Title: The Family Game
Author: Catherine Steadman
Read: May 2023
Expected publication: out now
My Rating: all the stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book Description:
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 . . .
My musings:
This books was sooooo good! Sinister games are one
of my favourite themes in a thriller, and Steadman knows how to spin an evil
web containing all the elements that made for a great read.
Here we have Harriet (Harry), who
has just landed herself the perfect man: handsome, caring and super rich. You
know when something looks too good to be true? It usually is. The obvious fly
in her ointment is that Edward comes with a family, who are used to getting
their own way and won’t take no for an answer. They also like playing games
that give the Struwwelpeter a run for
his money. I am not a shrinking violet, having grown up with the legend of
Krampus, and the creature itself regularly knocking on our door on the 5th
of December to check for naughty children (I am very good at hiding now). If
you have no idea what I am talking about, you need to read this book! To put it
in plain English, the Holbecks set their stakes high, and you either win or
lose – even if it means life or limb.
I loved the whole premise of people
playing dangerous games in their old stately mansion in the woods, which added
a nice atmospheric touch. I also appreciated how Steadman managed the balance
of making her character just damaged enough to give her a dark past, and yet
still hold our loyalty. Harriet is a plucky heroine, which set the story off on
a trajectory that could only end in disaster.
With tensions soon escalating and a
permanent sense of foreboding overshadowing the story, I could not tear myself
away. The audiobook added even more tension, as it allowed full immersion
without distraction, and Steadman made her book proud by narrating it herself
and giving life to her rich cast of (dysfunctional) characters.
I don’t want to say any more other
than to urge you to read it! THE FAMILY GAME is definitely going on this year’s
favourite list of thrillers, and I have a massive book hangover right now. Very
highly recommended to mystery lovers who enjoy dysfunctional family dynamics,
secrets and twists galore. Allow plenty of time when you start this because you
may find yourself hooked (my dog still hasn’t forgiven me for the 10km morning hikes
with my earbuds in just to listen “a little bit longer”).
If you like the sound of this premise, then you may also enjoy these other books about sinister games people play:
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