The Disappearing Act has all the boxes checked for a enjoyable and fast paced, if not expected, mystery -- pretty women, rich/powerful men, lots of twists and cover ups, and a happily ever after. This is a light and fun beach read that will appeal to a wide audience.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC.
Mia, an English actress in London, gets dumped unceremoniously and without explanation by her partner. When the chance to go Hollywood for auditions (it's pilot season!) comes up, she grabs it. Anything to take her mind off the breakup.
She meets Emily, an actress auditioning for the same part, and helps her out with a problem. When it looks like Emily has disappeared, Mia frantically tries to find her, without success.
I have to admit that Hollywood has no appeal for me and after reading this book, even less so. Even though I love movies and series (hello Netflix!) Hollywood has always struck me as a snake pit, but what would we do without it?!
Mia is an appealing character, although some of her decisions seemed questionable, but she is obviously a caring person, so kudos to her. It's one of these books that's hard to put down, with many twists and turns and an interesting look at Hollywood during pilot season. The jaw-dropping gift bags were obscene, lol... unbelievable!
Definitely recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

If I’m being honest, I read Something in the Water and it was a big predictable. It made me hesitate to request this for fear I wouldn’t like it. But, I refused to let another book influence my decision or not allow me to have an open mind with this one. I loved the premise, so I gave it a go. I’m glad I did! Every time I thought I knew what was coming, boy was I wrong (and I’m usually pretty good at guessing). This was very well crafted.

I really enjoyed Mia. Her story was pretty relatable. The idea of a man leaving you and wanting to get away for a bit? Yeah I felt that. The only issue for her was that LA was certainly not what it seemed. This took twists and turns and genuinely kept me guessing at every single one. I loved her need to help people, no matter who it was. She was a very likable main character and I enjoyed reading about her.

The storyline was well done and well researched. I enjoyed getting insider info on how auditions work and parties and the work that goes into productions. Hollywood was also a nice backdrop for a thriller. It’s a fun idea considering everyone was in the entertainment industry, making this a fun puzzle to try and crack. It was a great psych thriller! I couldn’t put it down. It was a bit lull-ish at times, but overall pretty great!
True rating: 4.5/5

The Disappearing Act was overall an excellent mystery thriller. I appreciated how complex the story was, and yet I was still able to work some of the clues out for myself, which I personally like. Even still, it was not predictable, as there were twists right up to the final page, which I also like. I read through it quickly and will definitely recommend it to others. The main character was interesting, although she did make some odd decisions that helped drive the plot along, which can be troublesome. My main critique would be that some elements of the #metoo movement were woven in, and the way they worked into the plot could be hurtful or damaging to those who are victims/survivors. There is a potential inference there that could fit into some of the worst narratives about folks who get through such events. I guess I wish the author had been a little more thoughtful about this, or someone else would have caught it in the editing process (perhaps with the assistance of a 'sensitivity reader').

As a fan of Something in the Water, I had high expectations for Catherine Steadman's third novel. Needless to say, my expectations were exceeded! The Disappearing Act is a refreshingly original take on a psychological thriller. In a genre filled with plotlines that leave you dissatisfied or with endings that you definitely saw coming, The Disappearing Act will not disappoint. Steadman's own background as an actress provides the reader with an inside look to pilot season as we follow British actress Mia in LA. After a chance encounter at an audition, Mia sets out to uncover if there is something dangerous going on with a fellow actress. Although the ending was satisfying, I did think it dragged on a little long. With that said, I read the entire second half of the book in one sitting! Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC and congrats to Catherine Steadman on another page turner!

I really struggled with this one. I loved the idea but I couldn't really get into it. I think I just don't like this authors writing, I've tried her other books and I know people love them so I keep trying but they feel flat to me. Its like they are written for children but are about murder and other "adult" themes.

4.5 rounded up. What a fun read! I was instantly taken with the story and I really enjoyed Mia as our lead; I feel so many thrillers love to show struggling, down on their luck actors so it was refreshing to see someone who actually was doing well. I found myself rooting for her, even as she lead her investigation and made some questionable choices. I also enjoyed that the ending was not rushed. I felt it led to a perfect concluding chapter and I felt satisfied with the twists that lead to the final words.

