House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Nine year old Beth witnesses a horrific event and suffers traumatic mutism as a result. A guardian ad litem, Stella Hudson, is assigned to her, as in the midst of all her problems, Beth’s parents are divorcing. Stella works only for Beth and must decide who is to be the custodial parent.

There are many moving parts to this story including a who-dun-it mystery which must be solved. The storyline and good writing kept my attention throughout. I loved it all and how everything fit…until chapters 67 and 68 came along. Adding these chapters seemed very unnecessary to me. The end of chapter 66 was a perfect fit, and as such, I very sadly must give the book a four star instead of a five star review. I thank St Martin’s Press for this ARC for my review.

Sarah Pekkanen's House of Glass is a gripping and intricately woven thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story of Rose Barclay, a young girl who stops speaking after witnessing her nanny's possible murder, and Stella Hudson, the attorney tasked with uncovering the truth, is both haunting and captivating. As Stella uncovers the twisted secrets of the Barclay family, the suspense builds, and the eerie atmosphere of their glassless home adds to the chilling tension. With its complex characters and unexpected twists, this novel is an unforgettable journey into the heart of deception and danger.

A propulsive page turner with loads of twists and surprises await in Pekkanen's latest thriller. Including (but not limited to): a messy divorce, an opulent but weirdly dated mansion, a hovering grandmother (siding with her daughter-in-law in the divorce?!?), and at the center a creepy kid that collects glass shards and other sharp objects, and, oh yeah, doesn't talk.

Stella is the best interest attorney assigned to determine the kid's custody. The only way she'll be able to make that call is by figuring out what really happened to the nanny, who "fell" from a third floor window.

And Stella's dealing with some past trauma of her own. And someone's threatening her while she's trying to do her job.

I devoured this in one day. The mystery kept me guessing and there was a high creep factor and sense of urgency.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC. House of Glass was published today!

⭐️3.25
Child prodigy psychopath? Nine year old Rose suffers from traumatic mutism after witnessing her Nanny falling from a window to her death. Her parents, grandmother, teachers and even Rose is a suspect.

Stella is a best interest attorney seeking the truth while trying to cope with her own parents’ deaths.

I didn’t care for the slow burn and Stella’s side story. What I DID love was the development of Rose’s super creepy character. Overall a solid psychological thriller.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6365501104

Pub date: August 6, 2024
A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was riveting! I could not put it down, went to bed creeped out, woke up still thinking about it and dying to get to the end. As a local, I loved the DMV area setting. It was a twisty and smart thriller that seriously left me guessing until the very end. And I loved how there were multiple mysteries, not just involving the family that Stella is hired to work with but also in Stella’s own backstory. It made the plot so much deeper and richer, and kept the pace moving at breakneck speed. It is also one of those rare thrillers where I would say I’m totally happy with the ending! I do wish there was more complexity surrounding the ultimate resolution of the plot, the who-did-what of it all. It was very clean which was both satisfying and not at the same time. This book felt like a political thriller without the politics, which I can’t explain but you’re going to have to trust me! Overall, really solid thriller, great writing, and totally enjoyable!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Creepy family? Check.

Child who grows increasingly stranger? Check.

A story that doesn't quite make sense? Check.

If you were like me and wasn't sure where to set your expectations for this novel, I can promise it is so worth it to push through that uncertainty. Stella alone, the main character, is enough for me to give this 5 stars on her own. She was well fleshed out, interesting, and someone you root for from page one.

Rose is odd, growing increasingly more unsettling as the book goes on. Glass is being replaced throughout the entire house. Stella is slowly becoming more in danger as the pages turn. The family is divorcing and that's not the only thing pushing the uncomfortable atmosphere in the house.

All in all, this was a very good psychological thriller. The characters really give this book depth and it's addicting from the second you pick it up.

Big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

I’ve been a big Sarah Pekkanen fan for years, ever since reading & loving her co-written books with Greer Hendricks. I also really enjoyed Sarah’s 2023 release GONE TONIGHT!

HOUSE OF GLASS was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 and it didn’t disappoint.

I loved finding out the meaning of the book’s title. The characters were complex and there were complicated dynamics between the Barclay family.

I was most invested in nine-year-old Rose, who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny. The trauma of this, coupled with her parents’ bitter divorce, caused her to stop speaking.

Stella was hired as Rose’s best interest attorney to make a recommendation about custody. I was very invested in all of Stella and Rose’s interactions — Rose not being able to voice her thoughts made it all the more challenging to uncover what happened. Stella needs to determine if Rose is in danger, or if she is the root of danger.

