What I've Read: Home Before Dark

It's October. This time of year I always turn to stories of horror, especially ghost stories. There's nothing like the hint of chill in the air, the smell of decayed leaves and dirt, the crackle of a fireplace, all accompanied by the familiar threats of an eerie story. So, for the first installment of What I've Read, I present to you Home Before Dark.

The Book:

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

The Premise In My Own Words:

Decades ago, Maggie's family flees their home in the middle of the night. Her father tells police they were forced from the home by poltergeists and eventually publishes a novelized account of the family's time in the home. Now grown, Maggie inherits the home after her father's passing. Maggie, never believing the account her father wrote, returns to the home determined to find out what really happened.

The Review (minor spoiler warning):

Reviews for Home Before Dark have been overwhelmingly positive. It currently has a 4.5 star score on Amazon. Quotes highlight the stories spookiness, horror elements, and suspense. I really wish I liked this book as much as everyone else.

I don't.

Haunted house stories have to be one of the most difficult genre's to write. There are only so many different ways to present strange occurrences. Items go missing, lights turn on without reason, strange noises in the night. Crafting a ghost story without it feeling imitative of everything else is almost impossible. Sometimes this difficulty can be overcome with strong characters or excellent atmosphere. Home Before Dark lacks both. Still, I could have overlooked the derivative nature of the novel and enjoyed it as a simple ghost story. Until the author pulled the rug out from under me.

USA Today praised the story's multiple twists. For me, this was the story's greatest flaw. There are so many red herrings that by the time we get to the truth, I didn't even care anymore. Worse, the ending is almost like a grown-up version of Scooby-Doo. In fact, a couple of characters even reference Scooby-Doo in the novel, heavily foreshadowing the cartoon ending of this book.

For what it's worth, Riley Sager is a competent writer. I've read far worse things and I don't want anyone getting the idea that I'm denigrating this man's reputation. I wouldn't even discourage anyone from reading this one. I just found the story disappointing.

Score:

2.5/5 stars

Pair With:

At one pointe, Maggie offers the chief of police stale tea. That seems like a proper paring here. Warm for a cold night but does nothing to satisfy.