I previously read Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman and while there were inconsistencies and plot holes in that book I still enjoyed it so I requested The Family Game from Netgalley. The book began super slow and I almost gave up reading it several times through. The action begins about 60% through the book, but by that point I was not invested in the main character or her story. So many things in the book just didn't add up, from what she did on the side of the road after the car accident when she was eleven to why she didn't listen to the entire tape of her future father in-law revealing his secrets to how her future father in-law could have known what "gift" she needed at the end. It's like the author just included whatever she needed to in order for the plot to work, but the problem is that it didn't work. I honestly don't know how people are giving this book 4 or 5 stars.

Harriet, affectionately known as Harry, is living the life she’s dreamed of. Her first published novel is a runaway bestseller, and she has gotten engaged to the love of her life, Edward, who comes from the old money Holbeck family. He has become estranged from them, but they desire closeness in light of the couple’s engagement. When Harry meets Edward’s father, Robert, he hands her a mysterious cassette tape that contains horrific secrets that set an intense cat-and-mouse game in motion.

I am a thriller lover, and I’ve become fairly good at guessing endings before the my happen. This book, however, kept me guessing until the very end. The mystery is fascinating, and each character has a well-developed, unique personality. It’s full of morally gray people and situations, and that makes for a very compelling narrative. The novel starts out with suspense and action, and it doesn’t slow down until the very end. This is the kind of book that will keep you saying “just one more chapter!” after every single chapter.

Terrific mystery-thriller! I’ve loved Catherine Steadman’s writing in the past and this book makes me look forward to her one. It starts out as a woman-whose-life-just-keeps-getting-better-novel (books I avoid like the plague) and that made the reading a tiny bit slow for me at first. But it IS Catherine Steadman, I reminded myself. The characters are compelling and the criss-crossing of relationships starts the “wondering” by the reader. “I wonder if…these two will break all rules and get together, I wonder who’s a villain and who’s a good guy/woman, I wonder if the protagonist is the opposite of how I see her”. The wondering, then checking possibilities off your list propels this book, plus the very real sense of danger. I read this book in two (late) nights and loved it.

This book started off with a bang and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. This is completely different that other thrillers on the market right now. Some parts of the book were a little slower paced but over all this story kept my attention throughout and I found it highly entertaining. It was an interesting premise and there were a lot of surprises. I thought the ending was great.

In this novel of psychological suspense, suspense novelist Harriet finds herself in a relationship with a very successful businessman from a family of unimaginable wealth who is estranged from his family. As she finally starts getting acquainted with his family, she finds them mostly likable but detects an unsettlingly secretive undercurrent. Harriet has her own secrets which also help drive the plot. The Family Game is well-written and definitely plot-driven; thrilling and a bit creepy without being a horror story. Recommendable!

This started well with boy meets girl and they fall in love. Each of them has great success in their chosen fields. Our leading lady is an author with a best seller for her first publication and already at work on her second. Our leading man is successful as an entrepreneur. Her parents were killed when she was 11 in a car crash which she survived. His parents are billionaires with inherited wealth going back several generations. His parents are very controlling and like to play weird games (hence the name of the book).

Our leading lady spends a lot of time researching the family and trying to find out why her husband-to-be has warned her so strongly against them.

Everything goes along OK for about 2/3 of the book. The suspense ramps up and the circumstances surrounding her parents’ death as well as his brother’s death become more and more central to the plot.

The last third or fourth of the book turns these [mostly] normal billionaires into the worst kind of depraved humans – animalistic in their deadly Christmas Eve game.

Quite frankly, I’m sorry I read it. This is my second and last from Ms. Steadman. I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, in exchange for my honest review.

The base nature that came from these previously depicted gracious (but odd) people was absolutely horrifying and (I should hope) totally unrealistic. I can not recommend this to anyone.

