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Cynthia Swanson

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The Glass Forest: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Cynthia Swanson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.1 1,321 ratings

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The lives of three very different women intersect in shocking ways in this “outstanding psychological thriller” (Library Journal, starred review), by the New York Times bestselling author of The Bookseller.

In the autumn of 1960, Angie Glass is living an idyllic life in her Wisconsin hometown. At twenty-one, she’s married to handsome, charming Paul, and has just given birth to a baby boy. But one phone call changes her life forever.

When Paul’s niece, Ruby, tells them that her father, Henry, has committed suicide and her mother, Silja, has gone missing, the newlyweds drop everything to be by Ruby’s side in the small upstate town of Stonekill, New York.

Angie thinks they’re coming to the rescue of Paul’s grief-stricken young niece, but seventeen-year-old Ruby, self-possessed and enigmatic, resists Angie’s attempts to nurture her. While taking up residence in Henry and Silja’s eerie, ultra-modern house on the edge of the woods, Angie discovers astonishing truths about the complicated Glass family. As she learns about Henry and Silja’s spiraling relationship, and Ruby’s role in keeping them together, and apart, Angie begins to question the very fabric of her own marriage.

As details of the past unfold and Ruby dissects her parents’ state of affairs, the Glass women realize what they’re capable of when it comes to love, secrets, and ultimate betrayal.

As turbulent and electrified as the period it’s set in, The Glass Forest is an “intoxicating slow burn [that] builds to a conclusion rife with shocking reveals.” (Publishers Weekly)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The mystery in The Glass Forest is a solid whodunnit, but this novel is so much more. It's both an atmospheric suspense and a gripping multi-generational saga, all infused with the bleak desperation of the post-war era. Brazen and courageous heroines show, with unflinching honesty, the ugly sexism that could fester inside a mid-century marriage. A rich and unforgettable read! (Kate Moretti, New York Times bestselling author of THE BLACKBIRD SEASON )

There is no safe place to turn and no one to trust in Cynthia Swanson’s stirring new thriller, The Glass Forest. Readers will be captivated by this haunting post-war tale of secrets, manipulation, and lost innocence. With a cast of utterly unique and fearless female characters, Swanson turns traditional family relationships upside down to reveal the darkness that lies beneath. (Lynda Cohen Loigman, author of THE TWO-FAMILY HOUSE )

The Glass Forest is the story of three strong women in the 1960s, one of whom has disappeared. Part family saga, part mystery, part coming of age, this richly detailed historical novel is both a fascinating portrait of a woman’s life during this time and a meticulously plotted thriller. I absolutely devoured this gripping and beautifully written novel. (Jillian Cantor, author of MARGOT and THE LOST LETTER )

Atmospheric and unsettling, The Glass Forestdepicts, with razor sharp edges, the walls we don't see until we find ourselves trapped within them—and the chilling, emotional panorama of the view from the inside looking out." (Jessica Strawser, author of ALMOST MISSED YOU )

[S]tunning… Swanson uses exquisitely rendered characters and an intricately woven plot to explore the cultural and political fallout of WWII, as well as the changing role and limited rights of women in the mid–20th century. This intoxicating slow burn builds to a conclusion rife with shocking reveals. (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

A haunting novel. (Booklist)

In her follow-up to The Bookseller, Swanson demonstrates her signature trait: a consistent, superbly executed sense of knife-edge disquiet, just bordering on anxiety. She maintains a fast pace without sacrificing literary quality, and multiple characters are developed with unfolding disclosures without losing their individual connections to the reader. VERDICT On the heels of a stunning debut, this outstanding psychological thriller is a triumph. Swanson is a name to be considered among the likes of Gillian Flynn, Chris Pavone, and Laura Lippman. (Library Journal, starred review)

About the Author

Cynthia Swanson is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Bookseller. An Indie Next selection and the winner of the 2016 WILLA Award for Historical Fiction, The Bookseller has been translated into a dozen languages. Cynthia has published short fiction in numerous journals and been a Pushcart Prize nominee. She lives with her family in Denver, Colorado. The Glass Forest is her second novel.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B074ZRPM67
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books; Unabridged edition (February 6, 2018)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 6, 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 6549 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1501172107

Best Sellers Rank: #658,455 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,016 in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction
- #3,664 in Psychological Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #6,907 in Psychological Thrillers (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 1,321 ratings

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Cynthia Swanson

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Cynthia Swanson writes suspense, often using historical settings. Cynthia’s debut novel, The Bookseller, was a New York Times bestseller, an Indie Next selection, the winner of the 2016 WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction, and is slated to be a motion picture produced by and starring Julia Roberts. The Bookseller was also nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award and the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Reading the West Award. The Bookseller is translated into 18 languages. Cynthia’s second novel, The Glass Forest, was a USA Today bestseller, has been noted in Forbes as being one of “Five Novels With a Remarkably Strong Sense of Place” and is translated into 7 languages. Cynthia is the editor of the anthology Denver Noir (Akashic Books, May 2022), which features dark, morally ambiguous stories set in and around Denver, written by 14 notable literary and mystery authors. Cynthia lives with her family in Denver. Find Cynthia online at www.cynthiaswansonauthor.com and follow her on Facebook (Cynthia Swanson, Author), Twitter (cynswanauthor), and Instagram (cynswanauthor).

