Love a good domestic thriller! This one pulled me in immediately.

I loved the short chapters and the interesting child aspect. You doubt everyone and I wasn't sure where this one was going, but definitely enjoyed the ride.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for both an ARC and ALC. The audio made it more eerie and atmospheric.

Twisty domestic thriller with dark themes and a satisfying resolution. I enjoyed the creepy kid vibes, the complicated interpersonal relationships, and the strong FMC. The villain reveal felt slightly anticlimactic but I’m not sure why that was. I think you’ll still enjoy the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

This is a difficult book for me to review, because I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it. I felt the writing was well done, the pacing flowed fairly well if not a little repetitive at times, and the overall plot was well thought out and executed. My dislike of the book rests solely with FMC Stella, who is not only the center of the book but also the narrator. Unreliable isn't quite the right category, because as a reader she is the subject matter expert when it comes to being assigned as the lawyer to represent 9 year old Rose. I didn't really love learning about her backstory, specifically with Charlie and maybe romance with the detective could have been left off the page, but I really disliked her. As a character, as a person. Arrogant and obnoxious borderline with a martyr complex just grated on me. I finished it, because I did want the ending but I didn't really like the journey.

Thank you SMP for the gifted ARC.

Alright guys…I actually had bad dreams about this one two nights in a row. Something about psychopathic children and being a second grade teacher…I guess it struck a cord with me! Once I finally finished the book, the dreams disappeared!

A nanny plunges to her death, a family going through divorce where both parents want sole physical and legal custody. An overbearing grandmother all of this comes to ahead in this novel. The author did a great job, making it hard to figure out who harmed the nanny. I really enjoyed it.

Loved this book. Great pace! Kept you guessing throughout. I enjoyed the character development and storyline. The twists and turns of the plot kept me engaged until the end.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is the perfect blend of suspense and psychological intrigue that grips you and doesn't let go. Set in the opulent yet unsettling Barclay mansion, the story centers on Stella Hudson, a best-interest attorney tasked with navigating a complex custody battle for a traumatized child, Rose, who witnessed her nanny’s mysterious death. With no glass in the house, only plastic, the setting itself becomes a character that amplifies the eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere.

Pekkanen creates a sense of foreboding that permeates the novel, capturing my attention immediately. The narrative’s strength lies in its unsettling portrayal of a family where every member harbors dark secrets and motives, creating a web of suspicion that kept me guessing. The suspense builds steadily as Stella delves deeper into the family’s fractured dynamics, unearthing hidden truths and navigating the complex, often menacing, interactions among the Barclays.

The characterization of Rose is particularly compelling, with her eerie silence and unsettling behavior adding a layer of psychological depth to the story. The interplay between Stella’s own traumatic past and her current case enhances the emotional weight of the narrative, offering a nuanced exploration of trauma and recovery.

While the novel is a gripping read, some elements might feel predictable for seasoned mystery fans. The identity of the perpetrator and certain plot twists may be discernible ahead of time, which slightly diminishes the impact of the final revelations. Additionally, the book’s intense focus on atmospheric tension sometimes overshadows character development, particularly in secondary storylines.

Overall, House of Glass is an enthralling psychological thriller that successfully evokes a sense of danger and intrigue. Pekkanen’s skillful crafting of suspense and her vivid portrayal of a family entangled in secrets make this a standout read, even if it occasionally treads familiar ground. With its chilling atmosphere and tightly woven plot, I highly recommend it for dark, suspenseful fiction fans.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martins Press, Sarah Pekkanen
4 ⭐️’s

This book held me captivated from the beginning in more ways than one! What an engrossing book to say the least! This was my first book by Sarah Pekkanen but it absolutely won't be my last! The way she put's characters together and family relationships is absolutely one for the books so to speak! Given that it was such a long book I have to say it was also the perfect length in more than one aspect! This author left me disliking majority of the characters throughout the whole book and I never guessed any of the twists which made me fall in love with this story even more! Sarah Pekkanen knocked this book out of the park so to speak

Giving this 3.5 stars

This was a great read filled with suspense! Stella Hudson has been assigned by the court to young Rose after she witnesses the death of her nanny leaving her traumatized and mute to decide who will get custody of Rose during her parent's bitter divorce. But things are not all that Stella believes they are, there are too many holes in the parent's and grandmother's account of what happened to their nanny that tragic day and Stella is beginning to feel that silent Rose is not the innocent young girl she thinks she is. This was a very riveting read and sometimes Rose's demeanor creeped me out, but I didnt see the twists this read ended up having.

