The Disappearing Act

A Novel

By: Catherine Steadman

Narrated by: Catherine Steadman

From the New York Times best-selling author of Something in the Water and Mr. Nobody comes “an unputdownable mystery about the nightmares that abound in the pursuit of Hollywood dreams” (Caroline Kepnes, author of the You series).

“Stylish, riveting, hugely atmospheric - I couldn’t put it down.” (Lucy Foley, author of The Guest List)

A woman has gone missing. But did she ever really exist?

A leading British actress hoping to make a splash in America flies to Los Angeles for the grueling gauntlet known as pilot season, a time when every network and film studio looking to fill the rosters of their new shows entice a fresh batch of young hopefuls - anxious, desperate, and willing to do whatever it takes to make it.

Instead, Mia Eliot, a fish out of water in the ruthlessly competitive and faceless world of back-to-back auditioning, discovers the sinister side of Hollywood when she becomes the last person to see Emily, a newfound friend. Standing out in a conveyor-belt world of fellow aspiring stars, Emily mysteriously disappears following an audition, after asking Mia to do a simple favor. But nothing is simple. Nothing is as is seems. And nothing prepares Mia for a startling truth: In a city where dreams really do come true, nightmares can follow.

©2021 Catherine Steadman (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Page-turning...tackles the dark side of Hollywood.” (Entertainment Weekly, The Best Thrillers)

“Ethel Barrymore described Hollywood as ‘a glaring, gaudy, nightmarish set erected in the desert’. That hasn’t changed much, as we see in this engrossing thriller.... Steadman, both an author and an actress, deftly brings her talent for characterization to her writing, combining an engaging mystery with a meaty look at the question of what is real in a land of make-believe. This glittering narrative with a totally beguiling protagonist makes for an absolutely perfect beach read.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Auditions, screen tests, cutthroat competition: Catherine Steadman is familiar with the challenges of the acting biz.... Her perspective as an actress and a writer bring realism to this novel, as she dips into Hollywood’s murky waters.... In any good noir novel, an atmospheric locale is vital, and Steadman richly evokes Los Angeles ‘in all its monstrous glory’.... Reading The Disappearing Act is much like watching a suspenseful film.” (The Washington Post)

Reccomend

Great narration and a well paced story! 5 stars for Catherine Steadman...I could do without the loud piano keys playing over the author's voice in the beginning and end though.

Enjoyable

The plot is wild but keeps one guessing. Really enjoyed this as with her other work.

Absolutely Riveting!!!

I am blown away by this thrilling, engaging story! It grabbed me right from the start. Is this an entirely plausible story? No- but it doesn’t matter. The twists and turns the plot makes are unpredictable and shocking. I was without a doubt on the edge of my seat. The protagonist was very likable and easy to sympathize with. I’m not familiar with the actress author, but I have purchased her other two books before even finishing this one. Her narration was perfect- no doubt because she is a seasoned actress herself. I loved the inside look at Hollywood life also. This is the best book I’ve listened to all year. Loved it!!!!!

Steadman does it again!

Such a great story!! This would make an amazing movie.
I read Something in the Water by Steadman and loved it. So excited to see her 3rd book come out so quickly. She’s so descriptive and the twists and turns keep you guessing. Now we all have to wait for book 4.

Twists and turns

Good story , well developed, with an ending which few could have predicted! Totally enjoyed the listen

Page Turner!

Great book. Narrator was awesome. Highly recommend this book. Twist and turns and you can't predict the next chapter or guess the ending.

A Great Listen

I love that Catherine Steadman narrates her own audiobooks. She does a great job with the voices and it just helps me stay engrossed in the story to have someone reading it who clearly knows how it should play out. While Steadman's first novel, Something in the Water, was a disappointment for me, this one and The Family Game have more than made up for it. I really enjoyed that the plot here didn't quite unfold as I'd expect, namely that certain disasters I thought would happen didn't, while other unexpected ones did. I'll definitely be on the lookout for whatever she writes next.

Great Story!

Great setting and characters! Never guessed the story would end the way it did. Looking for another Catherine Steadman read!

Intrigue & great story telling

I really enjoyed the soothing voice, excellent details of LA and incredible details about Hollywood life and the relentless pursuit “to get the part.” The seedy dark underpinnings of Hollywood bigwigs was disturbing and believable. I’m a new fan.

wonderful!

Such a gripping story. keeps you guessing until the end. love her stories and narration.