The Family Game from Catherine Steadman has been on my list for quite awhile. The first half of the book dragged a bit for me so I kept putting it down. Once I added the audiobook to the mix, the pacing seemed to pick up. I found the last half of the book intriguing and appreciated the steadier pacing.

The Family Game tells the story of a woman newly engaged and marrying into a very wealthy, seemingly sinister family. The main character’s profession as an author made for an interesting peak into the research process. However, this aspect of the book was small. The premise of the book held so much promise, but the delivery wasn’t it for me.

I wouldn’t say pass on this one, but I might say to try it on audiobook. Read this if you’re into slow burn, psychological thriller plots with a smidge of family drama thrown in the mix.

Thank you to Netgalley for the DRC.

As a huge fan of Catherine Steadman's previous work, I was hoping for more with this title. While it wasn't bad--certainly Steadman knows how to write engaging characters--it just didn't all hold together for me in the end.

Harriet, is a successful author who writes mystery/thrillers for a living. Edward is a Holbeck, heir to the wealthiest/oldest family but he's gone no contact with them. They've established their life together. Harry is working on her next book and Edward is set to sell his tech company. They're recently engaged and planning their future and family.

News of the recent engagement however have reached the Holbeck family and they want their son back. Harry quickly learns that they are not a normal family. They take traditions and games a little too seriously.

This book was a sloooow burn for the first half but when it picked up it REALLY PICKED UP. The chaos of this book is so wild that you start to believe it. There are definitely parts of this book that I was like "I would absolutely leave. 10/10 noping out.

If you want a thriller with all the twists in turn and chaos. Definitely recommend.

A twisted family tradition shakes loose a number of terrifying family secrets. Harry is an author on the verge of massive success, bolstered by her wealthy husband-to-be, Edward. When she discovers that she's pregnant, it becomes more pressing to develop a relationship with Edward's snooty family. She's invited to (read: wrangled into) join the family's holiday festivities, only to discover that they're more Nightmare on Elm Street than White Christmas. Edward's family has secrets, and when her new father-in-law imparts some of them on Harry, she begins to wonder just what that powerful man has discovered about her own hidden past.

Creepy and weird, largely unpredictable. The Family Game certainly isn't going to be your cheerful holiday rom-com, but the tense mood overhanging the entire novel may more closely resemble some readers' family situations than those Hallmark-style holiday novels!

Harriet is finally building an almost perfect life when she gets entangled with her fiancé’s family who are more sinister than they appear.

The Family Game started out so strong for me. I was hooked from the very beginning and absolutely loved the creepy atmosphere surrounding the Holbeck family. I’m always so fascinated by the actions of people who have tons of money, and I was here for the drama and secrets that came with their family. Unfortunately, by the time we got closer to the ending - the climax and resolution - everything sort of fizzled out, and I got confused by the motives of some of the characters. Overall, it was an addicting read, but the direction in which the story went was not my favorite. If you like short chapters and unlikeable characters, this book might be for you!

CW for suicide, drug addiction, car accident (in past), fire, loss of loved ones, accidental pregnancy, blood, death, murder, drugging, blackmail.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.

This is like Rosemary's Baby, but make it a holiday novel and I am here for it! I read this one so fast because it really was impossible to put down. It's nice to have a mystery/thriller book so out of the norm. I highly recommend this one!

While not my favorite thriller of the season, I look forward to seeing more substantial offerings from Steadman (with a more creative and less clearly Canva generated cover)

The Family Game is a killer novel. 🔪 It’s outstanding! A terrifying novel that kept me guessing up until the end! A horror book that’s great during the holidays. The entire time I read this, I thought about the movie “Ready or Not” where the newlywed bride plays “games” with her in-laws as is family tradition. The similarities between Ready or Not and The Family Game are striking. But, it’s not the same. So, fair warning, if you didn’t care for that movie, you may not enjoy The Family Game.

In this terrifying novel, a bride-to-be meets her future family over the course of the winter holidays. They are powerful players in the publishing industry.

I wasn’t completely shocked by the ending, but I wasn’t expecting the twist. So, that was very well played 🫶

"The Family Game" by the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of "Something in the Water," "Mr. Nobody," and "The Disappearing Act" is a riveting psychological thriller that explores the twisted dynamics of a wealthy and eccentric family. With its intriguing plot, complex characters, and a constant sense of danger, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.

Catherine Steadman expertly weaves a web of intrigue, suspense, and family drama, keeping readers guessing at every turn. The plot unfolds at a thrilling pace, and each chapter reveals new twists and surprises. The Christmas traditions of the Holbecks, which descend into sadistic rituals, add a chilling layer to the narrative, intensifying the suspense and heightening the stakes for Harriet, the book's protagonist.

Overall, "The Family Game" is a thrilling ride through the twisted world of the ultra-wealthy, blending suspense, psychological tension, and family dynamics into an intoxicating mix. Steadman's mastery of suspense and her ability to craft complex characters make this novel a captivating read. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that delve into the secrets of the elite, then "The Family Game" is a must-read that will keep you guessing until the final, heart-pounding revelation.

Harriet (Harry) is an author who has written a best seller. On top of that, she has met the man of her dreams who comes from a wealthy and powerful family. All seems to be going well, except for his family who are unpredictable and like to play games.

