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Gregor Demarkian #22
Glass Houses
Philadelphia has been plagued by a serial killer dubbed the Plate Glass Killer by the media…until the police finally catch a Henry Tyder, the scion of a prominent Main Line family, is found literally with blood on his hands at the scene of the most recent murder. After more than a year of anguish, the city can now rest assured. But even though Tyder has made a confession, his own attorney has doubts. How could the alcoholic, frequently homeless Tyder have committed this crime—as well as the others? Enter Gregor Demarkian, retired head of the FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit, who’s been asked to look into the case. Gregor’s evaluation of Tyder turns up a grim The police have got the wrong guy. But why would Tyder lie? Who is he trying to protect? If wrestling with this case weren’t enough, Gregor is still trying to make sense of the mysterious reappearance of his estranged girlfriend…and keep them all out of harm’s way while the real Plate Glass Killer remains at-large.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Jane Haddam
53 books129 followersAka Orania Papazoglou
Jane Haddam (b. 1951) is an American author of mysteries. Born Orania Papazoglou, she worked as a college professor and magazine editor before publishing her Edgar Award–nominated first novel, Sweet, Savage Death, in 1984. This mystery introduced Patience McKenna, a sleuthing scribe who would go on to appear in four more books, including Wicked, Loving Murder (1985) and Rich, Radiant Slaughter (1988).
Not a Creature Was Stirring (1990) introduced Haddam’s best-known character, former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian. The series spans more than twenty novels, many of them holiday-themed, including Murder Superior (1993), Fountain of Death (1995), and Wanting Sheila Dead (2005). Haddam’s most recent novels are Blood in the Water (2012) and Hearts of Sand (2013). Wife of William L DeAndrea.
Jane Haddam (b. 1951) is an American author of mysteries. Born Orania Papazoglou, she worked as a college professor and magazine editor before publishing her Edgar Award–nominated first novel, Sweet, Savage Death, in 1984. This mystery introduced Patience McKenna, a sleuthing scribe who would go on to appear in four more books, including Wicked, Loving Murder (1985) and Rich, Radiant Slaughter (1988).
Not a Creature Was Stirring (1990) introduced Haddam’s best-known character, former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian. The series spans more than twenty novels, many of them holiday-themed, including Murder Superior (1993), Fountain of Death (1995), and Wanting Sheila Dead (2005). Haddam’s most recent novels are Blood in the Water (2012) and Hearts of Sand (2013). Wife of William L DeAndrea.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 3, 2019
Glass Houses (Gregor Demarkian, #22) by Jane Haddam.
It was fortunate for me that a reviewer in a mystery group I frequent recommended this series. Each book just encourages me to continue. Add another to my favorites list.
Gregor Demarkian is going through a phase in his life that's definitely not one of his choosing. Bennis (his significant other) has taken off to parts unknown and she's been gone for almost a year. He's at a loss for words or any explanations. Life without Bennis has been an adjustment; an adjustment that doesn't seem to be bringing him any peace or rather contentment. This was one complication he never saw coming.
Gregor has been called in to unravel a case that has gone completely out of hand due mostly to two bumbling idiot detectives on the force. The perpetrator known as the Plate Glass Killer has been plaguing the Philadelphia area with no end in sight. The first thing on Gregor's agenda is to make his presence known as the head of this case and at the same time rid the investigation of those two incompetent morons before they do any more damage.
I am so enjoying this series. The characters, Gregor & Bennis, are wonderfully developed as their "relationship" grows in anything but the normal way one would expect. Gregor Demarkian not only never leaves a stone unturned, but uncovers motives others haven't even considered.
It was fortunate for me that a reviewer in a mystery group I frequent recommended this series. Each book just encourages me to continue. Add another to my favorites list.
Gregor Demarkian is going through a phase in his life that's definitely not one of his choosing. Bennis (his significant other) has taken off to parts unknown and she's been gone for almost a year. He's at a loss for words or any explanations. Life without Bennis has been an adjustment; an adjustment that doesn't seem to be bringing him any peace or rather contentment. This was one complication he never saw coming.
Gregor has been called in to unravel a case that has gone completely out of hand due mostly to two bumbling idiot detectives on the force. The perpetrator known as the Plate Glass Killer has been plaguing the Philadelphia area with no end in sight. The first thing on Gregor's agenda is to make his presence known as the head of this case and at the same time rid the investigation of those two incompetent morons before they do any more damage.
I am so enjoying this series. The characters, Gregor & Bennis, are wonderfully developed as their "relationship" grows in anything but the normal way one would expect. Gregor Demarkian not only never leaves a stone unturned, but uncovers motives others haven't even considered.
September 8, 2012
The Plate Glass Killer, says the police department, has been arrested at last! With blood all over him, Henry Tyder claims he did it, did them all. What a disgrace for his sisters, the fabulously wealthy remnants of a Philadelphia Founding Family. Henry lives on the streets because he can't stand his sisters, and because they won't let him have his booze. The catch is that Henry has alibis for some of the Plate Glass killings.
Gregor Demarkian, summoned to save Henry from himself, can't believe what a mess has been made of the case by the detectives in charge. The plotting in GLASS HOUSES is brilliant, and as usual in a Gregor Demarkian mystery, the cast of characters is fascinating.
Gregor Demarkian, summoned to save Henry from himself, can't believe what a mess has been made of the case by the detectives in charge. The plotting in GLASS HOUSES is brilliant, and as usual in a Gregor Demarkian mystery, the cast of characters is fascinating.
October 29, 2017
My first reading a mystery from Jane Haddam and her detective Gregor Demarkian - loved it! I’ll have to get more in the series!
July 14, 2021
I have read a few of the Gregor Demarkian books - mostly holiday-themed, I must admit - and not in any kind of order. So far, they have been early on in the series, so when I started this one, there were already things that were different. But it did not mean you couldn't enjoy the book and the story.
When a member of a prominent Philadelphia family is arrested as the Plate Glass Killer, who has been terrorizing women in the city for a while, the police can't wait to tell the public that the long horror is over. But Henry Tyder, for all of his wealth and family prestige, lives a mostly homeless life as an alcoholic, and does all he can to avoid his stepsisters, who have never really accepted him or his late mother. So when his court-appointed lawyer, who is a friend of Demarkian, feels strongly that Tyder is not guilty, and the district attorney's office hires Demarkian as a consultant in the case, we begin to learn about the secrets not only of the Tyder family, but others that seem only remotely linked as well. And the two officers who have been investigating the case have been messing it up due to personal dislike for one another. So Demarkian has his work cut out for him.
The story is interesting, sometimes creepy, but also kind of interesting. It's not the best mystery I've ever read, but the resolution was really interesting and somewhat of a surprise.
When a member of a prominent Philadelphia family is arrested as the Plate Glass Killer, who has been terrorizing women in the city for a while, the police can't wait to tell the public that the long horror is over. But Henry Tyder, for all of his wealth and family prestige, lives a mostly homeless life as an alcoholic, and does all he can to avoid his stepsisters, who have never really accepted him or his late mother. So when his court-appointed lawyer, who is a friend of Demarkian, feels strongly that Tyder is not guilty, and the district attorney's office hires Demarkian as a consultant in the case, we begin to learn about the secrets not only of the Tyder family, but others that seem only remotely linked as well. And the two officers who have been investigating the case have been messing it up due to personal dislike for one another. So Demarkian has his work cut out for him.
The story is interesting, sometimes creepy, but also kind of interesting. It's not the best mystery I've ever read, but the resolution was really interesting and somewhat of a surprise.
February 19, 2013
First time I've read this author...what I liked was the social commentary that went along with the murder mystery. Also liked the fact I could not solve the mystery ahead of time and she even left one mystery unsolved!
June 24, 2022
Not for me.
I just could not get into it. I really like Jane Haddam but I just had a hard time with this one. I have set it down and will give it another go down the road.
I just could not get into it. I really like Jane Haddam but I just had a hard time with this one. I have set it down and will give it another go down the road.
July 17, 2018
This is a book with a lot of words that takes forever to get to the point. In other words the author goes all around her elbow to get to her thumb. I don't really care to read about some guy trying to come to terms with his partner being gay and why he has negative feelings about it. Just a way to fill up pages in the book.
May 27, 2017
One of a series. Gregor Demarkian, the "Armenian/American Hercule Poirot," is called in to work with the police on a serial murderer case. The two lead detectives dislike each other & are working against each other. It's up to Gregor to solve the case.
December 22, 2017
Good mystery! Who is the Plate Glass iller, and wy is he killing middle aged women in Philadelphia? Gregor Demarkian is called in when he two detectives in charge of the case turn it into a free for all.... ut it is really just one case...trust the Armenian American Poirot to solve the murders!
January 4, 2019
I've read, I think, 3 in this series previously and was OK with them if there was nothing else around.
This one stands out to me as far and away the best of the series I have read.
Going to check out some more now.
This one stands out to me as far and away the best of the series I have read.
Going to check out some more now.
March 1, 2020
Fun characters, quick and easy read. Sometimes that’s what you need.
April 16, 2020
I'm not sure about this book. I couldn't stand the Phillipa Lydgate character. I can't stand intolerant people like that. Criticizing everything when they're no better. Ugh!
January 5, 2023
Clever mystery that unfortunately was overly verbose and had too many oh so clever irrelevant sub-plots
March 15, 2011
This one really grabbed me. I like Jane Haddam, but I go up and down from book to book. Many I love (Not a Creature Was Stirring, A Stillness in Bethlehem, Hardscrabble Road, Conspiracy Theory, Somebody Else's Music, to name a few), but others just seem weird to me (Dear Old Dead, Feast of Murder, Quoth the Raven), although I have to say I've read every one. In fact, I pre-ordered this one. Because I am engaged with Gregor's process, not only in his work but in his life.
It's interesting that in this one there is a problem in the police department that complicates the case. Usually, Haddam is scrupulous about not calling law enforcement teams incompetent (although individual players might be). The situation, though, is one that could turn up in today's rapidly changing social climate and certainly wreak havoc with an investigation.
I give it a four instead of a five because Phillipa Lydgate is sincerely annoying. I know she's supposed to be, but it doesn't help. Is anyone really that narrow-minded and out-of-touch with the reality around her? Good grief!
It's interesting that in this one there is a problem in the police department that complicates the case. Usually, Haddam is scrupulous about not calling law enforcement teams incompetent (although individual players might be). The situation, though, is one that could turn up in today's rapidly changing social climate and certainly wreak havoc with an investigation.
I give it a four instead of a five because Phillipa Lydgate is sincerely annoying. I know she's supposed to be, but it doesn't help. Is anyone really that narrow-minded and out-of-touch with the reality around her? Good grief!
August 1, 2016
Jane Haddam has done a masterful job of creating this story. Her main character is not happy and the reason is the disappearance of Gregor Demarkian's significant other. And while he hates to admit it, he misses her more and more. The only thing to take his mind off Bennis, is to serve as a consultant when the police arrest one Henry Tyder, the scion of a prominent family but who is also usually homeless and more often than not drunk out of his mind.
It quickly becomes obvious that Henry is not guilty of the murder that he has confessed to, but there is something amiss anyway. And Gregor is stuck in the middle of what looks like a series of murders with two investigators more concerned with making each other look bad. And meanwhile, Bennis has returned but she is not telling Gregor why she left. So Gregor is mad at her, the case and the police. But with his quiet way, he is the best one to figure out just what is going on. And he does so in a most satisfying and exciting way. This is a great book to read, to enjoy and to savor.
It quickly becomes obvious that Henry is not guilty of the murder that he has confessed to, but there is something amiss anyway. And Gregor is stuck in the middle of what looks like a series of murders with two investigators more concerned with making each other look bad. And meanwhile, Bennis has returned but she is not telling Gregor why she left. So Gregor is mad at her, the case and the police. But with his quiet way, he is the best one to figure out just what is going on. And he does so in a most satisfying and exciting way. This is a great book to read, to enjoy and to savor.
April 6, 2014
A serial killer is striking Philadelphia; preying upon middle-aged women. When an unconventional rich man is arrested for the crime, Gregor Demarkian is called in to investigate. I thought this mystery was very well-written, with a lot of plot twists similar to Agatha Christie or other similar writers. I also thought the author had a good style, and she developed the characters well, better than in most mysteries. This is the first book I've read by this author, so I found some of the material on the detective hard to follow, and there were some characters who were probably unnecessary to the plot. However, overall I thought it was an excellent mystery, that really kept my attention.
December 11, 2008
Read for a book group I'm to co-lead on Litchfield County (CT) authors. Maybe Haddam's other mysteries are better, but I wasn't impressed with this one. I did like the detective, thought him well-drawn and sympathetic, but there were far too many characters in this novel with little pay off and too much obvious (token) terrain covered: Philadelphia's African American population; its homosexual population; corrupt police force, politicians. The Armenian community was more interesting, less predictable. But it was the ending that I found most disappointing: utterly implausible x 1,000.
June 6, 2010
Once again Haddam hits themes of modern culture, and forces the reader to think hard about what is right, with few pat answers. This time the serial killer story brings up issues of property,wealth, chosen homelessness, and foolish assumptions about American culture by those with Right or Left blinders. Gregor Demarkian is also stuck with the puzzle of why Bennis, who has returned, went away in the first place and just what is going on with their relationship. This series gets more enjoyable with every book.
March 5, 2010
One in a detective series about an "Armenian-American Hercule Poirot" in Philadelphia. This one is about a serial killer nicknamed the Plate Glass Killer and is well plotted, though I was able to figure out the guilty party about half way through. Although this book could stand alone, I think having read some of the earlier books in the series made for a comfort level with the cast of characters.
September 9, 2009
The review I wrote disappeared from Shelfari, and seemingly from here as well. I liked the book, and was pleased to come across another series of novels featured the same character---in this instance a former FBI profiler of Armenian descent. Interesting plot, characters and development. Good book.
August 12, 2016
Definitely one of the easier to follow stories. I like it when I can keep the characters sorted out.
Also, I liked it because it took me quite a while to figure out who did what.
The back story with Bennis and Gregor finally made some sense!
Also, the recurring parts with Phillipa Lydgate provided some irritation and comic relief.
Also, I liked it because it took me quite a while to figure out who did what.
The back story with Bennis and Gregor finally made some sense!
Also, the recurring parts with Phillipa Lydgate provided some irritation and comic relief.
April 8, 2008
This was also at my local library, and even though there are a couple of Demarkian mysteries between the last I read and this title, I picked it up to read anyway. Can't do all series in exact order after all..
May 14, 2008
It's been a while since I have read a Gregor Demarkian mystery and I have no idea why I stayed away so long. The characters are complex and interesting as ever. A mystery that kept me guessing to the end and I bet it will keep you guessing too!
September 8, 2009
I keep reading these because I want to know what happens with Bennis, and the priest who has books stacked absolutely everywhere, and the street they live on, even if I can't remember it right now. However, they mystery parts of the book are contrived and kind of dumb..
November 4, 2009
I was not familiar with this series. It was very convoluted and the resolution was unbelievable, but it was set in Philadelphia and the investigator was an Armenian-American so that was different. Just your basic serial-killer mystery.
February 8, 2013
Jane Haddam is a master--no two ways about it. This starts as a serial killer novel and then becomes something else. As usual it's intricate and requires close reading to figure out. And the end may actually challenge your definition of what a serial killer is.
Read
January 13, 2012It seems that Philadelphia is in the grip of a serial killer. Then Gregor Demarkian is called in and things are not exactly as they seem. I was especially fascinated by how the case was being investigated prior to his involvement.
July 31, 2015
I've read most (or possibly all) of the books in this series, and they are very good, solid detective stories. Some more engaging than others. I had a fair idea where this one was going to end up (and I was mostly right) but it didn't matter, as the characters were still interesting.
February 20, 2016
This was a very hard book to get interested in. I wanted to stop reading many times, but I had to know what happened. The first 200 pages are long & difficult to become involved in. The last 100 were much easier to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews