This book really kept me on the edge. Although I’m not a huge mystery suspense reader, I was completely surprised as the ending unfolded. The ending was a bit extreme but seemed fitting with this outrageous family.

THE FAMILY GAME immediately captivated me and I couldn't put it down. The premise, characters, and setting were very enticing, however without giving any spoilers, the ending did not live up to my satisfaction. I felt as though there were giant plot holes and left me with more questions then answers. Despite that, I still really enjoyed the book and foresee recommending this to others that enjoy family dramas / thrillers.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for access in exchange for an honest review!

You know I always thought my family was dysfunctional but really after reading this, I'm good. So dark and twisty and screwed up and it made me start thinking of other famous families and wondering how close they come to these kind of situations. The torturous holidays take on a whole new meaning in the Family Game.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine Books for granting my wish and gifting me a digital copy of the latest thriller by Catherine Steadman - 4.5 stars!

Harry is a novelist who just moved from England to the US where her fiancé, Edward, lives. Edward is Uber-wealthy, coming from a very powerful family, the Holbecks. Edward has been somewhat estranged from the family but engaged and with Harry newly pregnant, they accept an offer from Edward's sister to join the family for Thanksgiving. There, Harry is introduced to Robert, the patriarch of the family, who slips her a secret cassette tape that he says she must listen to. It gets weirder from that point, with Harry becoming involved with the games this family plays - and these aren't your average board games. This family plays to win at all costs. But Harry is keeping her own secret that she doesn't want the family to know.

While this one is definitely a bit over the top, I dove deep into this book and didn't want to stop reading. It's mad fun trying to figure out how it will all end up and the ending was quite satisfying. Block out some time to play The Family Game!

This was a unique, interesting thriller about a wealthy family with many secrets and the next person subject to participating in their games as she's entering their family. This story had a lot of the bones of what I enjoy, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting pace-wise, and the pay-offs weren't as fun as I was hoping.

Overall it was an average thriller for me, but I can see people enjoying this if you're looking for a thriller with unlikeable characters and some interesting surprises.

Thank you to the publisher for granting me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Harry is a published author working on her second book when she meets Edward Holbeck, heir of a very powerful family. From the beginning, Edward is reluctant to introduce her to his influential yet intimidating family, but after their engagement it's time. His family is actually very welcoming when they meet for Thanksgiving and when Edward's father, Robert pulls her aside to give her a tape with an outline of a book, she promises to listen to it. But she soon realizes that the tape is more of a confession of a crime than a manuscript and she can't come forward with the truth without revealing secrets of her own better left in the past.
Every family has its own holiday traditions, but the Holbeck family is so beyond ordinary. Their traditions are strange and terrifying, especially to an outsider. I think after the Krumpus holiday, I would have run away screaming for good. Although I did guess fairly early on what would happen, the story was still a twisted thrill ride of fear and I loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exhange for an honest review.
I read & loved 3 previous books by Catherine Steadman, "Something In The Water", "Mr. Nobody" & "The Disappearing Act" & I was super excited when I received her newest book, "The Family Game" to review.
"The Family Game" was another great book by Ms. Steadman.
It was an original, twisty, intriguing & addictive thriller.
The ending had an unexpected, jaw dropping conclusion.
I can't wait to read her next book.

Harriet is an up-and-coming writer, and Edward, her very rich fiance appears to be the perfect man. Life is looking great for Harriet as she accepts Edward's marriage proposal and thus begins her journey into meeting Edward's family. At her first introduction to the family, Edward's father Robert, slips a disc into her hand, telling her to listen to it in private. She later learns that the disc appears to hold a shocking confession. But is everything as it seems or is it deeper than that? Harriet soon becomes embroiled in a set of holiday "games" that Edward's family likes to engage in. Between the games, and the disc she was given, Harriet learns that the stakes might be much higher than they appear to be on their face.

I am, admittedly, a huge Catherin Steadman fan. I love the way she writes, her characters, and the way she presents a story. I could not put this book down. She writes characters that are believable, nuanced, and intriguing. I was able to put myself in Harriet's shoes. This bizarre set of circumstances that Harriet finds herself in is so unique, so riveting. I could not put the book aside until I learned the truth about The Family Game.

I highly recommend this book - it is perfect coming into the holidays!

Special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Family Game isa a clever thriller that had me reading it for hours without looking up from the pages! This would be a perfect book club pick for thriller fans!

3.5 stars - a fun, fast campy read that is twisty and twisted. Steadman is most definitely a must-read author for me.

