The Overnight Guest

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Pages: 332

Other books: Everyone is Watching, Not a Sound, This is how I lied, Before She was Found

Star Rating = 1.5 Do Not Recommend/OK

Taken place in Burton, Iowa a writer named Wylie is busy trying to get her book finished. On this night of a crazy snow storm, she spots a child in the snow outside her house. Why would a child be out in the snow? Wylie runs to the child’s rescue to save them from the near death temperatures. She also discovers that the child was in a car wreck from the terrible storm but where is the driver? As she places the child in the house she goes out to see if she can find the driver but she is gone. Where did she go, how did she get up from a terrible crash and why would she run?

In this book, simultaneously a little girl is telling a story about how her parents were murdered in the same town. She tells the story in great detail and emotion. The night of the killing she was with her best friend, Becky. Her and Becky ran for their lives when they heard guns shots. Lost in the corn fields she lost her friend Becky. As the next morning came, she was found by police and discovered what had happened to her friend and family.

Another story is also being told in a journal format by a second little girl. She tells her story about being locked in a basement with her mother. Her father is abusive and all the little girl wants is a puppy. She knows nothing of the outside word just what books have taught her.

Towards the end of the book we see how these 3 stories intertwine. I enjoyed the way the author connected the stories but it wasn’t dramatic enough. It was missing something from the reveal of events. I couldn’t predict the fallout of the book but I knew something similar was going to play out which made me not want finish as fast as I could have.

I would give this book 1.5 stars. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone unless you are into thrillers and need something to pass the time.