My first read by Catherine Steadman and it will NOT be the last. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. The writing is clean and easy to follow. The story line flows and there are just enough twists to keep you entwined. Highly recommend this book!

I’ve been hooked on Catherine Steadman’s suspense novels since “Something in the Water”. And once again, she doesn’t let me down.
In her new novel, we meet Harry (Harriet) who’s engaged to marry Edward, who comes with baggages full of cash, among other things. It’s finally time to meet the family, and Harry is nervous, but nothing prepares her for the silly games Edward’s family plays at Christmas. The first game, a celebration of Krampusnacht, is enough to make anyone run for the hills, but Harry has survived other horrendous tests in her youth, so it’s “game on”. And it goes downhill from there.
Dressed in her fanciest dress, Harry crawls down into wells, wades thru mud, and scrambles in the pitch black in order to search for clues and survive. Because Edward is worth it, right? Right?
Full of fast-paced tension and blind curve stunts, this is one of those “one-night-only” books. It only takes you one night, cover to cover. It’s too tense to set aside and… sleep? Umm, no.
Thanks so much to Random House Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Family Game follows a woman with a secret as she meets her fiancé’s wealthy family. What seems like a nice introduction into the family, devolves into terrifying games. There are many twists and turns along the way and Harriet doesn’t know who to trust or believe. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend.

I think this is her best book that she has written so far. It checked all the boxes for me. Fun, dark, thrilling. Harry and the soon to be family that she is thrown into and the game that is set in motion when she meets them will draw you in for an amazing ride.

This book really hooked me in from the start. I love a good fast paced thriller! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and I finished this book in 2 days. However, I feel like it got a little too twisty for me towards the end. I like the creepy aspect but I think it got to be a little too over the top by the end. I am all for twists and reveals. I did enjoy this book though and didn’t want to put it down! It was a good thriller, I loved the “game” aspect. Such a fun and intriguing read just maybe a little too unrealistic for me.

Harry’s life is going well. Her first book is a hit, just got engaged to a handsome wealthy man, and is finally getting the family she always hoped for. Be careful what you wish for! This wealthy family is odd, enjoying weird games at the holidays and a little bit too much closeness.

A domestic thriller like no other. It will have you turning the pages quickly to see what is in store for for Harry. Interesting storyline with a crazy cast of characters that shows what money can buy and that, in the end, it is not everything. 

Thanks to Ms. Steadman, Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

While there may be tropes that will certainly be easy to spot in this fast-paced thriller, it doesn't take away from the sheer pace that the story and, more importantly, the writing is able to conjure and maintain throughout this nifty novel.

I started this one off with a bit of trepidation and hesitation - and I must admit that Prologue did throw me off. I didn't want to read another "The Woman Who..." sort of story, and yet thinking back to the first time I read something from this author ("Something in the Water"), I was determined to give it a decent try before deciding yay or nay. I was pleasantly surprised - more on that later.

Another common alarming aspect for me is when the protagonist is an author, and a novel about a novelist is not an easy one to pull off. There are some good ones I've read recently, and some awful ones as well. What took this to the good list was the fact that the author is a smart, (for the most part) practical, and is able to keep a clear head most of the time. She gets caught up in quite a few of those thriller-movie-obvious-trap-scenes, but she is actually able to reason with herself, and does so while keeping her narrative logical. Remember the number of times you'd have read a scene, only to shout out aloud "oh, come on... why would s/he do that?" or "why isn't s/he thinking straight?". Thankfully, this book takes those moments, and actually shows the protagonist thinking like a real person - not quite a Reacher-level hero here, but certainly someone who can keep their calm under pressure.

I took pains to go through that only to ensure that I give ample credit for the impressive real-life-relatable writing on full display here. This is an out-and-out thriller, and rightfully so the pace never gives up. Ms. Steadman is able to keep the surprises coming - some small and some not so. In fact, as I progressed, that prologue made more and more sense, and I realized I was actually looking forward to see what would lead to it and how. The Holbecks are well depicted, even if a little out-there, but then I guess that's what exorbitantly rich is like.

While that finale would obviously raise an eyebrow or two, and the bad guy is able to achieve some categorically unbelievable things in the denouement, it doesn't deter from the fact that all in all, this is an eminently enjoyable read, and a worthy addition to Ms. Steadman's works.

The Family Game is a suspenseful read that is filled with many twists. Steadman keeps the reader guessing how this story will end until the very end of the book. I recommend adding this book to your to be read list.

This thriller was pure FUN. I flew through it in just over a day. Very unique and reminded me of the movie Ready or Not which is one of my favorite horrors. It was pretty predictable which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. Of the books I've read of Steadman's I think this is my second favorite. Definitely recommend especially for spooky season.

Having read Something In the Water I was very excited to be approved for this ARC - and Steadman didn't disappoint.

How well do you truly know the person you're marrying? In the case of Harriet Reed and Edward Holbeck, the answer seems to be not at all. They're both holding back life changing secrets, and it takes a twisted game to bring both to the forefront.

Well paced (it clipped along very quickly and I finished the book in just over an evening) and well thought out. My only complaint was the ending came together too quickly. The resolution felt rushed, but that could just be whiplash from the pace slowing down after being breakneck for much of the novel.

