Editorial Content for The Game She Plays
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Nicola Harris, an American, meets a wealthy Englishman named James Shuttleworth on a flight to London. He is on his way home, and she has planned a solo two-week vacation --- one week in London, and the other in Rome. But the attraction to James is so strong that she gets sidetracked and ends up going with him to his London apartment, thus beginning a whirlwind romance.
"With its fast-paced writing and intriguing storyline, this is a tough book to put down.... [T]he conclusion is surprising, with only subtle hints during the telling of the tale to indicate such an ending."
One of the first things they do together is spend a weekend at an estate owned by James’ friends. They aren’t the only guests, though. Juliet, a former girlfriend of James, shows up unexpectedly, which makes Nicola uncomfortable. They have all gathered for pheasant shooting. Unfortunately, one of the people helping out at the party is shot in the shoulder. At first, Juliet takes responsibility, insisting it was an accident because it had been so long since she had last fired a shotgun. However, she later changes her story and accuses someone else of the shooting, claiming that she was initially covering for that individual.
This is just one of the many little things that Juliet does that reinforces Nicola’s doubts, with many more incidents and conversations further convincing her that Juliet is not to be trusted. When her relationship with James turns serious, Nicola feels even more threatened by Juliet. But when she confesses her fears and misgivings to James, he dismisses them, creating a rift between the two that colors her perceptions even more.
Siena Sterling’s THE GAME SHE PLAYS is divided into three parts and is masterfully told from the points of view of Nicola, a woman named Trez, and an outside narrator. These multiple perspectives allow readers a glimpse into each of their minds, showing how the actions of just one person can have an impact on so many others. With its fast-paced writing and intriguing storyline, this is a tough book to put down.
Although some of the events here are fairly predictable, the conclusion is surprising, with only subtle hints during the telling of the tale to indicate such an ending.
Teaser
To everyone else it was “just” a weekend house party. But for American Nicola Harris, swept off her feet by aristocratic Englishman James Shuttleworth, the weekend is her first chance to penetrate his close-knit circle of posh friends. She is eager to fit in, but she can’t seem to navigate this insular world. Just as she begins to feel welcome, Juliet arrives. Mysterious, stunning, charismatic Juliet is also James’ first love. Although it seems she can do no wrong, outsider Nicola senses something poisonous in her presence, something that sparks insecurity, jealousy, betrayal and violence. Because Juliet is a champion game player, able to lure you into her circle by finding your most vulnerable spot. And when the game she plays turns deadly, everyone is a suspect.
Promo
To everyone else it was “just” a weekend house party. But for American Nicola Harris, swept off her feet by aristocratic Englishman James Shuttleworth, the weekend is her first chance to penetrate his close-knit circle of posh friends. She is eager to fit in, but she can’t seem to navigate this insular world. Just as she begins to feel welcome, Juliet arrives. Mysterious, stunning, charismatic Juliet is also James’ first love. Although it seems she can do no wrong, outsider Nicola senses something poisonous in her presence, something that sparks insecurity, jealousy, betrayal and violence. Because Juliet is a champion game player, able to lure you into her circle by finding your most vulnerable spot. And when the game she plays turns deadly, everyone is a suspect.
About the Book
From the author of TELL US NO SECRETS comes a twisty new novel. A young American woman is thrust into the closed social circle of English aristocrats, but beneath their charm and glamor lay secrets and dark betrayals that follow them --- and her --- around every corner. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Shari Lapena, Ruth Ware and Gilly Macmillan.
To everyone else it was “just” a weekend house party --- complete with a pheasant shoot, inside jokes and after-dinner games. But for American Nicola Harris, swept off her feet by aristocratic Englishman James Shuttleworth, the weekend is her first chance to penetrate his close-knit circle of posh friends --- people with names like Badger and Trez, people who will soon have the titles of Earl and Countess. Nicola is eager to fit in, but she can’t seem to navigate this insular world, where everyone speaks a private language and secrets are hinted at behind the jolly jokes and witty barbs.
Just as Nicola begins to feel welcome, Juliet arrives. Mysterious, stunning, charismatic Juliet is also James’ first love --- the one who left him heartbroken 10 years before. Juliet holds the men in thrall and the women under her spell. And although it seems she can do no wrong, outsider Nicola senses something poisonous in her presence, something that sparks insecurity, jealousy, betrayal and violence. Because Juliet is a champion game player, able to lure you into her circle by finding your most vulnerable spot. And when the game she plays turns deadly, everyone is a suspect.
Audiobook available, read by Caitlin Kelly
