I remembered reading "Something in the Water" awhile ago, so when NetGalley offered this by the same author, I grabbed it. If only I had gone back and read my review of "Something in the Water" first! I had the same complaint as I do with this one: horribly offensive language.

Points for a unique story... in fact, a very bizarre story. Harriet, an author whose friends call her "Harry" is engaged to be married into a very prominent family with a stellar reputation. Boy, does she get a surprise (or a couple dozen) when she finally gets to meet said family is responsible. don't want to give away too much, but the reader will probably be surprised to learn who the killer is.

Harry is on top of the world: with a hit novel under her belt, she's recently engaged to her wonderful - and incredibly rich - boyfriend, Edward, who comes from a well-known family. When his estranged family gets in contact with her about spending the holidays together, she decides to give it a try, though Edward seems wary, calling his family "weird." And as Harry is about to find out, the infamous Holbeck family is indeed not your ordinary family. Not just because of the odd holiday traditions they share, but because there are some dark secrets hiding in its past, which the family patriarch Robert, reveals to Harry, under the guise of giving her an audiobook to review. Can Harry figure out what game this family is really playing before she ends up its latest victim?

This book has a great atmosphere, with a darkness that really settles over the plot right from the beginning, as we see Edward take such a wary approach to his family from the get-go. You know it's only going to get better from there. And boy does it. Every interaction with the Holbecks just ratchets up the tension until things are just ready to explode, and you're ready for it to happen!

Yes, that ending was quite something! It was a little bit of a blue as things happened very quickly, but I imagine that's quite what it was like as events were happening. I can't give things away, but it seemed very true to the situation. I wasn't disappointed at all, and found it really juicy. I also really didn't see it coming. I suppose the clues were all there, but I have to say, they were nice and hidden in there, so that the twist was good and exciting.

I also loved the mysterious over that seemed to hang over the characters. It made the book better to never quite know who you could trust. It also like a locked room mystery, but the characters were roaming about, lol. They were all just in the same family. And, no, you had no idea who to trust, because any one of them could have turned on you.

Overall, this is one of the best books of the year. Get it now if you like mysteries and thrillers!

Loved it!!! What did I read?! The Holbeck family is CRAZY! Crazy doesn't even cover it. They are insane. All of them have problems. The games they play are scary and manipulative. Krampusnacht was horrific. I would have been just like Billy and peed myself. Why did these adults find joy in terrifying their children? There were so many twists and turns. When the truth was finally revealed at the end, I was shocked. I never saw that coming. My opinions about Fiona also changed, but I loved Harry's response to her. The Holbeck Christmas celebration is one I never want to attend. They are ruthless. Does the family actually like each other? Harry was definitely my favorite, she was also the most sane. She now has enough material to write many more books. Harry is one brave woman, I would have never gone near that well. I probably would have ran away screaming from The Hydes. Harry never had any good interactions with the family. I couldn't put the book down because I needed to know what happened. I definitely will not be leaving my shoes out around Christmas time, because I do not want Krampus to visit me!!!!

Definitely recommend the book. This was probably my favorite book by Catherine Steadman. It was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, story and writing style. It kept me guessing from the start until the very end. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It was compelling and well paced, with a twist I didn’t fully see coming until it happened.

Raise your hand if you have crazy in-laws...
Harriet has met the love of her life with Edward. They fall quickly and a whirlwind romance is capped with an engagement! The book starts off with an absolute bang! I was on the edge of my seat from the first chapter. Edward's family is rich and they want Harriet in their twisted web of a family. They lure her in with a strange yet warm welcome from his sister and she sees why Edward has kept his family from her for so long.
It starts with a cassette tape and then the games begin....
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this propulsive, addictive and exhilarating read. 4.5 stars

Loved this book! Truly suspenseful. I felt like I was guessing the whole time, and the ending was perfect!

It's a pretty gripping thriller with some pretty obvious twists, I thought. I really wanted to like it more but something about the central relationship never rang entirely true for me. That, and the main character made enough decisions that I didn't find very likable, even before her ~tragic backstory~ is fully revealed.

Can you say psycho? This was one twisted family. The family game was many games, and one crazier then the next. i will never think of Christmas, i mean Krampus, the same.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Catherine Steadman for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Old-money, powerful family plus thriller author marrying into said family makes for a very interesting ride! The Holbecks are crazy wealthy with "fu*k you money" and Harriet Reed is set to marry the eldest son. Is it that odd that she hasn't met any of his family yet? Of course, it is. This book definitely hooked me. This story is more of a slow burn suspenseful tale where your sense of dread and foreboding grows with each chapter. I will say that the beginning 15 percent lulled a bit and I struggled to get into but after that, it was just non-stop. It’s a dark and twisting story of power, family, secrets, and a “game” and Steadman is great at writing morally gray characters and getting you on their side. Yes, the ending may be a bit over-the-top but it was definitely entertaining.

Old-money, powerful family plus thriller author marrying into said family makes for a very interesting ride! The Holbecks are crazy wealthy and Harry Reed is set to marry the eldest son. Is it that odd that she hasn't met any of his family yet?

Obviously.

The Holbecks want Edward to come back into the fold after past disagreements by trying to get Harry on their side. The only issue is that they are incredibly domineering and like to play INTERESTING games. What could go wrong???

This was so good that I could not put it down once I got about 15% in. Catherine Steadman is great at writing morally gray characters and getting you on their side. Would definitely recommend it.

