The Family Game by Catherine Steadman offers an intriguing plot with a mix of suspense and psychological elements. Positive reviews praise its gripping storyline and well-developed characters. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and certain plot twists predictable. Overall, it's a compelling read for thriller enthusiasts seeking a blend of family drama and mystery.

An ideal reader for Catherine Steadman's The Family Game enjoys psychological thrillers with complex family dynamics and intricate plotting. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Ruth Ware's The Turn of the Key will appreciate the suspense, twists, and dark secrets woven into Steadman's narrative.

In Catherine Steadman's thriller novel The Family Game, British author Harriet Reed navigates complex dynamics with her estranged fiancé Edward Holbeck's wealthy family after her bestselling novel's success and discovering her pregnancy. As Harriet integrates into the Holbeck family, she uncovers dark secrets, including a chilling tape-recording from Edward's father, Robert, leading to dangerous revelations that test her morals and endurance. This book contains depictions of abuse, psychological terror, and substance use disorder.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Dark / Unnerving

**Harriet Reed**  
A British thriller author living in New York City, she is determined to fit into her fiancé's mysterious and powerful family while hiding her own past.

**Edward Holbeck**  
Harriet's wealthy fiancé who seeks to live independently from his influential family, he is initially portrayed as kind and supportive of Harriet.

**Robert Holbeck**  
Edward's enigmatic father who is the head of the Holbeck family and is characterized by his mysterious charm and reputation as a shrewd businessman.

**Edward’s Brothers (Stuart and Oliver Holbeck)**  
Edward's younger brothers who are caught in the family dynamics of competition for power and wealth, they shoulder the responsibility of the family business in Edward's absence.

**Matilda Holbeck**  
Edward's sister who is sidelined by the family's controlling nature, with her personal life impacted by the family's influence.

**Fiona and Lila**  
Edward’s sisters-in-law, with Fiona being deeply committed to the Holbeck legacy and Lila maintaining a career outside the family’s domain.

**Eleanor Holbeck**  
Edward’s mother who, along with Matilda, embodies the classic grace and enduring commitment to the Holbeck legacy.

**Edward’s Murder Victims**  
Women who are emblematic of the abuse of power within the family’s dynamics, highlighting societal vulnerabilities and adding mystery to the plot.

Catherine Steadman

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Novel

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Prologue-Chapter 10

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Chapters 11-23

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Chapters 24-35

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Chapters 36-49

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