A review by jess_another_book_nook
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Unfortunately, this one was a huge let down for me. I expect a thriller or suspense novel to be page turning on the edge of my seat needing to know what happens next. This wasn’t that. The plot was extremely slow and it took us over 200 pages to get to the point and anything resembling thrilling or suspenseful. 

 

I don’t want to give away any spoilers for those who want to read it, so can’t go into too much detail, but there also seemed to be major plot holes. If you’re an author, the main character, who writes thrillers for a living and receive a mysterious confession, then why would you take weeks to actually listen to it? Honestly, she should have been given a different profession because that would have made more sense to me with how little she catches on to things. Personally, I also found Harry to be an unlikable character. 

 

Overall, I’m not sure if I expected more from this because of all the hype around it of if I just have high expectations with authors like Riley Sager and Ruth Ware in the same genre field. I didn’t understand why any of the characters did what they did and couldn’t understand a motive of any kind with this one. Interested to hear the thoughts of those who enjoyed it.