Solid Suspense Takes Atypical Turns. This is one of those tales that almost seems destined for at least a sequel, if not a series of some level. There's more than enough here to justify it, and yet this story itself is fully complete as is. In other words, coming back to this world would be interesting and compelling... but not necessarily *necessary*.

I love the way that certain elements are played in an all-too-real-yet-not-usually-shown-in-fiction manner, and the specific construction of how Stella's past and present collide is particularly well done - and perhaps indicative that no sequel is expected here, as that particular sub plot could have been spread across a small series - while not feeling rushed or out of place fully happening within this story itself.

There *is* one particular element that could throw at least some readers off, and that is the (minor) romance subplot and specifically that it introduces an LGBT element not otherwise present in the story. Minor spoiler there, apologies, but I'd rather avoid 1*s (which I've seen already) specifically because of this. So just know it going forward, and yes, I know that others will praise this book specifically for that very point. *In the context of this particular story as told*, to me it felt refreshing that the author would choose to go that direction rather than feeling forced in just to have that "representation" in the book, but it is also a point where I could see others feeling that it was a touch forced, and they wouldn't get much pushback from me beyond what I just stated - it didn't feel that way *to me*.

Overall a truly well told, suspenseful, complex tale with a more-fleshed-out-than-many main character that clearly has a lot going on, and a tale whose world seems ripe for exploring more of. So here's hoping we get a chance to, and here's hoping it will be soonish.

Very much recommended.

Pekkanen's House of Glass is the kind of thriller that leaves you bleary-eyed from staying up till 5AM ( Which I did to finish this book). I felt like I was a ghost hovering around Stella as everything was going down. Page turning and thrilling in a way not done before. House of Glass is the book you need to pick up if you are a thriller enthusiast, but be prepared to lose some sleep.
A big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book!

This is a really great book if you’re in a slump and need something to quickly grab your interest. That’s exactly what it did for me! I was invested in Stella and her job as a best interest attorney to determine the fate of Rose, a 9 year old girl whose parents are divorcing. The family’s nanny died under mysterious circumstances and that has affected the whole family. I thought I guessed where it was going but I was pleasantly surprised by the twists! Fun read!

I absolutely love Sarah Pekkanen books and this one didn’t disappoint. Full of twists and turns and suspects. I can’t wait for her next book. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.

An intelligent, multilayered thriller that is also very quick moving. Something important was always happening as Stella tried to solve the mystery of who killed the nanny, Tina and what really happened in her past when her parents died. The interconnected characters were expertly woven together. I am looking forward to reading the other novels this author has written. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

A nanny falls to her death…was she pushed?? I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn’t stop reading. I had to see what was happening next in this whodunnit thriller. Rose is 9 years old and stops speaking after witnessing the nanny’s death. Stella is a best interest attorney assigned to Rose as her parents are divorcing. Stella uncovers many secrets about this family during her assignment that were shocking and had me double guessing who I suspected many times!
I loved this book! Fans of The Push will love this!!

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on September 11th, 2024. Links provided.

On the surface, the Barclay family seems perfect. Yet beneath their polished facade lies a web of deceit. A young nanny has mysteriously died. Was it an accident or murder? And why did nine year old Rose, who apparently witnessed the incident, all of a sudden stop speaking and start collecting sharp objects? Enter Stella Hudson, a lawyer who specializes in child custody cases. Despite her personal trauma and preference for older clients, Stella reluctantly takes on the twisted case at the urging of a respected judge and good friend. As she steps into the Barclays’ opulent, glassless home, she uncovers unsettling truths that suggest everyone - parents, grandmother, and even the silent Rose - could be a suspect in the nanny’s death. But as Stella unravels their secrets, she realizes that the person she’s meant to be protecting just might actually pose the greatest threat.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in one day! The fast pacing and short chapters made it almost impossible for me to put down. I loved the writing and couldn’t wait to find out the mystery behind the nanny’s death. Even though the story was fast paced, I felt the author did an amazing job of developing the characters and allowing the reader to get a better understanding of who each character was as the story progressed, right until the final reveal. Although I wasn’t shocked by the ending, I had so much fun reading this story. I actually really appreciated how the story (and ending) were both plausible, as I think so many stories in the thriller/suspense genre these days are so far-fetched just for the shock factor. This was my first book by Sarah Pekkanen and I will definitely be reading more of her works in the future! I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun, fast paced, and well written domestic thriller.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of House of Glass in return for my honest review.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I found it to be slow and predictable. I also thought the added romance was unnecessary and didn't really fit.

I have read many duel thrillers that featured Sarah Pekkanen. This book is just as great as any other.

Kept me engaged the entire time. Psychological thriller fans unite!

It’s sometimes difficult to get through plots that have considerable evil lying underneath them. This was very eerie to read and didn’t depend on twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. It just made me further and further invested. I never had a chance to stop reading this one.

