Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced audiobook.

Sarah Pekkanen books are often hit or miss for me. Unfortunately, this one was a miss. The theme of glass/a house that lacked anything made of glass, the death of a nanny, and a lawyer charged with getting to know the mute girl who witnessed the murder all felt like intriguing ingredients for an excellent book. But the pieces didn't really come together in a meaningful way and the structure holding up the mystery of why the girl was mute felt a little thin. Maybe the next book will be a hit for me.

On the outside they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside they built the perfect lie. A young nanny who plunged to her death, or was she pushed? A nine-year-old girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer. But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying?

Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who witnessed the possible murder of her nanny - in the midst of her parent's bitter divorce - and immediately stopped speaking. Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She never accepts clients under thirteen due to her own traumatic childhood, but Stella's mentor, a revered judge, believes Stella is the only one who can help.

From the moment Stella passes through the iron security gate and steps into the gilded, historic DC home of the Barclays, she realizes the case is even more twisted, and the Barclay family far more troubled, than she feared. And there's something eerie about the house itself: It's a plastic house, with not a single bit of glass to be found.

4.5⭐ (audio) I listen to lots of audiobooks. This narrator did an excellent job drawing me into the story and keeping me invested!

4⭐ (story) This was an enjoyable read. I was a little put off by the plot use of a child, but otherwise this was a good one. I was engaged through the whole story. I love how there were so many people who could have done it. The twists were fairly predictable, but done in a way that I was still turning pages. Ultimately solid ending for this one. Highly recommend if you enjoy psychological thrillers!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I do love a binge worthy book and House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen for the bill. More family dram than thriller, this was a fast paced mystery. The narrator, Laura Benanti was fantastic and really had me engaged in the story from the beginning.

This is a story about a family who are dealing with a lot. Their nanny has fallen out of a top story window and died. Their 9 year old daughter, Rose, has stopped talking and her parents are worried about her. At the same time, they are getting divorced, and grandmother is living with them as she recovers from knee surgery. Enter Stella, a best interest attorney, who is tasked to work out what is best for Rose. The house is dark and creepy and there is no glass anywhere.

I thought I had this one all worked out, bit was I wrong!! So many twists that I did not see coming. It was a wild ending that I just loved. This author always delivers and I was not at all disappointed.

Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy to listen to. Out in August 6th.

Another great book by Sarah Pekkanen. I first listened to the audiobook and the narration was well done. I enjoyed the mystery/thriller so much, I then read the book. I plan on recommending the book to my book club. It will have you going in so many directions. Just when you think you have got it figured out, you’re off in a different direction. I also think the book cover is one of the best!

Thank you #NetGalley, #Macmillanaudio, #StMartin’sPress, #SarahPekkanen and #HouseofGlass for the advance copies for my honest review.

Read Completed 5/29/24 | 3.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio / St. Martin's Press, for the audiobook review copy. This did not affect my review in any way.

HOUSE OF GLASS was like definition "okay" thriller. I wasn't really wowed by Sarah Pekkanen's last book, GONE TONIGHT, and this one was a little bit better but it just wasn't anything original nor was it high octane and fast-paced to make up for it. I really enjoyed the co-author team of Sarah Pekkanen & Greer Hendricks... not sure what happened to Greer Hendricks, but those books just had better chemistry for me.

HOUSE OF GLASS wasn't bad, but I've read far too many thrillers to really be impressed by it. I did like the main character and narrator Stella, and I had fun watching the the mystery of the Barclay house unravel. This was a little like THE SILENT PATIENT in the sense that Rose is no longer speaking after the traumatic incident of watching her nanny die. Was it murder? And if so, who did it? Anyone in the house is a suspect, including Rose herself. I didn't feel like this was too close to THE SILENT PATIENT or anything, but it still maybe be of interest for fans of the book! It was just an average thriller that felt pretty tame, in my opinion, and there wasn't really any twist or reveal that shocked me. Thrillers don't always have to have a wild twist, but when the rest of the book isn't really catching me, a good twist does help to raise that rating a bit.

I felt like the author handed the reader a few too many things. I always like to read reviews after I finish the book, and it seems like plenty of people were still shocked by the ending, but I thought a lot of things were spelled out for me. Was I 100% sure? No, it could have been anyone, but the culprit was still well within our sights and I wish there was something pushing us away so it would have been a bit more exciting to reveal.

While this was a bit more suspenseful than GONE TONIGHT, HOUSE OF GLASS still was medium-paced, which again, is fine, but the rest of the details didn't really grab me. I was definitely interested in who killed the nanny and I was entertained the whole read, so that's why I went with 3.5 stars, but it didn't cross that threshold to really hit 4, and I wasn't disengaged enough to lower it to a 3. The author also tried to throw in the hint of a romance at 80% and no no no, that is not necessary whatsoever.

AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: I listened to this book as an audiobook whose narrator was Laura Benanti. While I thought she did a good job with the narration, I really didn't feel like her voice and style was a fit for this book. Her voice was just a little higher pitched and kind of reminded me of Rebecca Soler in a way. I just feel like her style would be much better for romance or young adult. I actually have listened to her before, only once, in another thriller but it was an action thriller (DROWNING by T.J. Newman). Whatever the reason, I just didn't feel it here. Other than that personal preference, I thought she did a really good job with the rest of the narration and all of the different voices!

I LOVED this book! I think this is my favorite Sarah Pekkanen book to date, and definitely one of my favorite thrillers of the year! Twisty, atmospheric, and so gripping, this story of a traumatized little girl, the tragic death of her nanny, and the best interest attorney assigned to help her will keep you guessing until the very end! This was so creepy in moments, but also so well-layered and I loved every element of this story! And the audiobook was fantastic!

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Sarah Pekkanen, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley.

This is set up almost like a police procedural. Stella Hudson is an emotionally wounded protagonist who is going through an amicable divorce. She has unresolved trauma from her childhood and spent a time dealing with traumatic mutism as a kid. Now as a best interest attorney who's professional life is all about protecting children, she's able to offer children the protection she never received as a child. Due to her own trauma Stella never accepts children younger than 12 as clients. However her mentor, Charles, asks her to look into a case because the child involved is struggling with traumatic mutism. Stella would do anything for Charles who is a father-like figure in her life and so she breaks her rule and accepts this case.

Rose Barclay is the 9 yr old child at the center of Stella's new case. Rose's nanny, Tina, fell from second story window and died in front of her. The police are unsure if Tina fell or was pushed. Harriet Barclay, Rose's grandmother, told police Rose was with her when Tina fell but Stella isn't sure. The investigation into Tina's death uncovers an affair that she was having with Rose's father, Ian Barclay. In fact, Tina was pregnant by Ian when she fell from the window. Which led to Rose's mother, Beth Barclay, filing for divorce. Both parents are desperate for full custody and it falls to Stella to investigate and discover what living situation would be best for Rose. Of course it would be best for Rose if full custody didn't go to a murderer. Stella is determined to figure out how to keep Rose safe, though Rose may be in the most danger from herself. This is twisty, fast paced, interesting and had me guessing until the very end.

The narrator of this audiobook is Laura Benanti. Ms. Benanti's voice is rich and engaging. Her accent, tone and inflection all perfectly work to bring Stella to life.

Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

Suspenseful Washington DC set thriller with just a few too many things thrown in at the end to feel completely satisfying for me. Lots of interesting parts add up to a solid if not super memorable whole.

I couldn't put this one down - even though I figured out whodunnit pretty early on, I was so invested in all the characters and having such a great time in their world that 'one more chapter' became the refrain of the day!

Premise - Stella, a lawyer who represents the interests of children in court cases, is sent to the home of the Barclay family, a wealthy multigenerational household whose nanny has just died via a fall from a high window. The parents are now divorcing and custody of Rose Barclay is up in the air.

The problem? The tragedy may not have been an accident and Rose is suffering from traumatic mutism. The stakes are high for Stella, whose initial worry that she may send Rose to live with a murderer quickly morphs into concern that the creepy kid, whose hobbies including collecting sharp things and playing haunting piano pieces at an expert level, might not be so innocent...

There's a little b plot romance for Stella, who's recently divorced from Marco thanks to her workaholic tendencies. I usually don't love (successful) romance b plots in my thrillers, but this had a sweet (but not cloyingly so) sapphic coupling that was just so heartwarming.

What I loved:
* an engaging writing style that made it impossible to put down
* fascinating, 3D characters who felt real (and really fun to get to know!)
* interplay between Stella's dark past and the current case
* the creepiness and hateability of the Barclays
* the back-and-forth I felt about some gray characters, including Stella's mentor

It's a great read for summer travel and I definitely recommend! I'll be keeping my eye out for more from Sarah Pekkanen.

Thanks, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fast paced thriller. I have come to expect that from Pekkanen and she did not disappoint! I wasn't sure about the narrator but she grew on me and I sped though this book in two days. I was never quite sure "whodunit" and that kept me on my toes an wanting more. P

4 solid stars!

I'm on the edge of my seat asking myself whoduneit? And as per usual, I did not guess right and there were some twists and turns I did not see coming. Long time fan of this author, and this one does not disappoint. I guarantee this is better as an audiobook and would add to the enjoyment of the book. At the end, you ask yourself, did I read that right? Did that really just happen? The pacing is just right to keep you hooked and saying, just one more chapter and you'll go to bed.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

House of Glass is a tense thriller following our main character Stella who has been called on the case to help a 9 year old girl Rose through a difficult situation.

