Member Reviews

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen was an enthralling read from start to finish. The novel masterfully intertwines suspense, complex characters, and a haunting atmosphere, making it a standout in the psychological thriller genre.

The story centers on Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney appointed to represent nine-year-old Rose Barclay amid her parents’ contentious divorce. Rose has been mute since witnessing the tragic death of her nanny, Tina, who fell from a third-story window under mysterious circumstances. As Stella delves deeper into the Barclay family’s secrets, she uncovers a web of deceit and danger that challenges her perceptions and puts her own safety at risk.

Pekkanen’s writing is both engaging and atmospheric, drawing readers into the opulent yet eerie setting of the Barclay’s historic home. The meticulous detail of a house devoid of glass adds a layer of intrigue and symbolism that enhances the story’s tension. The characters are richly developed, each harboring secrets that kept me guessing about their true intentions and the reality behind Tina’s death.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ALC in exchange for an honest review.

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As usual, Sarah Pekkanen does another dark twisty thriller! Age never disappoints and has become one of my go-to thriller authors. I knew the plot would be twisty, but did not have it all guessed in the end. 4 star read for me!

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A 9 year old Rose may have witnessed her Nanny 's murder. Stella Hudson, an attorney has been assigned guardian ad litem while the parents and grandmother are investigated. Rose is one very creepy little girl. The gave off weird vibes and at times I thought this might dip into a haunted house stor.y. Alas,it did not. I went back and forth on who I believed. There are 2 twists in the book, one I saw coming and the other was a surprise. The ending wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped but all in all this story kept me engaged from cover to cover.

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I think this is my favorite book from Sarah Pekkanen. I thought the audiobook was terrific!

They looked like the perfect family. But as we all know....Looks can be deceiving!

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was well written and the audio was very well performed. Twists and turns kept me listening late into the night. I thought I had it all figured out but didn't see the main twist coming.

A gripping story with a very satisfying ending!

Looking forward to more from Sarah Pekkanen!

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Thank you MacMillan Audio for gifting me this ALC to review honestly.

This one started out great. I was thoroughly invested. I then was able to kinda gauge where the story was going with the who done it. I'm not good as guessing usually so I really thought ok there will be a big thing that shifts the narrative and pins it on someone else. When that wasn't the I was kinda disappointed. However the writing itself was so good, along with the audio. It kept me locked in wanting to see how the story would end.

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This was a thriller mystery about a daughter and a baby who was murdered.It had a lot of twists but also a lot of heart.It dealt with divorce and other tough issues.The twist got me and I highly recommend!

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Stella Hudson is a court appointed attorney for a little girl, Rose. Rose watched her nanny fall to her death, so Stella has to ensure that Rose is okay and not in any harm. However, when Stella enters the house, she notices some strange happenings.

This one was twisty and a quick read, much like Sarah Pekkanen’s other books. I liked that Stella brought her past into play to try to help Rose.

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This book is so gripping! The twist and turns. Almost all of the characters in this book are suspect. It was definitely thrilling and the ending was satisfying. Definitely a good read!

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As a twisty turning thriller, this was ok. There were choices made in the writing of this book that just weren't necessary, and that are hard to talk about without giving too much away. I feel like any time you add a child into a thriller, there are only two choices for an outcome. Neither one of those resolutions are novel or interesting to me, so this one was a tough sell. Even so, I read this quickly, enjoyed the ride, but it isn't anything that I'd rush to suggest to someone so I had a book buddy to talk about this with.

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Sarah Pekkanen’s House of Glass is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page. With its intricate twists and unsettling atmosphere, the story delves deep into themes of trust, betrayal, and survival. Pekkanen’s sharp prose and tightly woven plot make this a compulsive read that keeps you guessing until the jaw-dropping conclusion.

For fans of domestic suspense, this is an absolute must-read.

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I enjoyed this read and although it wasn't my favourite thriller I did read through it quite quickly and was surprised by some of the twists. This was my first Sarah Pekkanen novel and I think that I will definitely be picking up another one of her books.

I've give this a 3.5 out of 5.

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I enjoyed this audiobook. I’ve been a fan of other Sarah Pekkanen novels, and this one fit right along with the others. A quick and twisty story.

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They are the perfect family…or are they? Everyone that knows them from the outside thinks so but anyone that enters their house begs to differ. They discover a household filled of lies and secrets that have been covered up. Nine year-old Rose witnesses the death of her nanny during a time of stress and turmoil…her parent’s divorce. Immediately after, Rose stops speaking and begins to gather sharp objects. Stella, an attorney hired to check on the welfare of Rose, discovers that all of the glass in the house has been replaced with plastic…the windows, the picture frames, glass panels in the door, etc. She also discovers that some of the weird occurrences that the nanny experienced are happening to her. Who is out to get her? What has she done wrong? Who is safe in the house and who is succumbing to its mysterious ways?

If you like thrillers, you’ll find that this book surprises the reader multiple times. Just when you think you’ve discovered what’s happening, you look to the right, and the author gives you a left jab out of nowhere!

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Rose Barclay is obsessed with sharp objects. She is a nine-year-old girl who apparently has selective mutism. Perhaps this is a trauma response to her parents impending divorce. Previously, the Barclay’s nanny died under suspicious circumstances, with the niggling suspicion that Rose had something to do with her death. Rose’s mother has set a very unusual environment at home. Things that would be glass objects have been modified to be plastic in one form or another. Their home is best described as a plastic house. Strange indeed.

Stella Hudson is an attorney who becomes involved with the Barclays as a favor to a friend. When she approaches the house, she can sense a strong sense of evil emanating from the house. Trauma no doubt exists there, and the situation makes Stella often think of her own disturbing past. In fact, as the story develops, Stella’s memories of the past are woven into the story that is the present.

So, Stella is there to do her job, despite presenting as a bit damaged by her own past. Meanwhile, the nanny’s death is still suspect, and she must wonder who she can trust. Who she can believe. Then nine-year-old Rose and her proclivities must be taken into consideration. This book was the perfect example of how no one could be trusted. Certainly kept me on my toes with twists and turns that captivated my attention..

House of Glass was an exceptionally captivating read. The audiobook narrative’s pacing was impeccable, and the storytelling was of the highest caliber. The unreliable narrator added an intriguing layer to the plot, making it an unforgettable experience. The pervasive eerie atmosphere throughout the book further enhanced its suspenseful nature. As an avid reader of Sarah Pekkanen’s works, particularly those co-authored with Greer Hendricks, I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to explore her solo endeavors.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

Laura Benanti is a top notch performer, and shines as the narrator of this twisty story.

I read this AWHILE ago and remember being relieved that my fear of broken glass is mild in comparison to some of the fear of characters inside.

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This book had an intriguing premise and the mystery started off strong. There were quite a few creepy elements that added to the overall vibe. However, the pacing was also pretty slow as the main story took a detour to develop Stella's backstory more. It added to the overall plot and Stella's relationship with Rose, but it also made the book drag.

Stella is a best interest attorney, who is trying to determine who 9 year old Rose should live with. Her mom or her dad? And with Rose's former nanny plunging to her death, everyone in the Barclay family is a suspect. Even Rose herself.

Overall, this book was good, and I enjoyed it. It was just pretty slow and took a while to get to the action. I wish there had been more scenes with Rose and the other Barclays, and less backstory about Stella. However, the last part of the book was action packed and the reveal was great.

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Review to come, I accidentally got this one and didn’t download before archive. Will read and update

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Once again another great thriller by this author! I thought the plot line was original in that our main character was brought on to observe a family to see who the little girl would be better off with for full custody. But this family isnt a normal family and has gone through lots of trauma recently causing the little girl ruth to go selectively mute. As our main character observes and interacts with this family she is reminded of her own upbringing and similarities to ruth but she can’t question that strange things are going on as well and who is the ring leader. I wont say anymore because thrillers need to know little as possible but this one kept me on my toes and guessing the whole way. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator!

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Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @macmillian.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists. As a fan of Pekkanen’s work, this book certainly did not disappoint.

What I Loved:
Suspense and Twists: Pekkanen masterfully weaves a tale full of suspense and unexpected turns. The plot is intricately crafted, keeping you guessing until the very end. Each twist adds a new layer of intrigue, making it hard to put the book down.
Character Development: The characters are well-developed and complex. Their motivations and secrets are slowly revealed, adding depth to the story and making their actions believable and engaging.
Atmosphere: The setting of the house itself adds to the eerie and tense atmosphere. Pekkanen’s descriptive writing brings the house to life, making it almost a character in its own right.

Audiobook Experience:
Narration: The audiobook, narrated by Laura Benanti, enhances the suspenseful experience. The narrator’s ability to convey the tension and emotion of the characters adds an extra layer of depth to the story. Their pacing and tone keep you engaged throughout, making it a compelling listen.

Overall, House of Glass is a thrilling and suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Sarah Pekkanen delivers a story full of twists and turns, making it a perfect read (or listen) for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

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Sarah Pekkanen’s House of Glass is a gripping exploration of family dynamics, secrets, and the complex web of relationships that define our lives. Set against the backdrop of an opulent, yet enigmatic glass house, the narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, revealing the intertwined fates of its characters.

Pekkanen masterfully crafts tension, as the protagonist grapples with her troubled past while attempting to navigate her present. The author’s keen eye for detail brings the setting to life, making the house almost a character in its own right—reflective, transparent, yet hiding dark truths. The emotional depth of the characters is compelling, as they confront their vulnerabilities and the weight of their choices.

The pacing is well-balanced, with enough twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Pekkanen’s writing is both poignant and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to ponder the nature of trust and betrayal within families.

Overall, House of Glass is a captivating read that combines psychological intrigue with rich character development, making it a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers.

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