I am a big fan of Pekkanen’s work and her newest is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as it did me. It read equal parts whodunnit mystery and suspenseful thriller. I was captivated by the premise involving Rose, a young girl who witnesses her nanny’s murder and then proceeds to go mute as Stella, her lawyer, starts to investigate.

With only the immediate family on the premise at the time of the murder, you naturally begin to suspect-which if you’re a seasoned thriller reader, you know not to trust any red herrings or obvious clues. Because of that I suspected the culprit early on but was hoping to still have some kind of shocking twist at the very end which unfortunately I didn’t get. That and the only other twist in the book was also easily identifiable for me. That combined with much of the book exploring the lawyer’s own trauma, which at times slowed the plot down for me, I decided on my rating (still a 4 star and I still absolutely recommend this book)! With that said, I think many others will find the reveals shocking and will thoroughly enjoy this twisty mystery.

Overall I really enjoyed and will continue to eagerly anticipate all future books this author puts out! Thank you so much to St Martins Press and NetGalley for this #gifted eARC!

2.75 ⭐️

The premise sounded so intriguing…

Nine-year old Rose stops speaking after her nanny (who is also her father’s pregnant affair partner) plunged to her death through a window. Attorney Stella Hudson is hand-picked by her legal mentor to represent Rose’s best interest in her parents’ custody battle because she herself suffered from traumatic mutism following the death of her mother.

Is her creepy but bright voiceless client a traumatized witness, or did she push the nanny herself? If only Rose could communicate!!

Except… she can. She could WRITE the words she cannot say. Whether she’s a secret psychopath or a girl in need of help, surely she’d want to write down her own version of what happened. But nope. Wouldn’t a child prodigy at least carry around a notebook so that at family dinners, she can ask someone to pass the salt? Instead, Rose’s communication in all forms is minimal, terse or vague. In reading other glowing reviews, I seem to be the only nitpicker that this bothered. But one of my biggest pet peeves in the thriller/mystery genre is when a character’s inaction serves to draw out the plot.

Overall, the writing and plot seemed a bit scattered, like throwing darts at multiple dartboards at once. While a particular plot twist hit the bullseye, many of the other storyline tosses bounced off the wall.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rose is nine years old and suffers from traumatic mutism as a result of witnessing the death of her nanny Tina, in the midst of her parents acrimonious divorce.
Stella is a best interest attorney who represents the children in custody cases. She usually refuses to take on cases of children under 13 because of her own traumatic past-she also suffered from traumatic mutism as a child which makes her the best person to try and reach Rose and determine who is the best parent to be awarded custody.
But there are details surrounding Tina’s fall that make the police have doubt about whether or not it was an accident that makes everyone a suspect, even Harriet, Rose’s handicapped grandmother who lives with them. The Barclays have removed all the glass from the house after the fall after the discover that Rose has started sneakily collected sharp objects and hiding them. But even more troubling is why the Barclays are so hesitant to allow Stella to spend time alone with Rose.
I really enjoyed that this didn’t go overt the too with crazy twists and the resolution was satisfying. There’s not an overwhelming amount of characters to have to keep up with and they were developed enough that you could get to know them and the plot was original! Hallelujah!!
Thanks to St. Martins Press for this eArc in exchange for my review.

This book was a change of pace for me for sure but I loved every minute. You won’t regret picking this one up!

I found myself really into this at first but by the end it just didn't hold the same thrill factor. It was giving me Turn of the Key vibes but the ending was not as shocking or as satisfying. I like the premise but I don't feel like enough time was spent with the family in question. A lot of it was about Stella and her background instead.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and listen an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love thrillers and this did not disappoint. I have read others of this authors books and I will sure read more from her in the future.
The story is both creepy and suspenseful and the narrator did an excellent job.
4/5

Wow, this book was interesting. I haven’t read a book like this before. Loved how original the story was, and I found the writing kept me super engaged. I can’t wait to recommend this book to some friends!

Another suspenseful Sarah Pekkanen book. This took me just several sittings to finish- it was that good. It is a story about a mysterious death and a child who becomes mute as a result, leaving the reader to wonder how the tragic event unfolded. Leading the charge is Stella, a court guardian who has to figure out what is best for the child. This, however, requires her to understand what happened and what caused a many to die. Throughout the story, the reader never knows who to trust, who is lying, and who is telling the truth. The end is satisfying, though. This is definitely worth the read.
Thank you NetGalley for a ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

I love this author and was very excited to get a #gifted e-book (thank you @stmartinspress)!

This was a quick thriller with a wild premise. I devoured it in a few days and was hooked from the very beginning. I’m a sucker for a “bad seed” premise so loved this one. I will say that some of thing revelations at the end were a little much/too coincidental, but I still liked it overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen will be released on August 13th, 2024.

Normally I am immediately hooked by any book that includes this author - but House of Glass just didn't hit the way that her books usually do. I'm not going to say the book was bad because it wasn't. The story, the concept, the writing: it was all great and I can't really pinpoint my exact issue other than I just didn't connect to the characters, but that could also be because I was in a bit of a reading slump and had other things going on in my life that took priority. I found myself struggling to keep focus on the story until about 75% of the way through, and then it was like her other books.


Rating this book is hard. I would definitely recommend the book.

Thanks so much to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, I did not like this book. I felt like the characters were annoying and I just didn't care about the plot at all. I found the twists obvious and I just didn't care.

I hope others enjoy this one but it wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this book! There were several twists, and I never guessed the ending! The plot was great and I felt connected to Stella. Definitely would recommend this read! I always love reading a book and finding the part where the title makes sense.

