Up-and-coming novelist Harriet Reed is ecstatic to be marrying Edward Holbeck. Although he's been estranged from the Holbeck family for years, Edward's engagement sparks the family to want to draw him back in, especially since he's the heir to the family fortune. What seems like a lovely family reunion turns dark when Harriet is given a tape confessing to a murder. Now the game is afoot, and Harriet isn't sure what part she is expected to play.

It took me an entire week to read The Family Game, and not because of its length; I disliked it that much. Although Steadman's thriller has plenty of action, the story just rubbed me all the wrong ways. For starters, Harriett has this weird fascination with her father-in-law that's downright creepy. Even worse the glaring plot holes and illogical motivations had me wanting to chuck the novel across the room.