63 pages • 2 hours read
Heather GudenkaufThe Overnight Guest
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read The Overnight Guest?
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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt