A confession: I am rapidly approaching 100% perfection on a completionism run of Stardew Valley, so I’ve been diving deep into audiobooks while I’m grinding away at the game. But, after starting the year with two romances, I decided it was time to get back to grittier works. And while The Overnight Guest isn’t quite a horror novel, it’s a suspense thriller that scratched a bit of the itch.
Note: If you’re sensitive to some topics, it’s probably a good idea to look up the trigger warnings on this one. It’s quite gruesome in a variety of ways at different points throughout the story. I skim over them a bit in the synopsis below, but there’s quite a bit.
The Premise:
The Overnight Guest is told in three storylines. In one story line, Wiley, a true crime writer has rented the scene of a crime for her newest novel. (Yes, this totally has some Sinister or Hush vibes.) It’s the middle of the winter and there’s a storm approaching, but Wiley doesn’t seem to mind – she needs the peace and quiet to focus on her writing. That is, until she discovers a little boy outside, freezing in the near-blizzard.
The second story line takes place in the past and tells of the gruesome homicide that occurred at the farm house Wiley is currently staying in. Years previous, during a sleepover, a young girl named Josie and her friend, Becky, are outside looking for the family dog when they hear gunshots coming from the house. And whoever has done the heinous deed is now chasing the girls through the cornfield looking for them. But when Josie looses Becky’s hand as they are running, she prays her friend found a place to hide.
And the third story weaves a tragic tale about a woman and her daughter, imprisoned by an abusive husband who doesn’t think twice to torture and starve them – and he certainly doesn’t let them leave the house.
And as these three tales interweave and collide, the Overnight Guest unfolds.
My Thoughts:
I have to admit that I was hooked right from the get-go. The synopsis for this book made it seem like it was Sinister meets No Exit told in the multiple timeline style I’ve come to love reading novels by Jennifer McMahon, and I can happily report that it delivered. While there were a few bits toward the end that kept it from being perfect for me, it was close enough that I was far from disappointed. (And for what it’s worth, it’s not Gudenkauf’s fault that I really dislike a specific ending trope that she used. It’s not personal. I just rarely enjoy it. But unfortunately, due to spoilers, I can’t tell you about it. )
Not only did this story twist and turn in satisfying ways that kept you guessing, but I truly struggled to put it down. I started it last night, listened to it until I went to bed, woke up, and put my headphones right back in. It was fast paced and cinematic, and I applaud Gudenkauf for handling the multiple storylines with a deft hand. (Sometimes, in these types of books, it can be clunky bouncing around, but that wasn’t the case with this one.)
Lasting Impressions:
I got through this entire book in less than 24 hours, during the work week, for a reason. It was a well crafted story that pulled you in and maintained tension in all the right spots. I think that it would make a fantastic film (and I really hope it gets enough attention for someone to buy the rights.) I’m very excited to take a look at other works by Gudenkauf and hopefully add her to the list of authors I read without question.
