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House of Glass
On the outside they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside they built the perfect lie.
A young nanny who plunged to her death, or was she pushed? A nine-year-old girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer. But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying?
Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny - in the midst of her parent's bitter divorce - and immediately stopped speaking. Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She never accepts clients under thirteen due to her own traumatic childhood, but Stella's mentor, a revered judge, believes Stella is the only one who can help.
From the moment Stella passes through the iron security gate and steps into the gilded, historic DC home of the Barclays, she realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she feared. And there's something eerie about the house itself: It's a plastic house, with not a single bit of glass to be found.
As Stella comes closer to uncovering the secrets the Barclays are desperate to hide, danger wraps around her like a shroud, and her past and present are set on a collision course in ways she never expected. Everyone is a suspect in the nanny's murder. The mother, the father, the grandmother, the nanny's boyfriend. Even Rose. Is the person Stella's supposed to protect the one she may need protection from?
A young nanny who plunged to her death, or was she pushed? A nine-year-old girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer. But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying?
Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny - in the midst of her parent's bitter divorce - and immediately stopped speaking. Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She never accepts clients under thirteen due to her own traumatic childhood, but Stella's mentor, a revered judge, believes Stella is the only one who can help.
From the moment Stella passes through the iron security gate and steps into the gilded, historic DC home of the Barclays, she realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she feared. And there's something eerie about the house itself: It's a plastic house, with not a single bit of glass to be found.
As Stella comes closer to uncovering the secrets the Barclays are desperate to hide, danger wraps around her like a shroud, and her past and present are set on a collision course in ways she never expected. Everyone is a suspect in the nanny's murder. The mother, the father, the grandmother, the nanny's boyfriend. Even Rose. Is the person Stella's supposed to protect the one she may need protection from?
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 6, 2024
About the author
Sarah Pekkanen
27 books5,640 followersI'm a #1 New York Times bestselling author of the upcoming HOUSE OF GLASS, which will be published August 6, 2024. The audiobook is narrated by Tony-awared winning singer/actress Laura Benanti.
My most recent novel, GONE TONIGHT, was hailed by Harlen Coben as "Jaw-dropping... A wild ride." The audiobook is narrated by actress Kate Mara.
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!
My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
My most recent novel, GONE TONIGHT, was hailed by Harlen Coben as "Jaw-dropping... A wild ride." The audiobook is narrated by actress Kate Mara.
I'm also the coauthor of four bestselling thrillers: THE GOLDEN COUPLE, THE WIFE BETWEEN US, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
I've written eight novels that are contemporary fiction, not thrillers: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON'T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. My linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled "All is Bright," and "Love, Accidentally."
When I'm not writing or spending time with my three kids, I'm a passionate advocate for rescue animals. I serve as Ambassador of RRSA India, a shelter and sanctuary for abused and injured street dogs and other animals in Anand, India. And I'm the founder of the nonprofit charity IndiaStreetPaws.com.
I also serve on the board of the International Thriller Writers. Readers and writers - come join us at Thrillerfest in NYC every spring!
Please find me on Insta and Facebook for more!
My website is www.sarahpekkanen.com
(Here on Goodreads, my policy is to only review books I really like. If I don't enjoy the book, I won't write about it - it's just my personal policy.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,423 reviews
May 12, 2024
“EVIL ISN’T MERELY A WORD-IT’S A TANGIBLE, DIMENSIONAL THING”
Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who suffers from “traumatic mutism”-she literally can no longer speak.
It all started after she witnessed the “possible murder” of her nanny Tina, in the midst of her parent's imminent divorce.
Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She usually refuses to accept clients under the age of thirteen due to a her own traumatic childhood.
But since she also suffered from “traumatic mutism” as a child, she seems best suited to find a way to reach Rose. Her job will be to determine which parent is better suited to be awarded full custody.
But that won’t be the only challenge.
Certain details surrounding Tina’s fall, lead the Police to have doubts about it being an accident, and although they have been unable to build a case against ANYONE -EVERYONE remains a suspect:
Beth Barclay-Rose’s mom
Ian Barclay-Rose’s dad
Harriett-Rose’s grandmother
and even Rose herself…
The Barclays have removed all of the GLASS in the home, after Rose started collecting sharp objects. And, Stella has discovered that this strangely formal, extremely intelligent little girl is hiding “The Stranger Beside Me” a book about the serial killer, Ted Bundy, within the covers of “Anne of Green Gables” …
Why are the Barclays so HESITANT to allow Stella to spend time alone with Rose?
“FEAR TAKES MANY FORMS. IT’S A GREAT MOTIVATOR and a POWERFUL DETERRENT “
I really enjoyed this book from the very first pages! The author created a sinister, disturbing atmosphere and a child you will feel leary of…
It’s a more linear mystery which DOESN’T rely on crazy twists, instead revealing its surprises as we become further invested. I prefer more plausible stories, and a chance to get to know the characters so it worked well for my tastes. I am always THRILLED when I find a book with an ORIGINAL PLOT in a genre filled with tired, repeated tropes.
I was satisfied with MOST of the resolution, and even got teary eyed at one point, but felt that one small aspect felt forced and contrived (-.5 for that!) That brings me to 4.5 rounded up.
It seems that Sarah Pekkanen will make my “favorites list” two years in a row! I have also enjoyed her collaborations with Greer Hendricks.
A buddy read with DeAnn, MarilynW and Mary Beth. Be sure to read their reviews for additional insight!
AVAILABLE August 6, 2024
THANK YOU to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who suffers from “traumatic mutism”-she literally can no longer speak.
It all started after she witnessed the “possible murder” of her nanny Tina, in the midst of her parent's imminent divorce.
Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She usually refuses to accept clients under the age of thirteen due to a her own traumatic childhood.
But since she also suffered from “traumatic mutism” as a child, she seems best suited to find a way to reach Rose. Her job will be to determine which parent is better suited to be awarded full custody.
But that won’t be the only challenge.
Certain details surrounding Tina’s fall, lead the Police to have doubts about it being an accident, and although they have been unable to build a case against ANYONE -EVERYONE remains a suspect:
Beth Barclay-Rose’s mom
Ian Barclay-Rose’s dad
Harriett-Rose’s grandmother
and even Rose herself…
The Barclays have removed all of the GLASS in the home, after Rose started collecting sharp objects. And, Stella has discovered that this strangely formal, extremely intelligent little girl is hiding “The Stranger Beside Me” a book about the serial killer, Ted Bundy, within the covers of “Anne of Green Gables” …
Why are the Barclays so HESITANT to allow Stella to spend time alone with Rose?
“FEAR TAKES MANY FORMS. IT’S A GREAT MOTIVATOR and a POWERFUL DETERRENT “
I really enjoyed this book from the very first pages! The author created a sinister, disturbing atmosphere and a child you will feel leary of…
It’s a more linear mystery which DOESN’T rely on crazy twists, instead revealing its surprises as we become further invested. I prefer more plausible stories, and a chance to get to know the characters so it worked well for my tastes. I am always THRILLED when I find a book with an ORIGINAL PLOT in a genre filled with tired, repeated tropes.
I was satisfied with MOST of the resolution, and even got teary eyed at one point, but felt that one small aspect felt forced and contrived (-.5 for that!) That brings me to 4.5 rounded up.
It seems that Sarah Pekkanen will make my “favorites list” two years in a row! I have also enjoyed her collaborations with Greer Hendricks.
A buddy read with DeAnn, MarilynW and Mary Beth. Be sure to read their reviews for additional insight!
AVAILABLE August 6, 2024
THANK YOU to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
February 26, 2024
Outlier Island
2.5 stars
House of Glass is a psychological thriller about an attorney who must determine the best living situation for a nine-year-old child caught in the middle of her parent's divorce. Adding fuel to the fire is the little girl might have murdered her nanny.
Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney, is assigned to evaluate which parent Rose Barclay should live with once her parent's divorce. Stella and Rose share in common that both suffered childhood trauma and experienced mutism, causing Stella to dig deeper into her trauma. Rose, however, expresses some scary behavior, including violent outbursts and collecting household items to use as weapons. As Stella spends time with the Barclay family, she finds herself in danger.
Rose is a creepy child whose behavior is alarming, to say the least. She also seems to have an obsession with collecting glass shards and other sharp objects. I would have liked more scenes with Rose. Stella, the primary narrator, has an interesting backstory, but her voice is flat.
The novel has some interesting things going for it--an intriguing premise, sinister characters, and a creepy mansion that serves as the backdrop for the drama. However, the narrative is uneven, the characters are erratic, and there is way too much telling vs. showing. A lot of superfluous details are woven in-- why do we need to have detailed descriptions of all of Stella’s meals? At times, it felt like these details were there to compensate for a lack of character development.
There are two main twists, both of which I partially guessed. This did not take away from my enjoyment, but the outcome of one of them had me rolling my eyes.
The ending was a bit OTT, and Stella's acceptance of a close friend's behavior had me asking some serious questions. It all wraps up nicely and too neatly.
What could have been a dramatic, sinister novel became just another thriller. On the plus side, House of Glass is an easy read that scored high for entertainment value. But ignore my rant and read other reviews.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
House of Glass is a psychological thriller about an attorney who must determine the best living situation for a nine-year-old child caught in the middle of her parent's divorce. Adding fuel to the fire is the little girl might have murdered her nanny.
Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney, is assigned to evaluate which parent Rose Barclay should live with once her parent's divorce. Stella and Rose share in common that both suffered childhood trauma and experienced mutism, causing Stella to dig deeper into her trauma. Rose, however, expresses some scary behavior, including violent outbursts and collecting household items to use as weapons. As Stella spends time with the Barclay family, she finds herself in danger.
Rose is a creepy child whose behavior is alarming, to say the least. She also seems to have an obsession with collecting glass shards and other sharp objects. I would have liked more scenes with Rose. Stella, the primary narrator, has an interesting backstory, but her voice is flat.
The novel has some interesting things going for it--an intriguing premise, sinister characters, and a creepy mansion that serves as the backdrop for the drama. However, the narrative is uneven, the characters are erratic, and there is way too much telling vs. showing. A lot of superfluous details are woven in-- why do we need to have detailed descriptions of all of Stella’s meals? At times, it felt like these details were there to compensate for a lack of character development.
There are two main twists, both of which I partially guessed. This did not take away from my enjoyment, but the outcome of one of them had me rolling my eyes.
The ending was a bit OTT, and Stella's acceptance of a close friend's behavior had me asking some serious questions. It all wraps up nicely and too neatly.
What could have been a dramatic, sinister novel became just another thriller. On the plus side, House of Glass is an easy read that scored high for entertainment value. But ignore my rant and read other reviews.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2024
I’m not going to lie- I was very hesitant to read this as the author’s previous book, “Gone Tonight” was not one of my favorites. However, Sarah Pekkanen redeemed herself with “House of Glass”, because I absolutely enjoyed everything about this book! The writing and the storyline were absolutely remarkable!
In this story we have Stella Hudson, who is appointed counsel for Rose Barclay. Rose is a nine year old girl whose parents are going through a bitter divorce, and she has also just witnessed the death of her nanny. During this traumatic time, Rose has developed traumatic mutism and she cannot speak. Stella can relate to Rose because when Stella was a young girl she witnessed the death of her mother, and then developed traumatic mutism herself.
Because Rose’s parents are divorcing, it is Stella’s job to spend time with Rose and her parents to see who would be the better parent for Rose to live with once they divorce. We have the wealthy, uptight Beth Barclay- her mother. Then there is Ian Barclay, more down to earth and not so wealthy- her father. We soon learn that Ian’s mother, Harriet has lived with the Barclay’s for several years and is witness to many events that has happened within the family.
Which brings us to the death of the nanny, Tina. Tina fell to her death through her third story bedroom window. Was she pushed? Was it an accident? Or was it suicide? And did Rose witness what really happened that night? Also why are the parents replacing all the glass in the house? Even the mirrors are being replaced…
This book had my attention from the first page all the way through until the last! I loved Stella’s character, and felt that everything and everyone else was so relatable and real. I’m so glad that I took a chance with this book, and I cannot wait to read Pekkanen’s next! I highly recommend this twisty thriller!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: August 6, 2024.
Genre~ Women’s Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
In this story we have Stella Hudson, who is appointed counsel for Rose Barclay. Rose is a nine year old girl whose parents are going through a bitter divorce, and she has also just witnessed the death of her nanny. During this traumatic time, Rose has developed traumatic mutism and she cannot speak. Stella can relate to Rose because when Stella was a young girl she witnessed the death of her mother, and then developed traumatic mutism herself.
Because Rose’s parents are divorcing, it is Stella’s job to spend time with Rose and her parents to see who would be the better parent for Rose to live with once they divorce. We have the wealthy, uptight Beth Barclay- her mother. Then there is Ian Barclay, more down to earth and not so wealthy- her father. We soon learn that Ian’s mother, Harriet has lived with the Barclay’s for several years and is witness to many events that has happened within the family.
Which brings us to the death of the nanny, Tina. Tina fell to her death through her third story bedroom window. Was she pushed? Was it an accident? Or was it suicide? And did Rose witness what really happened that night? Also why are the parents replacing all the glass in the house? Even the mirrors are being replaced…
This book had my attention from the first page all the way through until the last! I loved Stella’s character, and felt that everything and everyone else was so relatable and real. I’m so glad that I took a chance with this book, and I cannot wait to read Pekkanen’s next! I highly recommend this twisty thriller!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: August 6, 2024.
Genre~ Women’s Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers
July 1, 2024
I can honestly say that after seeing so many raving five-star reviews and intriguing whodunit, claustrophobic plot lines from one of my auto-approved thriller authors, I raised my expectations level a notch more for an earth-shattering reading experience. However, I think I'm a little disappointed due to my exaggerated excitement levels. Perhaps it's related to using a child as an object of the murder plot that made me irritated.
I'm not saying you're going to read something like that. In this book, everyone is a suspect, and each of them has their motives, which is the main element of the story that keeps readers' excitement intact.
The plot revolves around the suspicious murder of the young nanny, Tina de la Cruz, who was taking care of the 9-year-old Rose. She had an affair with her father, Ian Barclay, and got pregnant. She's pushed down from the window, or she accidentally fell down. There are four people who witnessed the incident, as the case is presumed an accident.
The husband, Ian, who had an affair with the girl and had a motive to get rid of her to save his marriage; the wife, Beth Barclay, who seemed to have glass phobia after the incident and may have acted with jealousy and lost control; the mother-in-law, Harriet, who is staying with them for her injured leg, always choosing her daughter-in-law over her son and has every intention to protect the family; and the little Rose, who is suffering from mutism after the incident, is a closed box, an enigma, lately having problems with her nanny. Could this little girl also have violent tendencies?
Stella Hudson, who is recently divorced, a successful lawyer serving as counsel in custody cases, attended the case to decide what will be in the best interest of little Rose. She's the best candidate because, just like Rose, she also lost her voice when she was little after seeing her mother dead. Could she reveal the secrets the Barclays buried to help Rose, or did she already put her life in danger in the expanse of digging out the truth?
This whodunit theme, by putting each of the suspects on the spot, pushes you to make guesses. The worst part for me: I found the perpetrator too early. I also found the other revelation about Stella's life, which was obvious from the beginning, a little earlier. Those facts killed my excitement.
