The Overnight Guest

Written by Heather Gudenkauf

Narrated by Brittany Pressley

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Fully realized, wholly absorbing and almost painfully suspenseful...The journey is mesmerizing.” —New York Times

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

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.

Don’t miss Heather’s next page-turning thriller, THE PERFECT HOSTS!  


And don't miss these other great stories by Heather!

The Weight of Silence
These Things Hidden
Little Mercies
MIssing Pieces
Not a Sound
Before She Was Found
This is How I Lied
Everyone is Watching 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781488213502

Heather Gudenkauf

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

Reviews for The Overnight Guest

[Holly England · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I figured out most of the twists long before they happened but this is a solid thriller. Kept me listening and engaged from start to finish.

[Kate · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

First half was incredible- I felt like I was their in every scene. Second half didn’t make sense, it was lackluster, formulaic and dull.

[Lisa Gates · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The plot fell apart in the last half. The final scene was comically awful—where was the editor?? Reader was very good.

[Jackie Woodall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Suspenseful-clues dropped through out the story so you could figure out some of it.

[Marta Em · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed it, although I don't like such coincidences as in this book, it feels too far fetched but it was still an enjoyable read.

[v6hkgpr5jm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first chapters are good but then it gets boring and mediocre

[gkcgun · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It started out really strong, the mystery so intriguing, but unfortunately the excitement dwindled after a while and the story’s pace slowed down. It stretched too much towards the end before everything is revealed so that took away from the surprise.

The audio narration was really good though.

[iradove54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t put it down and had to go back and reread parts again!!!

[Danielle Jackson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the BEST books I’ve read. Love the time travel in the story telling and the various inside perspectives of each character. Highly recommend this title.

[Jason Doerr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought I had figured out the twist before it happened, but I was wrong. The twist had a twist!

[Rachelle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

probably the best book i’ve listened to this year! so good. my favorite voice actor as well. 10/10

[Emily Thompson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kept my heart racing the whole time! Loved this book!

[Heather Groom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

❄️ locked door mystery
❄️ multiple POV
❄️ dual timeline
❄️ unsolved crime
❄️ In Cold Blood vibes

I love a good mystery. One that keeps you on your toes, makes you change your mind a million times, and makes you go 'Ah-ha!'.

While I did guess some of the twists and mysteries along the way, the final killer reveal, I did not see coming. I think I pictured some people older than they actually were and didn't do the proper math with the past and present timeline, so it through off my guesses of the killer.

I loved the multiple points of view, giving just a little bit more information with each chapter until the POV came together to form the bigger picture.

The narrator is one of my favorites, Brittany Pressley. She has done multiple rom-coms and mytery/thrillers. She does a fantastic job with the suspense. I hung onto every word and stayed up way too late.

I love true crime and loved In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, detailing the gruesome murders of the Clutter family in Kansas in the 1950's. This story was so reminiscent of that event. My heart broke for Josie and losing her family and just wanting them to be taken to the hospital so they could be fixed.

This one will stay with me for quite some time!

[Michele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whoa, it took me a while to put all the pieces together, but once I did, I was blown away!

[Sarah C. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5/5. Loved the plot twists and the descriptiveness without being overly wordy. The characters were easy to follow even though there were a diverse cast of characters.

[Jessica Boody · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was the perfect mix of heartfelt and suspenseful!

[Timyia Davis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good book. It definitely kept me on edge. The end ended up being a bit predictable in my opinion, but I still enjoyed!

[Lorissa Stortz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book in a long time that had kept me so intrigued! I loved how there was so much going on with different characters and time lines!

[Sharron Keys-Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a really good story well written very interesting lots of surprises I will definitely read this author again

[Najma telola Gebril · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfect winter thriller read. The story kept me engaged till the final chapter . Although I felt the ending " after math" dragged a little.

[Clara Rivera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow.... just wow
I have to admit in the beginning I was so confused with the multiple stories going on but as I eventually went on it became more clearer as day and I must say it was intense and crazy but I loved it all!

[Allison Rattay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite books!! Had me hooked from the get go and couldn’t stop listening!!

[Sabrina Hale · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Couldn’t put it down (so to speak). So well written.

[Isa Owens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this! It reels you in and then gives you a twist just when you think you know who the killer is.

[Angela Ayers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was enthralling and kept me on edge! I’m looking for more now from this author. Well done, thank you.

[Beverly Brown · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I don't know why this book gets such good reviews. First half was OK but the second half was terrible. It was totally predictable and much of it is unrealistic in its dialogue and actions which felt completely unnatural and downright stupid at times. Huge disappointment. Don't waste your time. If you're insightful at all you'll only be frustrated by the end.

[dave gulzow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Liked the story, just amazing that a female author would demean women with such characters depicted here. Nobody could make as many dumb decisions as these characters, Too bad it stooped to this to enhance the story

[daniel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. It was the right amount of suspense and mystery for me.

[Audra Rose House · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the POVs in this book and the ending was great as well!

[Ashley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Absolutely loved it. Can’t wait to read her next book.