This one was definitely a slow burn and the first half felt like it was moving pretty slowly. The obvious suspect was clearly a red herring from the beginning, like maybe the author was trying too hard. Everything was just over explained in the end. I would have liked a bit more connection between the two story lines too!

3.5 stars rounded down. Started out strong and was loving it but got a little slow in the middle. By the end I was reading faster just to see who did it. There were a couple of story lines that seemed thrown in and didn't add anything. In fact, I thought they took away from the main story about Rose.

From the very first page of “House of Glass”, I was completely hooked and found it nearly impossible to put down. Sarah Pekkanen has delivered another gripping story with her signature style of storytelling that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The book stands out not only for its intriguing plot but also for its exceptional character development. Pekkanen's ability to breathe life into her characters and make them relatable is my favorite. Each character feels multi-dimensional, real, and relatable which adds depth to the story and makes it all the more intriguing. The book's structure is my favorite format…...short, fast-paced chapters that create a highly engaging reading experience.

“House of Glass”, Is a quick read due to its fast pace and engaging story, and it kept me eagerly turning the pages until the very end. I can’t recommend it highly enough—this one definitely earns a full 5 stars!

I enjoyed this thriller! There weren’t crazy twists or scares, but it was still a tense page turner. Stella was a decent character who really did have her clients’ best interests at heart. The Barclays were definitely an interesting family, and the central mystery around their nanny’s death was intriguing. There were some teased backstories that never really went anywhere, but it wasn’t distracting. The ending was satisfying and I’m glad I read this book. Beautiful cover colors as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book!

This book starts out strong. I wanted to like it. But unfortunately the main character started to get on my nerves and by the end I just didn't care anymore. I wasn't all that surprised at the ending either. It was ok but I wish I had liked it more.

I'm a big Sarah Pekkanen fan, so I jumped at the opportunity to read an advanced copy of House of Glass. It did not disappoint!

At the heart of this riveting story is nine-year-old Rose Barclay, a silent witness to the tragic death of her nanny, which has shattered her family's facade of perfection. The author's portrayal of Rose alternates between haunting and heartbreaking. It's why I couldn't stop listening!

Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney (also sometimes known as a guardian ad litem) with her own traumatic childhood, who reluctantly takes on Rose's case. As Stella delves deeper into the Barclay family's secrets, we're drawn into a world where nothing is as it seems. Pekkanen's skill in crafting complex, flawed characters shines through, making each suspect in the nanny's death feel believable and potentially culpable.

The Barclay's historic DC home, with its iron gates and unsettling lack of glass, becomes a character in its own right. The author's vivid descriptions create a palpable sense of unease that makes this such a compelling story.

As Stella races against time to uncover the truth, the story takes unexpected twists and turns that challenge our assumptions and keep us guessing until the very end. The author deftly explores themes of trauma, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets, all while maintaining a pace that made me speed through this book.

House of Glass is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave depth, nuance, and characters that linger in the mind long after the story ends. It's a testament to Pekkanen's skill that she can tackle such heavy subject matter while still leaving readers with a glimmer of hope. This is one I highly recommend!

I received this e-book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the copy!

After a young nanny plummets to her death and a family is facing an impending divorce, Stella is called as the best interest attorney to give her recommendation on who Rose, the 9 year old daughter, should live with, because she has gone mute since the accident. Stells doesn't normally take on a case for a child this young, but she felt connected to Rose since Stella had also gone mute as a child after her mother died. After interviewing with Beth and Ian, the parents of Rose, as well as Harriett, Ian's mom who lives with them, and a handful of other people, Stella starts to question whether or not the nanny's death was an accident or not. As things start to get weirder, Stella starts to wonder if Rose is the issue and not the parents.

I don't think this was a bad book, it just didn't catch my attention in the beginning as much as I wanted to. As the story went on, I started to get more invested, but there was just something missing. I really thought the story would start going in one direction, but then it would go in another, which was good; the entire story wasn't predictable.

So I did accidentally start reading this book after finishing a different book with a creepy kid (I like to go in to books kind of blindly) but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this one. Once I got to make the 30% mark I couldn't put it down.
This is a great one to consume with your ears. The narrator did a great job with pacing and bringing the unlikable characters to life.

