Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so gripping! I loved all the twists and turns in this book. I could not wait to find out how it would all end. This was a great thriller. I also loved the characters and their interactions. Rose was a creepy child for most of the book and she had me terrified.

I love a thriller when I learn something. Did you know nelophobia is the fear of glass? I didn't either before reading this book?

Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite thriller writers because of the care she takes with building intelligent prose and how she keeps readers guessing. House of Glass is one I enjoyed.

This book was just okay.

It reminded me a lot of “The Turn of the Screw”. Very similar vibe.

There were a lot of red herrings to throw the reader off from the ultimately obvious answer to the whole puzzle.

Overall, it was entertaining enough but I wasn’t impressed.

Stella Hudson is an attorney who is appointed by the court to advocate for young people. She has a rule that she won t work with anyone under the age of thirteen. But when Charles, a family friend and her mentor, asks her to take on the case of nine year -old Rose Barclay who has stopped speaking, Stella feels like she must accept it. She is ambivalent about it because Stella herself stopped speaking for awhile after a traumatic event when she was young so this case hits a little too close to home.

Rose witnessed her nanny fall to her death from an upstairs window and stopped speaking after that. Her parents are in the midst of a bitter divorce and it is Stella's job to determine which parent will get custody of Rose.

When she approaches the gated D.C. home of the Barclays, Stella gets a creepy vibe. The Barclays seem to have the perfect house and life but everyone from the mother, father, grandmother, the nanny's boyfriend and even Rose seem to have secrets. Did the nanny fall or was she pushed? Why are the parents replacing all of the glass in their expensive home with plastic and they have removed anything glass from their home. Why does Rose collect sharp objects? As Stella tried to reach Rose the reader also begins to learn more about Stella's traumatic childhood and what caused her to stop speaking like Rose. While reading this book it is difficult to figure out who is telling the truth and who is lying. Was the nanny murdered? House of Glass is an engrossing, suspenseful mystery that has a surprising ending.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

The premise of House of Glass is interesting - who killed the nanny? - but I struggled a lot with the main character in this book and her actions.

I feel like Pekkanen’s thrillers, particularly those co-authored with Greer Hendricks, focus on client work (doctors, therapists, research subjects, etc). Now, this one is just by Pekkanen, but I immediately had to double check I hadn’t already read it once those first words began discussing the MC’s client. But, turns out it was new to me.

I enjoyed this book. I found it to be adequately twisty. I was pretty convinced of one person’s guilt, but quickly begun to see clues pointing to the real truth. Though there were several directions the story could have taken, all the clues were there to point to what really happened, so I was glad to be able to look back once it ended and really know that it had been leading up to that point all along.

What did really bother me though, was the entire subplot with Stella’s ex-husband, Marco. I think maybe it’s meant to show character development, but it seemed really unnecessary to the story and wouldn’t have really changed much of anything if it hadn’t been included. It felt added in last minute as something an editor recommended, and it didn’t add to the story at all.

I found more important the relationship between Stella and Charles, and I appreciated how much of her growth likely stemmed from his mentorship from her time as a young adult and beyond.

Overall, this was a strong, thrilling murder mystery.

I did not like this book as much as I thought I would. I have enjoyed prior books from Pekkanen but this fell flat for me it became predictable. Not good. It started off good!

Thanks to Netgalley, Sarah Pekkanen and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available.

I’ve loved Pekkanen’s novels cowritten with Greer Hendricks, so I was excited to pick up her latest solo novel. This psychological thriller definitely had dark and sinister twists as the reader tries to solve the mystery along with Stella, the protagonist. The setup was interesting and I felt engaged and invested in the first third. However, by about halfway, I felt like the story was too drawn out and I quickly lost interest. I think a slow burn suspense novel can be done well if there is interesting character development or depth in the story, however, I felt this novel was lacking both.

It took me a while to make it through this one, and while it did come together eventually, and tied things up with an almost-too-tidy bow, I can’t say I was really invested. It was entertaining enough to make it through but I can’t say this is a story I’ll remember for long.

House of Glass
Sarah Pekkanen
4⭐️

Pub Date: 8/6/2024

Family drama, suspense and a potential murderous child? 🫣
This one kept me so entertained, I think I binged it!
Basically, Stella is a wellness lawyer for children. And her newest client is Rose who has traumatic mutism from "witnessing" her nanny fall to her doom in their house. The question was, was it an accident or was the nanny pushed? And who did it? This whole plot was so unsettling. The child's behavior was just so weird and troubling. The family members were also acting very suspiciously. There were things that happened to the nanny that Stella was also experiencing that it made me feel like there was also some supernatural thing going on. Overall, I thought all the characters had motive and means and I couldn't discern who really was the culprit. It kept me on my toes. I also liked that Stella's story was also unpacked here, but not overpoweringly so that it distracts readers from the main plot. Definitely a Thriller that I would recommend.

Thank you St. Martin Press for a gifted e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Everyone is hiding something. No one is who they appear to be. Sarah Pekkanen delivers a story full of twists and turns, making it a perfect read (or listen) for anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I gave it 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

An engaging thriller with an intriguing setup, but it fell short of its potential. While the tension builds nicely, some twists felt predictable, and the characters lacked depth. A decent read for fans of domestic suspense.

I really enjoyed this one. While the ending wasn’t quite as exciting as I hoped it would be, it was satisfying and I didn’t feel let down. I did think that it was a little longer than it needed to be - it dragged in the middle a little. But overall I had a good time reading it!

Excellent book that holds your attention and has good suspense.
Thanks for the advanced reader copy!

4.5 stars

Once again Sarah Pekkanen delivers a solid thriller. Nine year old Rose Barclay witnessed the possible murder of her nanny. She lost her ability to speak after the traumatic experience. Her parents are in the middle of a bitter divorce and Stella Hudson is Rose’s court appointed attorney. Stella will spend time with the Barclays at their mansion in order to determine what is in the best interest of the child. She will have to dig deep to uncover the truth and in doing so will stir up memories of her own childhood.

The story hooked me right away. It’s like a 2 for 1 mystery as you want to know what happened to the nanny and also the circumstances of the death of Stella’s mother. Definitely enough stuff going on to hold my interest. In terms of shock value, some things are predictable but for other parts I didn’t have a strong sense of where the road was leading and needed the author to do the big reveal. Reasonably satisfied with the ending.

A good pick if you love this genre.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen was a slow burn, twisty psychological thriller that kept me hooked and guessing the entire time. It followed Stella Hudson, a best interest Lawyer, who is determining what is best for 9 year old Rose Barclay after her nanny dies from a mysterious fall and the upcoming divorce of her parents.

I really enjoyed the two sides of the story, following the investigation with Rose and Stella's personal life as well, I did not guess the ending. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.

“House of Glass” follows Stella, an attorney who’s appointed to oversee 9-year-old Rose Barclay’s child custody case. Rose witnessed the possible murder of her nanny and her parents are in the midst of a bitter divorce. Rose hasn’t spoken a word since her nanny died.

This is a two-part suspense novel: there’s the possible nanny murder and there’s also Stella’s personal life, which is its own train wreck. I didn’t see either of the conclusions coming. I love that Pekkanen sets in her novels in the DC metro area — which I am familiar with and can easily conjure up 1- and I love that you are guaranteed a twisty read when you pick up one of her books.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen was an enthralling read from start to finish. The novel masterfully intertwines suspense, complex characters, and a haunting atmosphere, making it a standout in the psychological thriller genre.

The story centers on Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney appointed to represent nine-year-old Rose Barclay amid her parents’ contentious divorce. Rose has been mute since witnessing the tragic death of her nanny, Tina, who fell from a third-story window under mysterious circumstances. As Stella delves deeper into the Barclay family’s secrets, she uncovers a web of deceit and danger that challenges her perceptions and puts her own safety at risk.

Pekkanen’s writing is both engaging and atmospheric, drawing readers into the opulent yet eerie setting of the Barclay’s historic home. The meticulous detail of a house devoid of glass adds a layer of intrigue and symbolism that enhances the story’s tension. The characters are richly developed, each harboring secrets that kept me guessing about their true intentions and the reality behind Tina’s death.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Pekkanen’s House of Glass is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that kept me riveted from beginning to end. With its blend of intricate family drama, atmospheric tension, and gripping suspense, this novel showcases why Pekkanen remains a favorite in the thriller genre.

The story centers on Stella Hudson, a best-interest attorney reluctantly pulled into the case of nine-year-old Rose Barclay. Silent since witnessing the mysterious death of her nanny amidst her parents' messy divorce, Rose becomes the heart of a case that is as enigmatic as it is unsettling. The Barclays’ historic Washington, D.C., home—peculiarly devoid of glass—adds an eerie layer to an already tense narrative.

The novel excels at character development. Stella is a relatable and complex protagonist, her personal traumas seamlessly woven into the plot, making her journey feel authentic. Rose is equally compelling—an unsettling yet sympathetic figure who keeps readers guessing about her innocence. Pekkanen’s writing shines in her ability to evoke a sense of foreboding. The house itself feels like a character, its peculiarities amplifying the unease as secrets slowly unravel. The pacing is pitch-perfect, with each chapter leaving just enough breadcrumbs to keep the pages turning.

While the twists are undeniably engaging, some felt slightly predictable for seasoned thriller readers. Additionally, a few supporting characters could have been more fleshed out to deepen the impact of the story's revelations.

House of Glass is an enthralling thriller that combines taut suspense with poignant explorations of trauma and trust. With its unique setting and emotionally resonant characters, it’s a page-turner that will stay with you long after the final twist. I rated this 4 stars for its gripping plot and expertly drawn protagonist. Thriller fans and Sarah Pekkanen devotees won’t want to miss it!

Kept me guessing the entire book! I was completely off, never guessed it! Loved Stella and her tenacity! Rose was so misunderstood! The ending was meh. I think the romance felt out of place.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen promises an intriguing and atmospheric tale of secrets and lies within a seemingly perfect family. Rose Barclay, a nine-year-old girl who stopped speaking after the mysterious death of her nanny, is caught in the middle of her parents’ bitter divorce. Stella Hudson, a lawyer reluctantly assigned to represent Rose, enters the family’s historic but unsettling DC mansion, where the truth is shrouded in layers of deception.

While the premise immediately grabbed my attention, the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the thrill I was hoping for never really materialized. I struggled with Stella’s voice, which I didn’t find all that interesting, making it hard to connect with her or root for her as a protagonist. Rose’s storyline—eerie and full of potential—was one of the most compelling aspects of the book, but she didn’t get nearly enough focus.

I listened to almost the entirety of this book as an audiobook, and in hindsight, maybe it was the narrator I didn’t connect with. If I’d read more of it myself, I might have enjoyed it more. While House of Glass ultimately left me underwhelmed, the intriguing premise and a few surprising twists might work better for others.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.