This audiobook had me hooked within the first couple of minutes. I definitely felt creeped out by Rose and fearful for Stella, but didn’t expect the twist that came. I really appreciated the full circle moment Stella got to experience toward the end of the book regarding her vs Rose’s childhood. This book reminded me of a Lucinda Berry novel (a good thing!) and I enjoyed the narrator, as she kept me engaged from the beginning. Thank you for the opportunity to listen and review!

“House of Glass” is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect family. The story revolves around Stella Hudson, a Best Interest Attorney (BIA) who is assigned to the case of Rose Barclay, a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the mysterious death of her nanny. As Stella navigates the complexities of the Barclay family’s dynamics, she uncovers layers of deception, hidden motives, and a chilling atmosphere within their historic DC home,

The novel opens with the tragic death of the nanny, which sets the stage for a tense and suspenseful narrative. Stella, who usually avoids cases involving young children due to her own traumatic past, is persuaded by her mentor to take on Rose’s case. As she delves deeper into the investigation, Stella realizes that everyone in the Barclay household is a suspect, including Rose herself.

The themes of the book include trust, betrayal, and the impact of past traumas on present actions. The story is a blend of domestic suspense and a locked-room mystery, with a gothic undertone that adds to the eerie atmosphere. The house itself, devoid of any glass, symbolizes the fragile and deceptive nature of the family’s facade.

I truly enjoy Sarah Pekkanen’s writing style as it is engaging and atmospheric. There is a slow-burn pacing that kept me invested in the mystery. The narrative is filled with tension and unexpected twists, making it difficult to put the book down. Pekkanen’s ability to create a sense of unease and suspense is evident throughout the novel.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The fluid and scintillating narration of Laura Benanti truly added to my enjoyment of this book.

All in all, I feel “House of Glass” is a well-crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and mystery. The combination of a tightly woven plot, complex characters, and a haunting setting makes it a standout read. Pekkanen’s exploration of the human psyche and the impact of past traumas adds depth to the story, making it more than just a typical whodunit.

I love a thriller that centers around a creepy kid. Now give that kid traumatic mutism after potentially witnessing a murder & a penchant for collecting sharp objects? Count me in!

Unfortunately, I did guess the ending from the start, but House of Glass is full of enough twists that I enjoyed the ride anyway. Every character has a secret & seems to have some motivation to want the nanny dead or the crime to be covered up. The book also draws parallels between the FMC’s traumatic childhood and current events surrounding Rose, the creepy 9-year-old, which I wish were explored more.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars. I subtracted a half star solely because I was not a fan of the narration. I felt like the tone the narrator used often didn’t convey the suspense of the book, and at times felt a bit robotic. Overall, this was an addictive thriller that I highly recommend! I’m looking forward to reading more from Sarah Pekkanen.

Big thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

Stella Hudson takes on the case of 9-year-old Rose. Stella must determine which parent should have custody of Rose after the divorce is finalized. However, there is a catch. Rose hasn’t spoken since her nanny was killed by falling out of a window and no one knows who did it. This family is not normal but would do anything to keep the family together. I loved the lies, the secrets and the twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the story. Very few of these characters were likable, almost all were untrustworthy but that only added to the story. The writing was great, and the short chapters drew me right in. I didn’t want to put it down. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. I love psychological thrillers and this one is worth the read!

Another must-read thriller for this summer! House of Glass is packed with twists and turns that will keep you hooked. Even if you guess a few, it doesn’t spoil the fun at all. Rose and Stella are such well-developed characters, and their relationship, along with Stella and Charlie’s, really shines. The suspense is gripping, and I couldn’t stop coming up with theories as I read. Perfect for a beach read or a cozy night in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 stars

Thank you MacMillan and NetGalley for my ALC . All opinions are my own.

Another winner of a thriller this summer! House of Glass is full of so many twists (and yes you will probably guess some of them, but it does not at all take away from the enjoyment of the read), and keeps you guessing throughout the book. I had so many theories, and I loved listening to see what would pan out and what wouldn't. Rose and Stella were both great characters, and I loved the development of their friendship (I also loved the development of the relationship between Stella and Charlie). I definitely recommend this book releasing on Tuesday!

Sarah Pekkanen hit the mark with this psychological/domestic thriller. The House of Glass follows the Barclays, a wealthy family whose nanny tragically died amid a custody battle in their contentious divorce. Their daughter Rose is experiencing traumatized mutism and Stella, a lawyer with her own painful past must observe them to make a custody recommendation. Through Stella’s point of view, I was thoroughly creeped out by the Barclays. Their big historic house and Rose, their young daughter, were vaguely threatening and I was stressed for Stella. My only note is that I don't think we need as much of Stella's background story but overall, I really enjoyed this book! I did not see any of the twists coming!

Laura Benanti did a wonderful job narrating. I felt the tension of each scene in her voice which really upped the anxiety factor.

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to read this ALC!

