Heather Gudenkauf's The Overnight Guest receives praise for its gripping plot and atmospheric suspense, keeping readers engrossed with tight pacing and twists. Criticisms focus on occasional predictability and less developed secondary characters. Overall, the novel succeeds in delivering a satisfying and entertaining thriller experience.

Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with intricate plots and dark secrets will find The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf captivating. Fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train will appreciate how Gudenkauf weaves suspense and mystery into a chilling narrative.

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf is a thriller set in rural Iowa, where true-crime writer Wylie Lark rents a farmhouse that witnessed a gruesome crime 20 years earlier. During a snowstorm, Wylie discovers an abandoned child outside and, while seeking to protect them, confronts her own past traumas. The novel spans multiple timelines, revealing interwoven mysteries and connections. This novel features depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence, murder, child endangerment, miscarriage, and gun use.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Dark / Emotional / Unnerving

Heather Gudenkauf

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Chapters 1-10

The Overnight Guest Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-20

The Overnight Guest Chapters 11-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-30

The Overnight Guest Chapters 21-30 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 31-40

The Overnight Guest Chapters 31-40 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 41-Epilogue

The Overnight Guest Chapter 41-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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The Overnight Guest

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