We're in beta!Authors: Lock in 50% off for lifeReaders: Free forever

NEW FEATURES RELEASED!Click here for detailsorhere for error-tracking

FIND BOOKS TO BUY
BEFORE THE LIGHTS GO OUT
5.0 (5 ratings)

BEFORE THE LIGHTS GO OUT

LOVE IS BLIND.
SOME THINGS ARE BEST LEFT UNSEEN.


For photographer Reagan Dunkel, sight is everything. But a life built behind a lens is shattered by a devastating diagnosis: a hereditary condition destined to steal her vision—and her young daughter’s. As this frightening new reality sets in, her husband Fynn’s business trip to their native Germany is met with an unsettling silence, leaving Reagan isolated with her fears.

A chilling discovery hidden within her own photographs reveals a darkness far more immediate than her failing sight. The past she thought she knew was a carefully framed lie.

Driven by a mother’s fierce instinct, she flees with her daughter to the familiar streets of Hamburg, seeking answers and refuge. But the familiar port city conceals old ghosts and waking nightmares, forcing Reagan to unravel a sinister truth before the light vanishes for good.

Pages: 394

Get This Book

Buy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Inside Story earns from qualifying purchases?By purchasing via this link, Inside Story may earn a small commission from Amazon at no extra cost to you or the author. Win-win-win!

Reader Reviews

5.0

5 ratings

Mary S.

Apr 3, 2026
Reagan and her daughter Steffie are left home alone while her husband Fynn is away in Germany on business. When Reagan receives devastating news about the health of her eyes and the hereditary condition that she is passing on to her daughter Steffie, she is lost. Add to that the unreturned calls and texts from her husband and her growing suspicion that he is up to something. And so she books a surprise trip for Steffie and her to Germany and the story amps up from there. The descriptions of Germany are fantastic and I felt like I was there. The love that Reagan has for her daughter and her need to protect her shone through the pages and warmed my heart. There were twists and rising tension and lots of drama and I loved every minute of it! I enjoyed the character development and I enjoyed reading as Reagan put the pieces together as to what really happened to her parents. The pages flew by and I couldn’t stop reading as I just had to know how this one would end. This was yet another fantastic book by the very talented Jafe Danbury! I have now read every one of his books and I’m a huge fan! Thanks so much for an advanced reader copy!

Carina P.

Feb 8, 2026
Once again, Jafe delivers an amazing story that blends emotions with cinematic precision. Before the Lights Go Out was a long awaited book for me! I love Jafe's writing! This book gripped me from the start! This book is steeped in suspense.

What makes this book stand out is how Jafe once again balances the thriller elements with raw, human emotion. The mother-daughter bond at the center of the story adds a powerful heartbeat to the suspense, making the journey unforgettable.

Jafe doesn’t just deliver a thriller—he delivers a story that lingers, one that makes you question perception, truth, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love. Outstanding job, Jafe.

Ahh I almost forgot to add! Loved the soundtrack!

Mandy S.

Feb 8, 2026
Before the Lights Go Out showcases Danbury’s remarkable talent for weaving emotional depth into high-stakes suspense. He doesn’t just tell a thriller—he builds an experience rich with atmosphere, vulnerability, and razor-edge tension. Through Reagan’s unraveling world, Danbury explores fear, family, identity, and the fragile ways we learn to trust what we see. The result is a story that feels both intimate and cinematic, balancing heartbreak with haunting mystery. It’s a gripping, beautifully crafted novel that refuses to fade once you close the book.

Tara L.

Feb 8, 2026
A quick, gripping read that had me absolutely entrenched, making it extremely hard to put down. Very fast paced, I think I read it in a day.

The story blends high-stakes travel with strong emotional connections, highlighting both a best-friend dynamic that feels like true relationship goals and a compelling mother-daughter duo that adds real heart to the suspense. These relationships grounded the story while the tension steadily escalated.

I also appreciated learning about Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a condition I was previously unfamiliar with. Its inclusion added an extra layer of depth and perspective to the narrative without slowing the pace.

Overall, this is a really exciting, fast-paced thriller that balances action, emotion, and discovery beautifully. A great pick if you’re looking for a suspenseful read that still leaves room for meaningful connections.

Rachel B.

Feb 8, 2026
What a story! This dark Christmas thriller pulled me in from the very first page and refused to let go. It’s tense, chilling, and endlessly suspenseful — the kind of book you think you’ll read in small doses, but end up devouring in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. Danbury delivers a gripping, atmospheric tale that perfectly blends holiday cheer with lurking dread. If you love twisty, unsettling Christmas thrillers, this one is a must-read.

About the Author

Jafe Danbury
Jafe Danbury hails from the trenches of the Hollywood production scene, where he spent decades as a camera operator, director of photography, and director. He has also worked as a teacher and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

He enjoys noodling on the guitar, long road trips, likes his bacon crispy, and loves a good dive bar––especially if it happens to have a twenty-two-foot shuffleboard table. He prefers a leisurely walk to running, unless being chased by a clown with a chainsaw.

Jafe and his lovely bride currently reside in central California and are quite active in animal rescue efforts.