I also think the execution is a little long as it is combined with a trauma victim lawyer's inner turmoil, self-exploration to dig out her mother's mysterious case as she finds herself engaged more with the little girl who has been through the same tragic process. But instead of that, she finds herself experiencing the same process that the dead victim endured, such as threats, pranks, missing objects. At some parts, we feel like we're stuck with the grief of Stella a little more, which affects our concentration on the main case: what happened to Tina, which family member was involved in the situation?
I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars; finally, I rounded up 3.5 stars to 4 for some smart explanations and the idea of the claustrophobic whodunit theme. But I can honestly say I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other works of the author. I expected some more "I never see it coming" twists. But they never came. I hope I'm going to love Pekkanen's next book more. She's one of the most brilliant thriller authors.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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I'm not saying you're going to read something like that. In this book, everyone is a suspect, and each of them has their motives, which is the main element of the story that keeps readers' excitement intact.
The plot revolves around the suspicious murder of the young nanny, Tina de la Cruz, who was taking care of the 9-year-old Rose. She had an affair with her father, Ian Barclay, and got pregnant. She's pushed down from the window, or she accidentally fell down. There are four people who witnessed the incident, as the case is presumed an accident.
The husband, Ian, who had an affair with the girl and had a motive to get rid of her to save his marriage; the wife, Beth Barclay, who seemed to have glass phobia after the incident and may have acted with jealousy and lost control; the mother-in-law, Harriet, who is staying with them for her injured leg, always choosing her daughter-in-law over her son and has every intention to protect the family; and the little Rose, who is suffering from mutism after the incident, is a closed box, an enigma, lately having problems with her nanny. Could this little girl also have violent tendencies?
Stella Hudson, who is recently divorced, a successful lawyer serving as counsel in custody cases, attended the case to decide what will be in the best interest of little Rose. She's the best candidate because, just like Rose, she also lost her voice when she was little after seeing her mother dead. Could she reveal the secrets the Barclays buried to help Rose, or did she already put her life in danger in the expanse of digging out the truth?
This whodunit theme, by putting each of the suspects on the spot, pushes you to make guesses. The worst part for me: I found the perpetrator too early. I also found the other revelation about Stella's life, which was obvious from the beginning, a little earlier. Those facts killed my excitement.
I also think the execution is a little long as it is combined with a trauma victim lawyer's inner turmoil, self-exploration to dig out her mother's mysterious case as she finds herself engaged more with the little girl who has been through the same tragic process. But instead of that, she finds herself experiencing the same process that the dead victim endured, such as threats, pranks, missing objects. At some parts, we feel like we're stuck with the grief of Stella a little more, which affects our concentration on the main case: what happened to Tina, which family member was involved in the situation?
I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars; finally, I rounded up 3.5 stars to 4 for some smart explanations and the idea of the claustrophobic whodunit theme. But I can honestly say I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other works of the author. I expected some more "I never see it coming" twists. But they never came. I hope I'm going to love Pekkanen's next book more. She's one of the most brilliant thriller authors.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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January 22, 2024
3.5 STARS rounded UP
The first half was such a page turner and this is why I'll be rounding up!
I had such high hopes and was getting all the eerie house type of vibes. I was so intrigued, then the second half shifted gears and the execution failed me! There was a lot of Stella and her background as a child, her trauma and inner thoughts. It became a subplot that slowed the pace down and took away from the main mystery of what happened to the nanny.
There are some intense moments that propelled the story, some good Deja vu moments that had me guessing wildly, but the wrap up was too convenient and didn't really give me that fist bump moment I was anticipating.
I still enjoyed so will round up on this 3.5 STAR review!
Thanks to NG for my early copy! OUT on August 6, 2024
The first half was such a page turner and this is why I'll be rounding up!
I had such high hopes and was getting all the eerie house type of vibes. I was so intrigued, then the second half shifted gears and the execution failed me! There was a lot of Stella and her background as a child, her trauma and inner thoughts. It became a subplot that slowed the pace down and took away from the main mystery of what happened to the nanny.
There are some intense moments that propelled the story, some good Deja vu moments that had me guessing wildly, but the wrap up was too convenient and didn't really give me that fist bump moment I was anticipating.
I still enjoyed so will round up on this 3.5 STAR review!
Thanks to NG for my early copy! OUT on August 6, 2024
June 10, 2024
I gobbled this right up in two days! Talk about a great suspenseful story! Bravo Sarah Pekkanen!
A nanny has fallen to her death out of a window at the Barclay’s residence. A very wealthy couple who are going through a divorce with a nasty custody battle of their nine year old daughter, Rose. Stella Hudson has been appointed to represent Rose during the custody battle, looking out for her best interests.
Was Tina, the nanny murdered or did she fall during a terrible accident?
Man OH MAN, did I blow through this! Stella’s character is driven and stops at nothing to find out just what happened in that creepy freaking house. As she starts discovering, something is wickedly wrong with Rose! You know how some books portray evil kids in a very annoying way? Not here! Pekkanen does a splendid job throughout the book. Her writing is excellent and is superb at sucking the reader in!
Everyone in the house is a suspect! Who did it and why?
This is somewhat of a slow burn but HIGHLY SUSPENSEFUL in the process! Brilliant and wickedly good! I highly recommend you add this little number to your TBR!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’d like to give a massive thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Sarah Pekkanen for the opportunity!
Expected publication date August 6, 2024
A nanny has fallen to her death out of a window at the Barclay’s residence. A very wealthy couple who are going through a divorce with a nasty custody battle of their nine year old daughter, Rose. Stella Hudson has been appointed to represent Rose during the custody battle, looking out for her best interests.
Was Tina, the nanny murdered or did she fall during a terrible accident?
Man OH MAN, did I blow through this! Stella’s character is driven and stops at nothing to find out just what happened in that creepy freaking house. As she starts discovering, something is wickedly wrong with Rose! You know how some books portray evil kids in a very annoying way? Not here! Pekkanen does a splendid job throughout the book. Her writing is excellent and is superb at sucking the reader in!
Everyone in the house is a suspect! Who did it and why?
This is somewhat of a slow burn but HIGHLY SUSPENSEFUL in the process! Brilliant and wickedly good! I highly recommend you add this little number to your TBR!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’d like to give a massive thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Sarah Pekkanen for the opportunity!
Expected publication date August 6, 2024
March 6, 2024
I read this in less than 24 hours because it was that good. I had even been in a reading slump - and the second I picked this up, I was hooked!! There's nothing like a good creepy kid story to really get your heart racing, you know?
The twists and turns in this story aren't what I expected, but they also aren't unbelievable. At any moment, I was getting the information I needed to keep me interested, and that's always the mark of a good thriller for me: spectacular pacing.
Never did my mind wander. Everything felt important, and I truly enjoyed this one! I'll definitely be grabbing a trophy copy for my shelves as soon as it comes out!
**Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
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The twists and turns in this story aren't what I expected, but they also aren't unbelievable. At any moment, I was getting the information I needed to keep me interested, and that's always the mark of a good thriller for me: spectacular pacing.
Never did my mind wander. Everything felt important, and I truly enjoyed this one! I'll definitely be grabbing a trophy copy for my shelves as soon as it comes out!
**Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
June 15, 2024
The novel begins with Stella, a passionate advocate, diving into the case of Rose, a mute nine-year-old girl caught in a custody dispute. There are many secrets that need uncovering to protect Rose from being placed with the wrong parent.
The eerie mansion setting gives off those spooky vibes, even though it's not exactly a haunted house. Sarah, the author, does a fantastic job leading readers in one direction, only to surprise us with a clever twist. The plot keeps you on your toes, and I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook. The narration was absolutely top-notch, making the story even more captivating.
A big shoutout to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me enjoy and review this fantastic audiobook. If you're into mystery and intrigue with a twisty plot, this one's for you!
The eerie mansion setting gives off those spooky vibes, even though it's not exactly a haunted house. Sarah, the author, does a fantastic job leading readers in one direction, only to surprise us with a clever twist. The plot keeps you on your toes, and I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook. The narration was absolutely top-notch, making the story even more captivating.
