Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney. She comes in when there’s a messy divorce and delves into the family dynamics in order to determine which parent should be awarded custody. She never works with kids under 13 because of a traumatic incident in her life, but she makes an exception when she is asked to by her mentor Charles. He thinks she’s the only one who can help the little 9 year old girl because she suffers from the same condition Stella had at a young age, traumatic mutism. After witnessing a traumatic event, the death and possible murder of her nanny Tina, Rose stopped speaking.
When Stella arrives at the wealthy families home she finds that all the glass has been removed from the house. After seeing that Rose has a stockpile of shards of glass she begins to fear the worse. The whole family, the mother, father and grandmother are lying to Stella. But who are they trying to protect? Themselves or the little girl they all love? Was the nanny murdered and who did it?
I really enjoyed this book. The premise was original and that really refreshing anymore. The story delves into Stella’s past and 2 mysteries unravel simultaneously. I liked that the timeline was linear and everything unfolded as it happened. It did make it feel like everything just wrapped up too neatly for me though so it lost some points there.
I received this in audio format. The narration was done by Laura Benanti and she did a wonderful job. I highly recommend this as an audio book.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

House of Glass
Sarah Pekkanen
Out August 6

A nine year old girl who collects sharp objects may have witnessed her nanny’s death, who plunged to her death, or did she?

A best interest lawyer, Stella is given the case. It’s her job to figure out who is the victim in the family, but Rose (the 9 year old girl) will not talk. It’s up to Stella to figure out if there’s a murderer in the family. Rose was a gifted student before her nanny died. Rose now suffers from traumatic mutism. Why did she become this way?

Stella’s backstory slowly unfolds to us while we also get the current story of Rose being told to us bit by bit. The more she gets to know the family, the more eerie things start occurring and the closer she gets to the truth, the more danger she encounters.

This audiobook had good pacing, thrilling, engaging, and full of twists. I recommend this for those seeking a good mystery thriller with family drama. The narration will keep you intrigued and easy to follow.

Creepy child vibes! Psychological Thriller, Murder Mystery! I finished this one super quick, I couldn't stop listening!

Publisher's summary
The next thrilling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen, House of Glass.
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.
As Stella comes closer to uncovering the secrets the Barclays are desperate to hide, danger wraps around her like a shroud, and her past and present are set on a collision course in ways she never expected. Everyone is a suspect in the nanny's murder. The mother, the father, the grandmother, the nanny's boyfriend. Even Rose. Is the person Stella's supposed to protect the one she may need protection from?

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book!

House of Glass
By: Sarah Pekkanen
Narrated by: Laura Benanti
Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-06-24
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

meh. i was very intrigued by this at first because of all the good reviews and the general premise. this book had the creepy kid trope, which i tend to love personally. the beginning of this book was great and was holding my attention, since the main character, Stella, is tasked with arranging custody for a child, Rose, whose parents are getting divorced following the tragedy of the nanny falling (accidentally?) out the window and dying. i wish the book had stayed focused on this, but there is a secondary storyline of Stella confronting her past trauma, going through a divorce herself, and figuring out what happened to her mother. i'm so sorry but i was just not really interested in that part. the author did a fairly good job intertwining the two storylines, but i wish more of the story was only dedicated to the initial storyline. i wanted more time with Rose, even though the main character got annoying with the fact that she was the ONLY one who could save Rose!

some of the things that happen in this book are pretty unrealistic. how in the world does Stella have time to snoop in this family's house on more than one occasion? and she really thinks it's a good idea to write a fake report to...gauge their reactions, even though they would only look at it when she left the room?? i wasn't really surprised by the reveals either. one of the reveals was glaringly obvious in my opinion (although there was more information about that reveal that i did not predict).

i also listened to the audiobook and didn't love the narrator.

this is my first book from just Sarah Pekkanen, but i have read two other books in which she collaborated with Greer Hendricks. i'm just not sure if she's for me since i've never given anything she's written (or partially written) more than 3 stars.

House of Glass is out August 6, 2024. thank you to Macmillan 2024 Audio Influencer Program for an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I want to rave about this book. It was everything I wanted in a psychological thriller. I loved the main character and the journey she goes through during this story. However, there was one aspect of the story that comes in three quarters of the way through the book, that honestly felt like fan service. It felt unnecessary, especially that far into the story. Sadly it was enough to take me out of the story and lessen my enjoyment. I still felt like the story ended strong, but I really wish they didn’t feel the need to throw the romantic wrench.

💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕

I found House of Glass to be incredibly gripping, fascinating and thrilling. I enjoyed it so, so much. I absolutely flew through it. Another great delivery from Pekkanen!!

This story focuses on the Barclays, a wealthy couple currently in the midst of a heated divorce. Adding fuel to the dumpster fire, their live-in nanny very recently plunged to her death out of one of the windows of their estate. Their 9-year old daughter, Rose, hasn't spoken since the traumatic incident. The family now finds themselves shrouded in suspicion. Was the nanny's death a freak accident, or was she pushed?

We follow Stella Hudson, a Best Interest Attorney, who has been called in to evaluate the family, as well as Rose's condition, to determine what is in the best interest of the child when it comes to the divorce. The recent suspicious death of the nanny adds a whole new layer to what should have been a fairly standard evaluation for Stella. Nevertheless, she is ready for the challenge and is anxious to determine what is actually going on within the Barclay household.

I'm not going to say anything further about the plot, or set-up, of this one. It's definitely best to just go in and let Pekkanen roll it all out for you as she sees fit. I got pulled into this story incredibly-quickly. The audiobook narration was fabulous for Stella's perspective, IMO. I felt like I was going along with her on this investigation.

I have never read a story where the MC has had this profession before. I thought the idea of a Best Interest Attorney was such a clever way to insert our main character into the lives of the Barclays. Stella had a real reason for digging into all the dirt in this family and she wasn't afraid to do it. I thought it was a nice change of pace from following your typical law enforcement type handling the investigation.

We also got quite a bit of background into Stella herself and she was a fascinating character. Through her backstory, you could see what inspired her to pursue this particular career. The mystery around the death of the nanny kicks off so quickly. It was easy to get lost in this one. It was clear Stella didn't think it was an accident and I had my suspects too.

I loved the vibes and mystery that Pekkanen built up around Rose as well. It was extremely well executed for ultimate creep factor. This actually got my pulse racing. While I may have wanted a different resolution to the mystery, at the end of the day, I'm still so freaking happy with this reading experience.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with copies to read and review. I recommend this to anyone looking for a gripping Psychological Thriller. This one is an absolute ride!!

Creepy kids are so fun for me, so I was definitely absorbed in House of Glass. I really liked how the story was set for this one, and was constantly questioning who committed the murder. I loved the plot twist and flew through this story, I was tense and on the edge of my seat the entire time. I listened to this one on audio after switching from the eBook, and enjoyed both but really liked the audio version – the narration was great. The setting and atmosphere were perfection, the plot was unsettling and the twists were oh so satisfying. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St.Martin’s Press for my advanced copies. House of Glass will be published 8/6.

I really enjoyed this!! Totally creepy vibes and kept you guessing throughout. I highly recommend this to those of you who enjoyed Baby Teeth, although I liked this one much more!

This was such a unique concept and it thoroughly kept my attention throughout. Twists were done well and the characters were written really well. 4/5 Stars!

A solid, suspenseful, mystery/thriller book! I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. I had some suspicions about who it was but it kept me guessing until the very end.

This was an engrossing read and I didn't guess everything that was happening (which is what I like- surprise me!) But I think this went slightly overboard with the twists and turns by the end. I know this is just a matter of reader preference, some people love being hit with reveal after reveal, but it just didn't work for me here. I will say that the author did allow time at the end to process and wrap up the turns that were taken. The story continued longer than I expected after the technical conclusion.

Quality of Writing 4/5
Pacing 3/5
Plot Development 2/5
Character Development 3/5
Narration 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 3/5

I thoroughly enjoyed the FMC. It was intriguing hearing her back story and watching how she sorted through the family dynamic. I was trying to figure out who was the "bad guy" as she was trying to sort it out. I was shocked and even gasped by the major twist. This story truly kept me guessing at every turn. Sarah Pekkahen has a wonderful way of keeping you guessing. The narrator also did a remarkable job portraying the characters and their emotions. I loved this book!

