Scan barcode
ptorrens's review
4.0
I enjoyed the slow burn of this book. I loved how the characters developed as the story went on. I was hoping for more of a perspective from one of the brothers. I thought that utilizing the time period and the settings so carefully, almost making them characters as well, was quite clever. It kept me thinking until the end. Enjoyable family drama/mystery.
kbranfield's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Glass Forest by Cynthia Swanson is a gripping mystery about a missing woman and the suicide death of her husband.
In 1960, twenty-one year old Angie Glass is deliriously happy with her husband, Paul, and their baby son P.J. Trouble arrives with a phone call from Paul's seventeen year old niece Ruby who informs her undle of her father's (Paul's brother Henry)apparent suicide and her mother, Silja's, disappearance. Angie insists on accompanying Paul to Ruby's home in Stonekill, New York to plan Henry's funeral and settle his affairs. Angie quickly discover all is not as it appears with Ruby, Silja and Henry but she is woefully unprepared for the information she uncovers about Paul.
Angie is a bit naive but that is most likely a result of her sheltered life in Door County, WI. She and Paul married quite soon after they began their romance and she takes care of P.J. while Paul works as a bartender to supplement the income he earns selling his landscapes to tourists. Angie does not know much about Henry or his family since they only briefly met at her and Paul's hastily arranged wedding. Not much older than Ruby, Angie wants nothing more than to take care of her suddenly parentless niece.
Ruby is a resourceful young woman who keeps to herself after her aunt and uncle's arrival. Unexpectedly composed considering she discovered her father's lifeless body, she is no help to police as they try to figure out where Silja has disappeared to nor can she provide a reason why her mother might have run away. Ruby has no friends her age but she does have a friendship with a mysterious man she meets in the forest behind the family home.
Silja is only seen in flashbacks that detail her first meeting with Henry in 1942 and her life following their marriage. Falling in love at first sight, their whirlwind romance culminates in a sudden wedding right before he ships out for Europe during World War II. She gives birth to Ruby while he is still fighting in the war and she impatiently awaits his return. However, the Henry who comes home is not the same man she wed and their marriage becomes more and more strained over the years.
Angie's tranquil life slowly unravels before she, Paul and Ruby leave Stonekill. The police are suddenly not certain Henry's death was a suicide and even more perplexing is Silja's whereabouts. Whispers and rumors from the small town slowly make their way to Angie and as she tries to separate fact from fiction, she learns some very troubling information about the family she has married into. After she begins searching for the truth, Angie unearths shocking secrets that turn her world upside down.
The Glass Forest is an intricately-plotted novel with a clever storyline and a chilling cast of characters. Angie is a little too trusting and lacks much experience with the world outside her small town, but she is quick to realize something is not quite right with Ruby, Henry and eventually, Paul. Ruby is somewhat precocious but she is also very pragmatic and does not hesitate to do what she believes needs to be done. The setting is eerie and adds to the overall disquiet that permeates the unfolding story. Cynthia Swanson slowly builds the tension as the novel steadily wends its way to an absolutely stunning conclusion.
The Glass Forest by Cynthia Swanson is a gripping mystery about a missing woman and the suicide death of her husband.
In 1960, twenty-one year old Angie Glass is deliriously happy with her husband, Paul, and their baby son P.J. Trouble arrives with a phone call from Paul's seventeen year old niece Ruby who informs her undle of her father's (Paul's brother Henry)apparent suicide and her mother, Silja's, disappearance. Angie insists on accompanying Paul to Ruby's home in Stonekill, New York to plan Henry's funeral and settle his affairs. Angie quickly discover all is not as it appears with Ruby, Silja and Henry but she is woefully unprepared for the information she uncovers about Paul.
Angie is a bit naive but that is most likely a result of her sheltered life in Door County, WI. She and Paul married quite soon after they began their romance and she takes care of P.J. while Paul works as a bartender to supplement the income he earns selling his landscapes to tourists. Angie does not know much about Henry or his family since they only briefly met at her and Paul's hastily arranged wedding. Not much older than Ruby, Angie wants nothing more than to take care of her suddenly parentless niece.
Ruby is a resourceful young woman who keeps to herself after her aunt and uncle's arrival. Unexpectedly composed considering she discovered her father's lifeless body, she is no help to police as they try to figure out where Silja has disappeared to nor can she provide a reason why her mother might have run away. Ruby has no friends her age but she does have a friendship with a mysterious man she meets in the forest behind the family home.
