The Family Game

nice little palate cleanser, but I do feel like the story could’ve been unfolded more intentionally and with a better sense of reveal.

         In an absolutely shocking development, I’m giving a thriller the coveted five stars. While it wasn’t the first five-star of 2023, that honor went to a sunning memoir by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, it did roll in as the second of the year.  As I write this review, in late February, I still have only two five stars (out of 43 read so far).  It’s a list that somehow grows smaller and smaller each year, as I have become far more picky with which book gets that fifth star.

            I make it no secret that I love thrillers.  I have a specific order in which I read books, so when I get to the point I’m FINALLY opening a thriller, I’m (haha) thrilled.  I do everything in my power to prepare for the long haul when I get to one of these: I clear my schedule, pour the biggest tumbler of water I have (full of ice to chew on, don’t tell my dentist), park my butt on the couch with my fluffy blanket, and dig in.  Don’t call me, don’t text me, leave me alone (but please, bring me tacos).  This one started nice and slow, with a lovely couple navigating their way through a rocky relationship with his family.  He had avoided them for decades, but finally agreed to spend the holidays with them so his fiancé could get to know them. 

            What followed was the most jaw-dropping sequence of events, including what could only be considered as evil games this family had participated in for years.  It started with a horrific game after Thanksgiving and ended with most of the family dead following a Christmas dinner.  I finished this and had to go back and re-read half of it, I was dumbfounded.  It unfolded in a way that I would have never expected (after reading around 250 books a year for decades, it’s pretty hard to surprise me), which is why this one got that fifth star.  It took me completely by surprise.  I am eagerly anticipating every other word Catherine Steadman has written and will write in the future. 

Old money family drama is the best family drama. Easily. There were quite a few surprising twists and the family games/traditions were thrilling to say the least. Enjoyable for any thriller reader!

This book is something else. The intensity of the family is beyond this world. I have read only one other book with a family so overbearing that gave me homicidal feelings. I swear, this is something else. For a second I thought that this had paranormal elements and got excited and freaked out at the same time. At the end of this particular scene I'm talking about, I was a little disappointed but still freaked out. That made me love the book. I know, it doesn't make sense... for some people. I love books that freak me out and keep me thinking about them for a long time. I finished this book a week ago and it is still fresh in my mind.

While one specific part of this book spooked me a bit, I did find myself yelling at the book quite a lot. It dragged on a bit for me and personally, the ending was not worth it for me. The cover of the book is pretty though.

** spoiler alert ** As unrealistic as some parts were, this grabbed my attention and omg the last 20 pages or so... I was SWEATING to know what was going to happen! Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was just because it was a little too unrealistic for my liking and the cringy relationship with dad, there was alot of inappropriate build up and it didn't go anywhere

** spoiler alert ** This book gives off "Ready or Not" vibes and I was here for it. It was a really fun read. I do so wish that Krampus was real and it went to "obscenely rich family keeps supernatural creatures for torturing the poor" though. Which is probably just a personal preference on my part.

4⭐️. Well shit. Although The Family Game was slow to start, once it did start…it did not stop. Amazing pyschological thriller, a mystery within a mystery filled with holiday games that no normal family would play. Insanity. I guessed most of the plot fairly early on, but man was it exciting to read on! & the audio was awesome!

I heard a lot of good things surronding this book, amd I wasn't dissapointed. I had a good time reading this book, especially the part with the weird games the family play, that had me like wtf

Did the ending completely surprise me, no, but it was done really well. It kept me intrigued and kept me turning the pages.

So good! I found myself setting aside the other books I was currently reading to pick this one up! Typically rich and seemingly perfect in all ways possible, Edward Holbeck from the USA, finds a girl, Harriet Reed from the UK, with no family, money, or anything to add to the family, and plans to marry her. Desperate to know why he chose her, why his family is so okay with her, and to learn more about him, she finally meets his dysfunctional family, whom he very much tries to keep her from, and ends up receiving very eerie tapes from her soon-to-be husband’s father. She spends the entire novel trying to figure out the truths and possible lies behind the tapes, all the while enduring the family’s very odd and eccentric traditions they shrug off as games. I was able to figure out the twist before it happened, which was disappointing, but also typical of thrillers, so it didn’t put me off, as the rest of the novel was extremely gripping. The writing was great and I just HAD to know what came next. Highly recommended for all thriller readers, I really enjoyed this one right til the last page! Thank you for this ARC that was generously provided by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finally. Harriet, a writer with a best seller, has put the past behind her. Her secrets are safe, and she's married to the love of her life, Edward. He's handsome, loving, and has millions. And now she's getting to travel to his family estate for Christmas and take part in festivities, including a game. If you like rich people behaving badly, trusting no one, and large houses, this book is for you. It's got Steadman's trademark writing and is a fun one for Christmas. I didn’t like the ending, but otherwise it was solid.