I received this ARC in audiobook format from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully listening to this audiobook.

Had me guessing until the very end. These are the types of stories that I love. Some might say they are predictable but I find them so entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The narrator added extra intrigue and even made some parts feel eerie. I want to check out more from this author.

📚 Review: House Of Glass 🪞
This was an okay read for me. I honestly liked it better than I was expecting, but still wasn’t wowed by it. It wasn’t that it was bad by any means. I have seen tons of reviews of people loving this book. But, I think I read too many thrillers where if there is not some kind of big twist that blows my mind, I’m a little underwhelmed. And that’s kind of how I felt with this one. But that’s a me problem. It reminded me of The Perfect Child a bit by Lucinda Berry. But not done as well. I was expecting more deviousness from the little girl, but things were just more speculated than anything else.
For those not familiar, this book is about lawyer named Stella Hudson. She works with children of parents who are getting divorced. But, this case she’s working on is a little unusual because Rose,the nine year old girl, who Stella is there to represent , may have witnessed her nanny’s death. Rose has now become mute and seems to have an obsession with sharp objects. So much so, that her parents can’t have anything that’s glass in the house. But as Stella is investigating, she finds out that everyone in this house seems a little “off” and may possibly be a suspect. Everyone has motive. Even Rose.
Like I said, for me, it was okay. It wasn’t awful by any means. I’ve seen people love it, so if it’s on your tbr, find out if you like it for yourself, don’t go by this review. I’m probably an outlier. But this was ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5 stars for me!

Even though I got this as my BOTM, I ended up getting approved for the audiobook. So, thank you to @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Have you read this one yet? What were your thoughts?

3 stars.

This one didn't stand out to me and felt very "meh" but I can see why others might like this one. I wasn't vibing with any of the characters and I found the plot to be uninteresting. The twist at the end was worth it at the end but not enough to where I can say I enjoyed the story.

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.

The setting is eerie, the family is sketchy, Rose is creepy, an overall interesting story line. It’s Stella’s job to figure out who Rose should live with after her parent’s divorce. But something is suspicious, and it’s Stella’s job to find out what. She spends a lot of time at the house getting to know the family - they have a lot of drama and no one is really likable. There were several parts of this story I found to be unnecessary. This wasn’t an action packed, edge of your seat sort of read I was hoping for. I found the majority of the story to be slow moving (minus the bit of excitement in the end). Just seemed like the author was trying to cram a lot into one story. This was has its fans - just wasn’t for me.

House of Glass was my most recent audiobook and thriller. This fast paced novel centers around a custody case of the child of extremely wealthy parents. Nine year old Rose Barclay witnessed what may have been her Nanny’s murder and has become selectively mute because of the trauma of the event. Stella Hudson is an attorney sent in to determine the best interest of Rose in her parent’s contentious divorce. A child of trauma herself, Stella feels an immediate bond and empathy for Rose and determines that in order to help her, she must find out what Rose may have seen or done the night if her nanny’s death.

I listened to this book on audio and it was really well done. Laura Benanti, the narrator did a wonderful job. Each character was distinct and well performed and it completely immersed me in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Pekkanen has written a fast and complex thriller that weaves together many different threads. I really liked the character of Stella. She was multilayered and it was interesting to see how her personal backstory and it’s ongoing repercussions helped her to connect with Rose. There was real heart here which can be unusual in a domestic thriller. I cared.

My only quibble with this one was the ending. It took too long to wrap up. Even after the big reveal to the mystery was disclosed there was still a lot of other answers to come and I began to lose interest. One element of Stella’s story was superfluous and unneeded to make her story successful and that bugged me a bit. Still, overall this one was a really fun and well done.
Thank you to @macmillan.audio for an audio arc of this book. The audiobook debuts on August 6th.
#bookstagram #thrillerbookstagram #thrillerbooks #thrillernovel #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #bibliophile #macaudio2024

“House of Glass” presented an eclectic mix of unexpected plot twists and a suspenseful ambiance that captured my interest in its mysterious narrative. The story effectively built tension, with each unexpected turn adding layers to the mystery. Of particular interest was the character Rose, a silent yet complex figure who added depth to the plot.