This author works so well for me. Another strong thriller even though I did guess who did it before we got there but the getting there was so fun. Grabbed me right from the start and I read this in a few sittings.

Harriet Reed has a secret. As she meets and falls in love with Edward Holbeck - of famed Holbeck wealth - she knows she needs to keep her secret hidden or she will risk losing everything. When Harry finally meets the rest of the Holbeck family, the patriarch, Robert Holbeck, gives her a cassette tape with what seems to be a confession. The game has begun.

The Family Game begs the question - just how far will someone go to protect their family?
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This was a great read! Despite it taking me a minute to get into the story, once I was in, I couldn’t get out! The last 15-20% of this story get me guessing, gasping, and questioning everything I believed about these characters.

The story starts and feels pretty predictable. I thought I knew how this one was going to end but @catherinesteadman totally got me with the twist. I loved the writing style and the short chapters kept me wanting more at every page turn. Would absolutely recommend, especially during spooky season!

How well do you know the person you're marrying? When new bestselling writer Harry (Harriet) Reed accepts charming, wealthy, Ed Holbeck's proposal she is the happiest she has been in years. Orphaned at a young age, Harriet moved to NYC after meeting Ed, who has carved out his own path after cutting ties with his rich and powerful family. However, the happy news of their proposal brings the family back into the fold. At first, albeit, nervous, Harry is excited to meet his family-longing for one of her own. Soon, it is clear the world they move in is very different from the one the rest of us experience. Little tests, and some big, begin to unfold during the holidays in Manhattan when Ed's dad gives Harry a tape he has recorded a book on-or so he says. When Harriet listens she realizes its a confession-to numerous crimes. The games begin-is this a test or something truly dangerous? Why choose Harry? What follows is a thrilling game with deadly consequences.

Fast-paced and set among the backdrop of a glamorous Manhattan holiday season this is Catherine Steadman at her best. You will want to pick this novel up today and clear your schedule-you won't come up for air for awhile!

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

This year seems to be churning out thrillers with a family drama plotline. I recently read Daisy Darker and it fell very flat for me, but The Family Game was a much better rendition of this genre. Harry is engaged to be married to a man who comes from an affluent family. So far, their relationship has not had much interaction with his family, but now that they are engaged, the in-laws want to meet her. Harry is soon wrapped up into the bizarre family traditions that include games with strange motives and sinister undertones. Her future father-in-law gives her a tape to listen to which reveals the family's murderous history, as well as his knowledge of Harry's own past. She treads lightly with this information, while trying to uncover the truth about her future in-laws, as well as how much they know about her past.

I found this one enjoyable to read, but slightly predictable. The game aspect was a fun one to add to this genre because I wanted to uncover what was truly going on in this family, as well as Harry's deep dark secret. That alone kept me reading.

I am an avid thriller reader, so for me, this was predictable, but I can see how this book will appeal to the masses.

4.5 STARS! This is a whirlwind of a book, and I inhaled it in a day. Being a fan of this author's previous writing, after reading the summary I had to pick it up. And for those who are wondering if it's similar to Ready Or Not, it's not really! There were quite a few twisty bits and I really loved the reveals throughout.

THE FAMILY GAME
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WTHeck did I just read?! Hands down one of the best twisted books I have read in a while. I mean this filthy rich family is beyond wild. Right off the bat you know that the family is into games (hence the title of the book). The type of games they played gave me cat and mouse vibes. You truly never knew who was the superior/inferior opponent. I don’t want to give away the games, but they are horrifying and relentless. I would have some serious red flags if I was marrying into this type of family. This definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I could’ve read this in one sitting; it’s that type of book. This entire book was twisted and wild. Catherine Steadman is an auto-buy author for me. I seriously love all her books. Highly suggest it!

Read if you like:
Succession (HBO)
Ready or Not (Movie)

This book definitely is a page turner! Kept me guessing right up to the end. After reading I could see a few places that the details weren't tucked up nicely, but not enough to be plot holes. During the reading I just went right along with the story, caught up in the narrative. Overall great read!

Harry is a novelist engages to the eldest son of one of the richest and most prominent families in America. Edward has put off having Harry meet his family. When she finally does they engage her in some very strange and scary games. What are they hiding and who are they protecting?

Wow, wow, wow. This was a wild ride and I loved it. What a crazy twist on games play and murder an among the rich. I enjoyed every crazy moment!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This book was entertaining to read. It was fast-paced and kept me interested the whole time. The cat-and-mouse chase element of the book made it a quick read. I love reading about rich families and their traditions, so this book was right up my alley. I did not guess the plot twist and was pleasantly surprised to be shocked by what happened at the end of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this psychological thriller and would recommend it to many readers.

Thank you NetGallery and Ms. Steadman for giving me the opportunity to review "The Family Game."
This book was a fast paced page turner and I can honestly say I had a hard time putting it down. The book hooks you in immediately and keeps you guessing. One of the best thrillers that I have read. Can't say enough positive things about this book. Would recommend to all all readers who love thrillers.