A big shoutout to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me enjoy and review this fantastic audiobook. If you're into mystery and intrigue with a twisty plot, this one's for you!
June 20, 2024
3.5🌟
Stella Hudson is an attorney assigned to nine year old Rose. Rose's parents are going through a bitter divorce, both demanding sole custody of their beloved daughter. Stella has the most difficult task of determining what’s in Rose’s best interest.
Just to complicate things further, there is an additional issue.
The family’s nanny recently fell out of a second-floor window with dear Rose looking on. And she hasn’t spoken a word since.
As Stella digs deeper into Rose’s life she realizes this is a family harboring a host of secrets and she needs to tread carefully as she continues uncovering more lies!
I’ve been a huge fan of this author but this latest just failed to capture my interest. Was it the storyline? The characters? Though I had both digital and audio copy I chose the audio for the majority of the book. I wasn’t overly impressed with the narrator's performance and perhaps that distracted me from the book itself.🤷🏻♀️
Since I’m such a dedicated fan of this author I will be watching for her next offering. Maybe I’ll just stick with a digital copy!
A buddy 🎧 with Susanne
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio
Stella Hudson is an attorney assigned to nine year old Rose. Rose's parents are going through a bitter divorce, both demanding sole custody of their beloved daughter. Stella has the most difficult task of determining what’s in Rose’s best interest.
Just to complicate things further, there is an additional issue.
The family’s nanny recently fell out of a second-floor window with dear Rose looking on. And she hasn’t spoken a word since.
As Stella digs deeper into Rose’s life she realizes this is a family harboring a host of secrets and she needs to tread carefully as she continues uncovering more lies!
I’ve been a huge fan of this author but this latest just failed to capture my interest. Was it the storyline? The characters? Though I had both digital and audio copy I chose the audio for the majority of the book. I wasn’t overly impressed with the narrator's performance and perhaps that distracted me from the book itself.🤷🏻♀️
Since I’m such a dedicated fan of this author I will be watching for her next offering. Maybe I’ll just stick with a digital copy!
A buddy 🎧 with Susanne
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio
July 8, 2024
Full RTC..
It was my first time reading Sarah Pekkanen. A twisted family with secrets, I found House of Glass a dark and twisted story, well-paced, chilling, creepy, full of taut, suspense-filled, riveting moments and had me on the edge of my seat. l liked how the author let us see the insight of 9-year-old Rose with secrets and uncontrollable dark impulses that are downright creepy and terrifying. I paired my e-ARC with ALC, which Laura Benanti narrated. It was my first time listening to her. She did a fantastic job narrating, bringing a distinctive voice to the main and supporting characters.
I look forward to reading more of Sarah Pekkanen's books. I highly recommend you grab a copy; you won’t be disappointed. The author's prose was so vividly descriptive that I felt like I was right there as an observer watching the twisted story unfold. I had difficulty putting it down— I stayed up all night listening spellbound.
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing an e-ARC and ALC of House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
It was my first time reading Sarah Pekkanen. A twisted family with secrets, I found House of Glass a dark and twisted story, well-paced, chilling, creepy, full of taut, suspense-filled, riveting moments and had me on the edge of my seat. l liked how the author let us see the insight of 9-year-old Rose with secrets and uncontrollable dark impulses that are downright creepy and terrifying. I paired my e-ARC with ALC, which Laura Benanti narrated. It was my first time listening to her. She did a fantastic job narrating, bringing a distinctive voice to the main and supporting characters.
I look forward to reading more of Sarah Pekkanen's books. I highly recommend you grab a copy; you won’t be disappointed. The author's prose was so vividly descriptive that I felt like I was right there as an observer watching the twisted story unfold. I had difficulty putting it down— I stayed up all night listening spellbound.
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing an e-ARC and ALC of House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 27, 2024
Gripping, shocking, twisted, and full of suspects!
The Barclays are a wealthy family living in a historic luxurious DC home. Things appear picture perfect until their Nanny dies after falling out their attic window. Stella, an attorney, is called in to determine who is a victim and to advocate for nine-year-old, Rose who is not speaking but witnessed her Nanny fall out the window. Not only is Rose not speaking, but she has been collecting sharp objects and pieces of glass. During her investigation, Stella learns the many secrets that the divorcing family is hiding. Who is responsible for the Nanny's death? Who has the most to hide? Who knows the truth?
House of Glass is full of secrets, lies, deception, hidden motivations, suspense, tension, and danger. I had a great time doing my own super sleuthing trying to determine whodunit! I enjoyed the feeling of unease that flowed throughout the book while not knowing who could be trusted.
I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and loved how the tension built throughout the book. I also enjoyed the something-isn't-quite-right feeling that Sarah Pekkanen expertly created in this book. Rose is a fabulously drawn character. I kept changing my thoughts on her throughout the book. Pekkanen kept me on my toes, turning the pages and fully invested in the plot.
Gripping, thrilling, shocking, and suspenseful!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
The Barclays are a wealthy family living in a historic luxurious DC home. Things appear picture perfect until their Nanny dies after falling out their attic window. Stella, an attorney, is called in to determine who is a victim and to advocate for nine-year-old, Rose who is not speaking but witnessed her Nanny fall out the window. Not only is Rose not speaking, but she has been collecting sharp objects and pieces of glass. During her investigation, Stella learns the many secrets that the divorcing family is hiding. Who is responsible for the Nanny's death? Who has the most to hide? Who knows the truth?
House of Glass is full of secrets, lies, deception, hidden motivations, suspense, tension, and danger. I had a great time doing my own super sleuthing trying to determine whodunit! I enjoyed the feeling of unease that flowed throughout the book while not knowing who could be trusted.
I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and loved how the tension built throughout the book. I also enjoyed the something-isn't-quite-right feeling that Sarah Pekkanen expertly created in this book. Rose is a fabulously drawn character. I kept changing my thoughts on her throughout the book. Pekkanen kept me on my toes, turning the pages and fully invested in the plot.
Gripping, thrilling, shocking, and suspenseful!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
June 19, 2024
"The menace twines greedily around me, as if seeking a new host. It wraps me in a vise so tight I feel nailed to the chair."
That quote from this book describes my reading experience perfectly. Talk about a page-turner! 👀
Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney that works with kids whose parents are divorcing. It's up to her to decide what is best for the child and to which parent is granted custody. She's about to get a case like no other.
Meet the Barclays: Beth, Ian, Rose, and grandmother Harriet. Beth and Ian are divorcing and both are demanding full custody of nine year old Rose. They choose to remain living together within the walls of their opulent home since Rose experienced a traumatic experience. She witnessed her Nanny fall from a third floor window tragically to her death. She hasn't spoken a word since then.
Was it an accident? Was it suicide? Or was it murder? You'll have to read this to find out.
Holy creepy kid alert. 😨 Yikes! I've always been a fan of the creepy kid trope and this one was done exceptionally.
Pekkanen nailed the menacing atmosphere. My anxiety level was at a 10 for most of the book . Except for Stella no one at all seemed trustworthy. All were lying and keeping secrets and I couldn't tear my eyes away.
Along with the story of Rose and the dead Nanny we get the back story on Stella who also suffered traumatic mutism as a child which makes her ideal for taking on the case. Throughout the book we learn of Stella's tragic past and while I know this helps us get a better understanding into Stella's character I just didn't find it nearly as interesting as the Barclay's story which had me fully captivated. That's a very small complaint though because this book is truly outstanding otherwise. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
That quote from this book describes my reading experience perfectly. Talk about a page-turner! 👀
Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney that works with kids whose parents are divorcing. It's up to her to decide what is best for the child and to which parent is granted custody. She's about to get a case like no other.
