3.5 Stars

The Overnight Guest is an adult mystery thriller by Heather Gudenkauf. It follows a true crime writer as she's deals with an unexpected guest while isolated during a snow storm. I also follow the events of a crime that took place 20 years before. An eerie thriller perfect for cold winter nights.

I quite enjoyed the author's writing and the solid characters. The setting was well written and I could imagine the bitter wind and icy snow as the main character trudged through it. I figured out a few of the main story surprises but up until the end I wasn't 100 percent sure who the bad guy was. The author did a good job at misleading you yet still dropping little hints that lead me to figuring out character's identity's before they were revealed.

I struggled a little in the beginning with this one because I wasn't fully invested in all the different point of views. Present day Wylie was interesting, the mystery child point of view had me, but the progression of the past crime seemed to drag more often than not for me. As a whole though, 2 out of 3 isn't bad, but it's why I couldn't give this more than 3.5 stars.

This had some holes, but was quite good.

Josie was just a child when someone killed her Iowan family and chased her and her best friend into a corn field. Many years later Wylie, a true crime author, goes to the area to tell the unsolved story. But when a blizzard hits and she goes out for wood, she finds a small child.

This kept my attention from start to finish. There were a few weak points that keep me from rating it a full 5 stars, but it is very good and I definitely recommend it.

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf is another one of her psychological thrillers. We meet at the start, Wylie Lark, who is a crime author, and she has just arrived to stay for a week, in an isolated farmhouse in Iowa to write her next novel. A major storm develops, keeping Wylie trapped inside the house, which was the scene of a double murder 20 years ago, which is the basis of Wylie’s new novel.

The Overnight Guest is told in three narratives, with Wylie in current time, and in 2000, when the murder occurred; the third narrative focuses on a mother and daughter, who are being abused and kept in the basement by a violent man.

In 2000, we learn everything about the murder of the Doyle family (mother and father), the daughter, Josie, who was injured, as well as the disappearance of Josie’s best friend, Becky and her brother, Ethan, who were missing. Aside from the missing Becky and Ethan, Josie is the lone survivor, and the police try to put the pieces together; with Ethan being the main suspect, as he was nasty and angry at his parents.

In the present time, while the blizzard gets worse, Wylie notices a young boy lying in the snow, and rushes out to bring him into the house; she tries to help the boy, but he is afraid, and refuses to talk. In a short time, the electricity goes out, leaving Wylie and the boy to find ways to keep warm. Wylie will take it upon herself to try and see if there was an accident that caused the boy to be near her cabin.

What follows is an edge of your seat, exciting, compelling, suspenseful mystery that kept me unable to put the book down. I was trying to see where the three narratives fit together, and by the time we got to the last third of the book, everything became clear. To say too much more would be spoilers, as you really need to read this book from start to finish.

The Overnight Guest was a tense and heart pounding story, which had a number of surprises and twists, and was very well written by Heather Gudenkauf. If you like suspense thrillers, mysteries, then you should be reading The Overnight Guest.

Love Heather and her books always. They transport you right to where she needs you to be. This one is smack dab in the middle of a freezing blizzard in Iowa. I was freezing the entire time, I couldnt flip the pages fast enough as is always the case. This alternates back and forth between 2000 and the present to find out what happened in an old farmhouse.
Vengeance and murder kept me on the edge of my seat!

Well now time for me to check out everything else Heather has written. I read this book in a day. While I can say I figured things out relatively quickly, I don't think that was a bad thing. From start to finish my intrigue was a 10/10. Even when the mystery was revealed, I still had to know how it ended. Everything pulled together well except for one minor plot point. <spoiler> Why did Cutter only want Josie?</spoiler> For intrigue and atmosphere alone, this book deserves 5 stars.

Wylie Lark is a true crime author and is on a mission to write her next novel. She isolates herself in a remote farmhouse to complete the task with only her old coonhound in tow. She’s never shied away from isolation and it seems the ideal place to focus on her writing without distractions. And it is, until she discovers a young girl in a snowstorm outside her window, whom she brings her in to safety. She finds herself with an unexpected snowstorm and an unwanted guest.

This tension-wrought story contains multiple timelines and POVs. I found one POV far more interesting and engaging than the other two, which were a bit slower and less appealing. The story has great atmosphere, perfectly suited to the creepy, suspenseful plot, and the conclusion was surprisingly chilling. All-in-all, its a well-written story, by a respected author, and is sure to be a hit with those who enjoy crime fiction and the thriller genre.

Thank you Netgalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for an eARC copy of the Overnight Guest! This is my first ever read by Heather Gudenkauf, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. I look forward to reading more by this author. The writing style is masterful and so easy to get wrapped into.

I don't want to say too much and give anything away, but this is the perfect winter storm mystery packed with twists and dual timelines that will have you turning the pages until the very end.

