Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley & St Martins Press for the digital copy.
This one had me suspicious of everyone. I enjoyed that the narrator was also suspicious of everyone and didn’t blindly trust anyone. She also took safety precautions, making it more logistically correct. I always love a good thriller this time of year.
This story follows a seemingly perfect couple, whose new life in a beautiful glass house takes a dark turn when things start to unravel. Pekkanen does an excellent job of building tension and creating a chilling atmosphere that makes the glass house itself feel like a character in the story—cold, transparent, and full of hidden dangers.
What I loved most about House of Glass were the complexities of relationships and trust. The characters are well-developed, with layers that are peeled back as the story progresses. I found myself constantly questioning who to trust and what the real truth was, which made for an engaging read.
While the plot is gripping, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven, and some of the twists were a little predictable. But overall, the story is compelling, and Pekkanen’s writing is sharp and atmospheric.
I absolutely loved this book. It was a fantastic thriller through and through, and I could not put it down.
Stella Hudson is a court appointed attorney assigned to help determine custody arrangements for nine-year old Rose Barclay. Rose has developed mutism due to traumatic events in her life. Her nanny fell (or was pushed) to her death through a window in the family home. At the same time, Rose’s parents, Ian and Beth, are going through a divorce as a result of Ian’s infidelity with the nanny. Rose lives with both her parents and her paternal grandmother, Harriet, in the home and Stella is tasked with understanding the dynamics and making a recommendation to the courts.
Meanwhile, Stella is navigating her own life’s trauma and working through her own divorce.
As Stella works to understand the Barclay family’s relationships, things are becoming more and more mysterious and creepy.
The story unfolds at a breathtaking pace and there are surprises that I didn’t see coming. Pekkanen’s writing and storytelling did not disappoint. This was a five star read for me; I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
THIS is the kind of book that reminds me why I enjoy psychological thrillers so much!!! Stella was an easy character to root for; intelligent, perfectly flawed in her own ways and never gave up. EVERYONE was a suspect to me - from a piano teacher all the way down to a 7 year old girl. LOVED this one so much!
House of Glass was a really enjoyable thriller. The author wove a path of terror as the story is told. I was totally creeped out by the characters, literally all of them! I really enjoyed the back story and I think it helped create the current portion but I was let down by the ending. I enjoyed it but for as scared as I was I thought it was a bit rushed and could have been a little more sinister.
Thanks for the advanced copy!
Stella is a lawyer who specializes in being a guardian ad litem for children whose parents are divorcing. Her mentor, Charles, recommends that she take on the case of Rose, a nine-year-old girl whose nanny fell through a third story window and now is suffering from traumatic mutism. Stella also suffered from this condition after her mother was found dead. She might understand Rose but she is reliving her own trauma and perhaps could have been more objective. I also found it odd that as the child's advocate she is also investigating the murder. I'm not sure if Stella's past really enhanced Rose's story. I had an inkling of what was really happening early on and kept reading for confirmation.
I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.
𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.75⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Mystery/Thriller📚
𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This one kept me guessing the whole time
𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Creepy kids
Domestic suspense
Psychological thrillers
Childhood trauma
Everyone is a suspect
Sinister and disturbing atmosphere
Intriguing whodunit
𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
I was hooked in from the beginning
Unique storyline
𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Pacing was a little slow at places
So much suspense! This one was a wild ride and even though It had me reading late into the night and I felt like anyone could have been the culprit. Would recommend !
I’m a big fan of Sarah pekkanen, I don’t think there’s a single book she’s done that I don’t love, and this book was no different!
First, I love the setup of a lawyer with a trauma background that specially only helps determine the best situation for the child. And the build on this one was perfect! The character development and twists kept you on your toes and wanting to keep reading. Devoured this as fast as I could! Sarah is an instant read for
This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Pekkanen, but it certainly won’t be the last! The story grabbed me from the first page and kept me enthralled until the end. The characters in this twisty tale are developed nicely and the writing is pure magic! Highly recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more of this author’s work. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
Love a good domestic thriller! This one pulled me in immediately.
I loved the short chapters and the interesting child aspect. You doubt everyone and I wasn't sure where this one was going, but definitely enjoyed the ride.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for both an ARC and ALC. The audio made it more eerie and atmospheric.
Twisty domestic thriller with dark themes and a satisfying resolution. I enjoyed the creepy kid vibes, the complicated interpersonal relationships, and the strong FMC. The villain reveal felt slightly anticlimactic but I’m not sure why that was. I think you’ll still enjoy the ride.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.