The Family Game is somewhat unbelievable. Harry finds herself in several situations that most people would walk away from and never look back. Her decision-making skills are sometimes lacking, and on the whole the plot seems unrealistic at almost every turn.

Harry’s future in-laws are definitely creepy to say the least and I think this book had the potential to be a lot better. The pace is fairly slow, so it was hard to stay invested in the plot and develop sympathy for any of the characters. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author but The Family Game isn’t one of my favorites. I’ll give it 2.5 stars bumped up to 3.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

This book had great characterization, excellent story telling, and made me want to keep reading. I will continue to read from this author and look out for their new releases.

3.5/5; it took me a loooong time to read the first half of this book, and then I read the last half in a day. Although the ending was somewhat reminiscent of a movie (you’ll know it when you read it), it had an interesting twist. Overall not a bad “holiday” suspense book.

I found this very entertaining. It reminded me a bit of Rosemary's baby. This is my current favorite book that Catherine Steadman has written yet.

Oh this book was fun and kept me guessing until the very end. 4 Stars and Catherine Steadman is now an auto-order author.

Harry, an up and coming author meets Edward- a too good to be true Handsome millionaire and a whirlwind romance begins. But everything derails when his powerful father slips her a tape that makes her question everything. And experience a Christmas like no other.

Part Ready or Not and part The Hunt- The Family Game was a crazy look into the lives of the ridiculously rich.

Thank you #netgalley and #penguinrandomhouse for the complimentary copy

Author Harriet (Harry) Reed has finally met her Prince Charming, Edward Holbeck. He’s handsome and extremely wealthy, but there’s just one problem; his family. They seem to be a bit much, and the games they play are downright non-traditional and crazy. Harriet starts to wonder what she’s gotten herself into when she has a little chat with Robert Holbeck (Edward’s father) and he gives her a tape to listen to. She knows the family has secrets, and she’s determined to find out what they are. But could she be putting herself in danger?

This thriller was very different from a lot of thrillers I’ve read, and it was kind of refreshing to read something so different. I loved the family aspect of the book. It may be seen as a holiday thriller with the book taking place between Christmas and Krampus, but it is in no way a traditional Christmas story. It’s more like crazy Christmas with whacky games. I found myself yelling at Harry a lot through the book. She really had me on edge with some of the things she was doing, but I guess I should have expected that considering I was reading a thriller. I didn’t see the ending coming, so that definitely shocked me! If you like thrillers, try this one out, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

The Family Game has moved to the top of my list of favorite Catherine Steadman books, Her books are only getting better, and I am very much looking forward to the next one.

I LOVED this book so much. It had a strong sense of place: both in NYC and at the family's large estate. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming and I stayed up way too late reading this. The winter vibes made this the perfect book to cuddle up with under a blanket with hot cocoa on a snowy day.

I'd heard of Catherine Steadman and been intrigued by the descriptions of her books, but this was the first I've actually read by her. Folks, if you're in need of a read that will make you appreciate your own family, dysfunctional though it may be (and aren't they all to some degree??), here's your book. So many secrets and lies here, revealed gradually throughout the book. It's atmospheric and evocative, and keeps you guessing as to the true nature of the truths that lie behind the secrets of this particular wealthy and powerful New York family, as well as the main character that they're welcoming into their midst - who has secrets of her own. It's dark and twisty and evocative and yes - at times, it's over the top. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did listen to a lot of it, and the author, being an actor, does a wonderful job with the narration.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

The Family Game starts off more like a romance than a psychological thriller... it did get my interest piqued. Harry is the writer of a bestselling thriller. She gets engaged to a wealthy man and she’s worried about his family accepting her, especially knowing he’s had his issues with them. During her initial meeting with Edward’s father, he slips her a dictaphone cassette. When she listens to it, it contains a confession. But is it real or some sort of test? The plot is slow going and at time unrealistic, like she is going along with everything thrown her way.
Her fiancé keeps purposely hiding facts about the family and its weird traditions from her. She continues to listen to the cassette and gets in deeper and deeper. In the end it is all a little much and not well organized or thought out.

Harry is a novelist on the brink of stardom; Edward, her husband-to-be, is seemingly perfect. In love and freshly engaged, their bliss is interrupted by the reemergence of the Holbecks, Edward's family of old money. Harriet is drawn to the glamour and sophistication of the Holbecks, who seem to welcome her with open arms, but everything changes when she meets Robert, the head of the family, and he slips Harry a cassette tape, which sets the game in motion.

Edward and Harry are an opposites attract situation. He comes from old money in the US and meets her living in England, alone with not much. The story starts when they are together in NYC and he proposes. Then comes his family, whom he hasn't seen in almost a year after a falling out. His sister and brothers seem sweet when you meet them, but her soon-to-be father-in-law has a secret, and she has intense feeling for/about him from their first meeting. When Harry listens to the tape her father-in-law gives her, the game starts. And what a game it is!

The book was written well and had my interest from the beginning, but once the games started, I couldn't put it down. I had to know what game was next and who else had secrets... because it seemed like everyone was hiding something. This book kept me in suspense and wanting more from the author!


I rate this book 4 🌟

I'd like to say a huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.