I loved how suspenseful this book was and I couldn’t quite pin down my prediction because new information kept changing my thoughts!

HOUSE OF GLASS is a page-turner with short chapters and brilliant writing.

This novel is a suspense thriller that drew me in from the beginning and captivated my imagination with multiple layers in both the plot and the characters. The narrator and a best interest attorney named Stella is reliable, but the other characters just cannot be trusted. As Stella investigates the placement of young Rose Barclay, Rose’s parents are getting a divorce, Rose’s grandmother is homeschooling her and Rose’s Nanny was just found dead outside a window that she fell from while on duty at the Barclay house. Stella leads us seamlessly into the mystery of how Tina died and whether anyone had killed her or it was an accident. The fact than Beth, Rose’s mom, is obsessed with having no glass in the house was fascinating as was the fact that the dad Ian admitted to an affair with Tina and seemed not to be too concerned about the ramifications of his adultery. Both parents want custody of Rose, so Stella has her work cut out for her. The plot is multi-layered because in addition to the mystery of the Barclays, there is Stella’s past and her mother’s death that she is still dealing along with relationships she has made in her private life. There is also the added point of interest that Rose is mute following Tina’s death and Stella’s investigation is somewhat limited by not being able to question the child about her wishes. I was totally captured by the twisted plot and the unexpected surprised that came along during Stella’s investigation. I enjoyed the story and found it to be compelling and believable.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Stella Hudson is a lawyer, and she's taking on a new case. One that reminds her of her own childhood. Rose Barclay has completely stopped talking after her nanny died, and both of her parents are suspects. Stella is there to help her as her parents go through a divorce where they both want full custody of Rose. She must determine which parent is safe to leave Rose with. Nothing is quite as it seems, and the house is devoid of glass with nothing but plastic in its place. What's going on here?

This was a fascinating thriller with an eerie tension throughout. Each family member is a suspect, and it almost seems impossible to solve. You could feel Stella's anxiety as she navigates the situation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5 stars

Ohhhhh, I liked this one! Totally has this creepy atmospheric vibe the whole way through.

Author kept me guessing at what/who/where the evil feeling was coming from and everyone was a suspect! Hard to put down!

Stella was a stellar main character and I enjoyed the authors storytelling method. I would 100% read another book by this author or about this character, as I could easily see how one could write a series surrounding Stella Hudson.

Really enjoyed, I recommend it!

I really enjoyed this book and found it creepy at times.

The plot was so unique and had me on the edge of my seat to figure out what was actually going on.

I enjoyed the short chapters but also felt the book could have been a bit shorter.

Thank you NetGalley, author Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martins Press for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

House of glass is another psychological thriller by Sarah pekkanen, but this time with a slightly gothic twist. Rose barclay from a wealthy family and seems to have anything a 9 year old girl. That all changes when rose witnesses her nanny’s fatal fall and goes mute. Stella is an attorney appointed to rose when her parents are going through a divorce and Stella may be the only one who can unlock the secrets rose holds. Stella also went mute as a child after the traumatic loss of her mother and working closely with rose is causing Stella to reexperience long-buried memories and trauma. What dangers await Stella as she uncover the mysteries of the Barclay family? That’s the question that will keep the pages turning!

This is probably pekkanans best effort to date-a suspenseful mystery, well-defined characters, and depth and weight to the story. I liked the gothic elements and the creepy house where there is no glass to be found anywhere..

Well worth the read!

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange fir an honest review.

Stella is a lawyer; she works for her clients who are the children. This is the case she never wanted. The child, Rose, suffers from traumatic mutism since her nanny was either killed or simply fell from a window. The nanny was pregnant, Rose’s parents are going through a divorce, and her grandmother lives with them. Who could be the guilty party? Stella also suffered from traumatic mutism as a child thus identifying maybe too much with this case. Is Rose a murderer or is she in danger from one of the adults in her house? This book will draw you in and keep you guessing until the end. Read it!

House of Glass was so good! This is probably going to be one of my favorite psychological thrillers this year! The setting and the characters pulled me in and I couldnt put this book down!

Our main character Stella, a best interest attorney, has been tasked with figuring out which parent would be the best fit in raising Rose, Beth and Ian Barclay’s child who has recently become mute after the death of her nanny. Was it a murder? Was it an accident? The story weaves back and forth as new details surrounding the nanny’s death comes to light.