Meet the Barclays: Beth, Ian, Rose, and grandmother Harriet. Beth and Ian are divorcing and both are demanding full custody of nine year old Rose. They choose to remain living together within the walls of their opulent home since Rose experienced a traumatic experience. She witnessed her Nanny fall from a third floor window tragically to her death. She hasn't spoken a word since then.
Was it an accident? Was it suicide? Or was it murder? You'll have to read this to find out.
Holy creepy kid alert. 😨 Yikes! I've always been a fan of the creepy kid trope and this one was done exceptionally.
Pekkanen nailed the menacing atmosphere. My anxiety level was at a 10 for most of the book . Except for Stella no one at all seemed trustworthy. All were lying and keeping secrets and I couldn't tear my eyes away.
Along with the story of Rose and the dead Nanny we get the back story on Stella who also suffered traumatic mutism as a child which makes her ideal for taking on the case. Throughout the book we learn of Stella's tragic past and while I know this helps us get a better understanding into Stella's character I just didn't find it nearly as interesting as the Barclay's story which had me fully captivated. That's a very small complaint though because this book is truly outstanding otherwise. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
April 29, 2024
Rose, a nine-year-old girl witnessed the possible murder of her nanny and immediately stopped speaking. Her parents are divorcing and Stella, a best interest attorney, is appointed to serve as counsel for Rose in the bitter custody battle.
Stella quickly realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she imagined.
And there's something creepy about the house itself: there’s not a single shard of glass to be found: all glass was replaced by plastic.
Stella has quite a complicated past herself when she witnessed her mother’s death when she was a child, and also suffered from traumatic mutism. Which makes her the perfect person to relate to Rose.
Everyone in the house is a suspect, and everyone is lying. As Rose uncovers secrets she’s also forced to confront her own past.
This was an interesting premise that kept me guessing. A fun read, even if I did have to set aside some issues I had with the story, so a 4 star from me.
* I received a digital copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Stella quickly realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she imagined.
And there's something creepy about the house itself: there’s not a single shard of glass to be found: all glass was replaced by plastic.
Stella has quite a complicated past herself when she witnessed her mother’s death when she was a child, and also suffered from traumatic mutism. Which makes her the perfect person to relate to Rose.
Everyone in the house is a suspect, and everyone is lying. As Rose uncovers secrets she’s also forced to confront her own past.
This was an interesting premise that kept me guessing. A fun read, even if I did have to set aside some issues I had with the story, so a 4 star from me.
* I received a digital copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
July 7, 2024
3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ Washington DC
Publication date ~ August 6, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 352 (68 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 43 minutes
Narrator ~ Laura Benanti
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ dead nanny, infidelity, secrets, mentions of loss of parent, childhood trauma, drug addiction
Stella is an attorney working with 9 year old, Rose, to determine which parent she should live with after the divorce. Why a divorce you ask ~ well, shockingly, [insert eye roll], the husband was sleeping with the nanny, Tina. Tina falls to her death, Rose witnessed it and she hasn't spoken since.
All characters were unlikable, but I didn't hate that so much for this book. I thought Rose's character was well written. Let's just say it wasn't a bad idea to remove all the glass from the house.
Overall, this was just fine for me. There was a heart pounding hot minute at the end, but ultimately I found it to be pretty slow moving. Bringing so much of Stella's own childhood story gave us a whole second plot that could have been it's own book. And then her love interest at the end seemed surprising to me and even Stella herself.
I'm definitely in outlier land here as everyone is loving it 🤷
I was lucky enough to have both the ebook and the audio and both worked well.
Narration notes:
Laura did a wonderful job. She gave each character a distinct voice.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ Washington DC
Publication date ~ August 6, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 352 (68 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 43 minutes
Narrator ~ Laura Benanti
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ dead nanny, infidelity, secrets, mentions of loss of parent, childhood trauma, drug addiction
Stella is an attorney working with 9 year old, Rose, to determine which parent she should live with after the divorce. Why a divorce you ask ~ well, shockingly, [insert eye roll], the husband was sleeping with the nanny, Tina. Tina falls to her death, Rose witnessed it and she hasn't spoken since.
All characters were unlikable, but I didn't hate that so much for this book. I thought Rose's character was well written. Let's just say it wasn't a bad idea to remove all the glass from the house.
Overall, this was just fine for me. There was a heart pounding hot minute at the end, but ultimately I found it to be pretty slow moving. Bringing so much of Stella's own childhood story gave us a whole second plot that could have been it's own book. And then her love interest at the end seemed surprising to me and even Stella herself.
I'm definitely in outlier land here as everyone is loving it 🤷
I was lucky enough to have both the ebook and the audio and both worked well.
Narration notes:
Laura did a wonderful job. She gave each character a distinct voice.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
June 30, 2024
3.5 Stella, a woman who determines who gets custody of the child in a custody dispute. Nne year old Rose deals with a great deal of stress, her nanny has supposedly jumped out a window, and Rose is now mute. Stella has no idea what she is getting herself into, because there is much going on under the surface. Appearances can be deceptive.
This did pull me into the story, mostly because of young Rose, wanted to learn what the final decision would be. Something that I felt could have been better is to make me feel how the house was scary, cloying. It didn't, it was tell not show.
"The parts of ourselves we keep hidden are the ones that are most in need of sunlight."
"Everyone has abit of darkness inside."
This did pull me into the story, mostly because of young Rose, wanted to learn what the final decision would be. Something that I felt could have been better is to make me feel how the house was scary, cloying. It didn't, it was tell not show.
"The parts of ourselves we keep hidden are the ones that are most in need of sunlight."
"Everyone has abit of darkness inside."
May 28, 2024
House of Glass is a tense thriller following our main character Stella who has been called on the case to help a 9 year old girl Rose through a difficult situation.
Rose’s parents are both fighting for full custody in the midst of a messy divorce, the judge has reached an Impasse due to recent events involving the suspicious death of Roses nanny, a case that has since gone cold due to lack of evidence.
The problem is either parent could be a killer, and Stella is facing the impossible task of finding the safest home for Rose to live in, something even the police couldn’t figure out.
It is clear from the first time Stella steps foot into Roses home that something isn’t right. She senses a dark presence within the home, an unnerving feeling she can’t seem to shake. The more time she spends on the case the more she realizes there’s more than two suspects, anybody could be the killer and she has to race to figure it out whilst also battling demons from her own past that have begun to resurface.
This is a bit of a slow burn but the tension is palpable from the very beginning, throughout. Rose gave me the creeps from the getgo, a traumatized mute young girl who has a habit of collecting sharp objects. I’d class this as unputdownable because I couldn’t stop reading until I had answers. The author does an excellent job of misdirection and providing multiple possible suspects.
The setting is very ominous, a large estate void of any glass which seems to be harbouring an evil presence. A dysfunctional family keeping secrets and telling lies. Dark clouds overhead that seem to get closer and closer the more Stella is triggered by her own past traumas.
This is definitely a bingeable read and I enjoyed the sinister tones throughout. The author did a great job of making the writing contrast between menacing yet poetic.
I was very pleased with the ending, everything was answered, wrapped up to perfection and a lot of conversations where had and relationships mended that I hoped to see.
Thank you to NetGalley and saint Martin’s press for an advanced copy!
Rose’s parents are both fighting for full custody in the midst of a messy divorce, the judge has reached an Impasse due to recent events involving the suspicious death of Roses nanny, a case that has since gone cold due to lack of evidence.
The problem is either parent could be a killer, and Stella is facing the impossible task of finding the safest home for Rose to live in, something even the police couldn’t figure out.
It is clear from the first time Stella steps foot into Roses home that something isn’t right. She senses a dark presence within the home, an unnerving feeling she can’t seem to shake. The more time she spends on the case the more she realizes there’s more than two suspects, anybody could be the killer and she has to race to figure it out whilst also battling demons from her own past that have begun to resurface.
