The Family Game
Author: Catherine Steadman
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 379
Format: Paperback
My Rating ★★★1/2
Published by: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 379
Format: Paperback
My Rating ★★★1/2
THE RULES
1. Listen carefully
2. Do your research
3. Trust no one
4. Run for your life
Harriet Reed, a novelist on the brink of literary stardom, is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir of an extremely powerful family. And even though Edward has long tried to severe ties with them, news of the couple’s marital bliss has the Holbecks inching back into their lives.
As Harriet is drawn into their lavish world, the family seems perfectly welcoming. So when Edward’s father, Robert, hands Harriet a tape of a book he’s been working on, she is desperate to listen.
But as she presses play, it’s clear that this isn’t just a novel. It’s a confession.
A confession to a grisly crime. A murder. And, suddenly, the game is in motion.
Feeling isolated and confused, Harriet must work out if this is part of a plan to test her loyalty. Or something far darker. What is it that Robert sees in her? Why give her the power to destroy everything?
This might be a game to the Holbeck family—but losing might still prove deadly.
My thoughts:
A big thank you to the author Catherine Steadman, and Simon & Schuster for sending me out a proof copy of the book to read!
The Family Game starts off more like a romance than a psychological thriller which initially had me worried. The Family Game begins with a slow burn, but the suspense and intrigue will keep readers turning the pages and eager for more.
As the book progresses it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. There are hints about the family secrets followed by a series of twists and turns which will keep readers guessing throughout. Harry is seemingly living the dream: her novel has sold a million copies and in Edward she thinks she’s found the perfect man.
But, as she puts it, ‘A girl with a past tries to marry into money and all hell breaks loose. We all know how that story ends.’ Except we don’t because the events in The Family Game are far from predictable.
Harriet is initially 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 inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harriet a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.
These early scenes were my favourite moments of the book, and it was nail-biting to follow Harriet as she attempts to make sense of the tapes and conduct her own investigative research about Edward’s family. The author creates so much mystery and intrigue surrounding the content of the cassette, as Harriet tries to understand the truth.
The plot is filled with family dynamics and tension. It was an interesting premise and there were a lot of surprises. The Holbeck's are an evil, weird, and dysfunctional bunch. I felt the ending was too rushed but that didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of this book.
If you like twisty books with plenty of shock value, this one is for you.
Overall reaction:
A big thank you to the author Catherine Steadman, and Simon & Schuster for sending me out a proof copy of the book to read!
The Family Game starts off more like a romance than a psychological thriller which initially had me worried. The Family Game begins with a slow burn, but the suspense and intrigue will keep readers turning the pages and eager for more.
As the book progresses it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. There are hints about the family secrets followed by a series of twists and turns which will keep readers guessing throughout. Harry is seemingly living the dream: her novel has sold a million copies and in Edward she thinks she’s found the perfect man.
But, as she puts it, ‘A girl with a past tries to marry into money and all hell breaks loose. We all know how that story ends.’ Except we don’t because the events in The Family Game are far from predictable.
Harriet is initially 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 inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harriet a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.
These early scenes were my favourite moments of the book, and it was nail-biting to follow Harriet as she attempts to make sense of the tapes and conduct her own investigative research about Edward’s family. The author creates so much mystery and intrigue surrounding the content of the cassette, as Harriet tries to understand the truth.
The plot is filled with family dynamics and tension. It was an interesting premise and there were a lot of surprises. The Holbeck's are an evil, weird, and dysfunctional bunch. I felt the ending was too rushed but that didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of this book.
If you like twisty books with plenty of shock value, this one is for you.
Overall reaction:
