Imagine stepping into a luxurious mansion, expecting a routine child custody case, only to find yourself in a house devoid of glass and brimming with secrets. Welcome to House of Glass, where the only thing more fragile than the nonexistent windows is the family’s facade.
Our protagonist, Stella Hudson, is a best interest attorney who typically avoids cases involving children under thirteen. But when her mentor insists she take on the case of nine-year-old Rose Barclay, Stella finds herself unable to refuse. Rose witnessed the death of her nanny, Tina, and has since fallen silent. Not the usual “I don’t want to talk about it” silence, but a complete shutdown. Stella, having experienced traumatic mutism herself, feels a deep connection to Rose’s plight.
From the moment Stella enters the Barclay residence, it’s clear that something is amiss. The house is eerily pristine, and every piece of glass has been removed. Drinking glasses? Plastic. Picture frames? Glassless. Windows? Sealed or replaced. The official explanation is that Beth Barclay, Rose’s mother, developed a fear of glass. But as Stella delves deeper, it becomes evident that this is just one of many peculiarities.
The family dynamics are a tangled web. Ian Barclay, Rose’s father, had an affair with Tina, the deceased nanny. Beth, the mother, is emotionally distant and seems more concerned with appearances than her daughter’s well-being. Then there’s Harriet, the grandmother, who exerts a controlling influence over the household. Each family member has motives, secrets, and alibis that don’t quite add up.
Stella’s investigation is further complicated by her own past. Her mentor, Charles, has been a guiding figure in her life, but revelations about his involvement in her family’s history shake her trust. As Stella uncovers layers of deceit within the Barclay family, she must also confront the ghosts of her own childhood.
Pekkanen masterfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers on edge. The mansion itself feels like a character, with its sterile perfection and unsettling ambiance. The absence of glass isn’t just a quirky detail; it symbolizes the family’s desire to hide the truth and avoid reflection.
The pacing is deliberate, allowing tension to build with each chapter. Stella’s interactions with Rose are particularly poignant. Despite Rose’s silence, her actions speak volumes. She collects sharp objects, hides shards of glass, and exhibits behaviors that suggest she’s both a victim and a potential threat.
As the story unfolds, Stella discovers that the real danger may not be the silent child but the adults who claim to protect her. The climax reveals a twisted truth that forces Stella to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about the case and herself.
House of Glass is a compelling exploration of trauma, secrecy, and the lengths people go to protect their reputations. Pekkanen’s writing is sharp, her characters are complex, and the plot twists are both surprising and satisfying.
OUR RATING
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