Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by empresscirque
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
4.0
TL;DR Review: While the story has some flaws, the building horror of the present makes up for the campy and repetitive nature of other aspects. Touching and chilling all at once, with a touch a grief thrown in as a cherry on top.
Content Warnings: Death, Murder, Abuse (Physical and Emotional) Mentioned, Suicide Mentioned, Terminal Illness, Cancer Mentioned, Parent Death, Child Death, Pedophilia Mentioned, Stalking, Home Invasion, Snakes.
”Finally, I cry for all the versions of myself that have existed through the years. Confused five-year-old. Sullen child of divorce. Furious nine-year-old. Inquisitive me. Defiant me. Dutiful me. So many incarnations, each one seeking answers, leading me to right here, to right now, to a potential truth I have no idea how to handle.”
Full Review - Contains Spoilers:
When I tell you I did not see the twist coming, I mean it - in fact, this book managed to take a step away from the formula I have become familiar with in Sager’s other works. It was refreshing, even if I find that I love his other work. It made this one stand out and the very minimal romantic subplot in general only benefitted the story overall. It allowed the focus to be on the family unit and the tragedy surrounding them, without weighing it down the unnecessary plot points.
It did not distract from all the flaws in the book, but it made what I didn’t enjoy as much more forgivable. The House of Horror chapters were the weakest link, in my eyes, as they often times became repetitive and ridiculous. While I have never come to expect the supernatural in Sager’s works, they convinced me right away that there was zero possibility of the supernatural being real becoming the twist.
Which, to be fair, could be the point. These chapters are very clearly based off The Amnityville Horror - a haunted house with a horrible past and a controversial book that seems to explain away all the bad things for the family.
And make them wealthy.
Unfortunately, while I understand why they were present - instead of keeping me engaged, they often pulled me out of the building horror. Almost resetting my emotions and easing my anxiety. It came off almost comical at some points, when the real truth behind what was happening was so horrific. It literally sent a chill down my spine.
Overall, a very enjoyable read that is not without flaws. Most excitingly though, it shows an improvement on my least favorite aspects of Sager’s first books. It makes me very excited for what comes next.
Content Warnings: Death, Murder, Abuse (Physical and Emotional) Mentioned, Suicide Mentioned, Terminal Illness, Cancer Mentioned, Parent Death, Child Death, Pedophilia Mentioned, Stalking, Home Invasion, Snakes.
”Finally, I cry for all the versions of myself that have existed through the years. Confused five-year-old. Sullen child of divorce. Furious nine-year-old. Inquisitive me. Defiant me. Dutiful me. So many incarnations, each one seeking answers, leading me to right here, to right now, to a potential truth I have no idea how to handle.”
Full Review - Contains Spoilers:
When I tell you I did not see the twist coming, I mean it - in fact, this book managed to take a step away from the formula I have become familiar with in Sager’s other works. It was refreshing, even if I find that I love his other work. It made this one stand out and the very minimal romantic subplot in general only benefitted the story overall. It allowed the focus to be on the family unit and the tragedy surrounding them, without weighing it down the unnecessary plot points.
It did not distract from all the flaws in the book, but it made what I didn’t enjoy as much more forgivable. The House of Horror chapters were the weakest link, in my eyes, as they often times became repetitive and ridiculous. While I have never come to expect the supernatural in Sager’s works, they convinced me right away that there was zero possibility of the supernatural being real becoming the twist.
Which, to be fair, could be the point. These chapters are very clearly based off The Amnityville Horror - a haunted house with a horrible past and a controversial book that seems to explain away all the bad things for the family.
And make them wealthy.
Unfortunately, while I understand why they were present - instead of keeping me engaged, they often pulled me out of the building horror. Almost resetting my emotions and easing my anxiety. It came off almost comical at some points, when the real truth behind what was happening was so horrific. It literally sent a chill down my spine.
Overall, a very enjoyable read that is not without flaws. Most excitingly though, it shows an improvement on my least favorite aspects of Sager’s first books. It makes me very excited for what comes next.