Between the setting and the characters, I truly found this such a creepy thriller!! I really enjoyed the writing style of Sarah Pekkanen and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced reader copy. All opinions are all my own.

BOOK: House of Glass
AUTHOR: Sarah Pekkanen
PUB DATE: 8/6/2024 by St. Martin’s Press
PAGES: 352 pgs
RATING: 4
GENRE: Mystery/Thriller

A BIG Thank You to @netgalley, @stmartins and the author for gifting me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

FAVORITE QUOTE: “The things we try to bury are often the things that need the most sunlight.”

QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: What a great mystery suspense this was! I couldn’t put it down and I did not guess the ending. Fast paced and an intriguing, “who dunnit”! I definitely recommend this book!

Happy Reading!

Loved this book!!! Great characters, great character development, and lots of twists that I didn't see coming at all! As a lawyer, I'm also pretty familiar with GALs, the best interest of the child analysis, and the family court system in the US. The author did a really nice job accurately portraying these in a fictional setting while developing an engaging family drama / thriller. A 5 start read for me! Thanks NetGalley!!

Pekkanen
🔍🏡💔 Sarah Pekkanen's House of Glass is a mesmerizing thriller that delves into the secrets and lies of a seemingly perfect family. With its complex characters and gripping plot, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

🌟🧩 A Web of Lies and Deceit
On the outside, the Barclays appear to be the golden family with an enviable life. But beneath the surface, they harbor dark secrets. The story kicks off with the mysterious death of a young nanny—was it an accident, or was she pushed? Adding to the mystery is nine-year-old Rose Barclay, who witnessed the incident and has since stopped speaking. Her unsettling behavior and collection of sharp objects only deepen the intrigue.

👩‍⚖️🕵️‍♀️ A Compelling Protagonist
Enter Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney known for her dedication to children in custody cases. Though she usually avoids taking on clients under thirteen due to her own traumatic past, she makes an exception for Rose at the behest of her mentor, a revered judge. Stella's journey into the Barclay household reveals a family far more troubled than she anticipated.

🏰🔒 An Eerie Setting
The historic DC home of the Barclays is more than just a backdrop—it's a character in itself. The plastic house, devoid of any glass, adds an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that enhances the sense of danger and mystery surrounding the family.

🔪🌹 Everyone is a Suspect
As Stella digs deeper into the nanny’s death, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies. The list of suspects includes the mother, father, grandmother, and even the nanny's boyfriend. The tension escalates as Stella realizes that the person she's supposed to protect might be the one she needs protection from.

🌟 Final Thoughts
House of Glass is a masterfully crafted thriller that explores the themes of trust, trauma, and the lengths people go to hide their secrets. Pekkanen's storytelling is compelling, with a plot full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

📚🔎🔄 If you enjoy psychological thrillers with intricate plots and deep character exploration, House of Glass is a must-read. Prepare for a chilling and immersive experience that will leave you questioning the nature of truth and deception.

Don’t miss out on this thrilling novel that promises to captivate and intrigue you from beginning to end!

Another spectacular, twisty psychological thriller from one of my favorite authors! As with Sarah’s other thrillers, this story packs in more than a typical mystery. It weaves depth into the main character creating a captivating and suspenseful storyline that kept me guessing. With all the vibes of an entitled wealthy family, a creepy child, a focused attorney, and unexplained incidents, I thought this storyline was going in one direction until it wasn’t! It just kept getting better as I got to know each character and bits of the mystery were revealed. I started out with the physical book then switched to audio and thought the narration was excellent!

House of Glass is a gripping thriller, built on a foundation of secrets and childhood trauma. Though some of the story’s many layers seem unnecessary, the troubled characters and the complex story make it an engrossing read.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

Stella is a best interest attorney, representing children caught in contentious custody battles. When her mentor requests that she take on the case of a 9-year-old girl whose nanny mysteriously fell to her death in the shadow of her parents' impending divorce, Stella steps in to help the traumatized child who has ceased to speak since the incident. Rose displays concerning behavior when Stella as suspicion surrounds who may be responsible for the nanny's fall.

With a suspicious death, a high-stakes divorce, and a disturbed child, I was immediately drawn into this psychological thriller. The story is well-paced, keeping the pages turning with a sense of urgency. Rose lends an aura of horror, ramping up the tension and suspense, while Stella's struggle to maintain emotional distance for professional objectivity brings humanity to the situation.

Add this to your reading list for a suspenseful page-turner that immerses you in its unsettling family dynamic and compelling MC side plot.