I absolutely devoured this book in two days! It took me wholly by surprise. Honestly, I went in expecting a popcorn thriller that I’d enjoy but not remember, and instead I got this gem of a five-star read. I was totally hooked on this story. The psychological suspense was so gripping, with a shocking conclusion of events. It has creepy atmosphere, untrustworthy characters, easily absorbed writing. The pacing kept me turning the pages and unable to stop. A definite must-read thriller of the year! If you’re looking for an immersive, nail-biter read, this is the one.

House of Glass, a riveting novel by Sarah Pekkanen, is a captivating tale that explores the complexities of family, secrets, and the fragile nature of relationships. The story revolves around women whose lives become intertwined in unexpected ways, leading to a series of revelations that threaten to shatter their carefully constructed worlds.

Pekkanen's writing is both elegant and suspenseful, drawing readers into the lives of these characters with vivid descriptions and emotional depth. The narrative effortlessly shifts perspectives, allowing us to delve into the thoughts and motivations of each woman, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its ability to address complex themes with sensitivity and nuance. Pekkanen tackles issues such as infidelity, betrayal, and the lingering effects of past traumas, exploring the ways in which these experiences shape our choices and relationships. The characters are flawed yet relatable, their struggles resonating with readers on a personal level.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, with each chapter revealing new layers of secrets and hidden truths. The suspense builds gradually, culminating in a series of shocking revelations that leave readers breathless. Pekkanen's ability to maintain tension while delving into the emotional complexities of the characters is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

While House of Glass is undoubtedly a compelling read, it does have a few minor shortcomings. Some readers may find the plot twists predictable, and the ending may feel somewhat rushed. However, these flaws do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel.

In conclusion, House of Glass is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of family, secrets, and the fragile nature of relationships. Sarah Pekkanen's writing is both elegant and suspenseful, drawing readers into the lives of these characters with vivid descriptions and emotional depth. While the plot may have a few minor flaws, the novel's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. If you're looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging read, House of Glass is definitely worth picking up.

Don’t get me wrong, my 3⭐️ rating doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book; I did. But, overall, it was a bit underwhelming. I had the ending pegged from nearly the beginning, and kept reading in hopes that I’d be wrong. But the big, dramatic, sinister twist that was supposed to drive the storyline in an entirely different direction only confirmed my initial suspicions. This book had the potential to be incredibly dark, and while it was a twisted story, the ending didn’t follow through in the same ways.

Not every book is for everybody, and if you enjoyed the author's last book, I’d say this one is worth reading. It just didn’t blow my mind like I thought it would.

Nine year old Rose stops speaking after witnessing the tragic death of her nanny. On top of this, her parents, Ian and Beth Barclay, are in the midst of a divorce and both have petitioned for full custody. Stella is a best interest attorney appointed to the Barclays to determine Rose’s best interests. Rose’s grandmother, Harriet, lives with the family and is quick to share her opinions with Stella on whom Rose should live with. But the more Stella learns about this family, she wonders whether Rose is safe with any of her family members, and if she may even be a danger to herself. You see, Rose collects sharp objects, is angered easily, and there’s evidence to suggest she may have had a hand in her nanny’s death. Soon, Stella finds that her role as Rose’s advocate has forced her confront her own dark past, and it isn’t long before her past and present begin to intertwine. Stella isn’t sure who needs protecting in the Barclay family, but just as she’s determined to move forward in her own life, she’ll stop at nothing to find the truth. Even if that means admitting that anyone of the Barclays could be a killer.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Publishing and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review will also be shared on my Instagram page in the coming days.

I devoured this book! There’s something so creepy about children sometimes, especially Rose, so I really wanted to get to the bottom of the situation alongside Stella. The book was full of misdirections and I loved that about it. I couldn’t trust my own thoughts and opinions and by the time I got to the end I realized that I had been manipulated, just like Stella! What an excellent use of the characters to create a certain perspective/narrative.

I alternated between the book and audiobook and fully enjoyed the experience that the audiobook narrator provided. I found myself up half the night listening and unable to turn it off!

I loved this book. Didn't want it to be over, yet I couldn't put it down. Family dynamics, evil kids, it's all intriguing. Is Stella getting in over her head, is her own childhood clouding her judgement? Great read from Sarah yet again.

4⭐️

As I absolutely loved Gone Tonight by the same author I was keen to read this book asap.

This is the second book I’ve read about child protective services, Here is court appointed best interest attorney Stella who is investigating where Rose the appointed child interest lies after her Nanny died in suspicious circumstances. The previous book concentrated more on the court procedure (Between the Lies Louise Tickle for anyone curious) This one is more investigative than court based.

Of course there are plenty of secrets, lies and twists it wouldn’t be a psych thriller without. It’s got a good pace. It kept me entertained, there’s a couple of dodgy decisions (to be expected). There’s characters to love, hate and be suspicious of, sometimes all three at once.

I didn’t love it as much as Gone Tonight, but I enjoyed it.

Phenomenal.

From the beginning to the end, I was hooked. Stella’s background and personal experience really tied it all up for me. This author wrote each and every one of these characters so well.

From Rose to Beth. And every character in between, I was hooked and devoured this book / audio version in hours!

4.5 stars
Stella takes an assignment to protect the interests of a child who has gone mute after the death of her nanny. The nanny appears to have been murdered but the police can’t figure out what happened. Stella is determined to solve the mystery for the sake of her ward. As she pushes for more information, the family dysfunction unravels. Anyone and everyone is a suspect! This book hits hard right from the start and keeps you theorizing and guessing whodunnit until almost the very end. So well written and narrated. Definite recommendation!
*Thanks to St Martin’s Press, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance reader/listener copies