THE OVERNIGHT GUEST

SYNOPSIS

In a snowstorm, the safest place is home. Or is it?

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. How long had the child been there? Where did he come from? 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.

 

Title: The overnight guest

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

Publisher: Park Row Books

Publication date: January 25, 2022

Heather Gudenkauf is the critically acclaimed author of several novels, including the New York Times bestseller The Weight of Silence. She lives in Iowa with her husband and children.

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REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

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.