Plot and Setting: Home Before Dark by Riley Sager brings us to BaneBerry Hall, a Victorian mansion with a dark history, through a dual narrative. In the present, haunted and bullied by the success of her father's book, Maggie Holt is determined to investigate the truth behind the events described in her father Ewan's bestselling novel; which is based on their own time at the house. The narrative alternates between Maggie's investigation and Ewan's accounts, which detail the haunting past of BaneBerry Hall. The mansion's history involves Curtis Carver, who murdered his daughter Katie before taking his own life, leaving his wife Marta to discover their bodies. During their stay, Maggie, as a child, created frightening "imaginary friends" named Miss Pennyface and Mister Shadow. And we are plunged into the journey of seeking the truth. (I believe we actually read the word lie and liars at least 200 times).
BaneBerry Hall: The haunted house trope is often a cop-out for horror to me. However, Sager flips the expectation with BaneBerry Hall. It plays with the idea of the house being haunted but keeps you guessing whether it truly is or if there’s another explanation. It wasn’t a matter of how or why it is haunted but whether or not someone is screwing with us. The house becomes a character in itself—one that taps you on the shoulder when you’re not looking and hides its hand when you try to catch it. It’s a shady, elusive entity that doesn’t laugh at your confusion or try to convince you of its innocence, keeping you on edge.
Character Development:
Maggie Holt: I don't know why Maggie’s intense desire to disprove her parents' story often felt upsetting more than fueling a sort of determination. While her quest for the truth is understandable, her disdain for her parents, who are portrayed as caring but flawed, made her reactions seem disproportionate to me. I wish we were able to see more of them being close before one of her moods. I do not believe her father deserved to die with the way she treated him, even before discovering their reasons for lying. Maybe someone passing away before things can go right just unsettles me. Despite this, Maggie’s voice is engaging, and her distress is palpable, making her a compelling protagonist in this psychological thriller. She is easy to "talk" to and her mind raced at the perfect speed to keep up with during her distress which makes her a very good protagonist for this psychological thriller. I did not particularly want to be her friend or see myself in her, but she was cool enough to go in this haunted house with her. Her growth throughout the novel, and despite her stubbornness, is ultimately satisfying - although her stubbornness made me want to shake her at times.
Ewan Holt (Maggie's Father): Ewan’s narrative within the book is my favorite part. I found his storytelling style comforting, almost wishing his book was available as a sequel. Usually male narrators are not for me, as I usually like to replace the main character with myself and most times it just doesn't feel right, but the language and style allowed me to feel like I am being told the story on a couch, something I really enjoy from Sager's penmanship. Ewan's dedication to their secret and, in turn, his daughter, despite her feelings towards him, makes him the standout character. The depth of his character and the twist involving him placed him at MVP of the novel.
Maggie’s Mom (Whose name I cannot remember): Maggie’s mother is portrayed as distant and somewhat judgmental, but her coping mechanisms become clearer as the story progresses. Her character adds depth to the family’s struggles and provides a more nuanced view of their situation. I could see that her mother was scared of something from their first conversation, which is maybe why Maggie annoyed me when she was mean to her.
Miss Pennyface and Mister Shadow: A woman with pennies for eyes gives Caroline. I cannot even recall how Shadow is described, I honestly imagined a man in an old suit with a dark shadow over his presence. Regardless, their non-interactive behavior made them frightening. I would be less afraid of something you could escape, however these two simply watched, seldomly spoke, and vanished. I wished they were "scarier" or more physical with our family here, but it still tied together well with the plot. My wants for them would not have given the twist we received.
The Neighbors: Characters like Marta, the Ditmers, and Police Chief Alcott add to the story's complexity. Which should be the case if they are as present as they. That's simply good writing and mapping. However, without spoilers... Marta’s unsettling presence and the Ditmers’ bitterness enrich the narrative, with the Ditmers serving as crucial plot devices.
Pacing and Plot Development: Sager’s use of dual timelines, mirroring past and present events, keeps the narrative engaging. While the alternating timelines initially felt familiar and I was prepared for a typical tit-for-tat. Sager must have known I would think that, because he does something different at every turn to make me go back on my assumptions. I could not tell if she was crazy, actually haunted, or being messed with - and all of them were absolutely convincing until the end. The pacing never felt too slow or rushed, something i believed mirrored realities helped with by creating a balance and satisfaction stops throughout instead of one huge rollercoaster to the top waiting for a single drop and then its the end of the ride. The pacing is well-balanced, offering steady suspense without overwhelming the reader.
Real-World Context: I heard this was inspired by Amytville Horrors, however I do not remember it much. It shows how people can become obsessed with something meant to just entertain and use it or them as something they can treat any way. Like it belongs to to them. It's like once something is a public figure to any degree, people do not treat the person like they are human.
Strengths: Children are scary. Their inability to truly see and explain things no matter how well they do for their age, makes their imagination the perfect breeding ground for horrifying monsters. The novel excels in its use of childhood imagination as a source of horror. Maggie’s "imaginary friends" are both terrifying and believable, adding an eerie layer to the story. If I were to have a kid that says someone is in her closet, I'd believe her and we will simply...move. Additionally, the book-within-a-book format is skillfully executed, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.
Final Thoughts: Riley Sager remains a favorite author of mine, his books got me out of a read slump I was stuck in since high school back in 2021. However, I still believe this novel deserves credit for being a great read! No, it is not my favorite Riley Sager novel, but it is satisfying and a perfectly good start if you've never read their work. The twists were never fully predictable or at least there was a theory that was completely undisputable. Home Before Dark, despite me not liking the title for the story, continues to showcase his knack for crafting unpredictable, engaging thrillers that deserve all the acclaim they receive.
You be the judge and tell me, Am I bias to Riley Sager? Or was this novel actually a worthy read?
Ratings:
Author Writing Style: 4.5/5
Plot Development: 5/5
Character Authenticity/Attachment: 4.5/5
Theme: 4/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Overall Enjoyability: 4.5/5
Where to Buy:
Works Cited: Sager, Riley. Home Before Dark. Dutton, 2020.
Excellent