I absolutely devoured this book! Harriett, a British novelist, discovers what life is like on the other side when she becomes engaged to Edward, the eldest brother of the notoriously wealthy Holbeck family. Upon meeting the family, the wolf-like patriarch provides Harriett with a cassette, which sets an ominous game into motion. The premise reminded me of the movie Ready or Not, but the story actually unfolded more like an Agatha Christie novel with plenty of characters, puzzles to piece together, and red herrings spread throughout. I had so much fun untangling the Holbecks’ web of lies and discovering Harriett’s own secrets as well. Most of the story takes place before the main character, Harriett, even visits the mysterious and secluded Holbeck mansion. This portion of the book may feel slow to some readers but towards the end, the action picks up fast. I felt a little disoriented after finishing the book because the climax moved at such a rapid pace and took me by surprise. Even still, I enjoyed the ride so much that this book has earned its place as my favorite of Catherine Steadman’s works. Many thanks to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley!!

This was an easy read yet still a page-turner with a bit of a twist. The story centers on the protagonist, Harriet, and the inner conflicts she faces: her own past and the knowledge of murders committed by her future in-laws. It wasn't really relatable but not every novel needs to be.

The Family Game is a wild and suspenseful ride. The heroine is very likable, strong willed, and willing to do whatever it takes. I love books about big families that have secrets and how that can all turn in an instant. The ending of the book was so shocking and unpredictable that it has easily become one of my top reads of the year. I look forward to reading everything else that the author has written!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for the ARC!

UGHHHH one of the best books of the year!! As soon as I finished it I wanted to read it again! This was my first Catherine Steadman and I can’t wait to get my hands on another one! The family is very reminiscent of the Kennedys. The twists in this book are fabulous! A must read if you like twisty family thrillers!! I’m looking forward to buying the hard copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wealthy family full of secrets, 🤫 a tape with a confession to multiple murders, and a deadly game of cat and mouse. 😱 This is what Harriet Reed signs herself up for when she agrees to marry Edward Holbeck, heir to the Holbeck fortune. 💍 Can Harriet get to the bottom of their “games” and does she even want to?

Y’all. I COULD NOT put this one down. It’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read recently and definitely my favorite thriller so far this Summer. 👏🏼 Even though I figured out the twist before it was revealed, I was still completely absorbed by this wealthy family and their exorbitant world. 🏰 Robert’s character was so intriguing to me as well as the relationships between the siblings. I’m really hoping it gets made into a movie so I can experience it for the “first time” all over again! All the stars!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

One of my favorite reads of the year! This twisty thriller with its puzzles and riddles had me hooked throughout the entire book. So far this is the best book from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This one was pretty twisty- some more obvious than others but still an enjoyable ride. You really do you fall in love with the main female character.s Solid four

5/5 Stars.
Family Games is set to release in November, and it couldn't have better timing! It's so atmospheric. It takes place in New York right at the start of the holiday season. I read this in June in 90 degree weather, yet felt myself constantly nostalgic for sweaters and hot beverages and Christmas lights. It will definitely be a fun and timely read in November!
British author Harriet Reed has moved to America to be with her fiancé, who happens to be from NYC's richest "old-money" family. Think the Vanderbilt's but still just as powerful and rich now as they were at the turn of the century.. Harriet, an orphan, is welcomed into the family with open arms. At first they seem perfect- warm and welcoming. But she comes to realize the family is a little... odd. From a hyper-realistic Krampusnacht celebration, to a high-stakes scavenger hunt, the family likes their games, and they have their own rules everyone must follow. Even more troubling is when Harriet begins to realize that certain women associated with the family have gone missing over the years. She knows something sinister is at play, but who can she trust? And how can she go against a family with seemingly limitless power? Especially when one of them knows a secret about her that she was hoping to keep buried.
This was a fun read! I'd already been familiar with Steadman from Mr. Nobody, and she has a great way of telling a story. The pacing, the mystery, the plot-- all of it was engaging and was just what you want from a thriller. I definitely recommend this as one to watch out for!

This was fast paced and so intense! It just never let up. The strengths and weaknesses of a family can be it’s undoing. So many layers of love and deception. Huge on the creep factor.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

If you are looking for an extremely suspenseful thriller, look no further! This was a new author to me, snd I will defintely be searching out more!

