The book gave me mixed feelings. It is described as a mystery/thriller but that's a bit misleading. There is a slight air of menace in the story of Olivia and Vivian and their collaboration on a book, but I was never in the edge of my seat. This was just so so for me.

A very nice little thriller that juxtaposes two women - Olivia and Vivian- who both have secrets and who enter into a relationship that spirals down into a real mess. Vivian gives Olivia a diary, a fantastic and fascinating diary, she's found and Olivia's turned it into a book. AND now, things have gone sideways since Olivia has not attributed the book, and well, it's a cat and mouse game. Told by alternating voices, it gives you a good sense of both women, who are likable in their own ways (and not in others.). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A well written character driven book with some fun facts about....bugs.

Surprisingly creepy for what I thought was going to more literary. Well-paced, good characters. It drew me in and interested me enough to want to keep reading.

This book came with excellent reviews from Fiona Barton & Clare Mackintosh whose books I both adore. However, this book was less compelling than expected. It was too long, it left out a lot of holes, it wasn't gripping, and I could see all the "twists and turns" coming. I didn't mind that the book ended abruptly - I was annoyed that several things were not cleared up.

This book just didn't work for me. There was way too much extra information that wasn't completed and left big holes. I wasn't as enthralled as other mysteries/thrillers and the big TWIST (?) was easily seen coming. I actually disliked both characters. Even writing this I'm thinking about all of the unanswered questions. The beginning started with big mysteries that didn't even need to be mysterious - she makes mention of Bertie but not who he is or where he is now - it makes you think "Oh i need to know more about this character" but in the next chapter she slowly reveals who Bertie is. This threw me off right from the start BECAUSE THERE DIDN'T NEED TO BE A MYSTERY ABOUT WHO BERTIE IS. I pushed through this book because of the stellar ratings but I wouldn't recommend it.

This book totally lived up to the creepy title and cover! I saw this on NetGalley and requested without even reading what it was about, that's how drawn I was to this one, and I'm thrilled to say that it doesn't disappoint!

Olivia Steadman is a beautiful wife and mother with a successful career as a historian. Her career is about to skyrocket with the debut of her first book, Anabel, which is guaranteed to make the best seller list. However, this book only came to be with the help of Vivian Tester.

Vivian has supplied the Victorian secret diary of Anabel Burley in which she confesses to the murder of her husband. Olivia is over the moon with this discovery and can not wait to tell her story. Vivian aids Olivia by conducting nearly all of the research for the book.

The two don't always see eye to eye. Vivian is an odd woman that is socially awkward around others. She is the exact opposite of Olivia's free spirit. Not to mention Vivian also has an obsession with beetles. Yes, that's right. Those terrifying bugs with their click clacking wings. *Shivers*

So many secrets. So many lies. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus Books, and Lucy Atkins for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

History Professor, Olivia has written a best seller, Annabel. Olivia is speaking to over 200 people and the press about this at the Royal College of Surgeons. At the same time, Olivia was searching for the person who knew the truth and might tell it...

Vivian was tense waiting for Olivia. Vivian misses working with her and is ready the next book to do research on. Also, Vivian is going on holiday to the South of France to search for Harlequin Ladybugs; these mimic and are destructive...

Also on holiday in the South of France are Olivia, her family, and two other families. Olivia is still thinking how relieved that she is to be done working with Vivian. Olivia originally met Vivian at a small house museum - and there they had Annabel's diary. Eventually, Vivian had become her research assistant. The relationship between the two women was stormy at best. Even while on vacation, Olivia felt tense. Additionally, her husband, David, had basically ruined them financially.
Olivia and Vivian encounter each other in France. Vivian wanted to pitch her next book deal to Olivia, but she was having nothing to do with that!
Once home, Olivia sees Lady Burley, herself, and is in for surprises! Eventually, Olivia calls Vivian out on all of Lady Burley's information. They meet the day before the book launch. Here, Olivia sounds out Vivian about her beloved (dead) dog, Bertie, and the rest of Lady Burley's "side" of the story. Vivian flings accusations at Olivia. But, Olivia is having none of that! "You're demented, Vivian"...and slaps her face.
Vivian wonders how long it will take Olivia to realize that there is nowhere to run to? WOW!!! Who is telling the truth? Lots and lots of accusation, conflict and entertainment! Just great writing and awesome character development! Many thanks to Quercus (US) and NetGalley for a real gem of a read!!!

The Night Visitor is definitely a clever and unique thriller.

Olivia Sweetman has the perfect life! She has three children, a supportive husband, and two homes (don't we all wish we had two homes! lol). Olivia has just published a book title Anabel which is based on a Victorian diary of Anabel Burley who murdered her husband.