“They say you can’t choose your family but they’re wrong. YOU CAN. It just takes way more effort than most people are willing to put in.”

The Holbeck family of New York, isn’t going to accept just anyone to be their oldest son’s Edwards’s wife.

But, although Harry is a London based novelist on the brink of stardom, and successful in her own right, she will still have to pass a few of their TESTS.

Taking place over the course of a few weeks from just days before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, it seems as if this bewitching “old money” family is welcoming her with open arms…..but, winning over the terrifying patriarch Robert Holbeck seems to be the key.

Upon their first meeting, at Thanksgiving dinner, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape which reveals a shocking confession and sets a game in motion.

But, is it a game?

Or, is it a threat?

It’s too bad she was under a writing deadline and didn’t listen to the cassette in its entirety, before meeting with the family for the second time.

She may have realized that changing the plot of her next book may NOT have been a wise decision.

She also may NOT have agreed to celebrate Krampusnacht with the family or agreed to participate in their annual Christmas Eve scavenger hunt.

Because the time honored holiday traditions of the Holbeck family games seem more suited for the Halloween season-only ONE person can come out victorious in their games, and not everyone survives.

Perhaps, there is a reason Harry’s seemingly perfect husband-to-be was still single when they met? Remember-marry the man-marry the family.

Catherine Steadman is an actress and writer, best known for her role as Mabel Lane Fox in Downton Abbey-a show I enjoyed immensely. Perhaps that is why this is my favorite novel of hers, to date.

This novel has wonderfully ambiguous dialogue like the conversations often shared on Downton Abbey-although on that show, battles were often fought with CLEVER words, than with the violence that the Holbeck family seems to prefer.

My one critique is that this didn’t feel like an American family or setting to me-not even an “old money” one, with its servants and afternoon tea. But, that certainly didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.

This story is more of a slow burn (but never boring) suspenseful tale where your sense of dread and foreboding grows with each chapter.

Yes, the ending may be a bit OTT but it was definitely entertaining!

I have had my fill of abusive husbands, unstable wives, and missing children this year so I was thrilled to read a story that brought something fresh and original to the table!

A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to read her amazing review for additional insight!

You can pick this one up soon!! Scheduled publication date: September 29th 2022.
Thank You to Ballantine Books for the gifted copy through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

This was a wild and fun romp of a thriller.

The Family Game was such a fun and wild thriller - exactly what I am looking for. Dysfunctional family, secrets, holiday games, this was just a great read. I will say that the beginning 20 percent lulled a bit and I struggled to get into but after that it was just non stop. The games were intense and the dynamic between the family members kept me so interested. While some of the twists were predictable I will really enjoyed my time reading this.

This was my first ever Catherine Steadman and Im looking forward to trying more from her!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!

4.5 stars - This was such a surprising and entertaining thriller. I've enjoyed all of Catherine Steadman's books, but The Family Game is definitely my favorite. The Holbecks are wealthy and powerful family and author Harriet (Harry) Reed doesn't know what she has gotten herself into when she gets engaged to their oldest son, Edward. There are lots of great twists and I couldn't put this book down. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

The Family Game was a true twisty thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. I was captured from the beginning and couldn't put this book down. This is a definite read for anyone!

Thank you so much to @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was definitely a wild one! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was thoroughly surprised! Harriet Reed had it all…the loving husband, great career. But meeting her husband’s family proved to be much more crazy than she could have anticipated. This book had mystery, suspense, and a surprising turn of events. I really enjoyed this one. 4/5 ⭐️s.

What started a bit slow for me ended with me staying up far past my bedtime because I couldn’t control my intrigue! This book was a fantastic read. It was my first Steadman and I think I’ll definitely read her others. I’ve always loved thrillers centered around wealthy families, such as Shari Lapena’s “Not a Happy Family”, but this one was wholly unique and in a league of its own. The concept of the tape and the twist at the end reminded me of Verity, which is another gripping thriller. As I said, it started a tad slow, but I really enjoyed where the story went. The twist didn’t really catch me off guard, but I enjoyed the way it played out. Definitely would recommend!!

This was one of my favorite reads so far this year! This book grabbed attention right away and never let go. There were so many twists and unexpected moments. I connected with all of the characters and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last.
Read this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Harriet Reed, Harry, a successful author is about to marry Edward. Thus, it is time to meet his wealthy, privileged wack-a-doo family and participate in their holiday traditions.

Things get weirder and weirder and pretty soon Harry has no idea who she can trust, particularly when her FIL to-be hands her a tape with juicy family secrets. Things are further complicated by the fact that Harry has a secret or two of her own...

This is Catherine Steadman at her all-time best and I was SO there for it.

Entirely original, compulsively readable and perfectly plotted, I loved every minute of reading this one!

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

This was a quick, fun read. It was like reading a grown-up Inheritance Games. I felt an active tension throughout the book and there were surprises along the way. I enjoy Steadman’s writing and always look forward to her new books!

Catherine Steadman never disappoints, but she also has a true gift for completely original mystery plots, which is a true rarity.

Harriet gets engaged to a member of an incredibly wealthy family after. A whirlwind romance. When she meets her future in laws, they initially appear eccentric, but Harriet soon finds herself in a deadly car and mouse game (literally a game) with the family. Steadman keeps you invested in Harriet as a character and unfolds the darkness behind the fairy tale she thought she was living with engaging prose and excellent pacing. Highly recommend!