This is a difficult book for me to review, because I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it. I felt the writing was well done, the pacing flowed fairly well if not a little repetitive at times, and the overall plot was well thought out and executed. My dislike of the book rests solely with FMC Stella, who is not only the center of the book but also the narrator. Unreliable isn't quite the right category, because as a reader she is the subject matter expert when it comes to being assigned as the lawyer to represent 9 year old Rose. I didn't really love learning about her backstory, specifically with Charlie and maybe romance with the detective could have been left off the page, but I really disliked her. As a character, as a person. Arrogant and obnoxious borderline with a martyr complex just grated on me. I finished it, because I did want the ending but I didn't really like the journey.
Thank you SMP for the gifted ARC.
Alright guys…I actually had bad dreams about this one two nights in a row. Something about psychopathic children and being a second grade teacher…I guess it struck a cord with me! Once I finally finished the book, the dreams disappeared!
A nanny plunges to her death, a family going through divorce where both parents want sole physical and legal custody. An overbearing grandmother all of this comes to ahead in this novel. The author did a great job, making it hard to figure out who harmed the nanny. I really enjoyed it.
Loved this book. Great pace! Kept you guessing throughout. I enjoyed the character development and storyline. The twists and turns of the plot kept me engaged until the end.
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is the perfect blend of suspense and psychological intrigue that grips you and doesn't let go. Set in the opulent yet unsettling Barclay mansion, the story centers on Stella Hudson, a best-interest attorney tasked with navigating a complex custody battle for a traumatized child, Rose, who witnessed her nanny’s mysterious death. With no glass in the house, only plastic, the setting itself becomes a character that amplifies the eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere.
Pekkanen creates a sense of foreboding that permeates the novel, capturing my attention immediately. The narrative’s strength lies in its unsettling portrayal of a family where every member harbors dark secrets and motives, creating a web of suspicion that kept me guessing. The suspense builds steadily as Stella delves deeper into the family’s fractured dynamics, unearthing hidden truths and navigating the complex, often menacing, interactions among the Barclays.
The characterization of Rose is particularly compelling, with her eerie silence and unsettling behavior adding a layer of psychological depth to the story. The interplay between Stella’s own traumatic past and her current case enhances the emotional weight of the narrative, offering a nuanced exploration of trauma and recovery.
While the novel is a gripping read, some elements might feel predictable for seasoned mystery fans. The identity of the perpetrator and certain plot twists may be discernible ahead of time, which slightly diminishes the impact of the final revelations. Additionally, the book’s intense focus on atmospheric tension sometimes overshadows character development, particularly in secondary storylines.
Overall, House of Glass is an enthralling psychological thriller that successfully evokes a sense of danger and intrigue. Pekkanen’s skillful crafting of suspense and her vivid portrayal of a family entangled in secrets make this a standout read, even if it occasionally treads familiar ground. With its chilling atmosphere and tightly woven plot, I highly recommend it for dark, suspenseful fiction fans.
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martins Press, Sarah Pekkanen
4 ⭐️’s
This book held me captivated from the beginning in more ways than one! What an engrossing book to say the least! This was my first book by Sarah Pekkanen but it absolutely won't be my last! The way she put's characters together and family relationships is absolutely one for the books so to speak! Given that it was such a long book I have to say it was also the perfect length in more than one aspect! This author left me disliking majority of the characters throughout the whole book and I never guessed any of the twists which made me fall in love with this story even more! Sarah Pekkanen knocked this book out of the park so to speak
Giving this 3.5 stars
This was a great read filled with suspense! Stella Hudson has been assigned by the court to young Rose after she witnesses the death of her nanny leaving her traumatized and mute to decide who will get custody of Rose during her parent's bitter divorce. But things are not all that Stella believes they are, there are too many holes in the parent's and grandmother's account of what happened to their nanny that tragic day and Stella is beginning to feel that silent Rose is not the innocent young girl she thinks she is. This was a very riveting read and sometimes Rose's demeanor creeped me out, but I didnt see the twists this read ended up having.
Thanks to author Sarah Pekkanen and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my review. Forgive me NetGalley for being behind on this review, trying to catch up on my reads.
I received this ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange as a non biased review.
I was excited to read this because I have had great luck with some good thrillers this summer. I'm rating it a 3 because I'm not sure how I feel about this book. As taken from the blurb here is the preface of the story, "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?" In walks Stella who is hired by the attorney to find out who Rose should live with. I found Stella's backstory to be intriguing and how her life growing up plays into The House of Glass case and the little girl Rose she is sent to investigate.
In the beginning I was drawn in to the story but it seemed to kind of drop from there. The story does grab your attention but I guess it just didn't WOW me.
Another fantastic read by Sarah Pekkanen, there is a reason why I always look forward to her new books. House of Glass is another excellent story by this wonderful author in typical fashion Sarah's writing style has me turning the pages well into the late nigh. I really enjoyed the multiple layers within the characters some unexpected and most quiet interesting.