One-line Summary:

Home Before Dark is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Maggie Holt as she returns to the haunted house of Baneberry Hall to uncover the truth behind her family’s bestselling memoir.

Discovering the Haunting Past

In Home Before Dark, Riley Sager takes readers on a chilling journey as Maggie Holt, the daughter of famous horror writer Ewan Holt, returns to her childhood home, Baneberry Hall. Maggie has always believed that her father’s bestselling memoir, House of Horrors, was a work of fiction, but after her father’s death, she inherits the property and decides to confront the past by renovating the old house. As she delves into the history of Baneberry Hall, Maggie begins to question her own memories and experiences, wondering if the supernatural events described in her father’s book were real after all.

Unraveling the Mystery

As Maggie explores the eerie hallways and hidden rooms of Baneberry Hall, strange occurrences start happening, confirming her suspicions that there is more to the house than meets the eye. With the help of a local contractor, Maggie uncovers hidden secrets and uncanny similarities between her own life and the events described in House of Horrors. As the line between reality and fiction blurs, Maggie becomes determined to uncover the truth about her family’s past and the dark forces that still haunt Baneberry Hall.

A Twisting Narrative of Fear and Deception

Riley Sager masterfully weaves together two narratives in Home Before Dark. The first follows Maggie’s present-day investigation, while the second is a series of chapters from House of Horrors, Ewan Holt’s memoir. These alternating perspectives create a sense of suspense and uncertainty, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The author skillfully plants seeds of doubt, making it difficult to discern what is real and what is imagined. As Maggie digs deeper, she realizes that the truth may be more terrifying than she ever imagined.

Key Takeaways:

• Memory can be a deceptive and unreliable narrator, blurring the lines between truth and fiction.
• The past has a way of haunting us, and sometimes confronting it is the only way to find closure.
• Family secrets can have far-reaching consequences and can shape our lives in unexpected ways.
• The power of storytelling can both heal and harm, as it can be used to manipulate and deceive.

“Sometimes, the past is better left undisturbed.”

In Home Before Dark, Riley Sager delivers a spine-tingling tale that explores the complexities of memory, family, and the power of storytelling. As Maggie Holt unravels the mysteries of Baneberry Hall, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of fear and deception. With its atmospheric setting, clever narrative structure, and unexpected twists, this psychological thriller will keep readers guessing until the very end. So, brace yourself for a haunting journey into the darkness of the past, where nothing is as it seems.