A pretty unique concept to put a London actress into Hollywood and have her immediately mixed up in a case of mistaken identity and the mysterious disappearance of a lookalike. But some of the concepts were too far-fetched. Mia seemed too savvy to have engrossed herself so deeply into Emily’s disappearance, to the point of jeopardizing her work prospects and even her life.

Mia Eliot has just hit it big as an actress in her native London, which leads to her agent sending her to L.A. for pilot season. But when Mia does a favor for another aspiring actress, Emily, and then Emily disappears, Mia is unable to stop herself from trying to help her fellow actress and solve the mystery-especially when Emily supposedly reappears but is not the person Mia remembers meeting.

This was definitely a very suspenseful and at times scary read. Steadman knows how to build up tension and does that expertly here. Just like Mia, readers don't know who to trust, or even if Emily is completely fine somewhere and Mia is just reading too much into everything. Setting the story during L.A.'s pilot season also ups the dramatics as well. Technology is also well-used here, as characters' cell phones and laptops become crucial to unraveling the plot.

Reading this, I had this whole complex conspiracy theory in my head about what was going on and how it would play out. While I was completely wrong (and thus a little disappointed), the ending did still work for me and wrap everything up well.

Steadman is a steady writer who always seems to produce a well thought out suspenseful thriller, and this is no exception.

There were a couple things about this book I really enjoyed. I really like Mia right at the start. I enjoyed the premise of the story, it felt fresh and new. I also enjoyed the setting and reading about a movie stars life. There were also a few things about the book that I did not like, the first one being the pacing. The book dragged in a few places and I ended up skim reading large sections. I also didn't love the ending. It, along with a few other points in the book, felt unrealistic for the character. Overall it was a pretty good psychological thriller but not my favorite.

I’ll give this mystery 3 1/2 stars, but round up to 4. The Disappearing Act was an entertaining read for me. I didn’t feel the story was tense and right enough to be a thriller, but it kept me engaged throughout. I did skim a bit of detail in places, so I suppose it did drag a bit for me. I really needed to suspend belief with the main protagonist acting as arm chair detective. While I was entertained, there was a bit too much detail and or repetition in some places, and not enough detail or expansion in other places. Worth a read if you’re looking for an entertaining mystery.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them for the advanced copy.

A fun and twisty read that will keep you entertained.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55421402

An amazing read that I devoured and could not put down! I was so excited to be gifted this ARC from the publisher-thank you!

This is the perfect psychological thriller that had plenty of twists, which left me on the edge of my seat, This book sucked me in, and I did not want to put it down. I was so intrigued by the plot, and Mia’s character, as well as the LA setting. I really enjoyed The main character-Mia, the author did an amazing job with the character development throughout the book. It was so well written, it had my attention until the very end, not a moment where I wanted to stop reading! I was totally immersed in this book, the setting, the plot of twists and turns, and the characters. I needed to know The Who, what, when, where, and why—and the author kept me on my toes throughout and kept me guessing- not knowing who to trust.

All the hype-and then the ending came, and I was somewhat unsatisfied. It seemed somewhat far fetched and unbelievable at times. I absolutely love the authors writing style and I did enjoy this book, just not so much the ending.

Are you looking for the perfect thriller? Well look no further….Catherine Steadman’s The Disappearing Act was ON POINT! I was addicted to this book from first chapter and my attention to every detail stayed until the very last page. Catherine gave this book amazing twist and turns that had me guessing until all the secrets were unraveled.
I really enjoyed this clever and suspenseful novel by Catherine Steadman and I look forward to read more from Catherine!

Despite my lower rating, this was the perfect book to kick off my vacation! I flew through THE DISAPPEARING ACT — I couldn’t put it down until I knew what happened to Emily. The Hollywood setting/scene was intriguing but there were times when I wanted the plot to go deeper, the characters to have more dimensions, and overall just more to the ending — I LOVED Something in the Water and Mr. Nobody so I went in hoping for something similar. This didn’t quite live up to those two, but still was entertaining and thrilling!

