A tremendous thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for my early copy of The Family Game by Catherine Steadman.

I was drawn in by the neon pink on the cover of the book, I’m not going to lie. Only then did I realize that I’ve read a Catherine Steadman book before (Something in the Water)! I’m terrible at connecting authors to books or writing styles. Sorry! Needless to say, after reading The Family Game too, I definitely want to read more from Catherine Steadman. I also learned that Catherine Steadman is an actress! She played Mabel Lane Fox in Downton Abbey.

The Story

A rich, eccentric family. A time-honored tradition. Or a lethal game of survival? One woman finds out what it really takes to join the 1% in this riveting psychological thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Something in the Water, Mr. Nobody, and The Disappearing Act.

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 eminent family and the embodiment of American old money. For years, they’ve dominated headlines and pulled society’s strings, and Edward left them all behind to forge his own path. But there are eyes and ears everywhere. It was only a matter of time before they were pulled back in . . .

After all, even though he’s long severed ties with his family, Edward is set to inherit it all. 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 inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.

What is it about Harry that made him give her that tape? A thing that has the power to destroy everything? As she ramps up her quest for the truth, she must endure the Holbecks’ savage Christmas traditions all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly.

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My Thoughts

For me, The Family Game was 3.5 stars, but I did round up if you follow me on Goodreads.

The story had some really incredible development. There were quite a few characters between Harry and Ed, and then all of Ed’s family and their significant others and respective children. Sometimes, when that happens, I tend to gloss over characters, but I could actually keep up with all of them (mostly).

I was most grateful that The Family Game did not alternate between narrators. That is a big trend in the last few years (or maybe just for the books I’m reading), so I was glad to read a story from one person. The only variation was the mysterious tape. Those chapters are told in first-person from someone else’s perspective, but it’s easy enough to keep up with.

I’ve also found that I read quite a few British and Australian authors as well. Catherine Steadman is a British author. The main character in The Family Game, Harry, is from the UK but has moved to the US to be with her boyfriend/fiancé. It was interesting to see that blend of UK and US. I recently read The It Girl by Ruth Ware that felt exceptionally British.

My only drawback from the overall success of the novel was that the ending felt a bit rushed. There was all of this character and situational development, and then I felt like it kind of just ended! Everything is resolved (thank goodness), but I was missing something. It’s kind of like going to a really nice restaurant with small portions. You’re glad you went and the food was tasty, but you leave kind of hungry.

The Family Game published October 18, 2022! Order your copy wherever books are sold!

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