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a really interesting phycological thriller. It follows attorney Stella as she works a case to figure out the best custody arrangement for young client Rose. Rose's parents have filed for divorce after their live in nanny fell out a window and it came to light that she was having an affair with Rose's father. Rose has stopped speaking after the horrible events in her home, so it is Stella's job to put together the facts and determine what the most suitable and safe environment for Rose will be after the divorce. As she gets to know the family, it is clear that they are hiding something and they know more about the nanny's death than they are letting on. The closer she gets to the truth, the more likely it is that anyone of them could have murdered the nanny including nine year old Rose. As Stella investigates the case, trauma from her own past surfaces, and she struggles to keep her own feelings out of the case she is investigating as her past overlaps her present.

This kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. One second I was convinced it was the daughter, the next it was one of the parents, then it was the grandmother, then in the next chapters I changed my mind again. The author does a good job providing the reader with a good amount of red herrings to keep you guessing but does leave enough clues lead you to the right answer. I also enjoyed learning about Stella's background story, it had you wondering if it was a distraction from the main plot, if she was projecting her own trauma onto the case or if she was doing a better job because of her past. I do think the addition of the romantic subplot was a bit unnecessary, it was a small part of the book so it wasn't that distracting.

Overall I enjoyed this, I thought I had great pacing, and while I normally don't like books with small children in them when it comes to thrillers this one was worth the read.

Stella Hudson is a “best interest attorney,” assigned by the court in divorce/custody cases to ensure the best result for the child. Ian and Beth Barclay are getting divorced, the final straw being Ian’s affair with their nanny, Tina. But Tina is now dead having fallen from a window in the Barclay’s massive house. Rose is the child caught in the middle, but she hasn’t spoken since the death of Tina. Add Ian’s mother, Hannah, to the mix and you have a mess that Stella must wade through in determining which parent should have custody post divorce. Stella had a difficult childhood as well including suffering from “traumatic mutism” just like Rose so she seems to be a good fit to investigate and make the appropriate recommendations. But it is not nearly as straightforward as one would expect as each adult seems to have their own agenda.

This was the first book I have read by Pekkanen, having seen/heard about her earlier works, most of which was positive. I was not all that impressed - there were too many places where the story seemed to get bogged down in irrelevant dialog and description. The story does keep you guessing as to who will be the real bad guy - all the main characters were possible - although I did guess who it was fairly early on and the ultimate reveal was well done. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Publishers for the arc of House of Glass. I’ve read all of Sarah’s books so I was thrilled to get a chance to read this one. In the beginning be know that a nanny feel to her death from an open window in the mansion where Rose lives with her family. Rose’s parents are getting a divorce and are working through a custody battle. Stella is the attorney who was assigned to Rose to find out which parent should obtain custody of Rose. Stella was assigned this case by Charles, who has known Stella for many years and because he knows that Stella will relate well to Rose due to her traumatic mutism. When Stella starts going over to the mansion for visits with Rose, we start to get an uneasy vibe that progresses into creepiness. I do enjoy a creepy kid book. But this was so much more. We get to follow Stella as she collects clues along the way and we also get to visit Stella’s backstory which was her traumatic childhood and the death of her Mom. Two stories unfolding at the same time with breadcrumbs we can follow lead to a tense and gripping novel. There were a few times where I was stunned and shocked at some of the revelations. I read this in one sitting because I needed to see it through. The character development was very well done and the suspense was perfect.

If you’re new to the thriller genre and are looking for a suspenseful read, House of Glass might be a good pick for you. But if you’re a seasoned reader with a number of thrillers under your belt, I’d skip this one. The plot is fairly one dimensional and felt like it dragged. The twist at the end was a bit of a let down after a lot of build up. On the plus side, there is an interesting set up and premise and it is a fast read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

My first solo book read from Sarah Pekkanen. I've previously read and enjoyed all the co-authored books she wrote with Greer Hendricks. This latest book from Pekkanen is a psychological thriller that I liked in parts, but never felt fully invested in.