I literally suspected EVERYONE in this story at one point or another. While this was definitely a slow burn at first (in my opinion) it was FULL of suspense. I would definitely recommend grabbing this one when it comes out in August.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ℍ𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝔾𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤
𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗸𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻
Thriller
352 pages

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
Stella is the lawyer who has to decide which parent Rose should live with after her parents divorce.

Figuring out the Barclay family is a tricky situation as everyone in that house lies, and Rose has mutism brought on by the death of her nanny.

That death is suspicious as she fell through a window. Was it accidental?

Throw in infidelity, grandma living in the home, and a pregnancy, and you have one tricky family to decipher.

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
House of Glass makes you question the whole family. As it progresses, more is learned about each of them, and my mind took it all in and made me unsure of who the guilty party is.

I felt the story moved quickly. The atmosphere in the Barclay house was dark and somewhat creepy.

I had a very tough time figuring Rose out. She did so many odd things throughout the story. Besides strange behavior, she was highly intelligent. Mix those, and yikes!
This was a thriller I could and did sink my teeth into.

💕Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

I usually enjoy a good "Is this child evil?" premise, but this one left me hanging. It focused entirely too much on the main character's childhood and her potential new relationship with a woman instead of the actual plot, which is a woman who either committed suicide or was murdered...

I didn't feel the throw in of a lesbian relationship was necessary because it felt like it was being thrown in there for no real reason other than to have LGBTQIA+ characters. In no way do I mind this being in the book, and I'm a huge ally and advocate for diversity in literature, however this felt cheap somehow because it wasn't the main focus of the book. It would've been different if it tied in, but it didn't and therefore was unnecessary.

This book gave me whiplash and felt very unorganized. I really wanted to like this more, but it wasn't for me.

This was a twisty and intriguing premise that kept me entertained as I sifted through the list of suspects and suspicious behaviors. I happen to share a name with the nanny, so I was highly invested in what happened to her. None of the characters were particularly likable, but that’s not that unusual in a story like this one. It kept me guessing until the end and ended satisfyingly. .

I loved it, especially bringing in topics of trauma and mental health issues. These topics are not often discussed especially as the main character being as survivor. I loved this book and will recommend to others.

A great start, but fizzled for me midway. I appreciated the mystery behind what happened here and who was to blame. Great pick for thriller fans looking for a quick read!

This was definitely a thrill ride. I really enjoyed the fast pace of the book. Like the main character Stella, I also work as a best-interest attorney on both custody and child abuse cases. The idea that a best interest attorney works one case at a time and spends multiple hours each day on one case was very foreign to me, although it may be different in other states, especially on the type of high-profile, big-money divorce cases the main character seems to work on. Even though Stella's job looked unrealistically different from my personal experience, I still enjoyed the story immensely and liked the idea of my job as being more like hers. The twists and turns kept me guessing until late in the plot.
Pekkanen seamlessly weaves in a beautiful backstory for Stella and highlights the complexity of relationships and connections in our work and personal lives.
I think fans of Freida McFadden's Housemaid series would really like this book. I wouldn't mind if Stella had a series where she encountered high stakes cases on the regular.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
A wealthy couple, a dead nanny, and a child who collects sharp objests and refuses to speak. Stella Hudson is the lawyer who has to uncover who in the family is the murderer and who is the victim.
Nine year old Rose Barcly suffers from traumatic mutism after seeing her nanny plunge to her death. Her parents are going through a divorce and the mediation lawyer assigned to their case must decide who holds Rose's best interest. But everyone has a secret, even the lawyer.
This twisty ride offers up a good stab of mystery and a few twists that will give you pause. All in all it was a good mystery and it kept me guessing. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

House of Glass is a captivating read that offers a delightful escape from reality. With its engaging narrative and well-crafted characters, it manages to hold the reader’s attention from start to finish. The plot, while predictable, unfolds with a charm that makes the journey enjoyable despite its familiarity.

The strength of this book lies in its accessibility and ease of reading. Sara has a knack for creating a story that is both smooth and engrossing, perfect for those who are looking for a light yet satisfying read. The prose is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy a relaxed pace and a clear storyline.

While the predictability of the plot might not offer many surprises, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience. The book’s appeal lies more in the execution of its familiar themes and the strength of its characters rather than in groundbreaking twists.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone seeking a pleasant and easy read. It’s ideal for a weekend escape or a cozy evening in. Despite its predictability, it delivers an enjoyable experience that’s worth your time.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

I hold high expectations for Sarah Pekkanen's books. You do not even have to tell me the description as long as it is written by her it will be going on my TBR. Once I did indeed read the description I was a little nervous starting it as the plot involves a child.

The story revolves around a nanny who is murdered in the home she lives in while taking care of the above mentioned young child. The mystery is four people were said to be in the house at the time of the murder and no one claims to have seen or know who did it. Queue the whodunit. This story had so many twists and turns, as soon as I thought I had figured out who could be the culprit, the author had me second guessing,.

This was such a quick read and I enjoyed it very much! suspenseful and had me guessing til the end! I've not read many books by SP, but the ones that I have read, I have enjoyed!