Home Before Dark – Riley Sager

100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: What drove Maggie Holt and her family to flee Baneberry Hall after three weeks? Her parents refuse to say, but the best-selling account of the experience — written by her father — is an American horror story of vengeful ghosts and never-ending tragedy. Decades later, Maggie returns to Baneberry Hall determined to uncover the truth and redirect her narrative. But as she slowly unravels the mystery, she finds that her father’s book may not have been a lie after all.

Expectation: A spooky, gothic mystery.

Reality: A spooky, gothic mystery that’s light on originality but hits all the right notes.

Recommended For: Fans of Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House” or any family drama shrouded in supernatural intrigue.

Why I Read It: It was all over #Bookstagram upon its release in June, and the premise sounded fun.

My take:

“Home Before Dark” is an enjoyable family drama shrouded in supernatural intrigue, which, it so happens, is my favorite kind of ghost story. But if you’re looking to be wowed by originality, you won’t find it here.

Instead you’re better off exploring Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and “The Haunting of Hill House” and Paul Tremblay’s “A Head Full of Ghosts,” all of which clearly influenced Riley Sager (along with “The Amityville Horror,” naturally) and afforded him a starting point to put his own twist on some of the more memorable moments in those stories.

That’s not to say there isn’t a lot to like here. The characters are well-developed, the plot moves along quickly and the big reveal — which did truly surprise me — is satisfying and makes the story seem entirely possible. And, let’s be honest, that doesn’t always happen with paranormal mystery thrillers (I’m looking at you, “Mexican Gothic.”)

Oh, and it’s creepy too. It had me, a grown ass man, fearful to listen after dark and turning on lights before entering rooms to ensure something wasn’t waiting for me. Kudos to Sager for perfecting an unsettled mood that extended beyond the pages (and earphones).

There are plenty of head-scratching moments and plot twists, but you’ve got to expect that in this genre. However, don’t let it dissuade you from diving in. If you’re looking for a spooky read, you can’t go wrong here.

Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars

Rating (narration): 3/5 stars

Format: Audiobook (library loan)

Dates read: September 26-29, 2020

Multi-tasking: Good to go.