Quite the page-turner. It reminded me of Lynch's Mullholland Drive and the tv show The Arrangement. Both for the "something's not quite right with this dreamy place" feels and also the feeling of falling down a seemingly bottomless pit of crazy.

It didn't take long for events to take an eerie turn upon Mia's arrival in LA for pilot season. I enjoyed reading about pilot season as a sole end user of entertainment and having only ever heard the term but clearly not having any idea of what is involved in that whirlwind. It was at times invigorating, dangerous and also absurd and it was easy to see how people could get pulled into the whirlpool of it all and in the case of this story, pulled under entirely. Rare was the moment I could see myself making the same decisions Mia chose to and sometimes I was a bit incredulous that she was 28, her naivete was somewhat unreal. But I still wanted her to figure things out and be safe. I was rooting for Mia to make it out on the other side (I was yelling at the book, "Girl, just get your passport & book a flight! Get out of there now! Don't call that woman back! Just leave it!").

As for other characters, I cared a lot about Emily and given the truth of what happens, I liked that Steadman made me feel so much for her and her fate. George, the oft-referenced ex-boyfriend didn't connect for me and I was a bit annoyed that he was talked about so much. I realized that the breakup was abrupt and difficult for Mia but George loomed far too large for a guy who isn't really present and also isn't described in such a way that he seems like a loss. Mia felt it but I didn't. Nick was fine and served his purpose well. For where the story ends, I'd have appreciated seeing a bit more about that journey but no complaints there. Marla, was quite a character and that's all I can say. The remainder were well done for their parts but I don't want to give away anything.

Finally, I very much enjoyed Steadman's descriptions of LA and its environs. As I read I imagined everything bathed in golden, peach and pink hues by day and the glow of the city by night with slashes of purple. The glass tower Mia stayed in was both sleek and creepy and not just because it was occupied by only twenty-odd residents (the remaining hundreds of units were held by off-shore people using them as investments & addresses) and built atop a fault line. Just a lot of well-done evocation of tone and feeling.

In words I'll keep in mind for crosswords and puzzles this book gave me "air-con-chilled". It showed up twice in this book and I looked it up but didn't find a definition or any other word use so I can only assume this is the cool feeling from air conditioning. It was used to describe the coolness of skin and diamonds.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

To be honest, I did not like Catherine Steadman's last book, Something in the Water. It quickly lost my interest and was hard to believe.

This book was surprisingly different. Maybe due to the author's experience as an actress, this Hollywood-based thriller was one I could not put down until I knew what happened to Emily (the disappearing actress the book is centered around). The book is a wild ride of craziness, which I enjoyed, even if there were a few times I questioned how/why certain things occurred.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

**Thank you Netgalley, Catherine Steadman, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced review copy of this book**

Catherine Steadman does it again...writing yet another gripping psychological thriller.

Mia is an up and coming actress from London who is visiting L.A. for screen testing and auditions. Her long time boyfriend just left her for a younger woman and Mia is looking to prove herself. When she meets a woman who looks like her at an audition, she never thinks she will become intwined in this woman's life for good. By simply doing a small act of kindness, Mia gets wrapped into a plot that is full of lies, murder, and more. While she is memorizing lines and going on dates with a HUGE producer in the industry, she is trying to unravel the mystery of Emily Bryant.

I won't lie...Mia isn't very smart. She gets involved in things that she could just let go. But if she did what made the most sense, there wouldn't be a story. We all do dumb things, so I forgive Mia for it. The plot was just "twisty" enough and while the romance wasn't necessarily needed, it was a nice touch that gave Mia something to hold on to during her time in L.A.

******SPOILERS AHEAD******
Steadman's books tend to follow a pattern, but that's ok because I enjoy the unique twists and turns she incorporates into each book. Mia deserved a happy ending and so did Marla. I'm glad they were both able to get what they deserved. I wish I knew more about Marla and her upbringing, but I realize that is implausible as part of the plot of the story.

Can't wait for her next book!

I am such a huge fan of Catherin Steadman and absolutely loved this book! We follow British actress Mia on her journey to Los Angeles after a breakup. Mia is in LA to hopefully get the lead role in a new big movie as well as some other auditions. At one of her auditions during pilot season, Mia helps out a fellow actress with a favor. Left with her wallet and keys, Mia learns that the actress has seemingly disappeared! Mia wants to help, but feels like a fish out of water in LA in general, and doesn't know how involved she wants to get. This book is filled with so many secrets, twists, turns, mistaken identity, stalker, romance, and thrills! What more could you want! I would definitely recommend this book!!!! Thank you, NetGalley!!

