New Release Book Review: The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

Title: The Overnight Guest

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

Published: February 2nd 2022

Publisher: HQ Fiction – US

Pages: 352

Genres:  Fiction, Contemporary, Crime, Thriller

RRP: $29.99

Rating: 4 stars

A woman receives an unexpected visitor during a deadly snowstorm in this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf.

She thought she was alone…

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. 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.

Review:

New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf presents The Overnight Guest. A chilling, addictive, page turning and intense thriller, The Overnight Guest is a story that will make your hair stand on end. Featuring three interwoven mysteries, each will send shock waves through your system.

The Overnight Guest encompasses three storylines that all intersect as the core mystery of this tale is unveiled. A pivotal character to this story is Wylie, a true crime writer who is stuck at a remote farmhouse during a dangerous snowstorm. The desolate farmhouse that Wylie is stuck at during the storm holds a dark and haunting history. Years ago, there was a murder at this house, which was closely followed by a missing persons case. Wylie is moved by the secrets that the house holds, along with her own ghosts of the past. The shock discovery of a young child in the snowstorm sends Wylie on a mission to find out the identity of this lost child. However, Wylie’s efforts are hampered by a stranger who is intent on retrieving the child. Will they survive the snowstorm?

With over eight books to her name, Heather Gudenkauf needs no introduction. A star in the contemporary thriller genre, The Overnight Guest is a clear example of this writer’s skill in delivering a top-notch mystery novel. I was sucked into Gudenkauf’s latest from page one and I didn’t feel my attention drop at any time with this one, it was a compelling read.

What I really loved about The Overnight Guest was the fact that the lead character in one of the three alternating storylines crafted by Gudenkauf was a true crime writer. I think this added a great spin to the story, it was a creative and transformative narrative. Setting wise this was brilliantly executed by Gudenkauf. I felt the cold winds, the chills, the snow crystals on my face and I was shaking in my boots while reading this one. It was the perfect book to read while sweltering through a humid week. I craved the cold and snowy weather depicted in The Overnight Guest. Gudenkauf did any excellent job of illuminating the chilly landscape in the novel, it was vivid, immersive and gripping. There was also a strong sense that there was nowhere to turn due to the isolation and remoteness of the main farmhouse setting base. It was a kind of alternative style locked room mystery novel. Gudenkauf definitely turns the mystery genre on its head with this chilly twisted thriller!

It was a clever move to integrate three different timelines and stories within this novel, as it really keeps the reader fully engaged. I know I was tricked, duped and battered by Gudenkauf’s compelling mystery. It was a great build to the end, with plenty of unexpected jolts, deviations and shockwaves along the way. I tried and failed to develop some theories around the circumstances of each tale, but I think it was all a little fruitless. I think it is best just to sit back and enjoy this suspenseful show, you won’t regret it!  

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf was published on 2nd February 2022 by HQ Fiction – US. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.

To learn more about the author of The Overnight Guest, Heather Gudenkauf, visit here.

*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.