This is a bit of a slow burn but the tension is palpable from the very beginning, throughout. Rose gave me the creeps from the getgo, a traumatized mute young girl who has a habit of collecting sharp objects. I’d class this as unputdownable because I couldn’t stop reading until I had answers. The author does an excellent job of misdirection and providing multiple possible suspects.
The setting is very ominous, a large estate void of any glass which seems to be harbouring an evil presence. A dysfunctional family keeping secrets and telling lies. Dark clouds overhead that seem to get closer and closer the more Stella is triggered by her own past traumas.
This is definitely a bingeable read and I enjoyed the sinister tones throughout. The author did a great job of making the writing contrast between menacing yet poetic.
I was very pleased with the ending, everything was answered, wrapped up to perfection and a lot of conversations where had and relationships mended that I hoped to see.
Thank you to NetGalley and saint Martin’s press for an advanced copy!
March 11, 2024
Stella is the best attorney to speak on a child's behalf during divorce proceedings. The only problem, Rose has stopped speaking. Her parents are in the middle of a divorce, her dad had an affair with the nanny, and the baby dies under mysterious circumstances. Stella quickly realizes that this isn't your typical family household.
This book had me guessing left and right and just when I thought that I might have it figured out, I was thrown a new plot twist.
If you're looking for a fast paced novel that'll keep you on your toes, then this is the book for you.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book comes out August 2024.
This book had me guessing left and right and just when I thought that I might have it figured out, I was thrown a new plot twist.
If you're looking for a fast paced novel that'll keep you on your toes, then this is the book for you.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book comes out August 2024.
April 11, 2024
What could possibly be amiss in working in a elegant home, a murder perhaps, a glassless house, and a truly strange mute child?
It seems that the lies circulate in DC home of the Barclays. Stella, a lawyer representing Children has decided to become the child advocate for Rose, a nine year old girl who unfortunately witnessed the suicide of her nanny. It's a trauma that has left her mute, but there also seems to be something sinister about this child. Stella also is trying to find the causes of her parents' deaths, one to a tragic traffic accident and the other to drugs.
Rose's parents and grandmother seem overly protective of Rose and try to hide her away and limit her time with Stella. There is definitely something wrong and all sign seem to point to Rose, but she can't speak so how do you break through to this child?
I enjoyed the story on the whole until the author included a "topic of the day to her story." It just didn't fit nor did it do anything to the telling so sadly it lost a star because of that.
Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, Orion, and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out in August of this year.
It seems that the lies circulate in DC home of the Barclays. Stella, a lawyer representing Children has decided to become the child advocate for Rose, a nine year old girl who unfortunately witnessed the suicide of her nanny. It's a trauma that has left her mute, but there also seems to be something sinister about this child. Stella also is trying to find the causes of her parents' deaths, one to a tragic traffic accident and the other to drugs.
Rose's parents and grandmother seem overly protective of Rose and try to hide her away and limit her time with Stella. There is definitely something wrong and all sign seem to point to Rose, but she can't speak so how do you break through to this child?
I enjoyed the story on the whole until the author included a "topic of the day to her story." It just didn't fit nor did it do anything to the telling so sadly it lost a star because of that.
Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, Orion, and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out in August of this year.
February 10, 2024
Stella Hudson is a best interest lawyer who is called to look into the case of nine year old Rose Barclay. The parents are divorcing due to the dad’s affair with the nanny who winds up dead from a fall from an attic window. Weird, creepy things was happening to the nanny before she died and the same things begin happening to Stella.
This is a good creepy story that kept me guessing till the end.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC that will be released August 6, 2024!
This is a good creepy story that kept me guessing till the end.
Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC that will be released August 6, 2024!
January 17, 2024
Do you ever find yourself reading books that randomly have things in common? Generally, for me at least, it comes in the form of a song I haven’t heard in a billion years being referenced in back-to-back reads or a not often used city somehow being the setting. This time it was the plot itself – the whodunit surrounding the death of a nanny. (In case you are curious/are a sufferer of the FOMO like myself – the book I read before this was The Other Mothers - and it was a winner).
I snagged this copy without even taking a gander at a blurb when it was offered up as a Read Now on NetGalley and didn’t pay attention to the fact that Sarah Pekkanen had not partnered up with her usual other half Greer Hendricks for this one - but it REALLY felt like it was co-written. I loooooooooved the storyline regarding the dead nanny and the potential suspects (should her death be proven to be intentional and not merely a horrible accident). The rich wife, the adulterer husband, the silent (yet oh so creepy) daughter and the doting granny ALL had my hinky meter going off. And the divorce proceedings which brought our leading lady Stella in as an advocate for Rose to determine which custody arrangement would be in her best interest was excellent. But then there was the subplot regarding Stella’s dead mother and . . . . .
Not only was it completely unnecessary, it really derailed a quality murder mystery for me (and felt like it was written by someone else and merely spliced together). 3.5 Stars, but rounding down. (Oh, and it should go without saying I really do not like the cover – good thing this was a known-to-me author so I overlooked it ha-ha.)
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
I snagged this copy without even taking a gander at a blurb when it was offered up as a Read Now on NetGalley and didn’t pay attention to the fact that Sarah Pekkanen had not partnered up with her usual other half Greer Hendricks for this one - but it REALLY felt like it was co-written. I loooooooooved the storyline regarding the dead nanny and the potential suspects (should her death be proven to be intentional and not merely a horrible accident). The rich wife, the adulterer husband, the silent (yet oh so creepy) daughter and the doting granny ALL had my hinky meter going off. And the divorce proceedings which brought our leading lady Stella in as an advocate for Rose to determine which custody arrangement would be in her best interest was excellent. But then there was the subplot regarding Stella’s dead mother and . . . . .
Not only was it completely unnecessary, it really derailed a quality murder mystery for me (and felt like it was written by someone else and merely spliced together). 3.5 Stars, but rounding down. (Oh, and it should go without saying I really do not like the cover – good thing this was a known-to-me author so I overlooked it ha-ha.)
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
April 9, 2024
The juxtaposition hits me: Every detail of the Barclays’ seven-bedroom home and manicured gardens is flawlessly curated. And every person I’ve encountered here is deeply damaged.
…
Something evil lurks in the plastic house.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for sending me an ARC of House of Glass in exchange for an honest review. The Goodreads description of the book tells you everything you need to know about the setup, so I’ll move straight to my thoughts.
House of Glass is a solid domestic thriller. Everyone living in the Barclay’s home seems to be a suspect in the nanny’s fatal fall, including 9-year-old Rose. As a result, every situation and conversation is tense, especially as Stella slowly comes to believe she may also be in danger. Stella is a good character with an interesting backstory, though I thought there were places in the back half of the book that dragged a little bit due to focusing a bit too much on Stella’s past. Rose is an especially creepy character, opaque due to her traumatic mutism yet plainly intelligent and obsessed with collecting sharp objects. The climax of the story has some nice cat-and-mouse action and a clever resolution. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
January 14, 2024
This is my 6th book by Sarah Pekkanen and I do think it’s her best to date! I love how she tells a story and I loved how all the characters came together at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this widget in exchange for my honest review. I could not put it down!!!
June 13, 2024
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Sarah Pekkanen for my copy of this book. It was about a nanny who fell (pushed?) to her death, and it was witnessed by a nine year old girl who hasn’t said a word since. She now collects sharp objects, and is assigned a lawyer to help find out what really happened- who is a victim and who may be a murderer.
Rose is a child who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny in the midst of her parents divorce. Stella is a best interest attorney who is appointed to represent children in custody cases. But from the moment she enters the Barclay estate, she realizes that the case is more twisted than she though. The house is plastic- there isn’t a piece of glass to be found. As Stella gets closer to uncovering the secrets hidden there, she needs to figure out who needs protecting, and who they should be protected from.
Thoughts: The idea of a little girl who won’t talk was both creepy and interesting. It was hard to know if she was evil or not, and my opinion changed throughout the book. Each character had a motive to murder and their own unique personality that captured my interest. This book was so easy to binge and I couldn’t put it down.
