I was extremely nervous when riley sager’s latest was getting mid reviews early on, but I should have known better than to think my spooky king was going to let me down 🫡

this gave the same spooky paranormal vibes as HOME BEFORE DARK, but this time following a young boy’s disappearance and possible murder thirty years ago… with a strong cast of characters, I was so hooked and invested in the mystery from the beginning!!! 

and with the added flashbacks in third person POVs sprinkled throughout the present day narrative by ethan marsh, the missing boy billy’s old friend, I was completely thrown for a loop! everyone in this story was such an unreliable and biased narrator, and I was just along for the ride!

the story itself switched directions and motives so many times I lost count, but while it may seem jarring and disjointed for other readers, I enjoyed the multi-layered mystery!! I’m such a sucker for a red herring 😮‍💨

another success by sager in the books!!! now onto to finish his backlist!

rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: beaujolais nouveau blend