The Night Visitors: A Novel

WINNER OF THE 2020 MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARDThe latest thriller from the internationally bestselling author of The Lake of Dead Languages and The Other Mother, a story of mistaken identities and missed chances, forgiveness, and vengeance.“Carol Goodman is, simply put, a stellar writer.”—Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of The Red HunterALICE gets off a bus in the middle of a snowstorm in Delphi, NY. She is fleeing an abusive relationship and desperate to protect...OREN, ten years old, a major Star Wars fan and wise beyond his years. Though Alice is wary, Oren bonds nearly instantly with...MATTIE, a social worker in her fifties who lives in an enormous run-down house in the middle of the woods. Mattie lives alone and is always available, and so she is the person the hotline always calls when they need a late-night pickup. And although according to protocol Mattie should take Alice and Oren to a local shelter, instead she brings them home for the night. She has plenty of room, she says. What she doesn't say is that Oren reminds her of her little brother, who died thirty years ago at the age of ten.But Mattie isn't the only one withholding elements of the truth. Alice is keeping her own secrets. And as the snowstorm worsens around them, each woman's past will prove itself unburied, stirring up threats both within and without.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Brilliantly conceived and executed...Goodman provides readers with that delicious frisson that comes from not knowing what will happen next.”

Library Journal

“Mary Higgins Clark Award-winner Goodman creeps us out.”

Lori Rader-Day, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of Under a Dark Sky

“You can always call upon Carol Goodman when you need an atmospheric and twisting tale. Full of half-truths and vengeful ghosts of the past, The Night Visitors will inspire readers to linger long into the night.”

Booklist

“Well-defined characters, including the marvelous Sister Martine, who runs a sanctuary for women in trouble; slowly building suspense; and an ending that pulls out all the stops make for a really good wintry read that’s reminiscent of Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. Best by firelight.”

From the Back Cover

Alice gets off a bus in the middle of a snowstorm in Delphi, New York. She is fleeing an abusive relationship and desperate to protect . . .Oren, ten years old, a major Star Wars fan and wise beyond his years. Though Alice is wary, Oren bonds nearly instantly with . . .Mattie, a social worker in her fifties, who lives in an enormous run-down house in the middle of the woods. Mattie lives alone and is always available, so she is the person the hotline always calls when someone needs a late-night pickup. And although according to protocol Mattie should take Alice and Oren to a local shelter, instead she brings them home for the night. She has plenty of room, she says. What she doesn’t say is that Oren reminds her of her little brother, who died almost thirty-five years ago at the age of ten.But Mattie isn’t the only one withholding elements of the truth. Alice is keeping her own secrets. And as the snowstorm worsens around them, each woman’s past will prove itself unburied, stirring up threats both within and without.

About the Author

Carol Goodman’s rich and prolific career includes novels such as The Widow’s House and The Night Visitor, winners of the 2018 and 2020 Mary Higgins Clark Award. Her books have been translated into sixteen languages. She lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.

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