Fun, inventive read, reminded me of the movie "Ready or Not," which I enjoyed. I would recommended this for people who appreciate mystery and suspense novels which include dysfunctional family members. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Harriet 'Harry' Reed is enamored with the love of her life, Edward Holbeck, of THE Holbecks, an old moneyed family in the vein of the Vanderbilts and the Carnegies. Together just over a year, she has left her home and pretty much her whole life behind in England to come live with him in New York City. Her debut novel was a runaway bestseller, and now she's living the life of her dreams, working on a follow-up in her beautiful new home with her handsome fiancé. The only catch is her in-laws to be, the Holbeck family.

Harry is completely different to any of Edward's previous girlfriends, and with no family or inherited wealth of her own, she dreads to think how his family will judge her. He put off Harry meeting them as long as possible, but now that she is to become family, he feels obligated to introduce them. Edward's not ashamed of her, he just knows that his influential and wealthy family can be a bit much for anyone to handle, and he hasn't been close with them for years.

Harry is of course expecting the worse, so she is pleasantly surprised at how down to earth and welcoming they are towards her. She can't quite understand why her husband has kept them at arms length for so long. Sure, they may be a bit pushy and too eager to assert their influence to suit their needs, but she can't blame them for that. It's only when she has a private conversation with Edward's father, the renowned Robert Holbeck, that doubts begin to creep in. He tasks her with listening to a charmingly outdated Dictaphone tape which holds a...story of his. Only Harry can hear it, and she is not to tell anyone what is on the tape or even that he gave it to her. She's suspicious, but too intrigued by Robert to ignore his wishes. Oh, if only she hadn't.

What she hears is too realistic and detailed for her to believe that it is fiction. It sounds disturbingly like he is revealing past crimes to her, almost like a test. Will she keep his secrets or turn him in? Is he just playing sick games as part of some Holbeck family initiation? Is there any right way for her to respond that won't result in losing Edward? She's never faced a greater test of loyalty, one that could be the difference between life and death.

The Holbecks are an eccentric family with immense wealth and unlimited power, a deadly combination when they also enjoy twisted games. That's what makes this such a tantalizing thriller. I couldn't put it down and raced through it in just a few hours. The Krampusnacht inclusion was fantastic and completely unexpected - if you have never celebrated it before, you will certainly think twice now! I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!

Catherine Steadman is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors.

The combo of an unreliable narrator and one obvious suspect surrounded by subtly suspicious family members and friends gets me every time.

The premise reminded me of the movie Ready or Not, a similar story about a girl marrying into an über-wealthy family and being dragged into the family games that are not quite as lighthearted as they seem. As much as I questioned Harry’s mysterious past, I was really rooting for her throughout, while also a little scared of what she may have to face.

By the time I thought I had finally figured out what was going on in the Holbeck family, I realized I was 85% through the book and only figured it out because it was just the right time. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I really enjoyed the wild ride it took me on.

4.5 stars

I really, really enjoyed this book! It hooked me from the very beginning and kept me hooked the whole time!

Okay this book is fantastic, but if you can I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook too!! Hilarious! I really, really enjoyed this book! It was captivating and it hooked me from the very first chapter! Definitely recommend! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!