Wylie Lark is a true crime writer working on finishing her newest book.  She finds herself snowed in at the isolated farmhouse where she is staying - the same farmhouse where two people were brutally murdered 20 years ago and from which a girl went missing without a trace.  As the storm worsens, Wylie discovers a small child in the snow and begins to search for answers.  

Twenty years ago, Josie Doyle and her friend Becky were witnesses to the brutal murder of Josie's parents.  Josie was able to hide in the corn field, but when she emerged in the morning she discovered her best friend had disappeared and she was all alone.  

This book was my first by Heather Gudenkauf and it surely won't be my last.  After writing this review I'm going to my library app and requesting all the books.  I really got pulled in to the story.  This story was told three points-of-view in two different time periods.  The back and forth did not bother me.  I do enjoy this type of storytelling.  I LOVED Josie's story and was excited when I figured out a twist about half way through.  The ending of the story was satisfying to me and I felt like everything was tied up.

I also enjoyed the fact that, although there were a few hard topics and gory descriptions, there was no bad language (that I remember), no overly graphic descriptions, and it was just a great read.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

I read this story all day yesterday as the snow was coming down and it was a great backdrop seeing as the weather in this book is a blizzard. Once started, I couldn’t put it down, the story is very addictive and easily one of the best mysteries I have read so far this year. There are 3 storylines going on here and they are all immensely suspenseful and of course all comes together with an explosive ending.

I forgot to send this. I apologize. I wasn't able to open this book. I tried everything so I didn't get a xhsnce to read it. That said. I've read several of the author's books and they're all great, so I would expect the same for this book.

The Overnight Guest is an excellent thriller. It sucked me in from page one and never let up. It isn’t one of those mile-a-minute stories. Better than that, it was well-plotted with enough character development to make the reader care and keep turning the pages. The narration of the murder of a young girl’s family and the disappearance of her best friend alternates between the happenings at the time the crimes were committed, a present day perspective and a third storyline. The story is well-told and highly recommended..

This book weaves in and out of differing timelines seamlessly, where it makes sense and isn't abrupt like I've seen others be. Very entertaining and highly recommend, but if you get creeped out easily, then don't read this alone before bed, or read it out of season.

Told in two time frames present and early 2000's, Wylie Lark is a writer, true crime, 
who is staying in an old secluded farmhouse in a small town in Iowa to finish her latest book. Her book is about the people that were murdered twenty years before in that very farmhouse and the young girl that had disappeared. During a snow and ice storm Wylie finds herself trapped in the old farm  house haunted by its secrets as well as her own. When Wylie finds a child lying in the snow she brings him into the house but Wylie soon learns that with this child comes danger. Twists and suspense throughout.  A little slow to start but picked up. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

This is a thriller in which a crime from the past is related to the current situation, The writing kept me in engaged. I really liked the plot and the book was exciting in a suspenseful way, The setting was perfect. I felt I was right there. Highly recommend.

This story gave me the creeps, but I loved the ending. It takes place in a small town over two timelines. To build the contrast even more, the "past" chapters take place in blistering summer, while the "present" chapters happen in the middle of a blizzard. The author does a great job of setting up the characters and making the story a chilling mystery.

This book kept me reading well past my bedtime. I really liked how the author used the alternating narrators with each chapter and the addition of the mysterious narrator for parts of the book really added to the plot.

The author did a great job at setting the scene and the atmosphere really added to the reading experience. A gripping, suspenseful, atmospheric read. Chilling.

Loved the atmosphere and snow setting which gave it an evermore spooky setting thin it already was,as well as the 3 difference perspectives that made the story flow in since away that lt had you question everything

A creepy, atmospheric thriller!

Wylie, a true crime writer, retreats to an old farmhouse to get some writing done. She doesn’t mind that she’s getting snowed in, thinking it’ll help her hunker down to write. What she does mind is the knock at the door and discovering a child outside in the snow. After bringing the child in, she tries to find answers about who this child is. She soon learns that someone is out there and willing to do whatever it takes to find them. 

A super fast read! Loved the atmosphere and snow setting. A good recommendation for anyone who is a fan of suspense!

One of the best reads in 2022 , has many twists some predictable but still very compelling.  Thanks netgalley.

The Overnight Guest was the perfect read over a snowy winter weekend! 

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.

I'll be honest, I figured out the catch in this book fairly early on, but I still loved the story and couldn't put it down until I confirmed my suspicions. A great thriller for 2022!!

Omg - the ending!!!! Once again Heather Gudenkauf has written an absolute must read page turner! I fall in love with each and every one of her main characters because they have a hidden determination that I admire.

This novel is a prime vehicle for Gudenhauf's talent for writing well crafted suspense. The drama and shear bone-chilling (in more ways than one) stark FEAR that this novel produced for the main character will have you recalling this book long after you have finished it. Personally I read hundreds of books a year and few (if any) have haunted me as this one did. Definitely will read anything this author produces! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

What a book...3 stories, mixed with 3 different timelines.   It was a very interesting read, and really kept me intrigued with the storyline.

There are certain trigger warnings which should be said, and if you think that this could trigger you, I definitely wouldn't read it;  some of these storylines comes through the pages and grabs you and holds on.

This wasn't the first book by Heather Gudenkauf that I read, and certainly won't be the last.

This was one of most anticipated books of the year, and I can honestly say, it lived up to he hype. I can’t say too much without giving it away, but I promise this book will leave you terrified and wanting more all the way up until the very end!

The premise for this one sounded very interesting but ultimately, it just wanted very good. The story was slow and boring at times. The story was told by 3 different characters throughout different time periods. The ending was not very believable. I have read many enjoyable books by this author but I didn't like this one.

This one was a little slow to get started for me. I ended up putting it down part way through. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Overnight Guest is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out The Overnight Guest today.