her other books.
However, the execution and the characters felt lackluster. One of my favourite things about reading a Simone St. James book is never being 100% sure if a book is supernatural or not. It tends to go that way no matter what, but I love the back and forth in the first half trying to decipher if it’s real, a ploy, or a true supernatural entity. This was not the case here as it was immediately apparent this was some sort of haunting and there was no spectacle. While that’s not inherently negative, it did lose intrigue for me and I was a little let down by her typical style not being here.
AS A CAVEAT, I’m not usually a supernatural horror or thriller reader, it’s not a genre I typically get invested in. Which is why her typical technique of making me question things is important to my love for her books. Please keep this in mind when reading this review, as I don’t want to sway readers from a beloved, and rightfully so, supernatural thriller writer!
This wasn’t bad by any means but the characters felt a bit underdeveloped for my taste, it was too slow burning that I felt bored up until the very end, and I just didn’t catch the spark that usually makes me fall in love with her stories.
January 4, 2026
A BOX FULL OF DARKNESS is another creepy-good gothic tale from Simone St. James. In the late '80s, three siblings return to their abandoned childhood home in the strange town of Fell, New York, when the ghost of their missing brother summons them home.
This one had me hooked from the beginning. The mystery surrounding their brother was so good — unique and emotional, and the paranormal elements fit perfectly into the story. The siblings' family drama was also intriguing, though I was left with some questions regarding their toxic parents.
I would highly recommend this spooky thriller if you enjoyed the vibes of THE SUN DOWN MOTEL. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of this book. Thoughts are my own.
This one had me hooked from the beginning. The mystery surrounding their brother was so good — unique and emotional, and the paranormal elements fit perfectly into the story. The siblings' family drama was also intriguing, though I was left with some questions regarding their toxic parents.
I would highly recommend this spooky thriller if you enjoyed the vibes of THE SUN DOWN MOTEL. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of this book. Thoughts are my own.
July 7, 2025
There are very few things I love more than a @simonestjames book, so when I got approved for her upcoming release, I knew I needed to dive in IMMEDIATELY.
St. James takes us back to Fell (the sun down motel) and If you thought sun down had a lot of ghosts, just wait until you peak inside the Esmie house. I will say, this book is definitely on the scary side, I had to put it down at night cause I was creeped out. I loved the different POVs of each of the siblings, and Ben’s story! If you love haunted houses you’ll definitely want to pick this one up in January!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Thank you @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review. PUB DATE: 1/20/26
St. James takes us back to Fell (the sun down motel) and If you thought sun down had a lot of ghosts, just wait until you peak inside the Esmie house. I will say, this book is definitely on the scary side, I had to put it down at night cause I was creeped out. I loved the different POVs of each of the siblings, and Ben’s story! If you love haunted houses you’ll definitely want to pick this one up in January!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Thank you @berkleypub for the arc in exchange for my honest review. PUB DATE: 1/20/26
July 13, 2025
St. James has been a very hit or miss author for me (my favorite from her is still the first book i read by her - Sundown Motel), especially her recent books have been misses but i always continue to read her stuff hoping for another great one. A Box Full of Darkness is definitely her strongest book for me in several years, but it is a bit of a slower burn than her usual work so i’m not sure how well this will work for her fans.
I liked the alternating narrators - we follow 3 siblings as they return to their childhood home to investigate the disappearance of their younger brother from decades ago who still haunts the home. All 3 siblings have some type of connection to the supernatural, so it turns into a Sundown Motel type of mystery. This one definitely focuses more on the family drama aspects of the story which in turn felt like I wanted a little more exploration of the supernatural side of things (especially Vail’s UFO investigation which was barely in the book) but i still thought it was a strong book from her compared to her last few lukewarm releases
I liked the alternating narrators - we follow 3 siblings as they return to their childhood home to investigate the disappearance of their younger brother from decades ago who still haunts the home. All 3 siblings have some type of connection to the supernatural, so it turns into a Sundown Motel type of mystery. This one definitely focuses more on the family drama aspects of the story which in turn felt like I wanted a little more exploration of the supernatural side of things (especially Vail’s UFO investigation which was barely in the book) but i still thought it was a strong book from her compared to her last few lukewarm releases
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