Wylie Lark writes true crime books. She has left her estranged relationship with her son behind and rented an old house in the woods to finish her book. Her only companion, a stray dog she took in, and when a fierce blizzard strikes, she has no way to contact anyone. That doesn't bother her though, she has food and firewood to keep the house warm if the power goes out. What could go wrong?
Wylie heads outside to find the dog and comes across a little boy who is half frozen and she fears might be close to death. She brings him back to the house and miraculously, he seems to be scared but fine. He refuses to answer any of her questions though and she can't imagine where he came from or where his family might be. Who or what else is dead living in these isolated woods?
A second plot appears. A family from the past, brutally murdered, everyone dead except for twelve-year-old Becky. She is apparently the sole survivor, but her friend Becky was at her house too, and she seems to have vanished. Who would want to wipe out the Doyle family and did the killer take Becky?
The third plot revolves around a woman and her daughter, kept locked up in a basement. A man usually brings them enough food to survive, but mostly his presence means more abuse and degradation. The woman, fearful for their lives tries to find a way out. It seems that the man has thought of everything though, as he plans to keep them here, forever.
How these three seemingly separate stories come together will be revealed as the story unfolds. I could not piece this puzzle together until I was past the 40% mark. Even then, I had some correct guesses, but I was wrong about the big picture. I wasn't a fan of the ending, but until then it was a claustrophobic, tension-filled, page flipper.

This book was so engrossing and hard to put down. The mystery was well done and there were a few nice twists. Highly recommend if you enjoy a good mystery, thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

This was a fantastic page turner. The plot centers around three timelines: a writer researching her latest true crime novel, the crime itself from 20 years ago, and an unknown timeline with what appears to be a woman and young child being held captive. All three stories are compelling and easy to transition between. Also, the primary timeline with the true crime novelist takes place in the dead of winter during a terrible ice and snow storm--perfect for a winter read.

This was my first Gudenkauf book but it won't be my last. Her story telling is tight, her characterization is well-rounded, and her pacing right on point. I highly suggest this one for a fast-paced, winter thriller.

Heather does it again!!! I loved this book and I'm not usually a fan of past to present type books, but it worked well here.

This book has a little bit of everything...murder, intrigue, kidnapping, rape, torture, evil characters, neighbor rivalry, page turning action, twists/turns, and a couple I knew it moments!!!

If you haven't read any of Heather's books, you are missing out on some great adventures. Give her a try and you won't be disappointed.

#NetGalley #OvernightGuest #Josie #Becky #Jackson #Randy #Wylie #LovedIt #5Stars

<b>Note:</b> I received an advanced copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley.

True crime writer Wylie Lark doesn’t mind being snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she’s retreated to write her new book. A cozy fire, complete silence. It would be perfect, if not for the fact that decades earlier, at this very house, two people were murdered in cold blood and a girl disappeared without a trace.

As the storm worsens, Wylie finds herself trapped inside the house, haunted by the secrets contained within its walls—haunted by secrets of her own. Then she discovers a small child in the snow just outside. After bringing the child inside for warmth and safety, she begins to search for answers. But soon it becomes clear that the farmhouse isn’t as isolated as she thought, and someone is willing to do anything to find them.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I do have to admit that I did not fully know who the killer was or the motivation until the end. I do like from the three different perspectives the reader got, we got a little more each time to keep us guessing and entertained by the gruesomeness of the story. Just when I thought I knew what direction the book was taking, I was pleasantly surprised. My only criticism would be the ending, it seemed forced and overly done.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

<i>The Overnight Guest</i> is the second novel I have read from Heather Gudenkauf. The first was This Is How I Lied, which I really enjoyed when I read it in 2020, ultimately giving it 3.5-stars and rounding up. In this one, I feel like Gudenkauf's writing is elevated to a whole new level!

Wylie Lark is a True Crime writer. In the course of her work, she frequently travels to the locations where the crimes she is writing about have taken place. She currently finds herself alone, staying at a remote farmhouse where a brutal double homicide once occurred, with a vicious snowstorm bearing down on her. As horrifying as this may sound to some, Wylie isn't concerned. She's got a fireplace and enough supplies to last her until the storm passes.

When her dog alerts her to something he has found just outside the house, Wylie expects it to be some sort of animal, who wasn't able to find shelter in time and succumbed to the elements. What she doesn't expect is for it to be a child, half-frozen and unresponsive.

As the truth of the child's sudden appearance begins to be revealed, Wylie realizes she may not be as alone as she once thought. Will she be able to protect the child, and herself, from the dangers lurking outside long enough to be able to reach help?

Y'all, this novel is intensely-gripping. It follows both Wylie's present timeline, as well as the perspective and timeline of a girl who lived in the house at the time of the gruesome murders. But that's not all! There's a third perspective of a child that is quite disturbing.

