Brilliant fast paced thriller with a twist no one saw coming. Couldn't put it down. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Oh my god. What a book. Something in the Water has been something I've dipped in and out of, and my god this is even better. I didn't see the twist coming, the pacing is perfect, and the plot is exciting.

My only criticism is that the lust the main character feels towards another character doesn't really add to the plot at all and is a bit unnecessary and arguably demeaning.

A fantastic read though, I read it in one sitting and would highly recommend.

I love a thriller so I have read quite a few, but this is genuinely one of the best I have ever read, and actually did give me the chills in some places! The main character Harriet is really likeable and from the very start you are fully on her side. I did spot the big twist when I got towards the second half of the book, however I still give this books 5 stars because it’s got some really unexpected consequences of the twist which I did not see coming!

I look forward to reading more from Catherine Steadman in future.

4+
The first meeting of bestselling novelist Harry (Harriet)Reed and uber wealthy Edward Holbeck is ‘grate’ but will their blossoming romance be ‘The Fairytale of New York’ or ‘American Psycho’? His family are quite something, think Vanderbilt or Rockefeller, so can you imagine the weakness in the knees when first meeting them? I daresay meeting head of the family RD would be similar to a face-to-face with Logan Roy (Succession) as he exudes power from every pore. This is a family so rich one of their many properties, The Hydes, a Gothic mansion in upstate New York, is ripped and shipped brick by brick from its original home in Hungary. This family have a liking for games and I’m not talking Monopoly though they’d probably own all the the property on the board. No, let’s imagine it’s ancient Rome and the Emperor (or RD) is in the gladiatorial arena, will the contestants get a thumbs up or down? Live or die? Let the games begin.

Well, Catherine Steadman certainly has a very creative and fertile imagination. 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. This is a Russian doll story, stories within stories, layers within layers.

As for the Holbecks, good grief I thought my mother-in-law a tour de force! The push and pull of their dynamics is tense and intriguing, there’s a ton of secrets there and at times it feels very claustrophobic.

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 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.

So, it’s a bit of a twisty crazy train ride but I jump on board willingly wearing my disbelief suspenders because it’s so entertaining. Can’t ask for more than that in fiction!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Great twist. Very well written and really good story. Actually made me read into the night and really couldn’t put it down. Would really recommend and is a brilliant new author find.

A compelling read that had me utterly gripped right from the start. It is so original and I couldn't put it down and i definitely didn't see the twist coming

4⭐️

A captivating read with a unique plot! 🔥

This was an excellent read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was a bit slow at first to get into, but I understand it was needed to build the bigger picture surrounding Harriet and the Holbeck family. 📚

The plot was highly unique and I liked the incorporation of the different games that Harriet had to participate in. I also liked how the book was narrated from only Harriet’s perspective, as we could feel her anxiety surrounding the family. I think most people would be intimidated entering a powerful family like the Holbeck’s, let alone at Thanksgiving and Christmas time! 😅

My only negative with this read is that I feel like something was slightly missing, although, I cannot pinpoint what that specifically is.

Overall, this was a captivating read and the the last quarter of the book had me turning the page quickly as the story unravelled a shocking twist! 🔥😍

Many thanks to Catherine Steadman, NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC!

I definitely recommend this read that will be published on 29th September 22!🔥📚

I haven't read anything by Catherine Steadman before however, after reading the blurb, I knew this was right up my street.

The Family Game centres on Harriet, who has just become engaged to Edward, the heir to a very wealthy American family. Harriet, who experiences writer's block, accepts an invitation to the family mansion in quest of inspiration. There she meets Edward's father who gives her a tape with what appears to be a confession on it.

This is such a compelling read, I thoroughly enjoyed it and strongly suggest you read it too 😊

Thank You to NetGalley, Simon And Schuster UK and the author for the ARC of this perfect summer read.

Absolutely fantastic. I could not put this book down and read it start to finish in hours.
A tale which gripped me from the beginning and yet had twists I wasn’t predicting.
Bravo to the author: I will definitely read more of her work.
The main character is a strong voice and one you immediately warm to. The story is thrilling and relatable in equal measure. A rich family who seem to have the power to do what they want as they want. Our protagonist Harry (Harriet) is a woman with a bright future and a dark secret marrying into one of the most powerful families in the New York Area. The cat and mouse game she plays with her influential in laws kept me gripped. Brilliant.!

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publishers for giving me the chance to review this excellent book.

THE RULES 1. Listen carefully 2. Do your research 3. Trust no on 4. Run for your life
 Harriet Reed is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to an extremely powerful American family.
When Edward’s father hands her 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 a novel. It’s a confession to murder.
Feeling isolated and confused, Harriet must work out if this is all part of a plan to test her loyalty. Or something far darker.
Because this might be a game to the Holbeck family but games can still be deadly.
 READY OR NOT, HERE THEY COME . . .
Wow couldn’t put this down read in one sitting really enjoyed and totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Simon And Schuster Uk

I just reviewed The Family Game by Catherine Steadman. #TheFamilyGame #NetGalley

There was alot going for this book and alot that I liked about it. However there were quite a few things that I wasn't so keen on. But overall it was enjoyable.