Thanks to author Sarah Pekkanen and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my review. Forgive me NetGalley for being behind on this review, trying to catch up on my reads.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange as a non biased review.

I was excited to read this because I have had great luck with some good thrillers this summer. I'm rating it a 3 because I'm not sure how I feel about this book. As taken from the blurb here is the preface of the story, "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?" In walks Stella who is hired by the attorney to find out who Rose should live with. I found Stella's backstory to be intriguing and how her life growing up plays into The House of Glass case and the little girl Rose she is sent to investigate.

In the beginning I was drawn in to the story but it seemed to kind of drop from there. The story does grab your attention but I guess it just didn't WOW me.

Another fantastic read by Sarah Pekkanen, there is a reason why I always look forward to her new books. House of Glass is another excellent story by this wonderful author in typical fashion Sarah's writing style has me turning the pages well into the late nigh. I really enjoyed the multiple layers within the characters some unexpected and most quiet interesting.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is an excellent story I really enjoyed.

The characters are well crafted and fleshed out.

The story left me surprised so many times.

There were some twists and turns I was not expecting.

One not to miss!

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen was entertaining, and I needed to figure out who committed the murder. This well-written psychological thriller kept me guessing. I listened to the audiobook, which added to the story. I would recommend the audiobook. I don't want to give too much away, but this would be a good book to add to your list.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen on NetGalley.

Published: 08/06/24

Stars: 4.5

Another hit.

Fabulous storytelling: a beginning, middle and end. Pekkanen let me come along on this ride going one way. This started with a traumatized child, family drama brings in a court appointed attorney, and all the while a creepy tale is unfolding to the end.

I loved House of Glass. All my emotions were checked off. My creep meter is still recharging. The author brings in an interesting psychological diagnosis for the child, as well as the attorney, and they worked beautifully.

When I think thriller -- this is what I want. Sign me up for more Pekkanen.

Enjoyed this book a lot! Really enjoyed the twist at the end. I’ll be looking for more from this author

House of Glass
Sarah Pekkanen

Believe it or not, I haven’t read Sarah Pekkanen before and if you haven’t you should. Our narrator is a child advocate lawyer, Stella Hudson. I will let you judge how reliable she is but she doubts herself. Her new client, Rose is in desperate need of Stella’s particular brand of help.

Stella’s childhood circumstances make her uniquely suited to be Rose’s advocate according to her mentor, Charles. There is no simple custody issue here. Someone in Rose’s home may have murdered the nanny. Rose’s mother, Beth comes from a wealthy family and they live in a creepy house on a creepy estate with Rose’s father, Ian and Ian’s mother, Harriet. There are other side characters with ties to Rose or Stella that move the plot and are fleshed out well.
Of course, Stella’s past is woven in throughout the story but without tricks other than the perspective of children and secrets of adults.

The author does excellent work of creating full characters, none without flaws or misconceptions. It’s the type of book where the actions of characters and plot twists are not convoluted while fate had lined up characters in their perfect storm. Not all children are weak, adults strong but multi faceted and surprising in a good way. Your past does not have to determine your future.

I was so glad I invested my time in this story and was not let down in the end. My thanks to the author for a great read and St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy.

“House of Glass” by Sarah Pekkanen follows Best Interest Attorney Stella Hudson, as she looks into where nine-year-old Rose Barclay should live after her parents divorce- a divorce stemming from the mysterious death of Rose’s nanny. As Stella spends more time with the family, she begins to feel something sinister in the home. Was the nanny’s death an accident? Or did one of the Barclay’s get rid of her? And most importantly, is Stella now too in danger?