I personally did not become invested in the lead character, and with the entire novel being from that character's first person pov, I struggled. I felt there was a lot of telling instead of showing or revealing. Giant red herrings throughout - I knew the obvious wouldn't be the final outcome, but it was hard to see past the misdirection. The suspense definitely built to the end, but again much of the resolution was told instead of shown. I didn't hate this book by any means, but overall I won't find it memorable.

ARC received from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

House of Glass by Sara Pekkamen is a psychological thriller that probably will make you think. How far can someone go to protect themselves or their idea of normalcy?

Stella is a BIA who works for the interest of minors. Charles, her mentor, urges her to take up the case where both the parents want custody of Rose. But Rose is mute. Can Stella advocate for Rose without bias? Meanwhile, Stella has to fight her own demons while advocating for Rose.

This book kept me hooked until the end. The twists and turns of the story were interesting, though Stella's inner thoughts were distracting sometimes. However, the author has done an amazing job of writing the effects of trauma even years after the event or events. The grief that someone carries can be traumatic for an individual, and the author has captured it well. Be warned that there are definitely some content warnings with this book, so please look into it.

Rose Barclay is a nine year old with traumatic mutism, witnessing not only her parents' divorce but the events leading up to it--the fatal fall of her nanny, impregnated by her father. Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, assigned to determine which of Rose's parents should be given custody of her. But with Rose unable, and unwilling, to assist her, her task is that much harder.

The Barclay estate is beautiful, but each time she visits, Stella senses malevolence. She soon begins to distrust everyone who lives there--Rose's parents, Rose's grandmother, even Rose herself.

Set in the autumn, with cooling weather, falling leaves, this novel is as chilling as its season. As Stella endangers herself to draw out the killer, she also faces her own past--her mother's death when she was only seven, who her mother's last visitor was. Sarah Pekkanen writes impeccable suspense. #HouseofGlass #NetGalley

I really enjoy this author and was super excited to read this one! It definitely did not disappoint. The writing kept me intrigued and engaged with the story. I enjoyed our protagonist and the wide cast of characters. The mystery in the story was a rollercoaster. I enjoyed the psychological elements of the plot. It really kept me guessing. I felt like the plot of Marco, his new girlfriend, and Angela was irrelevant and completely unnecessary. Same thing with the budding romance with detective Garcia.

Such a great thriller!! I thought I knew what had happened, but it went a different way. I loved the suspense and questions this story had. I really enjoyed reading this one. The audiobook was so good too! I really enjoyed the narrator, and the audio gave the story more suspense. Very good! Highly recommend!!

*Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: ebook and audiobook

😮Creepy kid
😮Creepy house
😮Traumatic mutism
😮Suspenseful - you won’t want to put it down
😮DC setting
😮Quick read

I keep thriller reviews short because I don’t want to give too much away. This book was creepy in the best way! I was reading it at night while my husband was out of town and got sufficiently SPOOKED.

I think this would make a good book club pick! So much to discuss.

I’ve heard mixed reviews about the audio, but I personally really enjoyed it!

A big thank you to @macmillan.audio for my audiobook and @stmartinspress for my eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. House of Glass is out now!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy of House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one and finished it in one sitting. Laura Benanti did a fantastic job with the audio and I was sucked in right away.

I had no idea what was going on in the thriller and I kept making guesses and wasn’t sure how it was going to end. I did like the twist and how everything came together.

I found the connection between Stella and Rose interesting and couldn’t help but looking into the theme of traumatic muteness.

The backstory on the Stella and a few other secondary characters helped move the story along and I was really connected to many of the characters because of their past.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this one especially if you are into thrillers that keep you on your toes.

House of Glass
By Sarah Pekkanen
Published: 8/6/24
Genre: thriller

This thriller brings to the forefront that things aren’t always what they seem and people aren’t always exactly who you think they are. Life is complicated and messy for these characters. It was a little slow of a pace for a thriller. I didn’t find the reveals to be particularly surprising, and I wouldn’t say there were really any shocking twists. I liked it better than okay, but less than enjoyed. If I’m being picky, I’d rate this one 3.75 stars. Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I also grabbed a physical copy from BOTM, because I do prefer turning those paper pages.😉 Even though this wasn’t my favorite, I thought The Golden Couple was excellent and will continue to read books by this author.