The Overnight Guest: A Novel

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf Well written, convoluted, torturous tale of three interconnected storylines that eventually converge to tell a horrific tale. Such stories have made headlines in the past and no doubt will continue to occur in the future but it is never easy to read them – whether true or fiction. Three storylines * Past: 2000 moving toward present tells of Becky and Josie spending a night together with horrific results. One girl loses her entire family and one girl disappears entirely. Thee police look, the families deal with the situation, and the mystery is believed to be unearthed but…it wasn’t really…not then * Present: a true crime author is on a deadline, is dealing with other issues including a teenage son and ex-husband, and also has the weight of her backstory from childhood hanging over her and weighing heavier every day. She has moved back to her childhood stomping grounds and that is not helping things. * The view of a child as she sees life from the basement with her mother…their story is grim and difficult with little hope for the future…but progress it does and eventually overlaps with the Present My Notes: * Well-written * Difficult to follow and keep track of at first * Ended up skimming to get it all figured out * Some will love it and others will probably not * Not sure that I enjoyed the three storylines way of telling the story * Was amazed by the strength of some of the characters * The truth coming out eventually was great but so much suffering was caused by one person – just doesn’t seem fair but then life is not always fair is it? * Noticed I skimmed the only other book I have read by this author so wonder if I will read another by her or not. * Grim atmosphere throughout with weather playing a part * Can see it as a movie, maybe, though not sure I would want to watch it. * Mixed feelings… Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing-Park Row for the ARC – This is my honest review. 3-4 Stars

I picked this book when I was getting it frequently in my instafeed Such a good book, so well scripted. Now I am having a book hangover. A good book always makes you feel like that...

Good book and keeps your attention