Then we have Vivian who "secretly" brought the diary to Olivia's attention. Oh my goodness is Vivian a hot mess haha. She is quite the opposite of Olivia... she's socially super awkward and just a tad odd. And... interestingly enough she has a little bit of an obsession with beetles... eek creepy crawllyyyy in your bones ;).

I enjoyed the multiple POV with this one and of course both women are hiding secrets which is always a plus!

Secrets, lies, and beetles... what more can you want?! :)

3.5 stars!

Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR: 6/12/18
Publication date: 7/3/18

A very intelligent, engaging, and different novel that draws the reader into the plot and characters!

“The Night Visitor” by Lucy Atkins is a top notch literary mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Olivia and Vivian are fascinating characters and the twists and turns of their relationship propelled the story forward.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

"Embrace reality even if it burns you." (Pierre Berge)

How many steps does it actually take to keep a great distance between deceit and frenetic lies? Truth be told, never ever enough foot action.

Olivia Sweetman seems to be having it all. She is wife to David, author and psychologist, mother to three active children, and a very successful history professor known far and wide on the TV circuit. She has a home in London, a family farm, and vacations in the south of France. Not much lacking here. Like gazing at the hardened carapace of a colorful insect, all can scurry away in a heartbeat.

The stage seems to be set with the unexpected presence of one Vivian Tester. Vivian has contacted Olivia with a brilliant idea for a book based upon Annabel Burley, the second wife of Lord Burley of Ileford Manor. Vivian, who is the caretaker of the manor and of the current aged owner, has come upon Annabel's diary. The diary reveals a fascinating Victorian life in which Annabel goes on to attend the London School of Medicine for Women in 1899 after her husband's death. Annabel's challenges seem to reflect those of modern day women as well.

Our story begins at a fancy soiree in London the night before the book is presented to the public. We view Olivia perched upon a landing overlooking those in attendance. Her footing seems a bit off as she addresses her admirers. She searches for the familiar face of Vivian in the crowd. Vivian, "the helper", who led the path to Annabel. Vivian, who lifts back the curtain, as harlequin ladybugs find their way from beneath the folds of all this velvet and velour.

Lucy Atkins will lock you in from page one. Seriously. As readers, we come to realize that there is a mighty facade happening here and we're in the midst of a masquerade ball. But on whose end and to what extent? Atkins pumps up this storyline with thread upon thread of subplots that round out her main characters and keep everything churning non-stop. The dialogue reflects the nature of individuals who find themselves in the throws of precarious living. And, O Brother, Atkins keeps it pulsating until the very end. I highly recommend this one if you've been in a reading slump. It will definitely "unslump" you, dear readers.

I received a copy of The Night Visitor through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Quercus Books and to Lucy Atkins for the opportunity.

This was a brilliant thriller, reminiscent of a Hitchcock film or a Daphne du Maurier book. I was drawn into the story from the get-go.

Olivia Sweetman is a remarkable woman. She’s an historian who has found herself in the public eye due to her forthcoming book about a Victorian woman who became a surgeon. This book idea comes about when Olivia stumbles upon a diary in a museum. The diary is in the property of a rather strange, elderly woman who Olivia makes her research assistant in order to have access to the diary. Her research assistant, Vivian, is obviously on some spectrum or other. Although she seems harmless enough, Olivia begins to suspect that Vivian is capable of terrible things. As the story unfolds it is unclear which of them has sinister motives, but the tension between them is bound to culminate in tragedy.

I was so deeply immersed in this story that I read it in one day. The alternating points of view was fascinating. It really did keep me guessing until the very end. This is a highly suspenseful thriller that delves into the concept of what integrity means to each individual.

3.5stars rounded up- This is the first I have read by the author, Lucy Atkins, and I will be looking up her past books for sure. The strange relationship of the two main characters, Professor Olivia Sweetman and housekeeper Vivian Tester, unfolds slowly and it simmers. Just what actually happened between the two and what is the "truth" of each of these women. This story is not what it first seems and that created a lot of suspense so I have no criticism with the plot and the writing flowed beautifully so no negative comments there either. It is the ending that I just cannot accept--it truly ruined the 5 star rating I was prepared to give. What happened? So many crucial events in the books were not addressed in the abrupt ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and give an honest review.

An excellent novel that layers suspense throughout. Science vs history and what role does imagination play in the two. How does imagination impact credibility of the scientist and historian. Olivia is an historian with some role on tv. She is writing a book about a female doctor at a time when women were barely allowed in the profession. Vivian becomes her research assistant and creepiness sets in. A book about a book and dung beetles and it all works. Thought provoking and mysterious, a top read!

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley