I have just finished reading House of Glass by Author Sarah Pekkanen.

This is not the first book that I have read by the Author, and I have enjoyed every one of them.

The main character is a nine year old girl. Rose Barclay has witnessed what appears to be a murder of her nanny.

She is not speaking after the tragedy, and is being looked at for her possible involvement.

Stella Hudson is an attorney, who has been appointed as council for young Rose.

Rose's family live in a large historic house, that has many hidden areas, and some eeriness to it.

I liked the pace of this book, from the first page to the last.

It really was a hard book to put down.

Thank You to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Author Sarah Pekkanen for my advanced copy to read and review.

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Oh, what a twisty read this was! This fast-paced thriller was hard to put down! I thought I had it figured out several different times, but I was always wrong

I really enjoyed the mystery of Stella’s past as a secondary storyline, it flowed well and fit with what she was dealing with as a lawyer in her current case. While I found most of the characters unlikeable, I think that was the point! If you enjoy psychological thrillers, you will definitely want to read House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen!

4.5
On the surface, this is fairly standard, but there's some semi-subconscious The Turn Of The Screw stuff happening here that is downright intriguing.

Some definite gothic charm here, with a sort of unreliable narrator (childhood trauma instead of alcoholism) and a spooky house and some stuff going on in the background that slowly unravels as you read. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the collaborations Pekkanen has done with Greer Hendricks. It reminded me a little of a Kate White book, but with less matter-of-fact writing and twists that were easier to guess. That said, it was a super fast, entertaining read and definitely worth your time if you like thrillers with weird creepy kids.

This author is an auto buy for me and this book maintains that status! So many twists and turns, i stayed up way too late reading!

Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney that represents children involved in custody cases. She takes on 9 year old Rose Barclay as a client as a favor to her mentor, Charlie. Rose witnessed her nanny's fall from a window and possible murder and immediately stopped speaking. Charlie believes that since Stella went through a traumatic childhood herself that she is the only one who can reach Rose. Stella is reluctant but still vows to do all she can to help Rose.

As Stella starts her investigation at the Barclays home, she learns that everyone is a suspect, even little Rose. The father had affair and impregnated the nanny. The mother is uptight and has a sudden fear of anything glass so there is nothing glass in the house. The paternal grandmother seems to carry a hatred for her son. Rose has a collection of sharp objects. Stella has a feeling of dread every time she visits the home but she can't quite put her finger on the cause of it.

The more Stella investigates, the more memories of her own past trauma start to resurface. She decides to start looking into the circumstances surrounding her mother's death. Will she finally learn the truth? Will she be able to save Rose? Or is Rose the murderer?

This book was a real page turner and I finished it in a day. Stella's flaws make her a very believable and likeable character. The contrasts and conflicts between the mother and father were relatable as well. The ending was good.

The only complaint I have is regarding Stella's association with a police detective. I wish it had been fleshed out more. It felt a bit rushed and almost like an afterthought.

All in all this book was a great read. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy.

I’m a big fan of Ms. Pekkanen’s novels, so I was stoked to have a chance to read The Glass House. It had me hooked from the first chapter, and it just might be my new favorite Sarah Pekkanen book.

From the stellar writing to the FASCINATING characters to the plot that had me going “just one more chapter” and staying up well past my bedtime several nights in a row, I truly can’t recommend this book enough.

In particular, I found the character Stella really interesting, and I hope we see her again in more books by this author. I’d read a whole series focused on this character!

Do you like creepy kid thrillers? Maybe the house is actually haunted? Or is our MC imagining all of it bc of past trauma? If these tropes hold your interest, you’ll love House of Glass! I thought it was a well thought out plot, but some parts were repetitive. Other than that, I really kept coming back to this book to see where the twists and turns led.

This is my first stand alone by this author and it won’t be my last! I give this 4 out of 5 stars. Only because I was hoping for some major jaw dropping twist and kinda saw this one coming. But the writing was excellent. I love a good creepy kid story. It’s my favorite trope. The middle dragged on just a little longer than I feel it had to. But the character development was good. At some points Rose creeped me out. Others, I felt sorry for her. The husband is typical. The wife is annoying. The grandma, ugh where do I begin lol. But all in all, I truly enjoyed this one. Can’t wait for the next!