So, you think your in-laws are a bit different? Well folks…you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Harriet has met the man of her dreams in Edward. A whirlwind romance and engagement quickly following. Easy enough. But now it’s a matter of meeting his estranged family. Or more accurately, his strange family!🤣

Patriarch of the family Robert nonchalantly slips a cassette to Harriett. She knows immediately her past and future are about to collide and she’ll need to play along with the family “games” to survive.

So… you might partake in game night with your family, right? Standard issue kinds of things -Cards Against Humanity? Jenga, or corn hole? Well, not this twisted family. Their go-to games will have you running for your life! Literally! Absolutely bonkers!🤪

I’ve read multiple books by Catherine Steadman in the past and have been hit or miss with them. I was a bit hesitant going ahead with this book but the premise sounded so good I knew I had to try! And I’m glad I did!

I will give her props for originality!👏. I will never think of game night the same way!

This is an off-the-rails, shaking your head kind of thriller! But guess what? It worked! I was engaged throughout and desperate for answers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for granting my wish!

Thanks to NetGalley for advanced copy.

For my thoughts and opinions read my review on goodreads.

Wow! It took me a while to really get IN to The Family Game, but it was completely un-put-downable at the end!

Harriet is engaged to Edward, the firstborn and heir to the Holbeck fortune (think old, old, old money). Things escalate after their engagement, when it’s time to meet the family.

The family is eccentric and extremely powerful. They play holiday games taken from traditions in the old country with morbid twist.


Robert, Edwards father, gives Harriet a ticking time bomb — evidence that could destroy the family. What will she do with it? And will she figure it out before the game is over?

Absolutely riveting!! I enjoyed “playing” along and trying to figure things out!

Wow. I was so excited for this one, as I love her other books. This was so unique. Harry/Harriet is a writer who has just accepted a proposal from Edward, who is heir to a very powerful family legacy. She is a great character, a heroine with a secret, but one it's easy to cheer for. Her parents died when she was 11, so the thought of joining a big (and powerful) family is daunting. But she really has no idea just how daunting it will all become. It's one of the best thrillers I've read in a while!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for this digital copy. What a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

Harriet is newly engaged to Edward, the love of her life, and is close to breaking through the book scene as a novelist. Edward comes from old American money and severed ties with his high society family to forge his own path. That doesn't keep them from creeping their way back into his life as he's set to inherit all the money. Harry and Edward head to the Holbeck's for Christmas, and that is where the games begin.

What a wild ride this book was - wow! It's been a while since a book has thrown me for a loop like this. Highly recommend it to any psychological thriller fans. Will be checking out more of Catherine Steadman's work after this one.

This is one of craziest psychological thrillers I've read this year. Will be recommending this far and wide to those who like similar books!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for giving me the chance to read this book. This is the first book I've read from Catherine Steadman and now I want to read all of them. This family is a little freaky in their family traditions. Not so sure I would marry into it!! A must read!

Unique and Original

First, thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing House on an advanced reader's copy of this incredible book!

This is a true thriller and the push and pull is spectacular. To be completely honest, my eyes hurt a little because they were practically glued to my kindle the entire time. What I loved most was the book was a little slower paced than I was anticipating but the plot was mind blowing. It was also very interactive and by that I mean I found myself yelling at the main character as if it would change the outcome.

I am very particular about the thrillers I read. My attention to detail is unmatched and so is my energy. I want something new, exciting and difficult to process. This book was all of those things. I did NOT see the ending coming which sealed the five star rating for me. Everything lined up from what I gathered and no major plot holes. It is an excellent read.

Wow! What a roller coaster ride this book was. I was hooked from the beginning, and the book never let up until the crazy, mind-boggling finish that left my head spinning.

My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

"Games take us as close as is acceptable to the strategies we use in life. Games reveal our most base instinct: the instinct to survive. Under the mask of enjoyment, we reveal ourselves, we reveal how we play at life, our methods, how we navigate others' strengths and weaknesses. A game is only a game if you do not fully understand it. We play as we live. And I want you to play a game with me, Harriet. The stakes will be high but there is everything to play for."