This book was such a twisty read! Every time I thought I had things figured out there were just enough little hints to keep me guessing!

I loved Stella as a main character. She was layered and I love that in a main character, especially seeing the glimpses into her childhood and how her past informs her present. Rose, too, was a unique character. I’ve never thought much about trauma muteness, but it made for an interesting twist!

In the end, this book was a solid 4 star read for me! It was a fun mystery that I didn’t want to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy! This book is out now!

“Glass House” is a riveting tale that delves into the deceptive veneer of a seemingly perfect family, revealing the intricate web of lies spun within the walls of their opulent home. The story unfolds with the tragic death of a young nanny, an event shrouded in mystery and suspicion. Was it an unfortunate accident, or did someone within the household orchestrate her demise? This question serves as the catalyst for a suspenseful journey through the Barclay family’s darkest secrets.
At the heart of this domestic thriller is Rose Barclay, a nine-year-old girl who becomes mute after witnessing what may have been the murder of her nanny. Her silence is a fortress guarding the truth, making her both vulnerable and enigmatic. The complexity of Rose’s character adds a haunting depth to the narrative, as readers are left pondering the weight of the secrets she harbors.
Enter Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney with a traumatic past of her own, who typically avoids representing children younger than thirteen. However, compelled by her mentor, she takes on the case to advocate for Rose. Stella’s character is meticulously crafted, embodying resilience and determination. Her journey through the Barclays’ “plastic house”—a peculiar structure devoid of glass—mirrors her own quest for transparency in a situation where opacity reigns supreme.
The author masterfully constructs an atmospheric setting that enhances the novel’s tension. The historic Washington D.C. home of the Barclays, with its iron security gates and gilded interiors, becomes a character in itself, reflecting the family’s obsession with appearances and control. The absence of glass in the house is a metaphor for the lack of clarity and openness among its inhabitants, each of whom could be implicated in the nanny’s death.
While the plot is undeniably suspenseful, keeping readers guessing at every turn, it does not quite reach the heights of the author’s previous work, “Gone.” Nevertheless, the characters in “Glass House” are intriguing, each with motives that blur the lines between victim and perpetrator. The mother, father, grandmother, nanny’s boyfriend, and even little Rose are all suspects in a chilling game of trust and deception.
In conclusion, “Glass House” is a compelling psychological thriller that explores the dichotomy between external perfection and internal chaos. It is a story that captivates with its atmospheric tension and complex characters, though it may leave fans of the author’s earlier works yearning for more. Despite this, the novel stands as a testament to the genre, proving once again that in a world built on lies, the truth can be the most elusive element of all.

I didn’t see a single twist coming with this book. I also had the wind knocked out of me reading several scenes of this book. I’ve never read a book that made me second guess my entire existence before.
I can’t wait to read more by this author!
@sarahpekkanen is now an auto buy author for me!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is my second Sarah Pekkanen thriller and she's definitely becoming one of my favorites. This fast paced thriller is centered around a creepy little girl and the guardian ad litem who is tasked with deciding her fate. Nothing is as it seems and this one kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat the entire time. I had a few theories along the way and the ending should have been obvious, but I was wrong! I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the MC's own childhood and the glimpses of the drama in her present life. I sometimes find secondary storylines annoying and unnecessary, but I was truly interested in Stella's personal journey. Overall, a solid and quick paced thriller.

Rose’s nanny is dead. Did the nanny jump or was the nanny pushed? If pushed, who did it? Nine-year-old Rose who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak Stella Hudson has been appointed to serve as counsel for Rose. Stella doesn’t want him the case because of her own background of having a traumatic childhood. When 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. The family is more troubled, than she feared. Stella comes closer to uncovering the secrets the Barclays are desperate to hide. Then danger wraps around her. Her past and present are set on a collision course in ways she never expected. Everyone is a suspect in the nanny's murder. Who killed the nanny? Will Stella survive the secrets?

The author has written a chilling, and creepy novel. It is a suspenseful, dark novel. I enjoyed the suspense — it was a different novel for me to read. In that I don’t find this type of novel to be creepy.