HOLY MOLY. Book of the Year Material right here. Great read from start to end. Seriously could not put this down. Captivating characters and intense plotting lead to an incredible page turner. Pekkanen’s book is going to leave you speechless for days. I’m starting my promotions on this book so early because it’s truly worth all the hype. Her delivery of a truly haunting, creepy, and exceptional thriller is more than satisfying, it’s perfect. The best twists and the best scenery truly leaves you immersed. I cannot wait for this to be published!

Special thanks to St Martin’s Press & NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review!

Sarah Pekkanen delivered an attention grabbing thrilled full of suspense and unexpected twists. The story, characterized by its eerie atmosphere and constant tension, kept me engaged as tried to solve the murder and figure out each character's possible motive. The thrilling narrative, marked by its intricate family drama and murder mystery, will successfully captivate any reader who enjoys being kept on the edge of their seats! I loved the unexpected turns in the plot - definitely a highly recommended five-star thriller.

What a great thriller! It was creepy, haunting, and fast-paced and I couldn't stop reading it! Multiple times during the story, I tried to guess who the "bad guy" was and I of course, was completely wrong and pleasantly surprised at the awesome twist. If you like a book with some family drama, a murder, and a creepy old house, this is definitely the book for you. 5 stars!

Wow this book was a five star ⭐️ read ! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and hated when I had to stop to do other things. It was always in the back of my mind trying to figure it out. I never did know who was the villain. I think this book would make a great movie. I highly recommend it.

Definitely recommend this highly suspenseful read. The first half it was difficult for me to put down, I did felt like there was a tiny drag on the back end. I always love a who done it type mystery and this one did not disappoint.

What a fun, fast paced, whodunnit novel! Sarah Pekkanen kept me on my toes, constantly questioning each characters’ possible motives that ultimately leas to tragedy and trauma. I am rarely engrossed by these types of thrillers, but I couldn’t seem to put this one down! I can’t wait to pick up some of Pekkanen’s previous books. Hoping I’ll love them just as much!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read a digital ARC copy in return for my honest review.

Publication date 08/06/24

Book Review: "House of Glass" by Sarah Pekkanen

"House of Glass" by Sarah Pekkanen is a riveting thriller that delves into the tangled web of secrets and lies within the Barclay family. Set against the backdrop of a mysterious nanny's death and a traumatized nine-year-old girl, Pekkanen crafts a narrative that is as haunting as it is compelling.

From the moment Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney with her own troubled past, steps foot into the Barclay household, readers are drawn into a world of deception and danger. The absence of glass in the Barclay house serves as a chilling metaphor for the fragile facade that conceals the family's darkest secrets.

Pekkanen's prose is beautifully atmospheric, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page is turned. The pacing is relentless, driving the plot forward with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end.

The characters in "House of Glass" are richly drawn and deeply flawed, each with their own hidden motivations and desires. From Stella's determined pursuit of the truth to Rose Barclay's haunting silence, every character adds layers of complexity to the narrative.

While some elements of the plot may feel familiar to seasoned mystery readers, Pekkanen's skillful storytelling and masterful plotting elevate "House of Glass" above the standard fare of the genre. The resolution is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving readers with much to ponder long after the final chapter concludes.

In conclusion, "House of Glass" is a captivating thriller that showcases Sarah Pekkanen's talent for crafting suspenseful narratives. Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and intricate family dramas, this novel is sure to leave readers breathless with anticipation until the very end.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This was a great read, I was interested from the very beginning. I loved the character development of all of the key players, including Rose. I didn’t know “whodunit” until the end, which also gave it that “I must continue reading” feeling throughout the book. Sarah Pennanen is a really great author who knows how to keep you on your toes!

Stella is a lawyer, and hired to help Rose, a nine year old girl, who just witnessed her nanny falling to her death from the third floor window. It is thought that Rose is mute because of this, but is that the reason? Not her parents getting divorced? Her ever bearing Grandma! Highly recommend this book!
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Lots to love about House of Glass. Interesting story and characters that will leave you guessing. It felt suspenseful with a solid ending.

I requested an advance reading copy of this book from NetGalley as I wanted to read a book by this author. Stella, the main character in House of Glass is an attorney who helps to determine custody and placement of children. In the current case, the child, Rose, has traumatic mutism as the result of witnessing the death of her nanny. Stella also had dramatic mutism when her mother died. The author weaves together the experiences of Stella and Rose skillfully. I was invested in both stories and never felt distracted when the focus shifted. There are multiple suspects as to who caused the death of the nanny and the author created a plausible case for each of them. The ending was credible and satisfying. I'll definitely look for more books by Sarah Pekkanen.