I thought Stella’s history was an important part of the story and was woven in really well. Her story was a good mirror to Rose’s story, and it was nice to have a likable main character. I wasn’t as invested in the story as I am in others, but it was a fun and quick read for me. 4.5 stars for this one!
Rose is a child who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny in the midst of her parents divorce. Stella is a best interest attorney who is appointed to represent children in custody cases. But from the moment she enters the Barclay estate, she realizes that the case is more twisted than she though. The house is plastic- there isn’t a piece of glass to be found. As Stella gets closer to uncovering the secrets hidden there, she needs to figure out who needs protecting, and who they should be protected from.
Thoughts: The idea of a little girl who won’t talk was both creepy and interesting. It was hard to know if she was evil or not, and my opinion changed throughout the book. Each character had a motive to murder and their own unique personality that captured my interest. This book was so easy to binge and I couldn’t put it down.
I thought Stella’s history was an important part of the story and was woven in really well. Her story was a good mirror to Rose’s story, and it was nice to have a likable main character. I wasn’t as invested in the story as I am in others, but it was a fun and quick read for me. 4.5 stars for this one!
January 27, 2024
Rose is nine and witnessed the possible murder of her beloved nanny, right in the middle of her parents divorce. As a result, she stopped speaking.
Stella is a best interest attorney, an attorney assigned to the child during a divorce to determine what custody arrangement is best for them. While she normally doesn’t accept children under 13 due to her own trauma, she is intrigued by Rose.
From the moment Stella sees the estate that Rose lives at with her family, she realizes this family might be more troubled than she feared.
As Stella comes closer to uncovering secrets that the Barclay’s desperately want to keep hidden, she finds herself in danger.
I always seem to struggle a little more writing reviews for books I loved, and this is one of those books that there were so many things I enjoyed.
I loved that this was a nuanced thriller. There was the main plot, but the subplot was also interesting and really held my interest. I needed to know what was going on with everything and quickly flipped through the pages. I enjoyed that I was guessing about how several things would play out. What happened to Tina? Who is going to get custody of Rose? And what happened to Stella’s mom? Just so many things I needed to know the answers to, and they were finally all revealed starting at about the 75% mark.
I loved that this book shined light on court appointed advocates for children. I had one of these when I was a child and am fascinated with how this process works. I didn’t realize that some of them are trained investigators and really try to uncover what is best for the child in their natural environment. I’d be curious to see if this was really true or just a work of fiction. I know when I was working with mine, they just interviewed me, and I played with some toys and colored while we talked. I remember being really mad after though because she didn’t do what I wanted, but then as I got older and reflected back it was what I needed, so I was glad she was there for me.
While I enjoyed the sub-plots, I was a little surprised that they were included. I think that they added depth to Stella’s character and helped shape the why behind the way she acted and reasons for what she did, however, they didn’t really have any relation to what was going on with the main plot. It didn’t bother me, it just made me curious, but I enjoyed it. For me it added to the story and wasn’t a distraction.
I’ve read another book by this author and while I immensely enjoyed it, this one was even better. I think that her writing is wonderful and very easy to read. She writes with a style that is relatable and flows nicely. I enjoyed all the characters, and I liked reading about how Stella and her ex still had a amicable relationship after their divorce, it was a nice change of pace from what I normally read about.
I found this book to be unpredictable. I don’t usually put much effort into trying to figure out who “did it” but sometimes you just know. I thought I had this one figured out for the longest time, there were even red herring along the way to distract me from thinking it was this person. But then about the 75% mark the reveal happened, and I was just shaking my head from surprise. I didn’t see this one at all, and when it was revealed, it was fantastic. When all the pieces were laid out, I was like
oh gosh yes!”. It was perfect and I loved it.
I can’t wait to read the next book that Sarah Pekkanen puts out because they just seem to be getting better each time!
Thank you to St. Martins Press, @StMartinsPress and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc. All opinions are my own.
A copy of this review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com on or near publication day
Stella is a best interest attorney, an attorney assigned to the child during a divorce to determine what custody arrangement is best for them. While she normally doesn’t accept children under 13 due to her own trauma, she is intrigued by Rose.
From the moment Stella sees the estate that Rose lives at with her family, she realizes this family might be more troubled than she feared.
As Stella comes closer to uncovering secrets that the Barclay’s desperately want to keep hidden, she finds herself in danger.
I always seem to struggle a little more writing reviews for books I loved, and this is one of those books that there were so many things I enjoyed.
I loved that this was a nuanced thriller. There was the main plot, but the subplot was also interesting and really held my interest. I needed to know what was going on with everything and quickly flipped through the pages. I enjoyed that I was guessing about how several things would play out. What happened to Tina? Who is going to get custody of Rose? And what happened to Stella’s mom? Just so many things I needed to know the answers to, and they were finally all revealed starting at about the 75% mark.
I loved that this book shined light on court appointed advocates for children. I had one of these when I was a child and am fascinated with how this process works. I didn’t realize that some of them are trained investigators and really try to uncover what is best for the child in their natural environment. I’d be curious to see if this was really true or just a work of fiction. I know when I was working with mine, they just interviewed me, and I played with some toys and colored while we talked. I remember being really mad after though because she didn’t do what I wanted, but then as I got older and reflected back it was what I needed, so I was glad she was there for me.
While I enjoyed the sub-plots, I was a little surprised that they were included. I think that they added depth to Stella’s character and helped shape the why behind the way she acted and reasons for what she did, however, they didn’t really have any relation to what was going on with the main plot. It didn’t bother me, it just made me curious, but I enjoyed it. For me it added to the story and wasn’t a distraction.
I’ve read another book by this author and while I immensely enjoyed it, this one was even better. I think that her writing is wonderful and very easy to read. She writes with a style that is relatable and flows nicely. I enjoyed all the characters, and I liked reading about how Stella and her ex still had a amicable relationship after their divorce, it was a nice change of pace from what I normally read about.
I found this book to be unpredictable. I don’t usually put much effort into trying to figure out who “did it” but sometimes you just know. I thought I had this one figured out for the longest time, there were even red herring along the way to distract me from thinking it was this person. But then about the 75% mark the reveal happened, and I was just shaking my head from surprise. I didn’t see this one at all, and when it was revealed, it was fantastic. When all the pieces were laid out, I was like
oh gosh yes!”. It was perfect and I loved it.
I can’t wait to read the next book that Sarah Pekkanen puts out because they just seem to be getting better each time!
Thank you to St. Martins Press, @StMartinsPress and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc. All opinions are my own.
A copy of this review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com on or near publication day
April 13, 2024
Whether alone or along with Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen is one of those authors who consistently writes a good thriller. House of Glass is a high stakes, whodunit that had me questioning everyone. I found myself incapable of putting this one down until the twist was revealed. I had so much fun reading House of Glass and I think a lot of thriller fans will too.
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen will be available on August 8. Many thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the gifted e-arc!
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen will be available on August 8. Many thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the gifted e-arc!
June 30, 2024
“Evil isn't merely a word. It's a tangible, dimensional thing. Once it homes in on a target its malevolent arc of electricity affixes to its prey.” Was evil behind the death of the nanny, or was it an unfortunate tragic accident? If evil was the force behind the horrific event, who was the catalyst? All is not as it appears in the Barclay household, Divorcing parents, a feeble grandmother, and a traumatized mute child live in a world of secrets and deception. I enjoyed the protagonist, Stella as she navigated this mysterious family. This character-driven story kept me intrigued throughout. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy.
April 11, 2024
This mystery/thriller is described perfectly in the synopsis. Stella Hudson is a lawyer, specifically, a guardian ad litem who represents children when the adults around them have gone a bit haywire. She usually works with teenagers, but an unusual case comes her way: a nine-year-old girl witnessed the death of her nanny, and hasn’t spoken since.