I had not read any of Catherine Steadman’s other works before so I didn’t know what to expect as far as the writing, but I thought this was a fun read. I enjoyed the originality of the story, with the family and their perhaps sinister games and motives. Robert was an intriguing character, and Harry (Harriet) was well written with some good depth to her character, even if she did make me shake my head a couple of times. The story was an entertaining slow burn, and it may take a few chapters before it started to get suspenseful, but I was always interested. The ending was a bit OTT, but still enjoyable, kind of reminding me of the movie Ready or Not. I had fun reading this, especially during the last 25%.

Harry (Harriet) Redd is a novelist and engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir of a very wealthy and powerful family. The Holbeck family is very welcoming to Harry and when Edward’s father hands her a tape of a book he is working on she listens. But the tape isn’t just a novel, it’s a confession. Knowing what she knows, Harry must join in the family’s games hoping she’ll make it out alive.

I’m struggling with writing this review because there were parts I loved and there were parts I didn’t. At times it was really slow moving and others that had me on the edge of my seat. I was intrigued by the storyline and wanted to keep going because I just wanted to know what was going to happen. It was filled with odd family dynamics and twisted family games, but the ending was very far fetched and unrealistic.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Harriet (Harry) Reed has penned a bestselling novel and is engaged to, and living with, Edward Holbeck in New York. What she thought was the flu has turned out to be a pregnancy and they are thrilled.

Edward has his own business which has been very successful. Harry soon learns that he is the oldest son and heir to the Holbeck family fortune. Their money dates back to the Gilded Age tycoon, John L. Holbeck, who built the dynasty.

The Holbeck family is eager to meet Harry and welcome her to the family. They are a large group and their homes are magnificent. When Harry and Edward agree to visit them for dinner, she is surprised when Robert, Edward’s father and head of the family, asks Harry to join him for a private talk. He then gives her a cassette tape and tells her to listen to it in private as it might be fodder for another book. Intrigued, she agrees. But listening to the tape, she becomes terrified by what she learns and by what he could expose about her.

Harry also learns that the Holbeck family likes to play games - yet they are not the usual scrabble, oh no, these are dangerous and scary games that terrify her. Will she be able to be a part of this strange family or should she run?

This book is so compelling and surprising that it grabs the reader and does not let go until the last page when you find yourself gasping. Whew. What a ride this was. Don’t miss this one.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This one got better and better as it progressed. It was a very twisted family which made it terrifying and fun to read. The "games" were so scary and tense to read. The family members were interesting and unique in their own ways. I didn't guess the end and found it satisfying.

The Family Game really tries to grip you from the very beginning and doesn't let you catch your breath for one moment! This one is for the people who love mind games and twisted family dynamics.

This is your typical "comes from nothing" girl that falls in love with the son of the richest family in America. Casual. Being an orphan and not having much of a support system her whole life, Edward has really shown Harry (Harriet) the love she has always wanted. That's why she's so persistent on meeting his family even with the warnings and cautions that Edward has given her. She's drawn to that elegant and glamorous life they have, curious and eager to be a part of something she has always been missing.

As she starts to make herself into the family (or them pulling her in) she starts to build relationships with her in-laws, mainly her father-in-law, that opens up the pandora's box of secrets in the family for her. There's some tension between them that some times feels out of place, but very on theme with the whole twisted games mentality. This is definitely for the lovers of thrillers, mind games and complicated family dynamics.

Having loved Catherine Steadman’s book, Something in the Water, I was eager to read The Family Game. It definitely kept my interest, although the family seemed a little too contrived. Loved Harry and the glimpses into her mind as she puzzled through her relationship with Edward and then his exceedingly wealthy but very eccentric family. The games the family plays are very twisted and I found myself cringing and thankful I was not in Harry’s shoes.
Parts of the book moved slowly while others raced along. I remain a fan of Catherine Steadman’s writing.
Many many thanks to Catherine Steadman, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this book, to be published on November 8th.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free advance e-reader copy of The Family Game in exchange for an honest review.

I found The Family Game, thriller writer Catherine Steadman’s latest, to be entertaining and it kept me guessing until nearly the end, but it was extremely far fetched, more so as the book went on, even for the fictional world the author creates.

Protagonist and narrator Harriet “Harry” Reed is a novelist with writer’s block, engaged to a dashing gazillionaire named Edward Holbeck. Harry has a huge secret she is hiding, and is terrified that her new husband to be and his family, with all the resources in the world, will uncover it.

The Family Game refers to a series of events played out over the holiday season, and without giving too much away, they are not your typical family fun. Why doesn’t Harry research the family like she researches her novels? This is one of the many questions left unanswered as the story speeds along to its unforeseen (and highly improbable) conclusion.

Three stars because I kept with it and did not guess the whodunnit, and because the audio is terrifically voiced.

