This has to be one of the most intense suspense thriller I have read. It was intense right off the bat. I had to keep putting the book down to get my bearings again. I got so wound up. So many suspects and I couldn’t tell which one it was. It also had unexpected twists every time I turned around. My first time reading a book from this author and I look forward for more.

Stella Hudson is assigned to evaluate which parent nine year old Rose Barclay should live with once her parents divorce. Rose has been mute since her nanny died from a fall which she witnessed. As Stella looks into the family and their relationships, the question arises as to whether the fall was accidental or not. Rose exhibits anger and violent behavior at times and the parents and grandmother do everything possible to from a protective circle around her. Will Stella be able to get Rose to open up and find out what really happened?
#HouseofGlass StMartinsPress #NetGalley

My own personal ick is I do not like the troubled child trope. I never have & I simply never will. I also feel like this book dragged a bit and there weren’t many twists and turns except the very end. Probably my least fave by this author so far

This one felt very “meh.”

I can’t honestly review this one without major spoilers, so read at your own risk.

Rose being the culprit was pushed entirely too hard to be believable. It felt very obvious that she WASN’T to blame, but that did still leave a mystery as to who really was.

There was obviously a connection between Charles and Stella’s mom, you just had to find out about it really late.

The story just didn’t draw me in. The writing was done well, the story itself just didn’t do much for me. It all felt very predictable.

The relationship toward the end of the book felt forced and didn’t need to happen. Why is this being pushed so much? This story didn’t need a love interest, at all.

Stella Hudson is an attorney who represents children in custody cases. She is a somewhat damaged individual as the result of a traumatic childhood, but the one constant support in her life has been attorney now judge, Charles. When he asks her to investigate the case of nine year old Rose Barclay whose parents are battling for custody, she is reluctant because she usually does not deal with children that young. However, she takes on the task because it is Charles who has asked.

There is something very amiss in the opulent Barclay home where the nanny, who was impregnated by the husband, jumped or was pushed to her death. Everyone is a suspect and when Rose who exhibits traumatic mutism (as did Stella when she was a child) is discovered to be stowing away pieces of glass and other weapons, suspicion falls on her as well.

I have always liked Pekkanen as a writer. In this well plotted story, she creates a strong atmosphere of suspicion and foreboding. The characters, even the minor ones, are well developed. Fast paced, it is an engrossing, suspenseful read with twists, turns, and surprises.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the DRC.

Stella is a Best Interest Advocate for a girl named Rose whose families nannied died or was murdered?? This book had excellent twists and turns and a lot of redemption but the decisions in Stella’s personal life at the end seemed disjointed and unrelated to the rest of the book. I was disappointed that she tried to throw a “love interest” in at the very end.

Sarah Pekkanen’s "House of Glass" is a riveting psychological thriller that grabs hold from the first page and doesn’t let go until the stunning conclusion. The novel masterfully unravels a tale of deceit, trauma, and twisted family dynamics that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The story centers around Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney reluctantly drawn into the case of nine-year-old Rose Barclay, who has stopped speaking after witnessing her nanny's mysterious death. Pekkanen deftly portrays Stella’s internal struggle as she faces her own childhood demons while trying to protect Rose in an environment where everyone is a suspect. The characterization of Stella is profound and relatable, her vulnerability adding depth to her role as the children's advocate.

The Barclays’ historic DC home, devoid of glass and cloaked in an eerie atmosphere, serves as a perfect backdrop for this chilling mystery. Pekkanen’s descriptive prowess brings the house to life, making it almost a character in itself – one that harbors secrets and exudes a sense of foreboding. The tension is palpable as Stella navigates the labyrinth of lies constructed by the seemingly perfect Barclay family.

This book is exactly what the "about" section describes: a little girl is mute after a traumatic event with her nanny dying after falling out of the attic window of her home. She meets Stella, a lawyer who has to decide who the girl will live with as her parents have filed for divorce. The reason for the divorce is that the father was having an affair with the nanny, and she was pregnant. As Stella enters into their home and their lives, she realizes some peculiar things – they have removed all glass from the home, they have removed the daughter from school, and more. Stella also has to deal with her past, as she can relate to the girl because when she was young, she was hiding in the closet as her mom died and she was mute after that experience.

Pekkanen's narrative is taut and engaging, with each chapter peeling back layers of the Barclay family’s facade. The suspense builds steadily, punctuated by shocking revelations and moments of intense emotion. The psychological intricacies of the characters are explored with finesse, particularly Rose’s silent turmoil and the fractured relationships within the family. The subplot involving the eerie peculiarity of the house adds an intriguing, almost gothic element to the modern thriller.

The supporting characters, from the embittered parents to the enigmatic grandmother, each contribute to the story’s complexity. The depiction of Rose, a child both innocent and potentially dangerous, is haunting and adds to the psychological tension. Stella’s interactions with the family members are fraught with suspicion, making it difficult to discern who can be trusted.

I found it a little predictable in the end, but I enjoyed the discovery process along the way. In the epilogue, it answers some of the holes in the story, but none of them are too major to make it unbelievable. If there is a minor critique, it is that the conclusion, while satisfying, feels slightly rushed. The final revelations come quickly, leaving a desire for a bit more exploration into the aftermath of the family’s unmasking. However, this does not significantly detract from the overall impact of the story.