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5

1,321 global ratings

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L. D. Korpics

Outstanding second novel from my hometown author!

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019

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This novel, set in 1960 right around the time of the Nixon-Kennedy Debates with flash backs to WWII and the decade following it, beautifully captures the post war anxiety that rippled just under the surface of a country that was finding it's way in this new Cold War environment. I loved the historical accuracy and real sense of place and time that the author was able to convey so well - this is not an easy thing for a writer to do. It takes incredible talent. Additionally she creates a maze of a story that keeps you guessing until the very end. In these current times - this novel reminds us that not that ago, women were legally bound to remain in unhappy and even dangerous marriages because divorce in New York in 1960 was only granted for adultery - not for violence or abuse. The diligent research that went into this book is evident throughout. As a Historian - specifically focused on this time period - it was truly enjoyable to read such well written fiction that touched on events that occurred during the time period of the novel - so accurately and seamlessly woven into the story itself. Having grown up in the same town as Ms. Swanson - I truly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the Hudson Valley, including a short section based on the true story behind the Robeson Riots of 1949 which were not actually within the City of Peekskill itself, which the author sets straight unlike other books that use that event and fictionalize it to lay blame on a city that never deserved it. I think I could even identify some of the streets and areas she was drawing on for her scenes which added even more to my enjoyment of this book. The characters are all flawed and complex. I always look for this when choosing a novel. This was done purposefully - which other reviewers who gave less than 5 stars may have misunderstood. It was deliberate and done well. It's what drives great fiction. It's what drives great TV shows. This book takes you on an unpredictable ride which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's well written and intelligent as well as entertaining and pleasantly uncomfortable! Read carefully - there are multiple hints early on that you need to pay attention to! I highly recommend The Glass Forest as well as her debut novel The Book Seller which will soon be adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts. I can’t wait for Cynthia’s next book.

4 people found this helpful

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Bookish

deliciously gothic

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018

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I'm so glad everybody and their dog is publishing psychological thrillers these days because I'm hopelessly hooked. And The Glass Forest is the second psycho thriller I've read now that has taken a gothic turn. Which is fine by me. The Brontes were my gateway drug.

The setting for The Glass Forest is historical (early sixties) and deliciously gothic, with its a shadowed wood full of hiding places and secrets. Also there's the requisite gothic mansion. In this case the mansion is a modern glass house, out of place in its rural environs, a fish bowl for the misfits who live inside. And then there's Ruby who reminded me so much of Merricat in Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle. For me, Ruby was the most fun gothic element at play here.

This would be a five star read for me except for one loose end that is not resolved or explained. It didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story by any means but it bothered me a tiny bit. The truth is, I'm probably reading too many of these psycho thrillers and have become jaded.

Overall, I recommend The Glass Forest. It was really well done, though I must admit I wasn't sure of this going in. As others have remarked, it starts a little slow. But looking back, now that I've closed the book feeling very satisfied, I can appreciate this gradual build-up. I'd like to read more by this author.

12 people found this helpful

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Susan

Horrible Men

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2018

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This was an ok read. It keeps you interested but I think that Silja should of left Henry even if he would not give her a divorce. She should of left the house behind, took Ruby and run out the door saying "adios" loser!

Henry and Paul were horrible sickos. I found the ending lacking. It did not have that surprise ending mysteries should have. A little unbelievable. But, all-in-all not bad.

2 people found this helpful

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J. Serling

A Beautiful and Gripping Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2018

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This is a book that sneaks up on your slowly and then gets under your skin in the best possible way. I loved the setting--post WW2 Brooklyn and upper Hudson Valley--and the characters were unusual in the best possible way. Despite having read many books that take place during this time period, Swanson upended some of my preconceived notions by writing about a seemingly modern wife who works full time and her husband who fails to work at all. And yet, despite this reversal of gender roles, Silja, the main character and a working mother, is anything but free. Rather, the constriction of the time and of her marriage make her an increasingly unhappy woman, trapped in a life that she can't escape. I loved the slow feeling of dread that builds steadily throughout the story and the careful way that Swanson reveals the mystery from multiple points of view. Best of all, the ending is satisfying and ties up all the loose ends in an organic way that feels authentic. This is a beautifully written book that pulls you in and won't let go.

26 people found this helpful

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S.McDevitt

Enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2018

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This is a real page turner! After I put it down, I would immediately look forward to my next opportunity to read. ....a rare thing for me. I can't wait to read other books by this captivating author.

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Thistle

I was 33 pages in before I thought I might even want to finish it.

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020

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I generally don’t much care for books written from the different characters point of view. It does not make me not want to “not put it down.” In fact it makes it easier to put down. I did not care about any of the characters or what happened to them until I got 33 pages into it. Then I finished it in two days.

After reading some of the other reviews, I was prepared to hate the ending, but I didn’t. Life generally does not give us “and they all lived happily ever after.”
I grew to like Angie, Ruby, and Silja. It is good that times have changed that women no longer get stuck in marriage and are pretty much at the mercy of their husbands. I also found it interesting that the women were described as not particularly pretty. There were a lot of little twists to the plot along the way.

I read about a book a week and I rarely find one that I can’t put down. After getting a little way into it, I found this to be one of the few. It was most definitely worth reading.

2 people found this helpful

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