Wylie is an author attempting to finish her latest book at a secluded cabin in the middle of winter. As a blizzard closes in on her, she finds a child freezing outside. The setting is creepy and claustrophobic, which adds to the mystery of the story. The book is told from three perspectives. Two are current day and one is set in the past. I am mindful of spoiling the twists in the plot but the viewpoints come together skillfully in the end. Although I had guesses about the ending, I appreciated how to story tied together.

I will issue a warning that there are descriptions of violence and abuse that I found hard to read at times. The writing is great, the story is pretty fast-paced, and the ending is a satisfying wrap up. Overall I thought this was a solid mystery/thriller and I will be excited to read more by this author.

Thank you to Heather Gudenkauf, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me mesmerized from beginning to end, trying to guess what had happened to Becky and why Wylie was staying away from her son Seth. Beginning with Josie and Becky, tweens who are best friends and who are caught in the crossfire of the brutal murder of Josie’s family members. Josie escapes and Becky disappears, never to be seen again. The dual timeline mystified me for a few chapters, but I caught on quickly and the italics for the scenes with the a woman and her young daughter helped tremendously. The characters were well-developed but also cloaked in mystery. There was an atmosphere of impending doom throughout the book that kept me engaged and waiting for the Twilight Zone theme song to start playing. The plot was one that was difficult to read at times because of the violence and abuse that were portrayed, but the realism drew me back to the pages time and time again. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think that it may be one of the best psychological thrillers/domestic suspense that I have ever read. The slow unraveling of the truth was an added bonus to a story that was well written and completely absorbing. Read this book and be prepared to be amazed at the reveals and the ending!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Happy New Year to me! Hope this is an indication of all my 2022 books. One of my fav thriller writers does it again. Great characters, slow build, questions galore and answers in this writer’s own good time. A little bit of everything in this book….small town drama, friends, family, secrets and suspense. The cover of this book sets the tone perfectly for this read.

Three timelines add to the suspense as you are trying to figure out how they will all come together. Wylie is a true crime writer writing about an old crime and is in the middle of a snowstorm when an unexpected guest (or more) show up. Josie and Becky are besties, living in a small farm town. As teens will do, they sneak out during their sleepover for some fun…but get so much more than they bargain for and lives will be changed forever. An abusive relationship is unfolded…heart breaking and scary. Mystery in unfolded slowly, drawing you in, little pieces of the puzzle are revealed bit by bit. There are parts you might see coming…others not so much.

Thanks to Ms. Gudenkauf, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone!

4,5 ⭐️

The Overnight Guest was my first read of 2022 and I could not have had a greater start. It was also my first Heather Gudenkauf and certainly won’t be my last. It was gripping from start to finish with three different timelines that will grab you right from the beginning.

Wylie Lark, a true crime writer, is isolated due to a snowstorm in an old farmhouse where twenty years ago some murders were committed; in the past line we find about those murders and the investigation that ensued; and then we have another timeline in which a mother and daughter are facing some trouble that was quite disturbing (won’t say more to not spoil it).

Although the start was a bit slow and had some repetitive scenes, once the story got going it didn’t stop until the very end, with lots of twists and turns, some of them leaving me speechless. I did a buddy read with my friend Kim and had to write to her more than once with “OMG! What did just happen?!”.

The creepy atmosphere was fantastic, both during the snowstorm and while the murders were happening in the farmhouse, with a really cloying feel. If I can feel cold while reading about your snowy story, it means you’ve done your job well!

In my opinion the ending left some questions unanswered and the past timeline could have benefitted from a couple more chapters, but overall it was quite satisfying,

The Overnight Guest is a captivating story that will put your brain to work trying to fit all the different pieces and made such an awesome buddy read. Thanks Kim for another great discussion!

Now, which Heather Gudenkauf title should I read next?

Thanks to Harlequin/Park Row and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a remarkable thriller! The Overnight Guest was my first read by author, Heather Gudenkauf, but it certainly will not be my last!