I loved Something in the Water, but found myself disappointed in Mr. Nobody, so I'm glad to see Steadman is back on my all-star list.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been a fan of Catherine Steadman since her writing debut, so The Disappearing Act was a book I couldn't wait to read.
Mia Eliot is a successful British actress on the heels of a breakup heading to LA for a change of scenery and to see what opportunities await her there.
She gets far more than she's bargained for.
A luxury apartment, an expensive rental car, the role of a lifetime. But after an encounter with a stranger at an interview gets Mia entangled with another actress she realizes she's really in over her head.
The story that unfolds is compelling and timely; with commentary on the boy's club that too many executives in the industry seem to be a part of, and the attacks on women that have been pushed under the rug for too long.

The book is a bit of a slow burn at times, but there are so many things going on I was never able to know who to suspect or what was going to happen. It was a very enjoyable read for those who want a glamorous and twisty thriller .
Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I so enjoyed this book. I loved Mia, she was a brilliantly written character. I loved the suspense, the mystery, the Hollywood setting, I just loved all of it. I read it in a day, couldn’t put it down to even sleep. It was exactly what I love about reading!

I highly recommend this book to lovers of psychological suspense, well written heroines and lack of sleep. This is a good one

The first novel I read written by Catherine Steadman was Something in the Water and I absolutely loved it. Perhaps I am still looking for that reader connection but, although I liked The Disappearing Act, I did not love it. The main problem for me was that I did not find the plot terribly believable. The main character, Mia, was sweet and likable but was so often portrayed as lacking in sense. There were too many instances where I thought “Who would act that way?” For that reason I am giving this book three stars. It was a quick enjoyable read and I will definitely read the next book by the author.

I don't know how but Catherine Steadman did it again. Somehow she makes each book better and better. This is her third book and I read this one the fastest of all her books, I could not put it down.

I was questioning everyone at different points and then questioning my questioning.

I enjoyed "seeing" L.A. through the eyes of her main character, Mia, who is a British actress in L.A. to audition for a movie that would be a role of a lifetime. She is thrown into drama almost right after arriving. She meets another actress Emily, at a pilot show audition, who leads her on a dark, twisted road of behind-the-scenes life.

The pieces of the story are weaved together slowly and you don't get answers until the author wants you to get them.

Highly recommended for all mystery and thriller lovers.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for an ARC of this book to review.

** spoiler alert ** Welcome to Hollywood! Author gives a glimpse to what happens behind the scenes of a set, the inner workings of LALALAND and an actor's life. Storyline is interesting and suspenseful. Makes readers wants to leaf thru the pages to see what will happen next.
Thank goodness the one character that I thought was the "mastermind" wasn't. I just did not like that no justice was given to the wrongdoings (you will see what I mean) hence the 4 stars.

Peace and Love to Random house and Net galley for this ARC!

Catherine Steadmans’s latest book, “The Disappearing Act” does not disappoint! I have read other works by her, including “Something in the Water” and this most current write exceeded my expectations. While the main character is from the U.K., which is my most favorite character profiles, Mia is whisked off to La La Land for the chance of a lifetime to audition for a role that could change her acting career forever. Little does she know that her life will be turned upside down once she arrives and the role starts to not feel within reach to her.

Steadman keeps a steady run of mystery and semi-creepiness that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout the book and kept me on my toes until the final reveal finally made it’s appearance. The characters that were developed throughout the book had a humanity that was easy to bond with and root for, while the comedy of the L.A. acting scene was a nice comedic relief when things get tough for Mia. I also enjoyed the bit of romance Steadman includes throughout the novel and it truly adds to the complexity of the storyline and creates a sense of mystery about this mystery man....is he involved? ,,,,are his intentions true? Only time will tell! This is a great weekend read that sucks you in and doesn’t want to be put down.

This was just simply amazing and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The words just captured me in a way that i was blown away. I cant wait to read mo and e from this author.

"Classic LA: everyone knows something weird is going on but we're all pretending we didn't see it happen."

Mia Eliot has become famous in England due to her role as Jane Eyre. Happy with her success in her own country, she's ready to move on to bigger and better things in The States. So after a bad breakup (and in an effort to escape her loneliness) Mia decides to try her luck in LA and potentially land the role of a lifetime.
But the longer she's in La LA Land, the more the glitz and glam of Hollywood fades away to reveal the gritty underworld that lies just below the surface. Mia will soon come face to face with what it truly means to succeed in Hollywood. The question is: Are the sacrifices worth it?