This was a highly entertaining, well written and very original take on the domestic noir / psychological thriller novel. Great characters, intriguing set up and a very decent twist. Highly recommended

There were parts of this book that I loved, and others that I wasn't so keen on. Overall I would say that it was pretty good but could have been a lot better.

I really enjoy the author's writing style - I've recently read two of her other books and I'm a big fan of the conversational writing style and the world building. Her books never feel one dimensional and I love being able to picture the people and places in the writing. I liked the concept - it was unique and I haven't read anything quite like it before which is refreshing in a genre that tends to recycle the same storylines.

I think the character development could have been better - especially with Ed. We're told how in love him and Harry are but they have barely any scenes together so it's difficult to get a feel of it. I understand that it was important for the plot to work, but I really couldn't get behind the idea of Harry not listening to the tape in one go. Also, she googles 'Melissa Brown' and finds the right girl straight away?! Try it, you get millions of results.

I did enjoy the book but it didn't quite hit me like I wanted to. I think with a bit of a makeover, this book could have been incredible.

I really wanted to love this book but for a number of reasons it just didn't do it for me. There is defintiely a good story in this book but it just didn't break through for me for a couple of reasons.

Harriet is marrying into a well-connected, incredibly rich family. She goes to meet the family and, guess what, they're all a bit wacky/mysterious. It seems like that story has been done to death before.

Harriet receives a tape from her future father in law in which he appears to make a shocking confession, however Harriet has secrets of her which means she cannot take the actions that she would wish. I don't want to say too much else for fear of spoilers.

The main thing that didn't work for me was the main characters. We are told that Harriet and Edward are this great love story however we never really know why (other than he is very attractive and rich) maybe that's enough for Harriet but we never really see enough depth to make us care whether they make it or not.

The eccentric family has also been done to death in previous books, they weren't particularly likeable or loathable characters or much of anything to be honest. It was so hard to care what was coming next that when it did, you weren't really bothered what happened to anyone.

I have read other Steadman novels and have enjoyed them but this just wasn't for me despite a promising premise.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK, Simon & Schuster UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent read with a twist that I didn't see coming! Family and family secrets are always good fodder for fiction and so much more fun when all the protagonists are super rich! Loved the juxtaposition of new and old technology mirroring new and old traditions both inside and outside the family.

All I kept thinking as I read this book as the author had been watching too much Succession apart from the fact that Edward was clearly a more attractive individual than Kendal!

Wow, found this one refreshing and really enjoyed it from beginning to end. The story was good that it kept wanting to read more and actually found out what was happening! Loved all the twist and turns! Has Harriet bargained for more than she wants! Perfect summer read

Harriet has met her dream man, he also happens to be the eldest son of one of the most wealthy and powerful families in America. He’s sweet, loving, kind and totally in love with her. The Family want to get to know her but is everything to good to be true?
Compelling page turner and definitely twists and turns. I found a few parts where I actually forgot to breathe. Very refreshingly different from the normal thriller.
Thank you Netgalley & Catherine Steadman for an advanced copy of this book.

#TheFamilyGame #NetGalley
Brilliant.
Harriet Reed is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir to an extremely powerful American family.
When Edward’s father hands her 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 a novel. It’s a confession to murder.
Feeling isolated and confused, Harriet must work out if this is all part of a plan to test her loyalty. Or something far darker.
Because this might be a game to the Holbeck family - but games can still be deadly.
Loved this book so so much.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for giving me an advance copy.

4.5 stars
This is the first book that I've read from Catherine Steadman but as soon as I saw its blurb I was immediately on board.
If you think you've seen some crazy families, let me introduce you to the Holbecks.
I do enjoy what are essentially satires on the rich and you definitely get those vibes from this book.
We see their family from the POV of an outsider, Harry and even though I really should have anticipated the twist at the end, I was too absorbed in Harry's search for the truth amidst dealing with outlandish Holbeck family games and the way that they were behaving to even consider what was truly going on.
The creepy Krampus scene (thankfully I've seen the recent Krampus horror movie so I could very easily imagine just how terrifying that would be if you had no knowledge of it) and the final act at The Hydes felt cinematic and had me on the edge of my seat.
I did find it slightly bizarre how much it is mentioned that Harry is sexually attracted to her father in law-to-be. I understand how imposing he would be and that there would be an obvious similarity between him and his son/her fiance. But it just felt a bit strange to see her repeatedly think of him in that way, especially after he appears to admit to murder.
I also would have liked a little more when it came to finding out more about the Holbeck family. The reveal we get of what Fiona is really like was great so I would have loved more of that but in relation to the Holbeck siblings in particular.
Was some of it a bit far fetched? Yes. But I enjoyed it all the same.
If you enjoyed the movies Ready Or Not or You're Next, I've got a feeling that this book will be right up your street.
I'll also definitely be going back to read Catherine Steadman's other books and will be keeping an eye out for what she does next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.