This book is narrated from three different viewpoints. It did take me several chapters to figure this out, but each viewpoint held my interest and kept me intrigued throughout the story. This suspenseful book truly had me sitting at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own

I am currently snowed in and this was a perfect atmospheric read for the winter weather.

It was a little slow for my personal liking. It’s told in 3 different timelines and I felt that the past timeline dragged out a little more than I preferred. I found it hard to stay engaged because of this.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Overnight Guest is the perfect thriller for a true crime lover. Following the author of several true crime books as she spends a snowstorm in a rented country home, the reader is tossed back and forth through time to see the tragic events that unfolded in the past on that very same land. It is interesting, gruesome, and full of twists. Right from the opening lines, it is clear something horrific took place, and the author takes you on a journey to learn it through clips of the past that somehow feel more like they're playing out in real time.

I won't be vague here-- this book has a lot of violent, triggering content. I do advise checking content warnings before reading if that's something you're worried about. I don't usually cry while reading thrillers, but there was something about the vivid descriptions of the past tragedy that really got to me. I don't think this is a bad thing, just something to be forewarned about.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Overnight Guest and look forward to reading more from the author. The twists were a mixed bag-- some absolutely baffled me while others felt a bit obvious. The characters were interesting and mysterious. I was easily compelled to continue on, and the snowy setting of the present was the perfect read for this time of year.

Well paced and compelling, the three interspersed narratives offer a glimpse into seemingly unrelated stories. The way these stories interconnected as things unfolded was satisfying to read. I applaud Gudenkauf for her adeptness in seamlessly weaving together different events. Creating a good flow and focusing on realism rather than shock value worked on its favor but made the plot twists less difficult to guess.
The reason I didn't give a higher rating was because I wish the culprit's motive and how he had gotten away with it were explained further. The writing was also a bit clunky with most sentences beginning with a name or pronoun. But this is just my opinion. Many may prefer the simplistic and accessible writing. That said, I still recommend picking this up if you're in the mood for a chilling thriller with some dark elements.

"'Sometimes letting go is a good thing. Sometimes it's the only thing left to do."' - Heather Gudenkauf


The Overnight Guest" is a absolutely brilliant novel that will keep the reader engrossed till the very last page. Told from three different POV's beginning in the year 2000 and switching back to the present day. Gudenkauf does a wonderful job keeping the character's clear in the reader's mind. One can visualize the scenes as they play out on the pages. This is the curvy tale of author Wylie Lark. She rents an old farm house in the quiet secluded area of Burton. Wylie wants to concentrate on finishing her latest true crime novel. What she encounters is a journey of horror that will leave readers shaking.


The book is a five star read except for a few small blips that make one question the realism. For that reason, I rated it four stars. Yes! I'm picky! These tiny holes in the story do not take away from the enjoyment of the book. It's an exciting read that is thoroughly shocking! "The Overnight Guest" will be published January 25th.


Get ready! This book is one readers will not want to put down, even for bathroom breaks. (Wink!! Wink!!)
Applause to Heather Gudenkauf for writing a truly breathtaking read!



Warning: Rape, Child Abuse, Murder, Graphic Scenes, Childhood Trama, Language


Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the honor of reviewing this incredible book!
I really appreciate it!

4.5 STARS ROUNDED UP
Wylie Lark is a true crime writer that has sought the solace of an old, isolated farmhouse. It is the perfect spot to finish her book, except that it is also the location where two people were murdered and one girl went missing decades earlier. As she settles in to ride out a winter storm, she discovers a little boy in the snow outside. After bringing him in to warm up, she quickly learns she might not be so alone after all.

Told in alternating timelines and from three different perspectives, The Overnight Guest was a gripping, fast-paced read that I just couldn’t put down. I am a huge fan of snowy locked-room thrillers, and The Overnight Guest really delivered an atmospheric read, perfect for cuddling up with on a winter day.

My favourite aspects of the book were the multiple timelines and characters. It took a chapter or two to get it all straight, but it quickly became easy to follow and added many possible explanations for what happened. I also really appreciated the police procedural element. It wasn’t overdone and had me trying to solve the crime right along with the detectives. While I did guess a couple of the plot twists, there were still others that really caught me by surprise.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Books for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the best type of thriller. Multiple interweaving stories, amazing characters to root for, and a mystery at the heart of the story. I read in 1 day and as an avid thriller reader predicted none of the twists. I will be reading all upcoming releases from the author!

Rating: 4/5 stars.

I had never read a book by Heather Gudenkauf before The Overnight Guest but I'm definitely going to read some of her other books now. The Overnight Guest was really well-written, exciting, even scary at times! I actually read a lot of this book late at night and I found that I was creeping myself out, which means that the thriller I'm reading is doing it's job.

Things about this novel that I loved:
- The fast-paced writing style made it really easy to binge quickly, I tore through this book in just a couple of sittings.
- The 3 main character arc's were interesting and fun to follow. (There wasn't one that I specifically didn't like which was fun).
- The winter setting for the MAIN story arc was creepy and perfect for a winter read.


I would say the first 80% of the book was 5 stars for me. The only reason it was brought down to a 4/5 was a specific moment in the last portion of the book that just wasn't AS believable that I would like it to be, but it didn't ruin the entire ending or novel. Otherwise, this was a great thriller for 2022 and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an "author going away to write and discovers a mystery" kind of book. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row and NetGalley for letting me receive an ARC/Gifted Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An “ignore everything and everyone and finish it in one day” read! This grabbed me from the beginning and I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the last word, so I ignored my kids and to do list and read this in a day! The Overnight Guest unfolds in multiple storylines and time periods with enough clues to keep the reader guessing and engaged. The author is adept at making the reader feel the same emotions as her characters. I was definitely creeped out, frightened, and distrustful right along with the main characters, a feat that isn’t always accomplished in thrillers. The characters had depth and humanity and were easy to connect with, making for a richer reading experience. Definitely a 5 star read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book: The Overnight Guest

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars



I would like to thank the publisher, Park Row, for providing me with an ARC.



Wow! Let me start out by saying that this is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. It had everything that I was looking for in a thriller. We have a case that no one can seem to solve. Plus, we have a snowstorm that comes along and leaves a group of people stuck together in a house. This one is told in dual timelines and you get a sense that both of them are hiding something. I personally felt that the dual timelines worked really well. It allowed us to get a wider scope of the story and had a deeper bound with both the characters and everything that was going on.



Let's start there. The dual timelines and the use of multiple points of view allow us to gain a wide scope and understanding of the story’s events. I personally feel that without the dual timelines that this story would not have worked as well as it did. We are told of the events in both past and present sense. We see the events that rocked the small-town years ago and, then, we follow a modern-day crime writer as she seeks to uncover the truth as to what happened all those years ago. It’s messy and will leave you guessing up until the last possible second. Like I said earlier, I found that this really helped the overall plot a lot. You get the full scope of all the events as well as getting to see just how it felt to experience it all.



I think that is what made the book stand out. The way the writing presents the story, you truly do feel like you are there with the characters experiencing the events. In Josie’s story, which is the older one, you feel her terror as she is running for her life and trying to work through all that has happened to her. She was out in the yard and saw something in her house. She went in and found her parents dead. Then, she had run because the shooter was still there and shooting at her. You see her struggle with her best friend, Becky, who was spending the night as they ran. However, Becky didn’t make and disappears. You see Josie try to make sense of the guilt she is feeling for letting go of Becky. Then, we go to modern times, where Wylie is looking into those events and writing a book about it. Then, a snowstorm strikes and she finds herself snowed in. Then, she finds a child, a turned over truck, and an injured woman. No one wants to talk and she has no idea just what she is dealing with. All she knows is that something bad has happened.



