True crime writer Wylie Lark likes to get right into the scene with her writing. She's actually staying at the location of several long ago murders as she finishes up her latest book. She's isolated herself from everyone and now there is a winter storm that shuts down travel. Power and telephone lines could be next. Not to worry, she has enough of everything she needs to last a few days before she'll need more supplies. There are two timelines and I enjoyed the earlier timeline the most. The present day timeline was interesting, for the most part, but towards the end of the story, I liked it less and less. Too many coincidences and dumb things done. But worst of all for me was Wiley. I didn't care for her hysterics (I'm not saying whether they were justified or not). Wiley doesn't seem very good at interacting with people and her voice acting made her come across as a shrill shrew. I felt like she'd be abrasive if I was reading the story so I think the narration would have worked better for me if the acting was toned down. Too much Wiley was not a good thing for me.

I figured out a lot of things before they were revealed but that isn't something I mind. The story had me interested mostly but the actions scenes towards the end of the book seemed so long and tedious. I guess this story wasn't a good fit for me but it's partly because it's a subgenre that I usually avoid. Thank you, Jayme, for letting me blather about this story, even though you read it long ago and don't remember it anymore. 😂 The way Gudenkauf paced out the reveals of each perspective, drawing them together into one unsettling conclusion, was so well done. It kept me completely engrossed. First, a crime that happened in the summer of 2000, involving two people being shot and two more going missing. The Overnight Guest is an atmospheric and gripping thriller about a missing teenage girl linked to a horrific crime and the true-crime writer who attempts to unravel the missing pieces. The Present: The small child who turns up outside the “Murder House” where Wylie is TEMPORARILY staying to pen her True Crime novel about the events that occurred there, will have a link that will help her to solve those very same crimes.As horrifying as this may sound to some, Wylie isn't concerned. She's got a fireplace and enough supplies to last her until the storm passes. Wylie wanted to talk to her son. She wanted to apologize for just taking off. She had been so frustrated with him, so tired of the arguments, of Seth pitting her ex-husband against her. And when he took off that night and didn’t come home–that was pure torture. She didn’t know where Seth was, who he was with, didn’t know if he was alive or dead. After her argument with her teenage son who decided to leave her alone to go to his father’s house, she finds herself working on the next true crime novel project, living secluded, isolated life! I would like to thank Heather Gudenkauf, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. Heather Gudenkauf writes a superb, captivating😉 thriller that just might keep you guessing throughout!

There is one more crucial storyline threaded into this book. But what kind of a friend would I be if I spilled the beans?! You’ll just have to let it unfold as you read along. No spoilers here!.🤫 Synopsis: 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 and complete silence are all she needs. I enjoy the use of separate story threads that eventually tie together, and it’s used very well here. We follow three timelines/events, and I found each one compelling. There were some twists I suspected, and a few that pleasantly surprised me. I found this to be gripping and fast-paced, going darker than I thought it would go. Wylie had taken the easy way out as a parent. Seth’s words had hurt her so much. He hated her, wanted to go live with his father. Wounded, she used finishing her book as an excuse, came to this sad, lonely place. I enjoyed this story and was particularly moved by the haunting atmosphere the author created. While one might have guessed some concepts, many were shed by revelations that indeed created the twists and turns of the tale.

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Had I realized that a third of the book would have a narrative that I steer clear of, because I don’t enjoy it…I would not have requested this book. But, I did, so, I won’t give spoilers on what that part of the story is, since it isn’t mentioned in the synopsis, and I will just share a brief description the other two narratives… Will she be able to protect the child, and herself, from the dangers lurking outside long enough to be able to reach help? Deeply unnerved, Wylie decides to concentrate on helping and connecting with the silent child in her home. Something extremely strange is going on, and she’s determined to protect him from whatever harm may come. But will her own fears hamper her when the crucial moment arrives?