House of Glass is narrated by a Guardian ad Litem (Stella) who either goes way above and beyond OR crosses professional boundaries and perhaps breaks the law, for the sake a of a little girl that reminds her of herself (Rose). In a household that banishes all things glass (plexiglass windows, boat-safe non-shattering mirrors, plastic glassware) after a fatal accident involving Rose's nanny, the little girl is either a target for or a perpetrator of violence. It's not immediately clear and the lives of several people will be forever changed no matter what Stella discovers as truth. She works tirelessly to uncover Rose's family's secrets...also, surprisingly, finding the time and energy to dig into her own distant past trauma.

This was a quick read for me, and it was able to keep my interest even though I had trouble connecting with Stella, mostly due to her unprofessionalism and her backstory being less compelling than the current mystery.

The narrator in the audiobook version wasn't my favorite...mostly because her soothing voice coupled with some of the longer, descriptive writing passages made it hard for me to keep focused. Also, the grandmother character was supposedly only in her 60's but she was voiced like someone in her 90's. It changed the character for me and made the elements with grandma less believable in the end.

Overall, a worthwhile thriller. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

A big thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I first discovered Sarah Pekkanen through her collaborations with Greer Hendricks and have been a fan ever since. This book did not disappoint. I loved the slow burn and the eerie sense of questioning human capabilities. Exploring what a child might be capable of and the lengths parents will go to protect their family kept me on edge, and Pekkanen truly delivered on this front! While the narration wasn’t my favorite, the writing was top-notch and kept me thoroughly engaged and listening

4.5 stars rounded up.

This is the first novel I've read by Sarah Pekkanen and it won't be the last. I love a good thriller that keeps me guessing all the way to the end. The book focuses Stella, an amicus attorney, who is tasked to determine the best interest of a young girl (Rose) in the contentious case of her wealthy parents' divorce. Rose's parents are divorcing after her father had an affair with the nanny, who subsequently fell to her death from the family's home in a suspected murder. The novel features childhood selective mutism, as Rose has refused to speak since her nanny's death. Stella relates to Rose on a personal level, as she also had selective mutism following a childhood trauma.

Stella's childhood trauma, which clouds her judgement and leads to internal conflict about Rose's case, was a great way to make her an unreliable narrator. Along with Stella, we are second guessing who could be the killer all the way to the end, even suspecting Rose! My favorite types of thrillers are those that weave elements of psychology in a nuanced and believable way, and this book definitely delivers!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an audiobook in exchange for my review.

I listened to the audio of this book and I really enjoyed it! It's got great suspense and keeps you intrigued to the end. I was a little disappointed there wasn't a bigger plot twist, but all in all it's a solid thriller! Highly recommend.

On the surface, the Barclays appear to lead the perfect existence in their palatial home tucked away in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Beth, an heiress to millions, is married to Ian, a handsome and doting father to their prodigious young daughter, Rose, who is full of academic and artistic promise. But when their nanny, Tina, mysteriously plunges to her death at the Barclay estate, the murder investigation and exposed secret affair between Ian and Tina threatens to shatter the family’s golden image for good.

Stella Hudson is the best interest attorney appointed to represent 9-year-old Rose after Beth and Ian file for divorce and fight for sole custody. Stella, who sees much of her own traumatic past in her new young client, quickly discovers not everything that glitters is gold. As Stella spends more time with young Rose, who can no longer speak due to trauma-induced mutism, she becomes obsessed with finding out who killed Tina in this gripping psychological thriller that was hard for me to put down.

This story is fast-paced with cliffhanger chapter endings and twists I never saw coming. I’m used to mystery thrillers starting off strong and slowing down halfway through, but this kept me racing through. The narration by Laura Benanti was the icing on the cake for me.

CW: child abuse, drug abuse

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC!

House of Glass
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sarah Pekkanen did it again. This book was so good. I couldn't put it down. I read it all in one sitting. It was a great Thriller that you won't have it figured out till the end. This was a complete story with lots of twist & turns. Be sure to add this book to your Beach bag. I read the book & the Audio. The narrator was really good.
Thank you NetGalley!

This was an interesting little thriller. I don't read very many thrillers because I find myself irritated or bored, This one held my interest the entire time and overall, I enjoyed it. The premise sounds straight off any AI description of what a thriller is. The ending was basically what I expected it to be yet it kept me hooked the entire time.

When I read the description for this book I knew it was one that I would have to read. I had so many questions: What did Rose see? Why can’t/won’t she talk about it? Was the nanny suicidal? Was she pushed/killed? Who did it and why? Nothing like a good who done it. Highly recommended!!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review

I switched between Audio and E on this and I really enjoyed both. I loved the dynamic between the characters. I found it difficult to trust them all and did not like what they had to say (or did not have to say) through most of the book. There were creepy and chilling scenes that definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I figured out the ending pretty quickly, but it did not stop me from enjoying how the book played out. I liked the story line - a nanny falls (or is pushed) from a window and dies. The child she is watching becomes mute from the trauma. A lawyer is assigned to figure out which parent should have custody in their divorce. The Grandma was with the child when the Nanny died. The lawyer has her own traumatic past, which adds to the drama of the book. Overall, this was really well done and enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

