Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

Spooky happenings abound in this Gothic thriller about a house with a horrific history. The dual timeline unfolds in a unique format, with a book inside a book that was written by the main character’s father. His voice comes through in a non-fiction account about the home he purchased and abandoned with his family shortly after moving in. Maggie inherits the family home upon her father’s death, but has been told to never return there. Deciding to fix it up and face her past, she moves in, exposing long-buried secrets.

Several generations of families living in the old house come into play as it’s revealed that each had family members die under unnatural circumstances. An unsolved cold case is brought to the forefront as the local police investigate when a grizzly discovery is made within the home. Newspaper headlines, old letters, and cryptic messages build a picture of a history of murder and suicide.

As the histories and stories of the house intertwine, their relationship slowly unravels with shocking revelations. Baneberry Hall’s sinister past is filled with secrets and lies. Ghosts from the past, both living and dead, show up as the truth is exposed. With twists one after the other, right up until the end, Home Before Dark is recommended for fans of gothic horror and thriller novels.

Although there were some parts that made the book a bit slow-paced for me, the haunted house premise drew me into the plot. A little heavy on the ‘telling’ and backstory at the beginning, the really good part for me was Maggie’s story. I would have preferred less of her father’s story, as I think there were unnecessary details and repetition. However, this is the first Riley Sager book I have read, and I will definitely be reading another.