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“The Holbecks are what you might come up with if you took the Roys from Succession and blended them with the Murdochs, the Macbeths, and the Borgias. . . . Let the fun begin!”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)
THE RULES
1. Listen carefully
2. Do your research
3. Trust no one
4. Run for your life
It’s the holiday season and Harriet Reed, a novelist on the brink of literary stardom, is newly engaged to Edward Holbeck, the heir of an extremely powerful family. And even though Edward has long tried to sever ties with them, news of the couple’s upcoming marital bliss has the Holbecks inching back into their lives with one invite after another.
As Harriet is drawn into their lavish world, the family seems perfectly welcoming . . . even if some of their traditions, like a “Christmas demon” called Krampus, seem creepy at best. So when Edward’s father, Robert, hands Harriet 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 just a novel. It’s a confession.
A confession to a grisly crime. A murder. And, suddenly, the game is in motion.
Feeling isolated and confused, Harriet must work out if this is part of a plan to test her loyalty or something far darker. What is it that Robert sees in her? Why give her the power to destroy everything?
This might be a game to the Holbeck family—but losing could still prove deadly.
READY OR NOT, HERE THEY COME . . .
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
October 18, 2022 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593292877
- File size: 312610 KB
- Duration: 10:51:16
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 26, 2022
In this addictive novel of suspense from Thriller Award finalist Steadman (The Disappearing Act), there seems but a single hurdle standing between brainy, beautiful, bestselling thriller writer Harriet “Harry” Reed and that storybook future with the man of her dreams, dashing tech entrepreneur Edward Holbeck: his famously eccentric estranged family. Just how eccentric is something the newly engaged recent British transplant starts to glimpse following Thanksgiving dinner at the clan’s Manhattan mansion when, after swearing her to secrecy, charismatic paterfamilias Robert gives her a mysterious cassette on which he hints will be his thriller-in-progress. When Harry finally starts listening, it sounds less like a novel than a criminal confession; in addition, Robert details her own darkest secret. As the intrepid Harry attempts to covertly investigate how much of the tape might be true, bizarre Holbeck holiday celebrations—more Hunger Games than ho, ho, ho—put her in escalating peril. The bloodcurdling, cinematic climax plays out by moonlight Christmas Eve on the family’s snow-shrouded Upstate New York estate. Never mind the credibility straining twists. This pitch-dark fairy tale will leave most readers spellbound. Agent: Camilla Bolton, Darley Anderson Literary (U.K.). -
March 1, 2023
Struggling novelist Harriet Reed is engaged to be married to Edward Holbeck, who comes from an intensely rich and powerful family. Edward has spent years trying to distance himself from his family, but with the impending marriage, and a surprise pregnancy, Edward and Harriet are swept back up into the lavish world of wealth. Harriet is initiated into the family's odd--and dangerous--holiday traditions, soon finding herself playing for her life in a murderous game. Steadman (The Disappearing Act) narrates her own Christmas thriller with a taut, tension-filled voice. Listeners will be on the edge of their seats as Harriet navigates a family she might not survive while protecting the secrets of her past. Secrets, lies, murders, and even humor all mix perfectly to create a tantalizing seasonal thriller. VERDICT While many thrillers introduce themes of marrying into families with deeply held secrets, Steadman's gripping tale will keep listeners guessing. Share with fans of Riley Sager, Ruth Ware, and Lucy Foley.--Elyssa Everling
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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