I appreciated the detailed perspective provided by the main character, Stella, which enhanced the analysis of the Barclay family dynamics and the investigation into the nanny’s death. The first-person viewpoint allowed for a more immersive and interactive experience in sleuthing and solving the mystery alongside Stella.

However, the subplot involving Stella’s mother, while initially intriguing, felt somewhat forced as the plot unfolded. Moreover, its integration with the main narrative could have been smoother for a more cohesive storytelling experience, as presently it detracts from the story and causes it to lose momentum and flow.

The narrator, Laura Benanti, skillfully heightened the mysterious elements and eerie atmosphere of the book, enhancing the audiobook experience tenfold. Her performance added complexity and drew me further into the storyline, creating a sense of collaboration with Stella’s sleuthing antics.

While many characters in the novel may not have been relatable or likable, it is important to note that this is a mystery thriller in the style of a classic whodunit, so that could be expected. The central character, Stella, lacked appeal, especially coupled with the complications of her mother’s subplot.

Despite efforts to understand Stella’s perspective, her interactions often came across as self-centered, relying too heavily on her experiences and trauma to justify her decisions, even when they were not in the best interest of the child and family she was assessing. A more nuanced approach to her character development could have enhanced her belief and emotional depth.

Furthermore, the ending of the story spent a significant amount of time on the “big bad” antagonist’s monologue, which felt forced and unrealistic considering the circumstances of the story’s unraveling. This exposition-heavy conclusion significantly weakened the impact of the climax.

In summary, “House of Glass” offered an engaging and thrilling reading experience for fans of mystery and suspense, despite some areas that could benefit from further development and exploration, such as character growth and plot cohesion. This book is recommended for those who appreciate suspenseful, cat-and-mouse mystery novels.

I was provided with a free complimentary advanced listener's copy (ALC) of this book from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley in exchange for providing my honest review. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.

Thank you, Sarah Pekkanen, for giving us another great thriller; I enjoyed this one!

Let's start with the characters -- The characters were all unreliable, which made for an incredibly suspenseful story. I kept changing my mind about who actually killed the nanny, which is a testament to Pekkanen's skill in crafting a complex and intriguing narrative. The suspicion built up steadily throughout the novel, keeping my attention glued to the story as I tried to piece together the truth. There were many characters involved in this novel, but Pekkanen made it pretty easy to keep up with them.

If I could change one thing about "House of Glass," it would be the connection between the surprise love interest that forms toward the end of the novel. While I liked the relationship itself, it felt somewhat forced, as if it was added as an afterthought or pushed into the story by an editor. I wish it had been developed a bit more thoroughly throughout the novel to make it feel more natural. I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll leave out the names, but this is a minor critique of an otherwise stellar book.

I listened to this book, Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio, and the narrator did a great job with tone and pacing. The combination of a gripping plot, unreliable characters, and excellent narration made it a memorable listening experience, and I recommend it to others who enjoy thrillers!

Thank you, #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio, for a chance to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This one kept me guessing all the way through. Every time I convinced myself that a certain member of the family was involved I became more convinced it was someone else. Well done! Bravo! I loved the main character, Stella, and how much she cared not just about Rose and determining the optimal custody situation for her divorcing parents, but also about catching the killer of the nanny in a case that had essentially gone cold because Rose had selective mutism after witnessing her death.

This was just what I needed when reading a thriller to shake up my fantasy reads and now I kind of want to see the author right a thriller in a fantasy setting. That would be a lot of fun.

The audiobook was so good! The narrator, Laura Benanti kept me enthralled in the story and lured me into a nice safe feeling before we reached some truly exciting and thrilling moments. The end of the story flew by so quickly with all of the action at the end and it left my heart racing!

FOUR AND A HALF STARS

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the #gifted ALC. All thoughts are my own.

Sadly this wasn't my most favorite book. The outline of the story is great, the telling is not. I found the descriptive details overdone and over used. This reminded me of creative writing exercises in school, the more description used the higher the mark on the paper. The narrator is not the best fit for a creepy murder mystery and this may be influencing my thoughts on the book. Perhaps if I had read it on paper, I might feel better about the book. The title is perfect and the cover just ominous enough to spark curiosity.