While Home Before Dark by Riley Sager has a strong start, I did find myself guessing the ending pretty early on in the novel. In the end we get a pretty standard thriller that was an easy read.
A woman returns to the house made famous by her father’s bestselling horror memoir. Is the place really haunted by evil forces, as her father claimed? Or are there more earthbound—and dangerous—secrets hidden within its walls?
Home Before Dark alternates between present-day events at Baneberry Hall and flashback chapters that detail Maggie’s childhood experiences in the house. This structure adds depth to the story and kept me engaged. While I figured most of the book out early on, it was an enjoyable enough read.
Maggie is a complex protagonist who must confront both external threats and internal demons as she navigates the eerie halls of Baneberry Hall. The supporting cast adds layers to the story, with each character playing a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of the house. The characters are not perfectly written, but do create multi-dimensional story that can feel relatable.
While certain plot twists were predictable, the atmospheric setting of Baneberry Hall adds to the sense of unease, with its creaking floorboards and shadowy corridors creating a chilling backdrop for the unfolding drama. Sager and psychological thriller fans will appreciate the author’s ability to build suspense even if the story is predictable.
Home Before Dark is an easy read that combines elements of mystery, horror, and psychological suspense. I found the read enjoyable and worth the journey. Riley Sager’s talent for crafting intricate plots and memorable characters does shine through in this novel. Sager has a knack for telling gripping tales featuring women protagonists better than most men in the genre.
Home Before Dark is available at bookstores everywhere. Check out the audiobook on Libro.fm narrated by Cady McClain & Jon Lindstrom.
