I loved this book. Everything came full circle and there was a son lost but a daughter gained. The surprise twist wasn't too surprising but I enjoyed it nonetheless. This was my first book by Catherine Steadman but it won't be my last.

I really wanted to love this one. The premise is fascinating: a soon to be member of a very wealthy family is brought into their sick, twisted holiday game. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this one and the story had a lot of potential. The game in question does not come until the tail end of the story, but even that is not a deal breaker. I am just fine with building a good back story.

What I struggled with most was the lack of depth in so many of the characters, even really important ones. In fact, the ones that had some of the most importance to the story I had the least attachment to because of their lack of "page time" and their lack of any real dimension.

Even with Harriet, I found myself having trouble rooting for her when she time and again overlooked so many obvious pieces of information and made stupid choices. I found myself towards the end rolling my eyes at how some things were bumbled because I had come to suspect it.

There was an interesting commentary I feel was trying to be made about whether it is okay to do the wrong thing for the right reason, but it was quickly and shallowly explored, and ultimately, fell flat for me. I would have liked to have seen this arc explored earlier on and with more nuance. Yes, to keep a secret hidden heightens a desire to keep reading to find answers, but it also makes me care less about the morality of it when I do get there.

The plot in and of itself had real potential, but I failed to connect with the characters enough to care where the plot went. In the end, I finished reading to find out if I was right about the twist (I was), but got no real satisfaction. All of that sad, if Catherine Steadman writes another book, I'll probably read it too. I like her plots well enough to overlook that I don't love her characters.

The premise to this suspense novel sounded excellent, but unfortunately I couldn't connect to the writing at all.

Harriet Reed is the main character in this book and, thankfully, I found her to be a likeable and genuine character. The story opens (imo) somewhat slowly, but it sets the stage of her being a newly successful author with a handsome, ridiculously wealthy boyfriend. She also finds out she’s pregnant.

Harry meets Edward’s family and the father, Robert (RD) gives her a recorded tape that presents as a confession. She begins to do some research while still attempting to maintain a semblance of normalcy with the family.

I found the last 1/3 of the book to be riveting. I didn’t want to put it down because I wanted to know what happened. No spoilers, but I liked the plot twist and didn’t see it coming. My only negative is that there wasn’t a lot of explanation as to why (again, won’t elaborate for risk of spoiling).

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Ballantine for letting me read this one early. You'll find this one on the shelves October 18.

I love Catherine Steadman. She's out here consistently writing excellent stories. I loved SOMETHING IN THE WATER and THE DISSAPEARING ACT. When I saw her new book I knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as I could. THE FAMILY GAME wasn't the most exciting thriller I've read but it definitely kept me entertained. I loved the atmosphere and the way these characters came to life. I'll just be here anxiously waiting for her next book.

Absolutely loved this book! My only critique is the holes in the story regarding the trail Harry left (the letters she mailed) whatever happened to those?

Other then that the twist wasn’t predictable and I enjoyed the wild ride!

this was so entertaining!!
i've seen reviews saying it's a little ridiculous and silly and like... i kind of agree. but i just had such a good time reading it. gimme all the rich people drama

Absolutely loved this book!
Fantastic suspense, thriller, murder mystery story. Appreciate that there were multiple twists in the plot a couple I was able to guess and even more exciting that there were some I didn't. Went through a rollercoaster with all the characters one chapter I like one or some and then in another doubting everything and everyone! Highly recommend this book.

This was a good book. It kept my attention and there was mystery. However, I found that it was a little slow at times, and not very suspenseful. I did enjoy the use of the confession tape provided to Harriet giving insight into the family secret, and the fact that the tape was a mystery as well. I was just hoping for more gut wrenching, suspenseful, thriller moments. There were a few at the end of the book, but I wish there was more throughout the book. I never did guess what the reason was for Robert giving Harriet those tapes, the twist that came at the end, or how the book was going to end. That I really did enjoy. Overall, a very decent read.

The Family Game is one of the more enjoyable reads of the year so far! The description itself was eye grabbing but I had fun reading this book. It went slower than I expected but it only enhanced the dreadful feeling while reading. This is the perfect book to read in October.

* I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book and didn’t put it down except to go to sleep. The build up was a little slower than I would have liked and the ending is a little predictable but it was a good story that keeps you on your toes!

I would recommend!

⭐️: 3/5

British bestselling author Harriet (who goes by Harry) is on the brink of having it all, her first book was a great success, her second is widely anticipated, and she just got engaged to the heir to a powerful and rich family, Edward Holbeck, who she moved to NYC to be with. When she meets his family, she’s desperate to be included and accepted, but she soon finds that the Holbeck family plays strange and terrifying games, and she no longer knows who she can trust.

