Book Review - The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

Title: The Family Game
Series: -
Author: Catherine Steadman
 
Description: Harriet is a novelist on the brink of stardom; Edward, her husband-to-be, is seemingly perfects. 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 Harriet a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.
 
What is it about Harriet 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 Holbeck’s savage Christmas traditions all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly.
 
Review: I’m always in for a creepy thriller about a toxic family, with loads of drama and secrets. Harriet is about to be married into one, after meeting Edward. Their seemingly perfect happiness gets disturbed when meeting the Holbecks, Edward’s family, with whom has had broken ties with. His family is really eager to meet Harriet.
 
Edward is the heir of the family and the life the Holbecks are living, impresses Harriet. They seem to welcome her with open arms. But everything changes when she meets Robert, Edward’s father, and he hands Harriet a mysterious cassette tape.
 
The book is very reminiscent of the successful TV-show “Succession” and the movie “Ready or Not”. Both about a dysfunctional family with enormous wealth. Harriet is the new girl, the one marrying into this family. But she’s not your typical innocent woman. She has her own secrets and never told this to anyone, not even Edward. Creepy and deadly games follow.
 
It’s fun to read about family drama. I did not like a single character in this book, but they were all very interesting to read about. The pace of the book picks up when Harriet meets the Holbeck family. But it’s only towards the end that it really gets fast-paced and action-packed. It’s all a bit messed up, those games this family like to play. There are only a few minor surprises, in the sense of finding about things about certain characters. But none of them mind-blowing or groundbreaking.
 
I really liked the concept of the story and loved that final part of the story. If it wasn’t for this, the book would have been just okay. It’s a solid, enjoyable thriller.  
 
Rating: 3,5/ 5