Silja is only seen in flashbacks that detail her first meeting with Henry in 1942 and her life following their marriage. Falling in love at first sight, their whirlwind romance culminates in a sudden wedding right before he ships out for Europe during World War II. She gives birth to Ruby while he is still fighting in the war and she impatiently awaits his return. However, the Henry who comes home is not the same man she wed and their marriage becomes more and more strained over the years.
Angie's tranquil life slowly unravels before she, Paul and Ruby leave Stonekill. The police are suddenly not certain Henry's death was a suicide and even more perplexing is Silja's whereabouts. Whispers and rumors from the small town slowly make their way to Angie and as she tries to separate fact from fiction, she learns some very troubling information about the family she has married into. After she begins searching for the truth, Angie unearths shocking secrets that turn her world upside down.
The Glass Forest is an intricately-plotted novel with a clever storyline and a chilling cast of characters. Angie is a little too trusting and lacks much experience with the world outside her small town, but she is quick to realize something is not quite right with Ruby, Henry and eventually, Paul. Ruby is somewhat precocious but she is also very pragmatic and does not hesitate to do what she believes needs to be done. The setting is eerie and adds to the overall disquiet that permeates the unfolding story. Cynthia Swanson slowly builds the tension as the novel steadily wends its way to an absolutely stunning conclusion.
locke_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
menniemenace's review
3.0
2.5/5, again *sighs*.
In conclusion: The Glass Brothers should have been put down when they were babies.
This book had all what domestic thrillers have but with a touch of the 60'. Men tipped their hats -I could picture it vividly- and women were weak-willed and unhappy, plus of course racism and suspecting everyone to be a commie (Never thought I'll have a chance to use that word.) while the commies were generally good people who aren't involved in horrendous acts.
Angie was a small town girl before it was cool, married to her Cary Grant lookalike Paul Glass, and I don't know what all the fuss is about but whatever. He's sweet and loving and calls her Angel, but be aware reader, he is one sick puppy.
Selja -which is a lovely name- is a Finnish hard-working girl who falls in love with the other Cary Grant lookalike, Henry Glass. He doesn't try to be charming from the first meeting and on, he objectifies, abuses, and all-around acts like a jerk the whole time.
Ruby, whom I found the least attractive narrator but the most informative, is the daughter of Selja and Henry and she's peculiar and smart and crafty.
The story goes slowly until the last 15 chapters or so, but it's not impossible to get through. I didn't like it as much as The Bookseller but didn't hate it, I guess.
In conclusion: The Glass Brothers should have been put down when they were babies.
This book had all what domestic thrillers have but with a touch of the 60'. Men tipped their hats -I could picture it vividly- and women were weak-willed and unhappy, plus of course racism and suspecting everyone to be a commie (Never thought I'll have a chance to use that word.) while the commies were generally good people who aren't involved in horrendous acts.
Angie was a small town girl before it was cool, married to her Cary Grant lookalike Paul Glass, and I don't know what all the fuss is about but whatever. He's sweet and loving and calls her Angel, but be aware reader, he is one sick puppy.
Selja -which is a lovely name- is a Finnish hard-working girl who falls in love with the other Cary Grant lookalike, Henry Glass. He doesn't try to be charming from the first meeting and on, he objectifies, abuses, and all-around acts like a jerk the whole time.
Ruby, whom I found the least attractive narrator but the most informative, is the daughter of Selja and Henry and she's peculiar and smart and crafty.
The story goes slowly until the last 15 chapters or so, but it's not impossible to get through. I didn't like it as much as The Bookseller but didn't hate it, I guess.
ammey68's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
madiroset's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Maybe not the best book ever written but worth the read for the twists and the historical accuracy/interests!
emperorcupcake's review
5.0
Wow. It's not even the middle of January but I can safely say this will be one of my faves of the year. This isn't just a thriller or a mystery, it's a whole story about a family, time, and place that was fascinating, heart-wrenching, and gut-punching. I was nowhere else when I was reading this, and there was nowhere else I wanted to be, even when it was hard to look at. I don't usually seek out historical fiction, but I'd love to read more like this. And what a gorgeous cover!!
Many thanks to the Sleep When I'm Dead book club for putting this on my radar!
Many thanks to the Sleep When I'm Dead book club for putting this on my radar!
roxlastewka's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25