Stella is brought in because Ian and Beth Barclay are the parents of this child, Rose, and they are in the middle of a nasty divorce. Ian was having an affair with Tina, the nanny who had an unfortunate incident with a window. Did she fall, or was she pushed? Rose may be the only one who has the answer to that question, but her traumatic mutism means she can’t tell anyone what she saw.
Stella is a great character; we find out that she also had traumatic mutism as a child, and her backstory is compelling. It’s little Rose who stole the show, though. Without her saying a word, the author still lets us communicate with the girl, verbally painting a picture of her eyes, body language and actions. Whether she’s simply a traumatized child, or a young murderer who killed her nanny, she’s still a little girl who is suffering.
The writing in this is fantastic, and it took the murder-mystery trope of a wealthy family with secrets to another level. The characters were great, even those who played a small role in the story. I did figure out the ending, but it was still fun to read everything coming to the perfect conclusion, and there were several smaller twists that I didn’t see coming at all. Overall, I think most mystery fans will enjoy this one - four stars!
(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Sarah Pekkanen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on August 6, 2024.)
Stella is brought in because Ian and Beth Barclay are the parents of this child, Rose, and they are in the middle of a nasty divorce. Ian was having an affair with Tina, the nanny who had an unfortunate incident with a window. Did she fall, or was she pushed? Rose may be the only one who has the answer to that question, but her traumatic mutism means she can’t tell anyone what she saw.
Stella is a great character; we find out that she also had traumatic mutism as a child, and her backstory is compelling. It’s little Rose who stole the show, though. Without her saying a word, the author still lets us communicate with the girl, verbally painting a picture of her eyes, body language and actions. Whether she’s simply a traumatized child, or a young murderer who killed her nanny, she’s still a little girl who is suffering.
The writing in this is fantastic, and it took the murder-mystery trope of a wealthy family with secrets to another level. The characters were great, even those who played a small role in the story. I did figure out the ending, but it was still fun to read everything coming to the perfect conclusion, and there were several smaller twists that I didn’t see coming at all. Overall, I think most mystery fans will enjoy this one - four stars!
(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Sarah Pekkanen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on August 6, 2024.)
June 15, 2024
3.5⭐️ Overall, I enjoyed this! While I’ve read a few of her books that were written with Greer Hendricks, House of Glass was my first solo Sarah Pekkanen book.
I think at its core this story was enthralling and intriguing. A wealthy DC couple is in the midst of a nasty divorce after their young daughter’s nanny was found dead at their home (she was also having an affair with dear old dad). Now, nine year old Rose is suffering from traumatic mutism and exhibiting a lot of creepy behaviors.
Enter: Stella Hudson. Stella is a Best Interest Attorney tasked with the job of figuring out which of Rose’s parents should be awarded full custody.
While I really enjoyed most of this story, there were some parts that held it back from being a winner. House of Glass is a very slow burn and there’s also a sub-plot concerning Stella’s mother that didn’t do much for me aside from slow down the pacing. I think the author did a great job creating tension and fully developing Rose’s character to the point that the reader is questioning her every move. What didn’t work for me was how slow and detailed the writing was in between scenes with Rose.
The last 15% is very action packed and entertaining. I just wish it didn’t take so long to get to that point.
🥳 PUB DAY: August 6th
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!
I think at its core this story was enthralling and intriguing. A wealthy DC couple is in the midst of a nasty divorce after their young daughter’s nanny was found dead at their home (she was also having an affair with dear old dad). Now, nine year old Rose is suffering from traumatic mutism and exhibiting a lot of creepy behaviors.
Enter: Stella Hudson. Stella is a Best Interest Attorney tasked with the job of figuring out which of Rose’s parents should be awarded full custody.
While I really enjoyed most of this story, there were some parts that held it back from being a winner. House of Glass is a very slow burn and there’s also a sub-plot concerning Stella’s mother that didn’t do much for me aside from slow down the pacing. I think the author did a great job creating tension and fully developing Rose’s character to the point that the reader is questioning her every move. What didn’t work for me was how slow and detailed the writing was in between scenes with Rose.
The last 15% is very action packed and entertaining. I just wish it didn’t take so long to get to that point.
🥳 PUB DAY: August 6th
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!
May 30, 2024
I do love a binge worthy book and House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen for the bill. More family dram than thriller, this was a fast paced mystery. The narrator, Laura Benanti was fantastic and really had me engaged in the story from the beginning.
This is a story about a family who are dealing with a lot. Their nanny has fallen out of a top story window and died. Their 9 year old daughter, Rose, has stopped talking and her parents are worried about her. At the same time, they are getting divorced, and grandmother is living with them as she recovers from knee surgery. Enter Stella, a best interest attorney, who is tasked to work out what is best for Rose. The house is dark and creepy and there is no glass anywhere.
I thought I had this one all worked out, bit was I wrong!! So many twists that I did not see coming. It was a wild ending that I just loved. This author always delivers and I was not at all disappointed.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy to listen to. Out in August 6th.
This is a story about a family who are dealing with a lot. Their nanny has fallen out of a top story window and died. Their 9 year old daughter, Rose, has stopped talking and her parents are worried about her. At the same time, they are getting divorced, and grandmother is living with them as she recovers from knee surgery. Enter Stella, a best interest attorney, who is tasked to work out what is best for Rose. The house is dark and creepy and there is no glass anywhere.
I thought I had this one all worked out, bit was I wrong!! So many twists that I did not see coming. It was a wild ending that I just loved. This author always delivers and I was not at all disappointed.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy to listen to. Out in August 6th.
January 29, 2024
This is a great book with good twists and a likable protagonist. It centers on Stella, who is an attorney hired to make a recommendation on which parent should get custody of 9-year-old Rose, the child of a wealthy family who is currently under the spotlight after the death of their young nanny. Rose doesn't speak at all, and Stella is uncomfortable every time she enters the mansion where the family resides; she knows something is lurking under the surface but can't put her finger on what it is. Stella is also trying to work through the deep-seated trauma she experienced as a child after losing her parents.
The book is perfectly creepy and I enjoyed the undertones throughout; I always felt like something big was getting ready to happen. I also liked that it took place in the Washington DC area, as the locations were familiar to me. The author takes you through Stella's thought process as new clues are encountered, and I enjoyed being able to see what she was thinking and compare it to where my own mind was going. There wasn't even one area where I questioned Stella's motivations, or her ability to ask the right questions and connect the right dots. The twist at the end was good and I didn't see it coming- I thought the ending of the book was very satisfying. If I had one minor nit, I wish less time had been spent on Stella's own personal situation and more information on the larger mystery, but I do think that the focus on her past and current relationships helped build her character out more than it would have without it, and there was a surprise twist in that respect, too, that added to the mystery across the whole book.
Overall, this is another winner from Pekkanen, who is quickly becoming a favorite! I would definitely recommend the book to those who like psychological thrillers and mysteries, and I am a little sad that I read it so fast that it's already over. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is perfectly creepy and I enjoyed the undertones throughout; I always felt like something big was getting ready to happen. I also liked that it took place in the Washington DC area, as the locations were familiar to me. The author takes you through Stella's thought process as new clues are encountered, and I enjoyed being able to see what she was thinking and compare it to where my own mind was going. There wasn't even one area where I questioned Stella's motivations, or her ability to ask the right questions and connect the right dots. The twist at the end was good and I didn't see it coming- I thought the ending of the book was very satisfying. If I had one minor nit, I wish less time had been spent on Stella's own personal situation and more information on the larger mystery, but I do think that the focus on her past and current relationships helped build her character out more than it would have without it, and there was a surprise twist in that respect, too, that added to the mystery across the whole book.
Overall, this is another winner from Pekkanen, who is quickly becoming a favorite! I would definitely recommend the book to those who like psychological thrillers and mysteries, and I am a little sad that I read it so fast that it's already over. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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