It's Hollywood, it's fairly dishy, it's a day (or week) in the life of an atypical life, but, more than that, it's a mystery in which the heroine (for she is no main character, friends, she is a Heroine) behaves in a way you can actually relate to - a rare gem.

This was a well-written mystery set in the dark side of Hollywood. It was interesting, for what I learned about Hollywood and the process of casting, and the difference between the British and American movie worlds. British movie star, Mia Eliot is a rising star and now she is headed to Hollywood for pilot season. Every year, actors from around the world descend on Hollywood hoping to be cast on new shows. On one of these auditions, Mia meets Emily, and then Emily disappears and Mia is the last person to see her, left with her possessions.

I found that the whodunit, missing girl aspect was a little thin—Mia was vulnerable after a breakup and a fish out of water in Hollywood, which is supposed to explain why she got so involved in this crazy caper, but it didn’t ring true for me. All the characters, other than Mia, were shallowly drawn, and the author’s real contempt for Hollywood the industry shone through. Not my cup of tea, but a suspenseful read.

This was somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars for me and I ultimately rounded up as I did like the ending, though some things seemed a bit farfetched. There were a few times too where it got a bit confusing and having to remember who this person really is, what their angle is, etc. I think having Mia be from London was a smart move as it made her more of an innocent target vs. someone who was used to the game in LA and wasn't as caring/trusting.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Mia Eliot who is from Britain decides to go to Hollywood. While their she meets Emily. She learns that Emily has gone missing. With more questions then answers. Mia does not know who to trust.

Catherine Steadman is an accomplished actress (memorably played Mabel Lane Fox in Downton Abbey) and author. I loved 2018’s Something In The Water, but 2020’s Mr. Nobody didn’t do it for me, so I was curious about the latest from this talented woman, and was happy to receive a copy of The Disappearing Act from Ballantine Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The story is set in LA, which Steadman describes perfectly: “…how beautiful LA is from a distance, like a fading ingenue with just the right lighting once the harsh light of day has passed...” It’s the time of year known as “pilot season,” when actors from around the world gather to try to snag a role in one of the new TV shows being made. Mia Eliot, a British actress, has recently been a huge success in the Jane Austen “costume drama” in the UK, but when her fiance dumps her, she she leaves town and jumps into the scramble of auditions.

Mia doesn’t fit the stereotype of the grasping, ruthless actress on the make, which is part of her charm. At an audition, she meets Emily, who asks a favor, then disappears. The next day, a woman who sort of looks like Emily shows up, claiming to actually BE Emily, Mia starts to freak out. The police don’t quite believe her, and as things go on, Mia starts to question her own sanity. She investigates the whole Emily situation, doing some risky things to try to solve the puzzle: “…wants to meet me at eleven thirty tonight…” OMG, that is right up there with “DON’T GO INTO THE BASEMENT!!!”

The plot is strong, pacing is good, and the characters are interesting. Steadman captures LA beautifully (“Fever-dream architectural structure structures made a reality with old hard cash and pure bloody-mindedness”) and it’s a fun read. I’m willing to say maybe Mr. Nobody was just a hiccup or possibly it was just me. In any case, I’ll gladly read Ms. Steadman’s next book. Four stars.

This was a fun, quick read. There were many times I thought, "Why didn't she (the main character, Mia) go to the police?"
Well, there wouldn't be a story if she did.
I thought the premise was interesting and unnerving if I put myself in the MC's position. There were times where I predicted something was going to happen but it didn't necessarily ruin the story for me. I think the only thing I would said negatively is that there was too much repetitive internal monologue. It bogged the fast moving bits some at times.

#TheDisappearingAct #NetGalley

3.5 heart pounding, action packed, quick pacing, one sit, mysterious, intriguing Hollywood drama with #metoo movement vibes!

It’s quite shocking, blood freezing, intense story about how far actors could go to climb at the career ladders, how vicious, bloodthirsty they can be to take their share from the illusionary La La land experience!

The book is dragging you into action packed, mind numbing mystery with its fast and riveting pace, making you question where the hell Emily go? You make speculations till the end and even though the revelations seem a little far fetched and too illogical, as a small pawn of this notorious industry I keep telling myself: well, why not! I’ve seen worse things people can do to reach their goals!

I think I have to talk more about the plot not to leave in the dark:
Mia Elliot is our successful British actress, who is about to be nominated at BAFTA for her leading actress performance at Jane Eyre. As soon as she learns the possible nomination from her agent, she also learns another heart wrenching truth: her six years long boyfriend George she’s living with is chosen to play as Holden Caulfield at the adaptation of Catcher in Rye and he is also having insta-worthy fling with 20 years old young actress who will share the leading roles with him! Bang!

As if all those things he’s done is not enough, he also sends a moving company to gather his belongings and dumbs her with four worded text! I know what you’re thinking : real sun of beach right? ( I changed some words as a precaution: just in case your kids want to read my review instead of glued their faces on YouTube videos :) )

Heartbroken Mia chants Gloria Gaynor’s I will survive and packs her bag to catch pilot season in LA! She attends the auditions back to back including her dream project Galatea.

She feels like a lamb in the jungle crowded by wolves, learning more about how the wheels of stinking industry works differently. The phony smiles, merciless rivalries, powerful manipulation games played by big boys who can be easily expendable in the long term! Yes, I liked the realistic approach of the author a lot!

Mia meets with Emily at one of the auditions who wants her help to feed her park meter. She gives her phone and wallet just in case. It can be so easy to get traffic ticket cost you around $90 when you forget to feed your park meter and get caught by those parking enforcement officers ( been there done that) so I got her reason completely. And Mia was already too confused because of sob ex who just ghosted her, wanting to show British politeness by offering her help. But when she gets back, she realizes Emily is nowhere to be seen. She tries to leave her belongings but the receptionist rejects to hold them.

Now she’s with the key of rental car and wallet of a stranger, still attending auditions, checking for phone to hear from her. Then she finally reaches to Emily who wants to stop by at her apartment to pick her belongings but this is the part what things get crazier. A woman stops by Emily’s apartment to pick Emily’s belongings, acting like her but she has no clue what Mia and Emily talked that day ( how can she? She’s another person! )

Mia lets her leave with Emily’s belongings. ( yeap, this is the second move which made me question the nativity level of Mia again) But later she calls the police and she starts conducting her own investigation, getting herself into serious danger but once she starts to dig, she cannot stop!

Big revelation has still far fetched and there are still ugly big holes, some unrealistic explanations about extra resources and abilities of culprit but I still liked the nerve bending ending.

It was griping, exciting one sit reading with realistic, well researched approach to the city of Lucifer. The mystery parts are a little exaggerated and the heroine was so clueless at some parts of the story but I’m still rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 surprising, captivating, whirlwind stars! At least I enjoyed this one more than Mr. Nobody!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

Well that was a heck of a ride. At first, this book sounded familiar and I totally thought I called the ending. This was a nice read and the ending caught me by surprise. I really enjoyed it! Thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 rounded up
This is the tale of an English actress just after her successful film role of Jane Eyre .She has also been left and ghosted by her live in boyfriend,also an actor after he gains a leading role (in An adult version of Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, of all things). He is having an Instagram-worthy fling with his new co-star, It being February and all she leaves cold and gray London for Los Angeles during pilot season (this is all apparently pre-pandemic or in the megaverse where there was no pandemic.)
In LA some SoCal banality(traffic and the weather) and audition scenes ensue. These scenes were served up very deliciously.
At one of these auditions. Our protagonist Mia does a favor for another actress which leads her into the events which unfold in the rest of the novel.
The explanation of the appearances and disappearances of various characters turned out to be rather far fetched as did some security lapses on Mia’s part. These prevented me giving it a higher rating.
I enjoyed the looks backstage and found the book overall very enjoyable.
I have read this author’s prior two novels and enjoyed them as well and hope to read any future books.
Mia does have a realization that it is perhaps advisable to diversify into a creative role where one is more in the driver’s seat than acting. It seems the author may also have taken this advice.
This eARC was provided to me by NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

*special thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars
Didn’t want to put this one down!
If the synopsis says “Hollywood”, I’m sold.
I haven’t read many Hollywood books that are mystery thrillers.
This one definitely caught my attention right away, and I was able to read it very quickly.

The author is an actor, so she really did a great job of creating the characters to be very realistic.
I also could not guess where the book was headed, which is always fun!

I did want to shake Mia often. She was way too naive for her own good, so it was frustrating to read her at times.
It was also a bit slow at times, and the ending was dragged out.

Overall, a fun and quick read!

Great suspenseful thriller that’s the perfect read for any avid mystery fan. I absolutely love the main character in this book. I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Disappearing Act is an unputdownable thriller full of twists and turns. The main character Mia moves to California to pursue her acting dream, which also always been one of my dreams. She's auditioning for a role when a girl named Emily asks her to watch her wallet and keys, and then she disappears. What happened to Emily? This is the question that Mia tries to answer as she juggles new auditions, new love interests, and living in a new place. I wanted to find out what happened to Emily also, and I could not put this book, so I finished this book in a day. The plot has plenty of twists and turns. I recommend that you don't read the summary of the book so that one of them isn't spoiled for you. The mystery of what happened to Emily is intriguing, and I found myself constantly thinking of new explanations for why and how she disappeared. At the end of the book, everything is revealed. Although I wasn't entirely satisfied with the reveal, the journey getting there was enjoyable. I recommend The Disappearing Act for all fans of the thriller genre, particularly if, like me, you've always wanted to move to sunny California and become an actor.

I really enjoyed this glimpse into L.A./Hollywood, and the mystery was compelling. I liked this one a lot better than Steadman's first two books.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

British actress Mia Eliot has arives in sunny Los Angeles to put a humiliating breakup behind her and audition for a major role in a movie. Her agent lined up other readings for Mia as nothing is promised when auditioning.

During an audition to read for a television show Mia meets Emily Bryant, an aspiring actress whom she feels an immediate connection. As they chat during a break, Emily's script reading comes up next and she realizes her meter will run out for her rental car. She offers to let Mia go ahead of her. Mia doesn't want to go ahead as she's still preparing. Unbelievably, Emily gives Mia her wallet and car keys so she can feed to parking meter. Who does that? Here is where the mystery and disappearance play in.

With the sudden disappearance of Emily intruding on Mia's thoughts she knows she must banish them while auditioning for this role of a lifetime. The setting of the movie is years before cell phones and war so she closes her eyes and forces herself back to Edwardian England, Covent Garden and immerses herself in the part. I like the descriptions of the auditions.

Once Mia calls the police and reports Emily missing I would think that would be the end of it. In real life it probably would be but in this story Mia goes the extra mile to find out what happened to Emily. Creepy things happen after this point such as items missing or moved in her apartment. There is a sinister element to this amateur investigation and things start to fall into place at the 80% mark. The ending has a chilling scene as well.

If you are interested in more by Ms. Steadman check out Mr. Nobody on a previous post. In addition to authoring several novels she is also a successful actress appearing in The Tudors, Downton Abbey and Mansfield Park to name a few.

Much thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. Publication date is June 8, 2021 by Random House Publishing - Ballentine. Genre is Mystery, thriller, general fiction. Opinions and thoughts regarding this book are all mine; I was not compensated for this review.

I will be starting Something in the Water next. That's the only other Catherine Steadman novel I have not read

Rising British actress Mia has been sent to Hollywood during it's annual Pilot Month, when studios and production companies audition actors for major projects. A BAFTA nominee, Mia is focused on building her career, while trying to recover from a recent break-up. Feeling alone and a bit unsettled by the fast-paced and cut-throat world of the LA film industry, she's happy to meet Emily, a friendly, down to earth young actress at an audition. When Emily goes in to read for a producer, Mia offers to feed her overdue parking meter. Emily hands over her wallet and car keys, and Mia does her good deed. She returns to discover that Emily has never emerged from the audition room. In fact, no one besides Mia even remembers her.

Since dark-side-of-Hollywood novels are my catnip, I was immediately drawn into the book's behind the scenes look at the film industry. The mystery plot was well done, sufficiently creepy and the novel's excellent pacing kept me turning pages. While there were a few times I shook my head at Mia's foolhardy actions, I appreciated that the character questioned herself about why she'd done this or that. But loneliness in the wake of her romantic break-up, and a sense of identification with a British starlet who leapt to her death from the Hollywood sign in the `1930s, keep Mia searching for Emily, understanding how easy it would be to disappear in this alluring world, with no one noticing at all.

At first I just loved the story of Mia, and how she was handling life with its twists and turns. I was wondering where the mystery was going and if it would be able to unfold seamlessly. As I continued reading, I thought I saw how it would take a turn, but then Catherine Steadman turned it in another direction. I loved how I was not able to fully guess what would happen. I kept thinking a certain person was involved, but I was wrong!