Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

"Every house has a story. Ours is a ghost story."

July has officially become a horror month at my house. I've always been a fan of horror movies, but my reading of the genre really didn't venture too far beyond the occasional Stephen King novel. This month I've decided to change that. New releases from Paul Tremblay and Stephen Graham Jones provided a very strong start, but the book I was most eagerly anticipating was the new Riley Sager novel. Over the past couple of years, he has become a favorite author, always mixing classic horror thrills with intriguing character work. When recording an interview with John B. Valeri for his YouTube channel Central Booking, we agreed that Sager's Home Before Dark would be the perfect novel to read next. As is often the case, John's recommendation proved to be an expert choice.

Years ago Ewan Holt moved his young family into the sprawling Baneberry Hall. The aspiring author was hardly settled into the Victorian manor when the strange things started happening. Only three weeks into their stay, the Holt family fled in the night, escaping the horrors that they experienced in the estate. Most people would have put that past behind them, never to speak or think of it again. Ewan Holt is not most people. Instead of burying the terror that he and his family faced, he saw an opportunity to exploit it. His bestselling book House of Horrors was born, an in-depth chronicle of the Holt's haunted time at Baneberry Hall. The book became THE definitive ghost story, capturing the minds and imagination of a generation of readers. But the book wasn't without its critics. To this day, people still question the validity of Holt's claims. After all, there's no such thing as ghosts.

Maggie Holt is tying a nice bow on the remaining bits of her father's affairs. Ewan has passed away leaving a surprise for his only daughter, the deed to the famed Baneberry Hall. Maggie has little memory of her time at the house. She was only a child at the time of her family's infamous inhabitance of the haunted place. She has spent years trying to escape the shadow of her father's book. In fact, she doesn't believe any of it happened. Her competence in the restoration of old homes should mean she can flip the dilapidated property quickly and finally put this past behind her. As she begins the process of renovating her former home, Maggie begins to experience things that can't be reasonably explained. Maybe her old man wasn't as crazy as all his critics made him seem.

This is the third novel by Riley Sager that I've read (I still have Final Girls waiting patiently on my kindle), so I thought I knew what to expect going into it. Indeed, Home Before Dark features many of Sager's signatures. There's the strong female main character, flashbacks to past events that are slowly revealed to impact the present-day plot, and the creepy horror elements that keep the suspense tightly wound and the pages turning. All that being said, I don't remember being as thrilled by Sager's writing as I was with this one. On the surface, the story seems like a straight-ahead haunted house novel, but there were so many twists and turns that I simply didn't see coming. Add to this the element of our main character coming to terms with her family's past, and you've got the kind of read that will have you devouring the book in only a few sittings. Home Before Dark sees Riley Sager step up his game to an even higher level than his previous fantastic books. Believe the hype on this one. It is a really great read.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 33)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 and is filed under ,,,,,,,,. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.

37 Responses to “Home Before Dark by Riley Sager”

  1. I hadn't heard of this before now but it sounds really interesting. I am so glad that you enjoyed it!

    Steph @ Stepping Out Of The Page

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    1. I'd highly recommend any of his books. He's a great author!

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  2. Wow, the first part of the description gives me such an Amityville Horror. Vibe. The family fleeing, the book being written, the doubts of validity. Glad this one was such a hit... impressive that you consider it even better than his others.

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    1. It definitely takes inspiration from Amityville!

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  3. This is another book that I REALLY want to read! So I'm really glad to hear it's even better than his other books. Now if only 42 other people didn't have it on hold at my library. :)

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    1. Those library holds seem to be getting longer and longer, especially with all the COVID restrictions in place!

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  4. I really need to read this one. In fact, the only Sager book I've read is Final Girl and I actually didn't love it as much as everyone else. In fact, I think like is even a strong feeling for what I felt. If I ever read grape pop and Xanax one more time. I do plan on picking up another by the author though because I'm all about second chances.

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    1. Interesting. That makes me a bit hesitant to read Final Girls. I do think you'll like his others though.

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  5. July is horror month, noted ;) I'd like one, but I read so few so I do not know what I like

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    1. Do you like any horror movies? If you have a favorite movie, I might be able to recommend a similar book.

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  6. I love horror movies, too, so this has been on my radar. Reminds me of The Amityville Horror. I'm happy it was a hit with you! I need to check and make sure I already requested this one at my library, but I think I did. Wonderful review!

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  7. Yeah, you're right, I'm definitely going to enjoy this one :)

    I'm a bit of a wimp about horror, I have to admit. I prefer ghost stories to zombies/monsters/vampires, etc., but even then, I don't want to be TOO scared. I did watch Winchester on Netflix last week. It's freaky. Have you seen it?

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    1. I have seen it and really enjoyed it! My BF was actually working out in the San Jose area last year, so I got to tour her mansion. I can definitely see how it could be haunted!

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    2. Oooh, I'd love to see it in real life! It just looks so interesting.

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  8. I love horror, so this is going on my wishlist. I will be looking for it on audio first. Thanks!

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  9. Good call to go for the chills in hot July. I do love a spooky ghost story now and then, but I flinch from the more grisly horror or the flat out heart attack-inducing kind. :) You do tempt me greatly with the mention of strong characterization and the surprise turns the story took.

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    1. There's nothing too crazy in this one, so I think it would be a safe choice for you.

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    2. I loved Home Before Dark -- my favorite Riley Sager book yet! Have you read The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James? It's another great one.

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    3. I have! I didn't like it as much as The Broken Girls, but it was still a fun and spooky read!

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  10. It certainly sounds gripping, that's for sure. I have to figure out if I am ready to take on this sort of horror though!

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    1. This is more of the supernatural kind of ghost horror than gore, so it really depends on what your preferences are.

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  11. I've not read Sager yet, but your review makes me want to!

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  12. Oh this sounds really good. I could see myself liking this one.

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  13. *My previous comment went before I finished typing lol

    I used to read a lot of horror years ago but somehow got sidetracked once I started blogging. I'll make note of this one.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. All good, Karen. I find myself falling in and out with this genre in particular, but I'm really into it right now!

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  14. I watched horror movies growing up (Friday the 13th, Halloween heyday), but I have grown to be a bigger scaredy cat and avoid all horror. It sounds like the author did a nice job incorporating classic horror elements and YEAH! for this being extra thrilling for you

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    1. Ooh I've actually been revisiting the Friday the 13th series recently. I'm on the 9th movies, and things have gotten so silly haha.

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  15. Thanks for sharing this, it is new to me as well!

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  16. I've wanted to read his books since Final Girls came out but this is still the only one I've read - so far! I really loved it, and I highly enjoyed the twists and turns. I definitely need his other books now.

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Final Girls is the only one I haven't read yet!

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  17. I thought they hype for this one was deserved, too. And I loved that the chandelier was on the cover after the part it played in the book.

    Great review!

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    1. Agreed! I love when a cover actually ties into the story, especially when it doesn't give anything away.

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