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Heather Gudenkauf

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Heather Gudenkauf

Goodreads Author


Born
Wagner, South Dakota, The United States
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Member Since
June 2009


Heather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Overnight Guest and her most recent thriller Everyone is Watching. Her debut novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant NYT bestseller and remained on the list for 22 weeks. Gudenkauf’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 25 countries and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Her books have been featured on many Best Of roundups including lists by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Amazon, Apple Books, GoodReads, and more. Her eleventh novel, The Perfect Hosts will be released on November 4, 2025. Heather lives in Iowa with her family.

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Heather Gudenkauf I'm working on the revisions to an upcoming locked door thriller set during the middle of a snowstorm. It's interspersed with a true crime account of …moreI'm working on the revisions to an upcoming locked door thriller set during the middle of a snowstorm. It's interspersed with a true crime account of a missing teenager. I can't wait to share it with readers.(less)
Heather Gudenkauf I got the idea for THIS IS HOW LIED from all the cases in the news as of late that have been reopened or solved because of advances in technology. I r…moreI got the idea for THIS IS HOW LIED from all the cases in the news as of late that have been reopened or solved because of advances in technology. I read I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK by Michelle McNamara a few years ago and was absolutely fascinated by the thought of a decades old mystery being solved. From there, Eve, Maggie and Nola and their stories emerged.(less)
Average rating: 3.92 · 395,800 ratings · 40,974 reviews · 24 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Overnight Guest

4.02 avg rating — 141,248 ratings — published 2022 — 36 editions
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The Weight of Silence

3.95 avg rating — 49,708 ratings — published 2008 — 75 editions
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These Things Hidden

3.88 avg rating — 40,908 ratings — published 2011 — 48 editions
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Everyone Is Watching

3.64 avg rating — 32,580 ratings — published 2024 — 18 editions
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This Is How I Lied

3.82 avg rating — 27,133 ratings — published 2020 — 16 editions
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Before She Was Found

3.91 avg rating — 21,617 ratings — published 2019 — 14 editions
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Little Mercies

4.05 avg rating — 18,873 ratings — published 2014 — 28 editions
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One Breath Away

3.99 avg rating — 18,987 ratings — published 2012 — 41 editions
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Not a Sound

3.90 avg rating — 18,400 ratings — published 2017 — 26 editions
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Missing Pieces

3.77 avg rating — 14,321 ratings — published 2016 — 31 editions
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Right Behind You
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by Lisa Gardner (Goodreads Author)
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Precious and Grace
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News of the World
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Heather Gudenkauf rated a book it was amazing
The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle
The Paris Widow
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What's better than a book set in Paris? A thriller book by Kimberly Belle set in Paris! THE PARIS WIDOW had me captivated at page one and held on tight until the very end. A must read! ...more
Heather Gudenkauf rated a book it was amazing
What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda
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Kaira Rouda has done it again! I was absolutely enthralled by WHAT THE NANNY SAW. Rouda has the enviable ability to create the most duplicitous characters that we love to hate. Fast-paced and twisty, WHAT THE NANNY SAW is not to be missed.
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Quotes by Heather Gudenkauf  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“But you know all about that, being sorry and having no words to say something when you know you should but you just can't”
Heather Gudenkauf, The Weight of Silence

“Having a little girl has been like following an old treasure map with the important paths torn away.”
Heather Gudenkauf, The Weight of Silence

“We're always one breath away from something, living or dying, sometimes it just can't be helped.”
Heather Gudenkauf, One Breath Away

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Paranormal Romanc...: October 2009 Reading Challenge 928 986 Nov 16, 2009 12:30PM  
The Next Best Boo...: Lyn - Frequent Flyer 8 105 Jan 14, 2010 01:29PM  
“Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words.”
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“Books became her friends, and there was one for every mood.”
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“The world was hers for the reading.”
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, The Teaching of Buddha

