63 pages 2 hours read

Heather Gudenkauf

The Overnight Guest

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 31-40Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 31 Summary: “August 2000”

Santos and Randolph convene in Randolph’s motel room the next morning. Santos calls the medical examiner and learns that William and Lynne were shot twice: first with a 9mm, then with a shotgun in the same wound. They speculate that the killer may have been trying to hide the type of weapons used, though Santos wonders if it does not indicate two shooters. Matthew, Caroline, and Josie return to the Doyle farm to do chores. Caroline goes with an officer to get some of Josie’s belongings out of the house while Josie and Matthew head to the barn, only to be waylaid by Margo. Margo corners Josie, grabbing her hand and trying to get information out of her. When Josie does not immediately answer, Margo turns her line of questioning to Ethan and his possible dubious intentions.

Josie tries to defend Ethan, but it becomes clear that Margo is not listening. Caroline and the police officer try to lead Margo away, but she grabs Josie’s uninjured arm hard enough to hurt her. Another deputy approaches, and the officers separate Margo and Josie, ushering Josie into a police cruiser. Josie hunkers down on the car’s floor until she hears Margo rush the car, trying to break into the back seat to talk to Josie.