Review: Watching Glass Shatter, by James J. Cudney

Rating: ★★★★☆

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery

Goodreads / Amazon

Disclaimer: I bought this book myself and, although I know the author and had in mind to publish my review to help spread the word about this book, the author didn’t ask me to, neither did it influence my opinions.

When I started Watching Glass Shatter, I actually didn’t know much about it. I’d read the synopsis before and a few reviews, but the week before I actually picked it up, I avoided reading anything about it to be more surprised. Well, I could have read all the reviews I wanted – I am sure I still wouldn’t have seen the twists coming!

Watching Glass Shatter is the story of the Glass family, who has just lost their patriarch. Olivia, left widowed just months before her husband was going to retire, learns a devastating secret that could break her family forever. As she, her sister and her five sons spend more time together after the death, trying to get the family united again, whose secrets have been tearing them apart for many years.

This family epic had everything you could expect from a great novel: mystery, intrigue, drama, secrets, twists, a matriarch trying to hold her family together, and a good dose of heartbreak. I loved how the mystery was so well done, it kept me wondering at all times and I didn’t guess it until the very end. The complicated dramas of the family kept showing up in twists and more twists that I simply couldn’t see coming at all. I was surprised at how many intricate stories the author managed to weave together into one book, and although he could easily have made a whole book out of each brother’s story, it felt perfect the way it was done: getting enough of a glimpse into their lives to leave us interested but never so much that it got boring.

I found it difficult in the beginning to connect with Olivia, she is a woman with a soul of iron and unstoppable once she decides to do something. She’s headstrong, smart, and can be too nosy on her children’s lives, but she’s also sensitive and will do anything to protect those she loves. She was a very unique character and I was impressed by how well she kept it together despite all the tragedy around her. I couldn’t always predict what she would do, which made it more interesting to read.

I had a bit of trouble with the dialogue, which sometimes sounded too wordy and forced for a conversation, but it didn’t bother me too much. The ending was very satisfying – not all the open points were addressed, but the most ones were and I’m okay with a few questions left in the air, keeping us wondering what the future will hold for the Glass family. Once I finished the novel, I kept looking at the wall for minutes imagining what happened next.

I immediately got the paperback as well before I finished this book and I have to say it looks so beautiful and the cover is slightly rubbery, making for a nice feel on the hands. I look forward to re-reading this and getting even more out of this book on a second read!

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