I love this book! I love everything about this book! From the moment Mia sets foot in Hollywood, there's an air of unease that descends. And when things get going, boy do they keep going! This was a crazy thrill ride that left me questioning and second guessing every character.
Also, I enjoyed the character of Mia. She has an awkwardness that's endearing and a determined spirit that left me rooting for her.

This is such a great book. I recommend it to anyone who's a fan of thrillers and/or has an interest in the darker side of Hollywood.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. This is the third book I've read by Catherine Steadman and I've enjoyed all three. I loved this one because it's about a world that people know about, but don't REALLY know about. Plot season in LA was such an interesting setting and this book was quite suspenseful. I read it in a day!

I also like that the main character, Mia, isn't weak or stupid. Thrillers often have dumb female characters and it drives me crazy! This book was interesting and suspenseful! Thanks for the ARC.

This was such a unique story line. As a reader, I almost always picture the book as a movie when I'm reading. Knowing the characters were actors was a really fun twist! I don't know if I would consider this a full blown thriller. More of a mystery/who dun it. It was really fast paced and kept my attention!

Disappearing Act’s premise is that of a newly B-listed English actress seeking out jobs in L.A. after a recent breakup. I found the backstory and behind the scenes view on auditioning actors in Los Angeles fascinating. Likewise, the onset of the conflict was equally engaging. When Mia Eliot’s newfound acquaintance goes missing, Steadman transitions the protagonist into a sleuth of sorts. I appreciated the way the main character naturally evolved. I did find some parts of the story implausible, and, similar to most page turners, I occasionally questioned the protagonist’s choices particularly towards the end. That said, Disappearing Act kept my attention throughout, and had me eagerly turning pages to find out how it all concluded.

I requested this novel after hearing so much praise for Catherine Steadman’s previous works. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review.

Mia Eliot is a British actress, famous in her home country for starring in an adaptation of Jane Eyre. She’s always wanted to make it in Hollywood. During pilot season, her agent fixes her up with a 3-week trip across the pond for some very promising auditions. At one of the auditions, she meets Emily, another out-of-towner actress, and they immediately bond. However, after Mia does an odd favor for Emily, Emily disappears.

Perplexed, Mia doesn’t quite know what to do...until Emily shows up at her rented condo the next night. The only thing is, this woman isn’t Emily. She’s only pretending to be her.

Something sinister is obviously going on, and Mia can’t help but get herself involved. She may not realize how dangerous the situation is until it’s too late.

DUN DUN DUN.

This one didn’t quite reach my expectations, but I still enjoyed it overall.

PROS:

-The writing is superb. Author Catherine Steadman, also an actress, does a great job fleshing out characters and locations. It was interesting to get a behind scenes look at Hollywood and the audition process.
-It’s a quick read that kept me mostly entertained throughout. I was never bored, and enjoyed every chance I got to pick it back up.
-I was surprised by the direction it went in. I thought I had it figured out, and it would’ve been horrible if it went in the direction I suspected, but it didn’t. PHEW!
-I really enjoyed Mia. She’s such a sweet character, and I couldn’t help but want her to succeed.

CONS:

-While I really liked Mia, she was also WAY too naive. It wasn’t realistic to me that someone would get themselves so deep into this mess the way she did.
-The story is pretty implausible overall, and a bit OTT. Sometimes that works for me. This time, it was a bit of a letdown.
-The ending, while ultimately satisfying, dragged on quite a bit. I started to lose a bit of interest.

While I didn’t love this one like I was expecting, I did LIKE it for the most part. However, I couldn’t help but think of an appropriate alternative title: The Slightly Disappointing Act.

3.5 stars

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on: 6/8/21.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

British actress Mia has landed many acting jobs in the UK. Due to a change in her personal life, she decides to travel to Los Angeles to get some roles there. She finds it to be even more cut throat with many people vying for a part in anything they can get.
She meets Emily who is also looking for an acting job, but Emily does not seem to be so competitive as some others. Emily asks a favor and Mia is happy to help, little knowing that it will change her life when Emily disappears.
This story has some interesting chapters that hold your attention, but some other chapters I found boring.
I do thank the publisher, author and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.