House of Glass

Solid Suspense Takes Atypical Turns. This is one of those tales that almost seems destined for at least a sequel, if not a series of some level. There's more than enough here to justify it, and yet this story itself is fully complete as is. In other words, coming back to this world would be interesting and compelling... but not necessarily *necessary*.

I love the way that certain elements are played in an all-too-real-yet-not-usually-shown-in-fiction manner, and the specific construction of how Stella's past and present collide is particularly well done - and perhaps indicative that no sequel is expected here, as that particular sub plot could have been spread across a small series - while not feeling rushed or out of place fully happening within this story itself.

There *is* one particular element that could throw at least some readers off, and that is the (minor) romance subplot and specifically that it introduces an LGBT element not otherwise present in the story. Minor spoiler there, apologies, but I'd rather avoid 1*s (which I've seen already) specifically because of this. So just know it going forward, and yes, I know that others will praise this book specifically for that very point. *In the context of this particular story as told*, to me it felt refreshing that the author would choose to go that direction rather than feeling forced in just to have that "representation" in the book, but it is also a point where I could see others feeling that it was a touch forced, and they wouldn't get much pushback from me beyond what I just stated - it didn't feel that way *to me*.

Overall a truly well told, suspenseful, complex tale with a more-fleshed-out-than-many main character that clearly has a lot going on, and a tale whose world seems ripe for exploring more of. So here's hoping we get a chance to, and here's hoping it will be soonish.

Very much recommended.

After having read Pekkanen's books with Greer Hendricks and loving those this fell really flat. There's a lot, too much even, going on, everyone's a suspect, no matter how flimsily, and the climax was just.... eh.

I feel like I would've enjoyed the book more without Stella's backstory being thrown into the mix with all it's drama that just felt like it was there to add fluff. There was no need to go into her divorce or into the new fling, (which, btw, felt like a lousy copout for "fixing" Stella's situation of not wanting to have babies. The book was published in 2024, gay couples can have babies too!) the drama of her history would've been sufficient.

The ending felt like it would never come and was full of info dumping.

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen is a quick, suspenseful read that dives into family secrets and the aftermath of a mysterious death. The story follows Stella Hudson, an attorney working to help a young girl, Rose, who has stopped speaking after her nanny's tragic death. As Stella gets deeper into the case, she discovers dark truths about the family she's trying to help, while also dealing with her own painful past.

The book has an intriguing plot and enough twists to keep you reading. It's easy to get through, and the mystery surrounding Rose and the family's secrets made me want to see how it all ended. That said, I wasn't really hooked on the characters. Some of their choices didn't always make sense to me, and I found it hard to connect with them emotionally. There were even a few parts I skimmed because I just wasn't that interested.

Still, I enjoyed the twist at the end, and I think fans of psychological thrillers will like this one for its fast pace and engaging mystery. It's not a book that will stick with me for long, but it's a solid option if you're in the mood for something light and suspenseful.

Finished a couple days before Christmas. It was very engaging, enjoyed the story a lot, very tense. Nothing else to say because this was finished six days ago and my brain is scrambled lol.

If anyone was surprised by the “villain” in this I'm assuming it's because thrillers aren't your forte.

I was not sure what to expect from this author because I was a first-time reader. I was pleasantly surprised. This book had me wondering the entire time. Character development is something I enjoy, and she excelled at it as well. This book lives up to its hype and is a must-read.

Proper Thriller

I want to start off by saying a slight apology to some of my coworkers. Why, you might be asking? Well, the majority of my shift today was spent reading “House of Glass” by Sarah Pekkanen. I am shocked that this is my first book by this author. I loved the audiobook and ebook in equal measure. For the first time in a long while, I read a thriller that I did not guess the ending to. Such a win in my book. This book comes at the heels of a week where I have read many five-star reads, and this is going on that pile.

“House of Glass” is an enthralling thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story revolves around a seemingly perfect family living in a beautiful glass house, but as secrets begin to unravel, the facade of their idyllic life shatters. Pekkanen masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, with twists and turns that left me guessing until the very end.

Stella’s character is delightfully well-developed and serves as the pillar of the story. I appreciated her willingness and determination to stick with this frustrating case despite all the obstacles she faces and her own past trauma. Rose was written in equal measure creepy child and someone I wanted to hug.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own hidden depths and motivations. The protagonist’s journey through the layers of deception and betrayal is both gripping and emotionally charged. Pekkanen’s writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to lose track of time while reading.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to balance intense, heart-pounding moments with quieter, introspective scenes. This contrast adds depth to the narrative and keeps the reader invested in the characters’ fates. The pacing is perfect, with just the right amount of tension building up to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

I both read and listened to the book. The audio narrator, Laura Benanti, a Tony award-winning singer/actress, brings the story to life with her captivating performance. Her steady voice and nuanced inflection keep listeners hooked from start to finish.

Overall, “House of Glass” is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. It’s a testament to Pekkanen’s skill as a storyteller that she can craft such a compelling and unpredictable plot. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read. I can’t wait to explore more of Sarah Pekkanen’s work in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. I look forward to reading more thrillers by this author if the characters are this well-written

This book started out slow and methodical. I wasn't sure what to make of what was happening and this excited me no end!

Stella is asked to help a family with a divorce. A little girl, 9 year old Rose, witnesses the death of her nanny and the death has affected her so badly, she has mutism. The death is ruled accidental but the parents are splitting and they both want full custody. It's Stella's job to assess the family and make her recommendations.

Everyone is lying. The house has nothing in it that can be broken. It seems odd that a house has no mirrors and no glass in the windows. Everything down to the glassware is made from plexiglass. Nothing they say rings true and there is something more to Rose and Stella is determined to get to the bottom of it...

It was exciting. The story was full to bursting with threads and you can't see where they will all end up but it the author is a true artist and it all makes sense when you get to the end and it will BLOW YOUR MIND!!!!!

The more we learn about the family, the more you can see they are hiding something but you can't work it out because nothing seems right and I love books that do that!

The ending had me screaming! GENIUS! Did not see that coming!

5 stars, If you love thrillers... GET THIS ONE!! Out Aug 6th

3.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed The Golden Couple so I was so excited to read this book! It was super fast paced with short chapters, which I love. It also kept me really hooked all the way to the end. However, I felt like some of the events that happened towards the end were a little random and unrealistic. I did still really enjoy this book and will read more from Sarah Pekkanen in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC

I really enjoyed reading this!
My first book by Sarah Pekkanen and from start to finish I was hookeddd, some parts had me in suspense and had me holding my breathe wondering what was gonna happen next.
The chapters are short and gripping enough that you can finish this in one setting, which is what I did.
Def recommend it!