This book was awesome. The entire book I kept
thinking I knew what was going to happen
only to be thrown off. Totally loved this book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

The Rules:
1. Listen carefully
2. Do your research
3. Trust No one
4. Run for your life”
Harriet Reed is a novelist on the brink of breaking out and is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, heir to a wealthy and powerful family. On their first meeting Edward’s father hands Harry a tape of a book he claims to be writing, whether is fiction or not is up to Harry to decide. Are the games the Holbeck’s play for fun or something more sinister?
I have read all of Catherine Steadman’s previous novels and this is by far my favorite!! I thought Harry was a great female protagonist and was rooting for her, even though she wouldn’t listen to the whole tape at one time!!!! The game concept was so fun and different, especially Krampus!! This book was dark and twisty. It’s a great thriller and I think everyone should grab it when it comes out November 8.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC copy. I loved it.

This thriller took me by surprise! Perfect pacing, simple concept yet it had me wondering until the end. Highly recommend!

The moment I started this reading this book. I could not put it down. The author really makes you fall in love with the family and their question it. The suspense in this book had my heart racing and I needed to know what was happening.
There was a lot of “What the F***” moments in all good ways.
The ending 🤯🤯🤯
Loved this book and the cover is beautiful

This felt like a cross between HBO’s “Succession” and horror films “You’re Next” and “Ready or Not” (which I really like all of!). While a thriller / horror, it’s not gory or overly violent, but does make your hairs stand on end during the family’s games. Steadman creates an excellent puzzle for the reader, with a twist I surprisingly did not see coming. Definitely worth reading if you’re into rich eccentric families with a side of scares.

This book was brilliant and fantastically written! I was hooked after a few pages. It is a must-read thriller you will want to add to your TBR list. The story centers around a time-honored tradition for a rich and influential but highly eccentric family. Harriet has to find out if she has what it takes to join her husband -to-be' family. However, it seems that it may be a game of survival. Harriet has to decide whether to play the game or run for her life. This book will keep you up way past your bedtime!

A couple, Harriet, and Edward, get engaged and it is time for her to meet his family. This does not turn out to be what she expects. There are some strange traditions in his family. She is expected to play a game. A very strange game. And this is where it gets interesting...

I always enjoy books where the plot consists of twists and turns. I'm not a fan of scary novels, but I do enjoy a good mystery thriller that keeps you guessing. The Family Game delivers! There are so many family secrets and lies in this book and it is obvious that these two did not know each other as well as they thought. Steadman pulled off a big twist as well, which isn't always easy to do. I was not ready for this book to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine Books for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Loved this suspenseful and intricate thriller! Could not put down and really enjoyed the twist! Fantastic. The author masterfully wove a great story with interesting family dramatics.

Harriet (known as Harry) starts dating Edward, the member of a powerful and wealthy family. He hasn't interacted with his family lately but after they get engaged, Harry meets all his family at a Thanksgiving dinner. After dinner, his father gives Harry a tape containing a chilling story he has narrated. Is the story real or is it made up? As Harry investigates the story, she takes part in a strange family game involving Krampus and then later a possibly deadly Christmas game. This was a page turning mystery as Harry is hiding her own secret and as she tries to learn the truth about the story on the tape she's given. I was little weirded out by how attracted Harry was to Edward's father every time she met him but other than that really enjoyed this book.

This was my first book by Catherine Steadman, and I will definitely read more! I was so entertained during this book!

Harriet is a distinguished author who falls in love with the heir of the Holbeck fortune, Edward. When she meets his family for the first time, however, she learns that they love to play games. These games, however, tend to be more sinister than your typical game of "Monopoly".

There were moments when I felt like the book dragged on, and was slower. The author definitely takes her time setting the story and the scenes (which do help when the games come into play). However, when it came to the twists and action, there was plenty of it! I was continually guessing the big plot twist and was pleasantly surprised by some of the twists that came towards the end! It was definitely a thriller worthy of the genre name! I was spooked, I was thrilled, I was on the edge of my seat at times!!

The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Random Publishing House/Ballantine books for an ARC of this thriller!