**4.5-stars**

With the The Family Game, Steadman has created her most intriguing plot yet. I was truly captivated!!

We follow UK-born novelist, Harry, who currently lives in NYC with her beau, Edward. Things are going so well for Harry. Her first novel was well-received and she is currently writing her second. And there's Edward. She can hardly believe their relationship. It's almost too good to be true.

He's as handsome as a movie star and as wealthy as an Astor; old money, family money. He's also kind, supportive and seems so into her it hurts. The thing is, their relationship is progressing rapidly and Harry has yet to be introduced to his family. Edward has warned her they can be a bit much.

Now that they are engaged, the Holbeck family suddenly emerges as a huge force in their lives. Edward was right, they are a bit overwhelming. That American old-money vibe is just poring from every orifice. Harry grins and tries her best to take it in stride, but her future-father-in-law, Robert Holbeck really gets under her skin. She's drawn to him in a way that frankly makes her uncomfortable. Then, of course, there is the Dictaphone cassette he slips her upon their initial meeting.

Harry is confused. What is this? Some sort of test?

Firstly, she will need to find a device to play the ancient form of technology, but once she does, it takes even longer for her to actually listen to it. Frankly, I would have had that baby listened to in full by the end of brunch the next day, but that's just me.

Harry is shocked by the contents of the tape. It seems to be a confession of a very dark family secret. Something that, if true, could be the downfall of them all. Is it real? Why would Robert have given it to her? With this potentially shocking information in mind, Harry must endure more family events, each one more dangerous than the last. It's the holiday season, after all.

In between festive activities, Harry puts her natural research skills to the test as she tries to figure out whether or not Robert's tape is based in fact or fiction. She's not sure who she can trust, but the wrong decision could cost her everything.

The Family Game is fun, crazy, dangerous and dramatic, just how I like 'em. The twist was a bit obvious in my opinion, but the writing made it wildly-entertaining anyway.

Harry was in a tough spot. Having no family of her own, I could see why she would be attracted to the Holbecks. Even though they were a bit scary in their forwardness, there was also something attractive about their closeness and traditions. I can certainly see why she would get caught up a bit in their opulent lifestyle.

I really enjoyed Harry's investigations into the tape. Because of her work as an author, she was used to researching things and brought all of her experience to the table when looking into Robert's confession. I also loved the use of the contents of the tape as a narrative device for learning more about the Holbeck family and Edward's backstory. We don't get Edward's perspective at all, so I found that useful for actually getting a read on him and his life.

I had a lot of fun reading this. It was paced so well and I loved the different family events that Harry got to attend with the Holbecks, each one more startling than the last. By the end, this was well and truly wild, as over-the-top as they come, but still super fun with a satisfying conclusion. It's the sort of story where you'll need to suspend belief for a bit, but for me, that didn't impact my enjoyment level at all.

Thank you to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Steadman!

File this under, wow I didn't see that ending coming! This book is like Succession, but way darker. It was part family drama, part thriller but not enough to scare me off. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Highly recommend this one!

I will preface my review by saying I really wasn't a fan of the author's first book, to the point where I skipped her consequent work, so I didn't come into this one with very high expectations. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and found myself immediately engaged with the story and fast pace. It follows Harriet "Harry" Reed, a successful thriller novelist, who is recently engaged to Edward Holbeck, estranged son of the extremely wealthy Holbeck family, who were captains of industry in the 1800s alongside the Rockefellers and Carnegies. Edward is hesitant to have Harry meet his family, who he is not on great terms with, because they are overbearing and have scared off all of his previous relationships. She also has just found out she is pregnant, which complicates matters even further. The family conspires to get them to attend Thanksgiving, and upon meeting his father, Robert, Harry feels an immediate attraction, which let's face it, is definitely gross. Robert takes Harry aside and gives her an old fashioned micro cassette tape, upon which Harry finds what she believes to be confessions to terrible things Robert may have done related to the death of his eldest son, Bobby. Harry is effectively blackmailed, because she too has a dark past. With no choice but to play the mind games and physical games Robert has planned for her, Harry embarks on trying to dig into the past and find out the truth about Bobby's supposed suicide. She is tormented during a creepy Krampusnacht chase, and the story culminates in a Christmas Eve scavenger hunt, where each family member is supposed to find the one gift they truly need in life, but only the first one to find it gets to keep the gift, and all the others have to live with the knowledge that the winner now knows their darkest secret. At this point of the story is where it started to get over the top, and I was disappointed in the obvious turn it took. Just once, I would like for it to not ALWAYS BE THE...for that reason, what I thought may have been a 4.5 star went down to a 4. The ending was all just a little too neatly and quickly wrapped up, with earlier plot points conveniently forgotten.