Home Before Dark

Did you like the book? Why or why not?

This book alternates between Ewan Holt’s written account “House of Horrors” regarding the past and Maggie’s story set in the present. Did it work? Why or why not?

How did the setting and description of the house affect the atmosphere of the story? What were your thoughts on the house?

Home Before Dark has a supernatural and creepy feeling which is different than most of the novels we usually discuss. What did you like about it that was different? What did you not like? Did you appreciate this twist on the genre?

Are ghost stories your thing? What do you love about them? How about if they turn out to NOT be ghost stories?

How did you feel about the relationship between Maggie and her parents? Did you understand Maggie’s anger?

In essence, this book is about memories, the truth, and lying. Even when someone is telling the absolute truth, it often happens that their story will conflict with the stories of other people who were there. If two people remember the same event differently, what is the truth? How can you tell what really happened? Has this ever happened to you?

Maggie says of the child Maggie in the House of Horrors, “That wasn’t me. I am brave, not shy and scared.” How can people’s idea of self be so different from reality? What is the truth – the person you believe yourself to be or the person you present to the world?

Ewan takes The Sound of Music’s “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and makes a hopeful and cheerful song into something that is scary and creepy. How does he do that?

Why do you think Ewan Holt returns to Baneberry hall each year on July 15th?

Maggie says that she initially comes to the Hall to forgive her father. Then she finds Petra. Why do you think she continues to stay at the hall? What does she hope to accomplish?

What clues indicated Ewan Holt’s book, House of Horrors, was composed of lies based on the truth?

Do you think William Garson killed his daughter, Indigo? Did Indigo commit suicide? Or do you think that there was some different truth? Why do you think that?

Did you know the identities of Mrs. Pennyface and Mr. Shadow before it was revealed? What clues gave it away? What do you think of that reveal?

Did you know who killed Petra before it was revealed? What clues gave it away? What do you think of that reveal?

Ewan Holt wrote House of Horrors to protect Maggie. Do you think it helped or hurt her in the end? Why? What should the Holts have done?

Who is the most “wrong” character in the book? Ewan Holt? Jess Holt? Marta Carver? Dane Hibbs? William Garson? Why do you think that?

Did you like the way the story ended? Why or why not?

What was your favorite part of the book? What was your least favorite? Why?

Riley Sager has written other books. Will you read them?