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The Disappearing Act

Written by: Catherine Steadman
Narrated by: Catherine Steadman
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Publisher's Summary

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

What the critics say

“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)

What listeners say about The Disappearing Act

Average Customer Ratings
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Absolutely LOVE her books!

WOW. What can I say other than she is a fantastic writer! So worth purchasing! The narration is fantastic to listen to.., also have the hard copy! Cannot go wrong with any of her books! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

So Good Until the End

This story was brilliant and engaging but lost me in the last hour. In true Catherine Steadman fashion, the main character is infuriating and all of the decisions that they’re making seem so unnecessary (in a fun way). The twists and turns were clever and shocking. The ending just didn’t make much sense to me, seemed very rushed to tie things up and left me disappointed. Still a fun read.

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1 person found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not as good as previous work

Short, struggled to finish in spite of this, struggled to maintain my attention too. Found the protagonist to be very unrelatable, unlikable, spoiled. The twists were such stretches that they became predictable, like, think of the most unexpected thing that could happen and its exactly what happened. I quite like Something in the Water, hoping this author isn't a one hit...

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another Catherine Steadman Hit!

I couldn’t put this down. Twists and turns, what a ride. I really rooted for the main character, she was so multi faceted. Catherine really knows how to develop multi layered characters who become so real! I also adore her narration. Excellent book that would make an incredible movie.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Frustrating but not horrible

Narration: 👍
Narration was good, character voices not over the top but recognizable from each other.

Atmosphere: 🤷‍♀️
-Atmosphere and environment is almost exclusively our MCs thoughts and musings; we spend all our time hearing what they’re thinking…doing…wondering
-Most of the story takes place in Hollywood but not very descriptive so you can imagine…well, random places in Hollywood.

Main POV: 🤓
-a recognizable but not quite “famous” British actress visiting LA to audition for pilot season, and having very recently been dumped by their cheating partner. They view acting as their life’s work but aren’t obsessed with being famous. They are highly moral, both self-doubting and self-assurred, and believe everyone has the best of intentions (tending to ignore evidence to the contrary).

Begin rant>> 😒
-The MC is naive and moral in a way that is difficult to believe. They don’t learn. They wholeheartedly trust complete strangers including when those people clearly have it out for them. They mistrust the American police yet run to them to report minor suspicions and not major crimes (even when they have evidence).
-The entire text is based on the MCs every thought and motivation, but their decisions are so contrary even to their own thoughts. They recognize they are doing dangerous or self-sabotaging things but keep going anyways.
<<End rant

Show’n’tell: 😕
Showy telling. Like informing the class of every thought and action involved in procuring, transporting, and revealing the crayon set about to be shown (and it’s not even a decent crayon set so now it’s just disappointing).

Reading Journey: 🤨
Get glammed up, a friend has promised you a night on the town and the Hollywood sights! Luxury car, bright lights, twisty roads for a glimpse of the Hollywood sign. Then Starbucks drive-thru and home by 9.

Possible match if you like:
-Detailed MC thought narratives
-Suspense plots driven by MC actions or lack thereof (conveniently IMO)
-Villain monologue
-Should-she-or-shouldn’t-she romance
-Light commentary on #metoo in Hollywood

Vibes: 🤓😴😐

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story

The New Years Eve scene was unexpected and a bit triggering but I am glad I was able to finish the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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made me stress!!

this was goooood omg! there were parts that made my stomach hurt from stress! well written, well spoken! sucked me riiight in!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent listen

Loved this story. I couldn't stop listening!! I highly recommend to anyone who loves psychological thrillers. I couldn't predict the ending at all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and suspenseful!

There are lots of twists and turns In this read. Not too difficult to listen to very straightforward I enjoyed this immensely

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating Read

Really enjoyed this book and the interesting details about becoming an actress in a LA.

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  • Jennifer Paugh
  • 2021-06-10

Does not disappoint

I would listen to Catherine Steadman read a grocery list. She has a phenomenal narration style with a cadence that is addictive.

I listened to both of her previous books twice—which is not something I typically do. Her characters are interesting and imperfect. Her story telling is easy and intense.

I waited rather impatiently for this book to release on Audible on June 8th and I finished it within about 24 hours. Worth my time. Worth your time.

With about 100 books downloaded and listened to from Audible, this is the first review I’ve written. Catherine Steadman deserves to be my inaugural rate and review!

JMPM
Michigan

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29 people found this helpful

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  • Amanda
  • 2021-06-14

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.

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  • Heidi
  • 2021-06-28

Could have been great with some editing

Great premise but needed a little work on the execution. There were parts where I couldn’t stop listening and then it would stall out and I’d forget I was listening. Just as I’d think this is awful it would get really good again. The editor Moises the mark on this one. Still worth your time and a credit.

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Red Poppies
  • 2021-08-12

Drop the American accent please!

I am not going to review the content (three stars is all I can do) but am I crazy or is anyone else put off by Ms. Steadman’s attempt at American accents? First, her own British voice is so lovely. Then, like an instrument out of tune. every American character sounds the same with a forced-sounding cadence. It just spoils what flow there was (and unfortunately not a lot) completely. I was so disappointed she once again tried this (as in her last but not first book). I would rather she give us all (I am an American) some credit to know who is American and who is not through the plot and not beat us over the head with accents that don’t work. Please trust your listening public with your own lovely narration.

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  • Westin Wendt
  • 2021-06-29

Phenomenal

Does. Not. Disappoint! Narration is so enjoyable to listen to, and Steadman is a natural author and performer. If you’re a fan of her previous work, you’ll love this as well.

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  • Dr F
  • 2021-06-09

Premise unabelievable

What person would spend that much time worrying about someone’s keys and wallet? If they left and you need to get to another audition, you’re going to leave them with the casting receptionist even if she says she can’t. What stupidity and completely unbelievable. I swear there is something wrong with these British white women who have no backbone. Ruth Ware, etc. they must raise them but tilt over there. Ridiculous. Too much time spent on that stupidity. Dumb.

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  • Carolyn
  • 2021-07-18

Perfection!

The narration was gorgeous and the story was mind-gripping. It had all my attention. The main character has so much dignity and humanity. She’s easy to like. Not a bit predictable — great!!

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  • Charity Mueggenberg
  • 2021-06-14

An intriguing story!

This book was suspenseful and kept me on my toes as I listened. A good plot as well!

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  • Jennifer Nelson
  • 2021-06-12

Does not disappoint

I love this author so much! Steadman’s narration is unmatched and her stories are amazing. I would highly recommend

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-06-18

Pointless

This story was unnecessarily complicated for no payoff. Clearly an English author, having American characters ask for “surname” or meet in the car “park”.

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3 people found this helpful