The Night Guest

Hildur Knútsdóttir's The Night Guest is an eerie and ensnaring story set in contemporary Reykjavík that’s sure to keep you awake at night.

Iðunn is in yet another doctor's office. She knows her constant fatigue is a sign that something's not right, but practitioners dismiss her symptoms and blood tests haven't revealed any cause.

When she talks to friends and family about it, the refrain is the same — have you tried eating better? exercising more? establishing a nighttime routine? She tries to follow their advice, buying everything from vitamins to sleeping pills to a step-counting watch. Nothing helps.

Until one night Iðunn falls asleep with the watch on, and wakes up to find she’s walked over 40,000 steps in the night . . .

What is happening when she’s asleep? Why is she waking up with increasingly disturbing injuries? And why won’t anyone believe her?

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Published Sep 3, 2024

224 pages

Average rating: 6.15

80 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Kristin Rose
Sep 16, 2025
2/10 stars
A complete waste of time. What was this book about? What happened? Couldn’t tell you. 0 explanation for anything, pointless side stories. I should’ve DNF’d but I was hoping for a resolution. If you read this, prepare to be disappointed.
Lindsey Checker
Jan 21, 2026
8/10 stars
I'm surprised to be giving this book 4 stars, to be honest. It was bizarre and left all the loose ends, which I typically dislike. But it also set up the story in a way that left a few options for endings, all of which are intriguing.
This would make for a very good book club book. Short, nothing too fancy, kept me interested and left more questions than answers.
Surprisingly satisfying.
anne ducastel
Jan 08, 2026
10/10 stars
loved this chilling little gem of a story!
ceriene
May 14, 2025
5/10 stars
This was okay. Read it for the vibes, I suppose? Content warning for animal death
Margaret.n.f
Nov 28, 2024
9/10 stars
The ending was trippy and I think I get it but the handling of suspense was superb! Read this in a couple of hours!

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