Title: HEART OF GLASS
Author: JENNIFER HILLIER
ISBN: 9781250763198
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Pages: 351
Source: Private Copy
Seaside is a small coastal town, known originally for the local amusement park. But twenty-five years ago, a serial killer dubbed The Carnival Killer confessed to the murder of a local high school girl. Now, he’s recanted that confession.
Barb, Nicolette, and Lorelei were best friends – then they met “Sam” at Wonderland, the local amusement park. After hanging out with him there, and accompanying him to the drive-in movie, where the twenty-something handsome drifter made out with Lorelei in the backseat. That night was the last time Lorelei was seen alive, her murdered body surfacing a couple of days later in a local cranberry bog.
Barb’s dreams of leaving Seaside and becoming a successful writer never materialized and she is a freelancer for the local newspaper and, secretly, writes anonymously about reality tv stars for a hugely successful gossip web-site called Reality Bitch. Specifically, she writes savagely about a long-running show set in Canada called Trophy Wives.
Nicolette left town shortly after Lorelei’s body surfaced, never to return. Ultimately, she married a very rich man, moved to Toronto and rebranded herself as Cole Lennox, one of the stars of Trophy Wives.
With the amusement park about to reopen, revitalizing the dying town of Seaside, the Carnival Killer recants his confession about killing Lorelei, the dead body of young woman washes ashore, and the truth about what happened that night twenty-five years ago – and what is happening now – threatens not only the carefully constructed lives of Barb and Nicolette, but the very fabric of Seaside itself.
Official Summary
12 November 2026
I was so excited about the release of this one, and Jennifer Hillier certainly did not disappoint! Heart of Glass takes us back to Seaside and Wonderland, the setting of her previous book, Wonderland.
While there are references to the previous book and some familiar characters, this is very much a story that stands on its own. You don’t need to have read Wonderland to enjoy this one, although returning to Seaside was a real treat.
Twenty-five years ago, three fifteen-year-old girls met a man at Wonderland. Twenty-eight-year-old Sam should never have been anywhere near these girls. When Lorelei’s body is discovered a few days later, the investigation reveals that Sam has murdered five young women.
Fast forward to the present, and Sam suddenly recants his confession during a television true-crime series. His shocking revelation threatens to expose what really happened on the night Lorelei died, bringing long-buried secrets back to the surface.
Hillier draws us back into Seaside, a town that was already struggling to survive following the events surrounding Wonderland. Now, with the grand reopening of the amusement park, everyone is hoping for a fresh start. But when another woman’s body is discovered and two more women go missing, it soon becomes clear that the past is far from forgotten.
At its heart, this is a story about two women whose lives and destinies were forever changed by the death of their best friend. It explores guilt, secrets, betrayal and the consequences of the past catching up with you.
I was instantly gripped by this story and found myself racing towards the final pages. Hillier knows exactly how to build suspense, keep you questioning what you think you know and slowly reveal the pieces of a much bigger puzzle.
As always, she isn’t afraid to tackle some difficult and sensitive subjects. Abuse, alcoholism, trauma and, of course, plenty of dead bodies all feature in this dark and twisted thriller. It has everything I look for in a good crime thriller, with complex characters, plenty of secrets and revelations that kept me guessing.
And that conclusion! Absolutely brilliant. Hillier really knows how to deliver an ending that makes the entire journey worthwhile.
Another fantastic read from Jennifer Hillier. If you enjoy your thrillers dark, disturbing and full of surprises, do yourself a favour and add this one to your TBR. You won’t want to miss it!
Also By Jennifer Hillier
JAR OF HEARTS
Angela was one of the most popular girls in her high school before she disappeared without a trace. Nobody ever knew what became of her―not Georgina, her best friend, nor Kaiser, who was close with both girls. Then, fourteen years later, Angela’s remains were discovered in the woods near Geo’s childhood home and Kaiser―who became a detective with the Seattle police department―finally learned the truth: Angela was a victim of Calvin James.
To the authorities, Calvin was a notorious serial killer. But back in the day, Calvin was Geo’s first love. Their relationship bordered on obsession from the moment they met, right up until the night Angela was killed. Geo carried the secret of Calvin’s dark deeds until the evidence landed her in prison. But now, just as Geo is about to be released, new bodies start turning up―killed in the exact same manner as Angela… and soon Geo, Kaiser, and local law enforcement officials realize that what happened that fateful night is more complex and chilling than anyone could have imagined.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Jennifer Hillier is the USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author of Things We Do in the Dark, Little Secrets, Jar of Hearts, The Butcher, Freak, and Creep. A Filipino Canadian born and raised in the Toronto area, she spent eight years in Seattle, which is where all her books are set. She now lives in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, with her husband and son.
I love Jennifer Hillier books and it was awesome to see one of her titles in a local Exclusive Books recently. Normally the only way to get her books is to buy them online and usually they are expensive and you have to wait forever. Guess that is changing. If you haven’t added this one to your TBR yet, don’t miss it. It’s an awesome read. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