“Let your fiction grow out of the land beneath your feet.”
Willa Cather

1003230 Behind the Pages with The Traveling Sisters — 220 members — last activity Sep 01, 2021 02:53AM
Brenda and Lindsay from The Traveling Sisters Book Reviews host the Q & A with authors Our Blog https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com We invited e ...more
25x33 Q&A with Author Pam Jenoff — 13 members — last activity Sep 09, 2011 10:27AM
Come chat with Pam Jenoff about The Things We Cherished and her other books!
72443 Heather Gudenkauf Fan Club — 38 members — last activity May 29, 2017 09:03PM
Heather Gudenkauf is a masterful author. Her books are poignant, detailed, and expressive portraits of a vast range of characters. Her work gifts insi ...more
208421 Literaturelovers — 3 members — last activity Apr 04, 2020 10:08PM
This group is for people who love literature.
128093 Dubuque Virtual Book Club — 104 members — last activity Feb 22, 2024 07:08AM
A place where Dubuquers can share and talk about the books (and audiobooks!) they love and connect with other readers. This group is moderated by libr ...more
23787 Desperate BookJunkies — 342 members — last activity Aug 15, 2023 07:53PM
Mainly Fiction based but we invite anyone who has a passion for reading and is always wondering WHAT SHOULD I READ NEXT!? We encourage sharing your ow ...more
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Comments (showing 1-19)    post a comment »
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Stephanie Fitzgerald Thanks, Heather!😃


message 18: by Laura

Laura Jennifer D. wrote: "Hello! I just wanted to check in with you to find out if you have a new book coming out soon? I am anxiously waiting to see what you will come up with next!"


Yes! Me too!


message 17: by Donna

Donna I love all your books. I'd be honored to win one on Good Reads someday. You are a brilliant writer and one of my very favorite authors.
God Bless.
Donna


message 16: by Cheryl

Cheryl Harflett Hi Heather! First off let me just say I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! You have such a gift for making me feel every little thing your characters are feeling or emoting. Your writing is so incredibly powerful, you are a gift to the literary world!!

I am currently doing a "book challenge" and one of the items on the list is to read a book recommended by an author you love. So......what do you recommend I read? What is a book that you really enjoyed?


message 15: by Dale

Dale Thele Heather, thank you for accepting my friend request.
I've downloaded and look forward to reading Little Lies.
Wishing you the very best!


Jennifer D. Hello! I just wanted to check in with you to find out if you have a new book coming out soon? I am anxiously waiting to see what you will come up with next!


Kristine Davila heather do you have an upcoming novel? thank you for endowing us a good book, always...


Aoibhínn Hi Heather. Thanks for accepting the friends request. I love all your books! When is your next one coming out?


message 11: by Heather

Heather Gudenkauf Connie wrote: "Heather, thank you for accepting my friend request. I have just completed The Weight of Silenceand truly loved it. Calli was so alive for me from page one! All of the characters were important to m..."

You are welcome! Thanks for your kind words!

Heather


message 10: by Ava Catherine (last edited Dec 04, 2012 09:48PM)

Ava Catherine Heather, thank you for accepting my friend request. I have just completed The Weight of Silenceand truly loved it. Calli was so alive for me from page one! All of the characters were important to me, but Calli leapt from the pages of the book and walked around with me. Thank you for such a stunning book that highlights a very real problem for some of our children and mothers. I look forward to reading your other books.


message 9: by Donna

Donna Heather,
Thank you for friending me on Goodreads. I just finished reading One Breath Away. It was a real page turner. I couldn't put it down until I got through with it. I am now reading These Hidden Things.
Donna


Samantha Sellers Can't wait until tomorrow to get the new book! I already have it pre ordered on my nook. Heather, you sure are doing a wonderful job in keeping me interested in ready. If it weren't for Kristin Hannah, Nicholas Sparks, and you there would be a lot of searching for books.....I know without a doubt if the 3 of you write something, it is going to be wonderful!!!


Shannon Rochester It's funny. When I read These Things Hidden, I was living in Las Vegas and had no idea that my husband was about to get offered a job in Iowa. I just finished The Weight of Silence and it was very cool reading about places that I now know about. :)


Samantha Sellers I can't wait until Friday to get my book!! I am excited that they decided to release it this week instead of next week!! Hope you are taking a little bit of time to breath Heather!!!!


Heather Gudenkauf Harlequin Books wrote: "Hello, it is nice to meet you. :)"

Hello - it's wonderful to meet you!


message 4: by Annie

Annie Hi, great to meet you too!


Harlequin Books Hello, it is nice to meet you. :)


Heather Gudenkauf Brittany wrote: "The Weight of Silence was a phenomenal book! I hope to read some more of your work soon :) "

Thanks Brittany!


Brittany The Weight of Silence was a phenomenal book! I hope to read some more of your work soon :)


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