I found this book to be disappointing in a relatively common way that I find many mediocre thrillers to be disappointing. The bones are there and it’s a wildly creative story concept, but the execution and portrayal of the main character just left it lacking. I’m kind of done with the common theme of the thriller FMC having a past that’s “too terrible to even think about and nobody will love me if they find out WHAT I DID 😱” with allusions to something ~awful~ until the 50% mark when we find out what it is. Add in the whole internal monologue addressing the reader assuring them that she’s “normally not like this at all” whether it’s being neurotic or jealous or whatever, and it’s just overdone and tired. Overall, Harry made some questionable decisions, starting with not listening to the whole tape immediately due to her ~deadline~. It’s a cassette. It’s going to take less than like, an hour to listen to. If you have time to shower then you have time to listen to it. It felt needlessly dramatic and just stereotypical bad FMC decision making. It was also super sketchy and weird of her to keep bringing up how Edward’s family NEEDS her to bring him back into their orbit, and thus she has power over them, but to also not tell Edward that his family asked her to help them reconnect. It’s just like girl, you tell your fiancé things like that. Keeping it to yourself and just making allusions to it is so so sus. I kept reading to find out the ending, and while it was relatively cliché, it was also done a lot better than the rest of the book leading up to it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

5 Stars!
Expected Publication Date: 10/18/2022

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman is a WINNER! Another twisty ride by this very talented author, but in this story the stakes are much, much higher. Oh...I love a protagonist whose inner thoughts are relatable! Harry, (Harriet Reed) is an author engaged to a very wealthy man. When she is invited to spend Thanksgiving with her fiancee's family, the "fun" begins. This is a page turner and I highly recommend it. I am so thrilled that I still have 2 Catherine Steadman novels that I haven't read yet. She has quickly become one of my two favorite thriller writers!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books! What a treat this was!

I enjoyed this book a lot! There were definitely some plot holes, loose ends that didnt get tied up, and a few red herrings as to be expected, but I loved reading it anyway. I thought the family was intriguing, and it never gets old reading about the uber rich and their strange customs, they live in a different world than the 99% and I guiltily love reading about the ins and outs of their fabulous lives. In this case, there was some darkness too, but that's what made it a thriller. I can't say much about the central mystery as it's better to just dive in not knowing much.

The description of this book is what grabbed me at first. The start lulls you into a false sense of security as it’s the buildup to Christmas in New York which lends itself to some great locations, evocative descriptions, and romance. However, the amber light is flashing you a warning not only from the past but what is to come. The family games traditions are savage, they freak you out, run for the hills, Harry! When it switches to The Hydes at Christmas itself the pace is relentless and it’s a one false move deadly game with a checkmate, game-over scenario. It’s an eye-popper and a jaw/deck bruiser of a read!

The settings and atmosphere are matched by the weather and you certainly feel the chill. The plot is deliciously juicy, the characters are over the top and therefore fascinating in all their awful glory, the chapter headings are clever and give a taste of what is to come. The ending is OTT dramatic but without question exciting.

Oh! This novel, "The Family Game" by Catherine Steadman, was sooooo good! A British author with her own long-time secret, meeting and integrating into her very intimidating billionaire fiancé's family, while trying to uncover the family mystery. I just couldn't put this book down. It was interesting, original, salacious, fast moving, and fascinating. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early review copy. All opinions are my own.

Harry and Edward are a young power couple in love, with looks, money, and glamour surrounding them. Harry is a burgeoning author on the brink of making a name for herself in the literary field. Edward is a successful businessman from a powerful and elite family. As their relationship grows increasingly serious, Harry is elated and nervous to meet Edward's family, the Holbeck clan. Robert is the patriarch of the family, intimidating and serious. When they finally do meet, Harry is at first delighted that Robert seems to take to her. Maybe a little too well.....Robert passes on a cassette tape to Harry, encouraging her to listen to it. Harry acquiesces, and is both stunned and horrified by what the cassette reveals. There is a disturbing revelation on the cassette tape, a confession of sorts. The problem is, Harry is unsure who is confessing....and why.

As Harry races to put together the pieces of the puzzle, she becomes more and more concerned for her and Edward's safety. It becomes clear that someone is out to get both of them, and a secret from the past is about to become revealed. As the Christmas holidays approach, Edward and Harry prepare to spend them with Edward's family, as tradition dictates. Once at the family estate, a deadly game with Edward's family begins to unfold. The question is....who is the pursuer, and who is being pursued?

I loved this book! Definitely a bit of an Agatha Christie-like vibe that had me totally hooked from the beginning. There were a lot of twists and turns that I did not see coming. Steadman is a consistent read for me, who only continues to get better and better as she matures in her writing. This is a must-read!

I had high hopes for this and while I enjoyed it, I felt like it took way too long for things to pick up and the ending was so unrealistic. Overall good and I’m excited to see what comes next from Steadman, just not my favorite.

Harriet is a novelist and meets Edward who is from a wealthy family and who live in a mansion. Edward is partly estranged from his family, but when they hear of his relationship with Harriet, they invite them to the family home.
Robert is Edward's father and quite intimidating. After the meal, Robert takes Harriet into his study and tells her that he is writing a novel and would like her opinion. He gives her a tape. When Harriet finally gets to listen to it, she is shocked as the tape seems to reveal a murder. Is Robert trying to confess? Harriet begins to wonder if this is why Edward chose her to be involved with his family.
This book keeps you reading to the end. I did enjoy it and thank the author,publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Good novel with a nice slow burn all the way through, that kept my attention and made me want to read the entire thing in one sitting. I'm just irritated this was my first Catherine Steadman novel! Now I need to go and read her other novels.