Thanks Netgalley & publishers for this ebook in exchange for an honest review

Mia is a bright British star that has recently had her heart broken. She decides she needs to go to America to catch her big break in Hollywood, to elevate her career and to get her mind off of her personal turmoil.

While in LA, she meets Emily at a casting call. Emily asks Mia to do her a favor, but then disappears without a trace. Mia knows something terrible has happened to Emily and she soon finds herself in an increasingly dangerous situation….
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I feel like this author is hit or miss for most people, with lots of mixed reviews. I really enjoyed Something In The Water, but couldn’t get into Mr Nobody.

This book definitely captures the realistic aspect of aspiring stars in Hollywood. The ending got a bit cheesy, but overall, I enjoyed it and it kept me entertained.

I know it's said far too often, but I did not want this book to end! Steadman combines her writing artistry with first-hand knowledge of the movie industry to create a really ominous novel about what happens when ambition causes people to act in unspeakable ways.

[Spoiler alert] - I loved the way the author created doppelganger after doppelganger as Mia, fresh from England and a breakup that she's trying to escape, gets pulled into the mystery of Emily, who seemingly disappeared just after they met at an audition. It was interesting to see Mia's (or should I say Catherine's) take on Americans and their view of the British, showing us a charming self awareness. I loved how Mia eventually unraveled the clues to finding out what happened to Emily. And I am very much hoping there is another book (sequel?) in the works!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance reader's copy for review.

Catherine Steadman's new book "The Disappearing Act," was on my radar. "Something in the water" is one of my favorite suspense thrillers. I suggested it for my book club read and it was a hit. Ms. Steadman's writing and ability to create twists and turns, and characters that pull you into the plot is just excellent. I was disappointed and surprised that "Disappearing Act" was on such a different level, not measuring up to her previous work. The characters were flat and made choices that were hard to believe. The plot unfolded slowly with too much repetitious self-dialoge, implausible situations and little depth. I will continue to read this author because I believe she is a gifted and creative writer. I thank NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not stellar. I couldn't understand Mia's obsession with Emily. I found myself not wanting to read it, and I ended up skimming the last third of the book just to figure out what happened.

I will not be recommending.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Great book! Kept me wondering what the heck was happening the whole time! This was a first time author for me but I will definitely read more by this author. The characters were well developed and there was a lot to the story! It definitely was not neatly tied up. Loved the twists and turns. Brilliant!

Are you ready for a thriller and psychological suspense novel full of twists and turns? The Disappearing Act, written by Catherine Steadman, combines Hollywood and missing persons in this new novel.

Mia Eliot is a star in her own right – successfully landing drama roles in her home country. But now? She has her eyes set on Hollywood, and she's ready to take the world by storm. Or so she thinks. Yet when she sees the darkness that Hollywood has to offer, she's suddenly rethinking her plans.

She's finally heading to Los Angeles, just in time for the busiest event of the year: pilot season. Now is when all casting calls are happening, and Mia is hoping to make it big. Only, she's about to witness something that will change her outlook on this industry forever.

“The next few months are going to hurt, but I’m going to be okay. I will not play the role he’s cast me in. I will write my own story.”

The Disappearing Act is a novel perfect for anybody that loves darker Hollywood tales. This one isn't afraid to show the more insidious side of the entertainment industry, complete with missing persons and deception.

This is a novel that has a blend of good and bad, in equal measures. It was a fun read, and overall I really loved Catherine Steadman's writing style. However, aspects of the plot felt over the top to me. Sort of like they asked too much for me to find them believable.

However, I did actually quite like the characters portrayed. Or at least I really liked Mia, and I mostly liked the secondary characters we got to know. It was an exciting story with a whole lot of potential.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I usually don’t read books that are written by famous actresses/actors. I have read a few books that have soured me on even picking books up by them. The books I have read were awful, and I felt that they were published because of the name associated with them and not because the book was good. So, I was surprised when I saw that Catherine Steadman had starred in two of my favorite British dramas: Downton Abbey and The Tudors. And that made me very apprehensive about reading The Disappearing Act.