Rose’s parents are both fighting for full custody in the midst of a messy divorce, the judge has reached an Impasse due to recent events involving the suspicious death of Roses nanny, a case that has since gone cold due to lack of evidence.

The problem is either parent could be a killer, and Stella is facing the impossible task of finding the safest home for Rose to live in, something even the police couldn’t figure out.

It is clear from the first time Stella steps foot into Roses home that something isn’t right. She senses a dark presence within the home, an unnerving feeling she can’t seem to shake. The more time she spends on the case the more she realizes there’s more than two suspects, anybody could be the killer and she has to race to figure it out whilst also battling demons from her own past that have begun to resurface.

This is a bit of a slow burn but the tension is palpable from the very beginning, throughout. Rose gave me the creeps from the getgo, a traumatized mute young girl who has a habit of collecting sharp objects. I’d class this as unputdownable because I couldn’t stop reading until I had answers. The author does an excellent job of misdirection and providing multiple possible suspects.

The setting is very ominous, a large estate void of any glass which seems to be harbouring an evil presence. A dysfunctional family keeping secrets and telling lies. Dark clouds overhead that seem to get closer and closer the more Stella is triggered by her own past traumas.

This is definitely a bingeable read and I enjoyed the sinister tones throughout. The author did a great job of making the writing contrast between menacing yet poetic.

I was very pleased with the ending, everything was answered, wrapped up to perfection and a lot of conversations where had and relationships mended that I hoped to see.

The audio narrator did a fantastic job and I’d recommend listening in audio format!

Thank you to Macmillan audio for the ALC!

Wow! This book was so good. I'm a big Sarah Pekkanen fan, and she definitely did not disappoint with House of Glass. What's not to love - a domestic thriller where everyone's a suspect and may or may not be in danger. I flew through this book in a day because I needed to know what was going to happen. To say that it kept my attention would be an understatement. This book sucked me in. It was a quick moving, keep you guessing, twisty good time. Definitely a 5 star hit!!

The audio narration was exceptional, making it an easy to follow, smooth and fast listen. If you read just one domestic thriller this summer - I recommend that it be this one. You will regret nothing.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!

I will read everything that Sarah Pekkanen writes! I've loved her duo work in the past, but I've really come to love her solo work even more! Her 2023 release GONE TONIGHT blew me away and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one!

I'm so happy to report that it was another absolute winner! I started the audiobook and couldn't put it down basically until it was finished. I would describe this book as THE SILENT PATIENT meets TURN OF THE KEY. When a nanny allegedly falls out of her host family's window, their daughter Rose Barlcay goes completely silent refusing to say even a word for months.

The story is told from the perspective of a lawyer, Stella, who is working hard to understand what really happened to the Barclay's nanny while simultaneously coming to terms with her haunted past. The more she learns the more questions she has! What really happened to her mom when she was a child? Why does the Barclay family allow no glass in their house? Does anyone really know the people closest to them as well as they think they do?

The tension kept building and building for a STRESSFUL ending that had me locked in and eagerly anticipating the ending!

This will be a big hit and I can't wait to see what Sarah does next!

As far as the narration goes, I was hooked from beginning to end and was so engrossed in the story that I forgot I was even listening to someone read, so that should say a lot about what an amazing job Laura Benanti did! I think this is my third audiobook narrated by her and she's always nailed it!

This will be available for purchase August 6th!

Gripping, shocking, twisted, and full of suspects!

The Barclays are a wealthy family living in a historic luxurious DC home. Things appear picture perfect until their Nanny dies after falling out their attic window. Stella, an attorney, is called in to determine who is a victim and to advocate for nine-year-old, Rose who is not speaking but witnessed her Nanny fall out the window. Not only is Rose not speaking, but she has been collecting sharp objects and pieces of glass. During her investigation, Stella learns the many secrets that the divorcing family is hiding. Who is responsible for the Nanny's death? Who has the most to hide? Who knows the truth?

House of Glass is full of secrets, lies, deception, hidden motivations, suspense, tension, and danger. I had a great time doing my own super sleuthing trying to determine whodunit! I enjoyed the feeling of unease that flowed throughout the book while not knowing who could be trusted.

I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and loved how the tension built throughout the book. I also enjoyed the something-isn't-quite-right feeling that Sarah Pekkanen expertly created in this book. Rose is a fabulously drawn character. I kept changing my thoughts on her throughout the book. Pekkanen kept me on my toes, turning the pages and fully invested in the plot.

Gripping, thrilling, shocking, and suspenseful!

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. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.