In both timelines though, the sense of isolation and seclusion comes out. We are looking at events that are happening in pretty much the middle of nowhere, leaving our characters with no one to turn to and have no idea as to what is going on. We see them deal with fear, uncertainty, and a sense of dread as to what is to come next. You don’t know who to trust and what to really think about what is happening. You have no idea what is to come and just for sure who to trust.



If you are looking for a great thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat, then I highly encourage you to pick this one up.



This book comes out on January 25, 2022.



Youtube: https://youtu.be/SiNSBAeuygk

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A true crime writer gets caught up in the midst of a crime. Good characters. Ths plot is complicated but is easy to figure out.

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒪𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓃𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒢𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉
𝒷𝓎, 𝐻𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒢𝓊𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓀𝒶𝓊𝒻
𝑅𝐸𝐿𝐸𝒜𝒮𝐸 𝒟𝒜𝒯𝐸 01/25/2022

A long-time fan of Heather's, I’ve had this book screaming my name to read it. So here we go …

This book flips back and forth from POV and timelines. August 2000 is where this book begins, and it starts with a bang.

In august of 2000, several storylines were introduced. Abby Morris is walking her black lab pepper and hears gunshots in the distance. Debbie Cutter wakes up to the same shots and finds her husband and son gone in the middle of the night. Josie and Becky are having a slumber party together, all the while the tension in Josie’s home is embarrassing and scary at the same time. Her brother Ethan is defiant and fights her father and mother, William & Lynne.
Cut to the present day, True Crime author Wylie Lark a divorcee mother of one son Seth - has set off to a 100-year-old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm to finish her latest novel. In the middle of the night, her dog alerts her, and she finds a young boy almost frozen to death and tries to help him. She searches outside and finds a truck flipped and a woman in the snow in a ditch.
Also, there is one more story, you don’t quite get where it fits in, but it pieces together very quickly.
The storyline from 20 years ago catches up to the present day, and the twists contained in this book are just what you’d expect from Heather. Loved it
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 S҉҉T҉҉A҉҉R҉҉S҉҉


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Heather Gudenkauf is one of my go-to authors. I don't even need to know what the book is about to want to read it. I love her writing style and ability to keep you guessing. This book was no exception. It is told in four parts that change from the present to the past and between characters. It was very easy to follow but I kept wondering how the stories were connected. Of course it came to a thrilling end.

As an Iowan I like reading books set in Iowa. This book is set in a small town in northwestern Iowa. I like reading about real towns that I know! Heather wrote another great book that will keep you guessing until the very end!

This was a chilling story with a flawless plot. What started out as a peaceful getaway turned into a page turner that was hard to put down. One of my favorite authors and she did not disapoint,

This atmospheric thriller appealed to me because it's set in rural Iowa, which I figured would be fairly similar to our little rural Minnesota town. They are similar and it was easy to picture the people and places, but I had to put this book down often because it's just so bleak.

It's told from three different POVs in three timelines. One in particular is sometimes hard to read as it is told from a child's perspective and deals with abuse. I didn't connect as much as I would have liked with the main present day character, Wylie, until near the end. Some characters weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked and a couple of things were just left completely undeveloped in the plot and never answered but all in all it was a suspenseful read, good for a dark winter night.

I read a digital ARC of this via Net Galley.

This was such a twisty, intense, and atmospheric thriller! This book starts out with a bang, and I could not flip the pages fast enough to find out how everything tied together with the three different POV’s.

Wylie Lark is a true crime writer staying at a remote farmhouse by herself to finish her latest novel. Decades earlier, a horrific crime occurred in the exact farmhouse she is staying in. She finds herself snowed in without electricity. She lets her dog out to go to the bathroom when she discovers a small boy nearly frozen to death. She brings him inside and that’s when all the craziness begins.

A remote farmhouse, a snowstorm, no electricity, an unknown child who won’t speak. What could go wrong?

I thought everything tied together at the end perfectly. I read this in one sitting during a snowstorm at my cabin in the mountains and I loved every minute of it! If you love snowy thrillers this one is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-copy.