I was surprised when I started reading The Disappearing Act, and I was enjoying it. It hit everything I like in a mystery/thriller/suspense novel. I won’t go as far as to say that Ms. Steadman changed my mind about reading books written by famous actresses/actors, but it has made me more open to trying them.

The Disappearing Act occurs mainly in L.A., briefly being set in London at the beginning and end of the book. I felt that the author captured the frantic pace and the darkness under the glittery facade perfectly.

The Disappearing Act is a medium-paced book for the first half of the book. The author spends a lot of time building up Mia’s backstory and her first week or so in L.A. It might get tedious, but it is well worth the wait. The second half of the book zips right along.

I liked Mia but felt she was very naive for someone in her profession. She was almost too nice at various points in the book. I mean, she kept a stranger’s keys and fed a meter for nearly two days. She was also too trusting. There were parts in the book where I just wanted to shake her and tell her to stay away from so and so. But I couldn’t, and I had to watch her get more and more involved in this mystery.

Speaking of mystery, the author did a great job of keeping what was going on under wraps until the end of the book. I was shocked when specific facts came out. And I was even more shocked with how the book ended. It was not what I expected at all.

There is a small romance introduced as the book’s plot started to take off. Again, I wasn’t sure where it was going, and I was surprised when it was mentioned at the end of the book.

The end of The Disappearing Act was interesting. I say interesting because it wasn’t how I expected the book to end. I thought that it was going to end like your typical mystery/thriller. I wasn’t upset by it, but it did confuse me.

I enjoyed reading The Disappearing Act. It took some time to get the plot going, but it was terrific once it did.

I would recommend The Disappearing Act to anyone over the age of 21. There is violence and mild language.

MINIREVIEW MONDAY
[thank you @netgalley & @randomhouse for the eARC in exchange for my review]
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The Disappearing Act•Catherine Steadman
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This book was… disappointing. While the premise was interesting, the thriller elements were a let down for me. The main character makes the most ridiculous decisions and goes about Hollywood life and dating in the middle of trying to solve a disappearance and being followed. While the Hollywood elements were well written, the actual mystery was not as twisty or exciting as it was set up to be. I was very interested but it took too long to get going and their were too many strange things going on for me.

I love that an British actress wrote this novel that follows a British actress to LA to begin to make a name for herself, and ends up getting wrapped up in a mystery with the #MeToo movement at the heart of it, but the book in general didn't make much of an impression. It is pegged as a thriller, and for much of it I had NO idea what was going on, but unfortunately I felt like I didn't know what was going on because I was confused and couldn't keep characters straight! Not sure if this was because of the writing that bogged the story down, or perhaps too ambitious of a plot. I loved the peek into Hollywood, especially from an author who knows the business, however it just wasn't my cup of tea.

This book had me riveted, not knowing what the next step would be, would read more of Catherine's books!

This book seems to follow a very familiar formula. The female lead is traumatized/drugged/depressed and witnesses something odd. Rather than shrugging it off and going on with her life, she obsesses over it, tells everyone she knows what she might or might not have seen, earns the distain of the police, puts herself in danger, and generally behaves in a strange and unbelievable fashion. Mia is an actress from London who is sent by her agent to Hollywood to do some auditions. While waiting to go in at an audition, she exchanges a few sentences with Emily, another actress hoping to land a part. Emily leaves her keys and purse with Mia, and never returns for them. Mia then becomes obsessed, and I mean, OBSESSED, with finding Emily. I couldn't believe that Mia, who is supposed to be working to advance her career, suddenly decides to try to track down this apparently missing woman she met for 5 minutes. Then Mia continually puts herself into dangerous situations in her quest to find Emily. I realize there had to be a conflict and a mystery, but Mia's actions were difficult to understand so it was hard to finish the story. Still, if you can suspend disbelief and go with it, the story is enjoyable enough.

I loved this book! It was juicy and exciting and interesting. It took place in Los Angeles and I thought it captured the acting subculture well. It included some historical LA tidbits as well. The main character was annoying to me at first, but then I got caught up in the story. The pacing was good and it kept me guessing. I also liked the ending. This is the second book I have read by this author and I can't wait to read more!!