This story focuses on Rose Barclay, a nine-year-old child who has witnessed the murder of her nanny Tina. Tina is found on the ground outside of the Barclay home after being pushed out of a glass window of the house. We soon discover that Tina was pregnant and was having an affair with Rose's father Ian Barclay. Meanwhile Ian Barclay and his wife Beth Barclay are going through a divorce, and they both want custody of their daughter Rose.
Stelly Hudson, a family court attorney is requested by the court to help the court decide which parent should receive full custody of nine-year-old Rose. Stella soon discovers that Rose has not spoken since the murder of her nanny Tina. She has gone mute, and she seems to have a number of secrets she is trying to keep hidden. Stella who is a survivor of trauma, and who has also experienced not speaking for months after the death of her mother at a young age. While helping Rose and trying to get her to open up to her Stella begins to revisit her own trauma. There's a lot going on in this book, but the main objective is to figure out the mystery of who pushed the nanny out of the glass window. Who did it?
Since the murder, Beth Barclay has ordered that all the glass has be removed from the house, and the house has become plastic. Glass windows are replaced with plastic, and all glass items are replaced. As Stella gets closer to figuring out who may have pushed the nanny out of the window, she must also keep the murderer from killing her too.
If you like a good mystery thriller where you look for clues to see who killed the nanny in the Barclay house.
I want to thank Net Galley, Macmillian audio and St. Martin's press for the opportunity to listen to the audio. I highly recommend this thriller.

Sarah Pekkanen continues to deliver in a manner that solidifies her place on my list of “must read” authors. She’s earned another gold medal in ‘House of Glass’ with this 4.5 star read I’m bumping up to 5 stars.

Enthralling, thrilling, and smart I was immediately invested in the story of a young girl, Rose, who tragically witnessed the death of her nanny who fell through a window in the family home, landing on the backyard patio in front of her. Due to this life changing event, Rose is experiencing trauma based mutism. To make things even more challenging, Rose’s parents are going through a divorce in light of the news that Rose’s father had an affair with the nanny. With both parents fighting custody, outside mediation is needed.

Stella Hudson is brought on as a BIA, Best Interest Attorney, to determine what is best for the child. In order to make this determination, she needs to speak with and spend time with the entire family, including Rose, who currently isn’t speaking. Stella’s mentor, Charles, is the one who brought the case to Stella and suggested she take it due to what she experienced as a young girl, causing trauma based mutism in her as well.

The more time Stella spends with the family, the more she questions what really happened to the nanny; people don’t usually just fall through windows on the upper level of a house. If Rose’s mom or dad was involved in the death, it would greatly impact Stella’s decision of who should be granted custody of Rose.

But when Stella sees Rose picking up a shard of glass to put in her pocket, she begins to think the unthinkable. Maybe Rose grew angry with her nanny sleeping with her father, resulting in the final straw in her parents already strained marriage, leading to their divorce. Then Stella realizes all of the glass in the house, including family photos and mugs in the kitchen, have all been replaced with plastic. What has this family done? Who is guilty? And is the family protecting Rose or are they afraid of her?

Again, this was brilliantly told from start to finish! I always look forward to a thriller from Sarah Pekkanen and recommend this to all thriller lovers! This released August 6th so make sure to secure your copy!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to both read then listen to this in exchange for honest feedback. The audiobook narrator did a marvelous job bringing the story and characters to life!

I couldn't put this one down! It kept me guessing until the end. The narrator is fantastic. I will be definitely recommend this to fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley. As a long time NW DC and MD resident, it was fun to see how well the author placed her setting and I definitely recognized some places.

I liked this book but didn't love it. It just didn't WOW me like her other books have. But it was still good. I did find it easy to figure out. I was spot on correct in who did what and why... But it was still very good. This author always delivers good books.

The narrator of this one was not as good as I had hoped. She did good but some words she just dragged out a bit to much. Still she did ok and I enjoyed listening.

This is a story about a little girl. In a way it's about two little girls.

Rose who lives in a big house with everything she wants. Possibly not everything she needs though. Her parents are getting a divorce. Her grandma is crippled in a way. Walks with a cane and seems to be crazy about Rose. There is a dead nanny and Rose saw her fall. Rose can't talk, she is mute due to the trauma. She actually loved her nanny.

Stella who is working with the the lawyers to determine who Rose should live with. Stella found her own mother dead when she was just a child and also became mute after. She feels a connection to Rose. She wants more than anything to save her. To protect her. But she is also a bit afraid of Rose.

The house Rose lives in has absolutely no glass anywhere in it. Not the windows, cabinets, no mirrors. Nowhere. Not even the picture frames. Seems Rose might like to collect broken shards of glass.

This story is very good. Very well written and will keep you guessing. Mostly. I did figure out who did what and why. In two parts I figured out the motives. That didn't really take away from the story though. The characters were fairly likable. After you get to know them that is. What took away from this story for me was feelings. I just had no feelings when reading it. No tears, laughter, happiness. Nothing. But again I did like it.

Thank you #NetGalley, #SarahPekkanen, #StMartinsPress, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

4/5 stars.