"House of Glass" is a compelling read that expertly combines elements of mystery, psychological drama, and a touch of horror. Sarah Pekkanen has delivered a novel that is both thought-provoking and thrilling, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. The chilling atmosphere, complex characters, and intricate plot twists make this book deserving of a solid 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book and devoured the second half of it. This is what I would call a slow burn and is perfect for those that enjoy murder mystery thrillers. There are a lot of clues to watch for and many side characters and small story lines. I felt the character development was a bit lackadaisical but I think that's due to the many involved with only small parts to help put the case together. I did feel myself wanting more from Rose but due to her condition, we really could only get so much. Unravelling the case while Stella's own personal trauma reveals itself was a gripping parallel to read. Her flashbacks slowly putting the puzzle together for readers kept you guessing. Sarah Pekkanen can always be relied upon to give us a solid thriller without leaving loose ends and I appreciate that about her writing. I highly recommend grabbing this one when it releases August 8th, 2024! Thank you SO much for the ARC!

This book is exactly what the "about" section describes- a little girl is mute after a traumatic event with her nanny dying after falling out of the attic window of her home. She meets Stella- a lawyer who has to decide who the girl will live with as her parents have filed for divorce. The reason for the divorce is that the father was having and affair with the nanny and she was pregnant. As Stella enters into their home and their lives and she realizes some peculiar things- they have removed all glass from the home, they have removed the daughter from school, etc. Stella also has to deal with her past- as she can relate to the girl because when she was young she was hiding in the closet as her mom died and she was mute after that experience. Will Stella figure out what happened to her mom all those years ago? Will the little girl tell Stella what actually happened with the nanny's death? Can Stella trust anyone in the house? This book has suspense without the gore and mystery. TW: stories of death, affair, abuse, divorce

Love, love, love, Sarah Pekkanen books. This one is twisty and keeps you guessing on what really happened to the Nanny.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
Publication date: August 6, 2024

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to review this digital arc!

Attorney Stella Hudson is tasked with determining the custody arrangement of a young girl named Rose, who suffers from traumatic mutism after her nanny falls from a window. What is this family hiding? And why is there no glass present anywhere in the house?

A messed up rich family, creepy child, and a mysterious death? Such a great plot line and bingeable read! It had just the right amount of creepiness and intrigue that had me unable to to put it down. Definitely recommend for a solid domestic thriller!

Rating 4⭐️

A gripping psychological thriller that explores the complexities of family secrets and deception. Well paced, there are twists that add to the thrill.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A gripping story that had me turning the pages! The characters were riveting with a solid plot. I loved the concept. Sarah does a great job of immersing the reader. I would definitely recommend this book.

When Stella gets a call from Charles about a case involving a child that has mutism due to a trauma she recently went through when her nanny Tina died, she decides to go against her own rule. Stella doesn't take cases involving young kids because of her past. Charles thought she was a good fit because of her mutism from her childhood trauma. It is Stella's responsibility to determine who is fit to raise Rose. In the process things unravel that make her nervous to be around Rose, and she starts to question whether Rose killed Tina, or someone else in the family. The end was shocking and I didn't see it coming!


Thank you Sarah and NetGalley for the Arc.

In House of Glass, Stella is a court appointed attorney inserted into a steamy child custody battle after their nanny dies in a tragic accident. Or was it? Rose, the child she's charged with protecting, is now mute. The husband was sleeping with the nanny, and everyone in the family is a suspect, including Rose herself who likes to collect sharp objects. This will keep you guessing until the end. It's at once a page-turner and the kind of book that stays with you. Recommended.

Fantastic book. I loved the twists and the character building. I hope that this one becomes a series!

Brilliantly written book by Sarah Pekkanen. This one will keep you guessing till the very end! This s the first b0ok i've read that was written by Pekkanen and now that i've found her I will definitely read more. You think you know what's going to happen and who does what however, it makes you think again, The characters are not warm and fuzzy they are cool and detached and I found the ones I liked were few. it's a great "Who Dun it". I recommend this book because it's always fun to guess and see if you are right and the writing was excellent. Thank you NetGalley and St Martens Press for this eARC this is my honest opinion.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is a typical thriller murder mystery. Stella is a lawyer that is assigned to Rose, a trauma induced mute child, with the goal of determining which parent Rose should live with after they divorced. The problem is that the mutism and divorce came about after Rose's nanny died by falling out of a window. Was it murder, suicide, or an accident that caused the pregnant nanny to plunge to her death? And what does Rose know that she is not telling?

The story unfolds slowly a bit at a time, Everyone seems like a suspect in the nanny's death including Rose herself. Stella's own person issues complicate her decision. This story is enjoyable but not an edge of your seat thriller, more like a slow burn with some twists thrown in. It is worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy. The opinions are my own.

If you love a thriller that will keep you guessing until the end, this is a book for you! It is creepy and full of tension and secrets and the characters that have so many things to hide!

I really liked this book! Rose is creepy as hell and it really ramps up the tension in this story. Every single character was a suspect for me at some point and I loved how believable these characters were.

I would call this a slow and consistent burn that kept my attention. I found the end to be satisfying and will definitely be picking Sarah’s other books!

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!!