The way Gudenkauf paced out the reveals of each perspective, drawing them together into one unsettling conclusion, was so well done. It kept me completely engrossed. There was some really creepy moments in this. Reading on my kindle, in the dark, while home alone, on the night of a windstorm, I'll admit to being scared. I had to read something else for a bit just in order to be able to sleep that night. I loved the In Cold Blood vibes I got from this. It wasn't overdone, but felt like a respectful nod to that work.

Overall, I had a ton of fun reading this. It featured some of my favorite tropes and was fast-paced and exciting to read. I would definitely recommend this one. Thank you to the publisher, Park Row Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I look forward to reading more from Gudenkauf!

This is a well-crafted thriller about a 22-year-old tragedy and it’s present-day aftermath. Three different timelines weave together to create a thrilling reading experience. In the present day, a raging snow storm threatens to strand true-crime writer Wylie Lark in the farm house where the horrific crime she's writing about took place 22 years ago. She almost looks forward to it. Until her dog discovers something in the snow in her front yard.

There are interesting twists and turns, some of which I saw coming and some I didn’t. There are a couple of loose ends that get hastily tied, but all-in-all it’s an enjoyable read, with hope trying to bloom amongst the broken lives..

The Overnight Guest is an atmospheric mystery/suspense novel that will be perfect for those cold winter days.
Wylie Lark is staying in an old farmhouse in Iowa finishing her true crime novel when she finds a little boy outside in a blizzard.
The book also has two other storylines: in the past when 12-year-old Josie has a sleepover and a brutal murder happens to her family and in the present where there is a woman and her young daughter trapped in a basement by a man.
How will these storylines come together?
Gudenkauf does it seamlessly.
A fast-paced novel that will keep you guessing!

Review of The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another great thriller with major winter atmospheric vibes. This will be the perfect January read and I highly recommend it. I discovered this amazing author many heads ago and her books bee disappoint. This is one of my favorites by her. There are three storylines, one in the past in 2000, one present day, and one unclear but likely in between. I was fascinated with every single one and was never disappointed when it would change to a new one.

Quick synopsis: Wylie is a true crime author who decides to stay alone an isolated farm where several brutal murders happened. She’s writing about them and it feels right to be there where it happened. A huge snowstorm hits and while trying to her her dog, she discovers a small almost frozen boy. She takes him home and that opens up an entire box of mystery and intrigue as she tries to figure out who he is.

Hands down, five stars. You definitely want to read this one!

But thank you to @netgalley, @parkrowbooks for the chance to read this. It’s out Jan 22!

I love a mystery with a locked door aspect. Throw in a dual timeline and I’m in. The Overnight Guest has both and I was excited to receive a DRG from NetGalley.

Set during a massive snowstorm, in an old farmhouse where in unspeakable crime occurred, the story follows Wylie as she writes about this true crime while also escaping her difficult relationship with her son. Over the course of this storm we learn about the crime and the events both before and after it. Interspersed is a mysterious woman and child whose story intertwines with present day.

It did take me a bit to get into this book but once I did I found I needed to figure out what was going on. I was also curious about what really happened and how that connected to present day. The twist at the end really added to the story. I wasn’t shocked by it but was surprised by how it all fit together. Overall a good mystery that kept me engaged and guessing about how it was going to come together.

A scary, tense, thriller that will keep you riveted and glued to your seat. The different timelines threw me off for a brief time but I was soon back to being glued to the story. So many places in the book I felt like I was there in the story due to the great descriptions in the book. You won’t go wrong with this one!

Heather Gudenkauf just keeps getting better. In The Overnight Guest, she weaves together three storylines--a grisly murder in an Iowa farmhouse, a boy and his mother trapped in a basement, and a true crime writer trying to solve a puzzling case in the middle of a snowstorm. Tense, atmospheric and unputdownable.

This one is right up there with Not a Sound for me.

Wylie Lark is a true crime author who has shut herself up in an isolated farmhouse to work on her next book while the beginnings of a snowstorm rage outside. Decades before, two people were brutally murdered and a young girl went missing at the very house that Wylie is in.

Told through three seemingly unrelated stories...Wylie finding a little boy nearly frozen to death outside the farmhouse, the murders that took place inside the farmhouse, and the curious inclusion of a woman trapped with her daughter in the basement of a home at the mercy of a man known as Daddy. My head was spinning trying to determine how these three scenarios could possibly fit together, and the author seamlessly blended all of those scenarios with shocking brilliance.

The locked room aspect, the snowstorm, and the back-and-forth to the differing scenes made this book deeply atmospheric and highly bingeable. I read this in two sittings with my heart pounding just about the entire time. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC that releases January 25th.