The Overnight Guest: A Novel

Product Information

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. The last seven days had been quiet. Too quiet. There were no burglaries, no serious motor vehicle accidents, no meth explosions, not one report of domestic abuse. Not that Blake County was a hotbed of lawlessness. But they did have their share of violent crimes. Just not this week. The first four days, he was grateful for the reprieve, but then it seemed downright eerie. It was odd, unsettling. For the first time in twenty years as sheriff, Butler was actually caught up on all his paperwork. Josie was sure she heard the pounding of footsteps behind them, and she turned to see what was hunting them. There was nothing, no one—just the house bathed in nighttime shadows. And talk about atmosphere! It’s cold where I live now, but I read this inside and with heat, and still shivered from the descriptions of the cold and brutal snow setting. I recommend reading this one whilst wrapped in a blanket and drinking hot chocolate. The hot chocolate can be substituted with wine, obviously…and I’m guessing you know which beverage I chose. 🍷

I love author Heather Gudenkauf. Came across one of her books once, and then read them all. This is her latest psychological thriller, and it was as wonderful as all her others; perhaps her best one yet (but I did love them all!) This novel is fast-paced and had me so nervous at times, that I had to close it after a chapter because I was afraid of what was coming next. Sometimes I could hardly breathe, like one of the characters. Her story moves along but then you’re surprised by the end. Gudenkauf astounds me with her writing. Now I have to wait until her next one, but I’ll be patient. The twisty tale builds with every turn to the story, the exciting story’s climax, and the satisfying ending. This thriller is so atmospheric! Three different timelies and all were equally as creepy! Each one being as captivating as the next! I was completely clueless as to how these could even tie in with each other...they seemed unrelated..but they must...right?!Potential villain in case owns and drives a snowplow that also randomly arrives at the author’s home on this night☑️

The girl didn’t think that was true, but then she opened her eyes, a sliver of bright sunshine was peeking around the shade, and the girl knew that morning had finally arrived.

Need Help?

They turned away from the sound and, hand in hand, ran through the dark farmyard toward the cornfield—its stalks, a tall, spindly forest, their only portal to safety. Shrewd readers or avid thriller fans will know this is probably not the last we see of this strange lady. However, your wheels will be turning trying to figure out who she and the boy are and the connection they may have to the brutal murders that took place over 20 years ago. You can try to figure it out, but I hazard to guess that Heather Gudenkauf may very well be one step ahead of you. 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.

This is one of my favorite types of thrillers. Multiple storylines and leaving it up to you, the reader/amateur armchair detective, to connect all the dots and just maybe figure out how it will all come together. Who’s up for the challenge?💁🏻‍♀️

There are two timelines and I enjoyed the earlier timeline the most. The present day timeline was interesting, for the most part, but towards the end of the story, I liked it less and less. Too many coincidences and dumb things done. But worst of all for me was Wiley. I didn't care for her hysterics (I'm not saying whether they were justified or not). Wiley doesn't seem very good at interacting with people and her voice acting made her come across as a shrill shrew. I felt like she'd be abrasive if I was reading the story so I think the narration would have worked better for me if the acting was toned down. Too much Wiley was not a good thing for me. 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. An isolated farmhouse, a deadly snowstorm, and a small child found in the snow - those are the ingredients for Gudenkauf's latest up-all-night thriller. Scrupulously plotted and layered with multiple narratives that culminate in some explosive surprises, The Overnight Guest is Gudenkauf at her best. A chilling and heart-stopping stunner." - Kimberly Belle 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.