Thank you to @netgalley and @ballantinebooks for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meeting your in-laws can be complicated. For Harriet Reed, it can be deadly.

Bestselling novelist Harriet Reed has just sold a million copies of her first book and accepted a marriage proposal from Edward Holbeck, the oldest son of one of New York's wealthiest and most powerful families. Anxious to separate himself from his 'eccentric' family, Edward has started his own lucrative company and waits until he and Harriet are engaged to finally introduce her to his siblings and parents. Hoping to impress them, Harriet willingly participates in lavish holiday celebrations that bring her face to face with the family patriarch, Robert.

Disguised as an idea for his own novel, Robert hands her a tape recording that sounds an awful lot like a murder confession. With leverage from her own past, Robert invites Harriet to partake in a set of sinister Holbeck family games-- and losing may be deadly.

What I loved: If the goal of this book was to keep me on the edge of my seat until the very end, it did an excellent job! Though I predicted some of the plot twists early on, I was absolutely hooked by this family, their disturbing games and traditions and complex history. Uncovering the past as Harriet was exciting and the pace at which we got tidbits about her own backstory was perfect.

What I didn't: I think this is true of most psychological thrillers but there were several moments where I couldn't help but yell at Harriet for the decisions she made. Why didn't she just listen to the entire recording all at once? Why did she willingly engage with his family after the first few experiences?

There was a lot of build-up to the reveal of what had happened to Harriet as a child but when the actual reveal felt slightly disappointing. Other than that, this book was a wild ride and it kept my heart pounding until the last page!

Read if you love:
*psychological thrillers
*isolated mansion settings
*deep family drama

See also: One by One, The Turn of the Key, Watching You

#thefamilygame #catherinesteadman #netgalleyarc #netgalley #psychologicalthriller #thrillersandmysteries #fictionfanatic #bookstagrammer #bookreview #readmorefiction

I’ve never read anything by Catherine Steadman, but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read this one a bit early.

Harriet has her own demons to face, but after meeting the head of the Holbeck family, Robert Holbeck, it’s clear that she’s not the only one with something to hide. As the story unfolds, we learn the Holbecks have lots of odd traditions that mostly involve a variety of games. Through these games, Harriet must prove she has what it takes to be a part of the family – but are all those secrets really worth it? And what will happen when the truth comes out?

I felt as though the beginning was a bit drawn out with Harriet working to finish her book, but I still felt glued to the story and looked forward to hearing the tapes Robert had given her. By the time the final game began, I was tense and could not stop reading because I HAD to know how it all went down.

Thank you so much for the ARC and opportunity to read this one. Overall, I loved how fast paced the book was. I read it in a single afternoon and was dying to see how it would end. I must say I was a little disappointed in the ending, it was pretty predictable. The main character felt really slow on the uptake sometimes too, which felt weird as she was supposed to be a thriller writer. Overall, would recommend to people who enjoy a thriller but it wasn’t the best thriller I have read.

This book was such an amazing surprise! I don't often get the opportunity to read thrillers that really take me on an unexpected journey, that leave me breathless, that give me nightmares, that keep me turning the page. But with this one, I did.

This book is about a woman marrying into a rich, mysterious, powerful, and game-loving family. The stakes are high, personal secrets are at risk, and love is on the line. The narrative is fast-paced, the short chapters keep you reading, and the story is refreshingly unique.

Highly recommend this one. Seriously

Intense suspense and have-to-know mystery make The Family Game a win for me.

Harry is a novelist and engaged to Edward Holbeck of the Holbeck family, a rich, over-the-top, powerful Manhattan family. Harry has done her research and feels she knows all there is to know about the Holbecks. However, when she finally meets them she realizes she is very wrong.

This is a fast-paced, cat-and-mouse mystery. I love the fact that part is set in Manhattan while part also feels like somewhat of a locked room mystery. The characters are intriguing. The cast of characters and uneasy suspicion make the brain go many different ways trying to figured out what is going on. The twist genuinely surprised me. I highly recommend this books to all mystery/suspense fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy.