I love a good suspenseful thriller and this one certainly can be classified as one! The story centers on the seemingly perfect Barclay family however the reader quickly realizes there are major flaws within their facade. A nanny falls ( or is pushed?) to her death out of a third floor window of the Barclay mansion. Nine year old Rose Barclay witnesses her death and stops speaking. Her parents are going through a bitter divorce and custody battle. Everyone is a suspect in the murder, even Rose and her seemingly sweet old grandmother who lives with them. Stella Hudson is a court appointed lawyer who is assigned to the Barclays and tasked with deciding who should get custody of Rose. As Stella spends more time with the family and in their home she realizes that everyone is keeping secrets. The story is filled with unexpected twists and lies that keep you guessing til the very end. Pekkanen does a fantastic job of creating complex and multi-dimensional characters, each with their own motivations and flaws. The intricate plot will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to unravel the mysteries hidden within the walls of the Barclay’s seemingly perfect home.

One of my first 5 stars of 2024! Sarah Pekkanen is on my "must-read" list, and House of Glass is no exception. Stella, a Guardian Ad Litem for the courts, is appointed to make a custody recommendation during the contentious divorce of nine-year-old Rose's parents. Stella's beloved mentor made the recommendation specially, because Rose after the traumatic death of her Nanny, Rose suffers from traumatic mutism - a rare psychological affliction that Stella herself suffered many years before. Stella becomes very involved, perhaps too involved, with Rose's family. Was the Nanny's tragic fall really a freak accident? Is Rose safe in her home? And with Rose acting increasingly erratically - is everyone else in the home safe from Rose? Is there anyone we, the reader, can trust?

This is such a fresh take on the domestic thriller genre! We've seen affairs, we've seen nannies, we've seen aggrieved spouses, and we've seen troubled children - but trust me, we've never seen a story like this. Wonderful, beautiful job to the author for a fresh take and keeping me constantly engaged until the big finale! The constant twists in both Rose and Stella's lives had me rooting for both ladies to find the happiness that they both so deserve. You'll devour this one quickly and wish it was longer!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen features a creepy premise of a little gir who collects sharp objects, a dead nanny and a custody battle.

Our main character, Stella, is a best interest attorney and has been hired to determine who Rose, the 9 year old daughter of very wealthy parents, should live with. Seems easy enough, but after Rose witnessed her nannies death, she immediately stops talking. Stella must unravel the pieces of who is telling the truth, who has Rose's best interest at heart, and who murdered the nanny. We have a cast full of characters who may or may not have killed the nanny. With the setting of the book in a huge creepy mansion that feels "off", this book is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Taking on this case has forced Stella to deal with a traumatic childhood event that shaped her entire life.

This book was a fun ride! I absolutely loved the premise of Rose and wanted more creepy kid and sinister activities! The 2nd half of the book slowed a little bit and I wasn't that shocked by the ending, but still enjoyed it nonetheless. I don't think we necessarily needed Stella's backstory and wished we had more character development from the house staff and family of the Barclay's.

3.5 stars! Thank you NetGalley for your ARC. All opinions are my own.

An unsolved murder✅
A wealthy family with lots of secrets✅
A best interest attorney determined to uncover the truth✅

This book constantly had me playing the guessing game. I loved how revelations are revealed a little at a time. It kept my interest and left me wanting more! There is a very creepy vibe throughout and I couldn’t just feel this sense of dread and despair. Things really escalate and I was on the edge of my seat! A very solid domestic thriller!

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc!

A lawyer decides to act as a child’s representative in the parents’ divorce case. The claustrophobic atmosphere of the family home is well done, nothing is as it seems to begin with.
The book grabbed my attention from page one. Things don’t necessarily move fast, but that allows you to ponder what is really going on.
A side narrative involves the lawyer’s past, which has certain commonalities with her young client. I would have liked that story fleshed out a little bit more, but that’s a minor quibble.

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Holy cannoli, this woman can write!! Her storylines are so engaging and her writing style is easy to love - at least for me. Do I always like how the stories end up? No. Did I like how this one wrapped up (meaning the who dunnit)? No. But yet I still enjoyed the heck out of it. I was captivated from the first page and stayed up way too late reading. Jump on in to this one if you like a kind of creepy tale with many characters who could have been the culprit.

From the very first page, House of Glass captivated me with its enthralling narrative and compelling characters. The protagonist, Stella, served as a perfect guide through the twists and turns of the story, drawing me into her world with every word.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its ability to evoke powerful emotions. As Stella faced challenges and dangers, I found myself experiencing her fear and apprehension as if they were my own. This deep connection with the character made the story all the more engaging and immersive.

The suspenseful plot kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, constantly guessing and second-guessing the motives of each character. Even 9 year old, Rose! Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the narrative took an unexpected turn, leaving me eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

Furthermore, the pacing of the book was impeccable, propelling me forward at a relentless pace. Before I knew it, I had devoured the entire book, unable to put it down until I reached the satisfying conclusion.

House of Glass is a must-read for anyone craving a thrilling and immersive literary experience. With its captivating protagonist, suspenseful plot, and unexpected twists, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who dare to delve into its pages.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Pekkanen's upcoming book House of Glass, a page turning psychological mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. Stella is asked to serve as a best interest attorney for 9 year old Rose, whose parents have filed for divorce. The father, Ian, was having an affair with the nanny who was found dead after falling or being pushed out her third floor window. The mother, Beth, claims to have a fear of glass so that there is no glass to be found in the house. Rose's grandmother also lives with the family after sustaining an injury she never recovered from. Rose is a brilliant child who is now suffering from traumatic mutism who clearly wants Stella out of their lives. As Stella interviews and investigates, she finds she hates being in the house which she finds creepy, and she's unsure of Rose who secretly reads books about serial killers and collects sharp objects. Was this little girl responsible for the nanny's death? I would definitely recommend this for fans of mysteries and thrillers. A big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

3.5 rounded down. It was interesting but I found myself skipping a tonnnn of Stella’s inner dialogue. The bisexuality thrown in at the end felt extremely cheap and it’s why I didn’t round up. I didn’t see the end coming and genuinely thought the resolution would be less exciting. Charles’ storyline was also a surprise for me, didn’t see that one coming but it almost felt like too much happened at once and really only took up the last 10% of the book.

Wow. This book has SO many twists and turns. Kept me guessing until the very end!
I love how the entire book you are guessing who is being honest and racing to the end of the case with the protagonist!
Great read!!

I jumped at the chance to read Sarah Pekkanen's latest novel. I enjoy her solo writing just as much as the work she does with Greer Hendricks. House of Glass is one entertaining thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat!

Stella's job is to decide the best interests of a child in custody cases. She takes on Rose Barclay as a client, a girl who can't speak after seeing her nanny fall out a window and die. What complicates matters is the nanny might have been pushed, making Rose the only witness to a murder.

So Stella is under a lot of pressure, she doesn't want to recommend a possible murderer gets primary custody of Rose. But there's also something off about Rose herself. She's a very intelligent girl who is secretly stockpiling weapons in a house where suddenly no glass is allowed..

Stella investigates thoroughly, questioning Rose's parents and her grandmother that came to stay after an injury years ago and never left. Stella tries to gain Rose's trust despite her unpredictable moods and actions. And it's no secret Rose's father was having an affair with the nanny, hence the divorce. Suffice to say, the whole family is suspicious!

The whole situation is very trying for Stella. She has her own traumatic childhood that is being dredged up as she gets in deeper with the investigation. Finally finding out the circumstances surrounding her mother's death when she was little is also part of the story.

I enjoyed every bit of House of Glass. I suspected everyone and had no idea what the outcome would be! The suspense and tension never lets up, I raced through this book desperate to know what would happen. I highly recommend House of Glass!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Expected Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Who doesn't love a thriller featuring a creepy kid? Lots of crazy twists, with an unexpected touching relationship as a side ride! Highly recommend!

I loved this book for the first half and for the last several chapters. The middle pulled me out a bit and I put it down a few times but I am glad I powered through. It could have just been me for the middle part. But great beginning and great ending! More than worth reading!

If you love Sarah Pekkanen, you will love this book and you may not get stuck in the middle like I did.

Put it on your TBR list for this summer! It's out August 6, 2204

Sarah Pekkanen has been a favorite of mine for a long time now. Her books are an automatic read. I would recommend this book to everyone - if they want to hear it or not :)

House of Glass is Sarah Pekkanen at her finest. I do not typically read many psychological thrillers, but I have read all of Sarah Pekkanen's. This story is captivating from beginning to end. I appreciate the two main storylines woven together. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the way everything is revealed near the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
Out: 2024-08-06

⭐️⭐️⭐️

When a nanny is found dead in a creepy old house filled with a family of untrustworthy and unlikeable characters… you’ve got me hooked!

A truly bingeable book that I was completely sucked into until the very end…

Unfortunately the ending fell a bit flat for me! 😬 The story was so complex and involved that I expected a bit more all around! I wanted to have that big AHA, or shocking moment when all the pieces finally came together, but the resolution was fairly predictable and left so many plot holes! Red herrings are great but they have to MAKE SENSE in the end and these ones did not come full circle enough for me!

Thanks to the author, @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the advanced copy! And a huge thank you to the group of ladies who read this one with me, I had so much fun trying to figure this mystery out together! ❤️

I enjoyed The House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen. I was looking forward to a new psychological thriller and this fit the bill and kept my interest. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, I will be checking out her others.
Stella is a best interest attorney (BIA) assigned to a case involving a young girl who possibly witnessed the tragic death of her nanny. The mystery revolves around this case, but also delves into a personal mystery for Stella.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is now my favorite of her books yet.

The story follows Stella who is in charge of deciding who 9 year old Rose should live with after the death of her nanny and the divorce of her parents. Rose has become mute since her nanny died, Stella also experienced mutism as a child after the death of her mother so this case becomes important to her.

Rose also collects weapons and sharp objects. This gets to the point where all glass is removed from her home and replaced with plastic. Stella struggles with deciding who Rose should live with. It seems that all of the adults in her life say exactly what they are supposed to and appear as a united front to influence Stella's decision.

Could Rose's obsession with collecting sharp objects show a sign that she could have been responsible for the death of her nanny?

I loved this story. The twists were believable and I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter. The story has great pacing and I found myself invested in the characters. I was constantly wondering if Rose was a child dealing with a huge trauma, or was she a killer? Having a nine year old as a possible villain really made this a unique read and was a troupe that I wasn't expecting to enjoy so much. I absolutely recommend this book to fans of thrillers.

The first half flew by, and then started to drag for me. I didn't know it was possible to have a phobia of glass, but its an interesting idea. It felt that the "surprise" queer romance was a little forced as in trying to get the LGBT tag added to the novel.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-arc of this novel. Publication date 6 Aug 2024.

What a page turner.
A nanny has fallen to her death. Did she fall or was she pushed.
Everyone is a suspect.
Very Suspenseful. Keeps you guessing. Awesome read.