This is such an original and entertaining story, I raced through it! The author's credentials as an actress shine through with lots of brilliant detail about what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood - some of it very dark - but the story of a woman who disappears without trace is well-executed too, the slightly implausible setup somehow believable. I found myself relating to Mia, thinking I probably would have behaved the same way in that situation, unable to let go and move on despite the missing woman being a virtual stranger and her own life possibly being in danger, I didn't figure out the ending, which is always a bonus, and it didn't disappoint.

Highly recommended. This was my favourite book of Catherine Steadman's to date.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed Catherine Steadman’s “Something in the water” so I was thrilled to get her latest book through early. This one hooked me from the beginning and I devoured the first half in the blink of an eye. A British actress in crazy LA, would could possibly go wrong? I loved the character Mia and the fast paced energy of the book. A psychological thriller but with subtle undertones of humour (I’m not sure if this was intentional but I did find myself laughing out loud at Mia.)
I will absolutely be recommending this book to everyone and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.

I really enjoyed this LA set thriller and felt that the author's experience as an actor really came through. Much of the novel is very cinematic from Mia's obsession with the suicide of Peg Entwhistle from the Hollywoodland sign in 1932 to the final action scenes in the novel. I found it to be a gripping, intriguing and original read and thought Mia was a likeable and believable character. I did find the aforementioned action scene a little ridiculous and this slightly spoiled for me an otherwise excellent read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

This is the authors third book. When Mia meets a woman - Emily - at an audition, who then promptly disappears, things start to get very weird very quickly.
I was gripped from the beginning in this book and was desperate to find out what happened to Emily. This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters especially Mia and found them all believable.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

The Disappearing Act was a beautifully twisty turny psychological thriller set in the glittery world of Hollywood, auditions and competition.

Our main protagonist Mia is a British actress of some success who, during a trip to LA for various role possibilities meets the friendly yet enigmatic Emily who promptly disappears, leaving a stranger in her place…

That’s the mystery then and what follows is a cleverly intuitive character drama that digs underneath the surface glamour to a world of manipulation, half truths and obfuscation. Mia is a genuinely engaging character who you happily follow along with throughout her journey to the truth, her decision making good and bad changing the perspective until finally all is revealed.

It is an excellent unpredictable thriller with a great ending and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Author Catherine Steadman is also an actress and perhaps because of this her big climatic reveals seem pretty far fetched, frenetic and OTT - and definitely movie like in terms of the fight scenes where people people keep getting knocked down only to get up again and again. But, I just love the way she writes and this was another unusual plot that really captured my interest. So, even though I was disappointed with the ending (well the driving force behind the ending) I still loved the journey - and any book that pulls you in and keeps you wanting to read has got to be worth reading!

British actress Mia Eliot, who’s acquired a degree of fame as Jane in a new adaptation of Jane Eyre, is heading for LA for some big auditions. While her career is going well, her personal life is in disarray after being dumped in a particularly heartless way by her long term partner.

When Mia meets a woman - Emily - at an audition, who then promptly disappears, things start to get very weird very quickly.

Catherine Steadman is a professional actress who has appeared in a number of TV and stage roles, so it’s safe to assume that her portrayal of that world is an accurate one. I liked the character of Mia, who seemed down to earth and relatable me, and really enjoyed reading about her adventures in Hollywood as she goes to auditions - including one for the role of a lifetime - and deals with her newfound relative celebrity.

The storyline about the missing Emily is intriguing and seems initially inexplicable, though I did get a bit confused as events unfolded and to be honest the big climactic showdown (Chekhov’s Hollywood sign!) didn’t entirely grab me.

A great read though, and I will probably seek out Catherine’s earlier books (this is her third) at some point on the strength of it.

Many thanks for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Hooked. A true mystery with darkness. I felt the ending was slightly predictable, but I had no idea where it was going at the same time. Confusing characters kept me on my toes and always wanting to know more. Set in a luxurious yet lonely city, I was intrigued throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for early access in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed the previous novels by Catherine Steadman so I was really looking forward to this ARC.
Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed by this one. It tells the story of Mia. a British actress who breaks up from her boyfriend and heads to LA for pilot season. She meets someone, very briefly, at an audition and gets drawn into a mysterious disappearance.
Whilst I found it very readable, I found some of the actions hard to believe, and the ending quite far fetched.

Mia Eliot has a BAFTA nomination in the offing for her role in ‘Eyre’, her career is on the up but her private world suffers a blow when her partner dumps her with a brief text. What would Jane do, Mia asked herself? She decides to move on and when her agent Cynthia gets her some auditions in Hollywood she goes without a backward glance. She’s schmoozed and seduced by a Hollywood charm offensive, some auditions go really well and during one she does a favour for fellow actor Emily who then does a disappearing act dragging Mia into a murky and dangerous world.

This is a well written novel with a good blend of mystery combined with some insights into the movie process. The setting is good and you get a warts and all spotlight into the less than salubrious aspects of the industry. The main character of Mia is good, she’s likeable, intelligent and reflective although despite her obvious cleverness some of her decisions are very questionable and you want to shout ‘Nooooo’ at the top of your voice! However, it is born out of a desire to do the right thing. I enjoy her assessment too of what the atmosphere in Hollywood might do to a person or lead them to do. The storyline is mostly well paced but it does drop off from time to time, there are some good twists, there’s tension and suspense and a real air of an intriguing mystery for the most part which makes you read on eagerly. I like the literary illusions the author cleverly uses such as Jane Eyre and Chekhov and there are some good movie references too. Towards the end there’s one scene that is very exciting and extremely tense and my first thought on reading it is what a great movie it will make! It is on occasions a bit slow, there’s one Hollywood sign reference that keeps getting repeated which gets a bit wearing, yes, LA weather is glorious, and yes, it’s a well known fact that the traffic is terrible! Some of the plot is a bit far fetched and OTT but just put your disbelief suspenders on and go with the flow and enjoy this rollercoaster read!!

Overall, this is a compelling, well written and enjoyable page turner.

With thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The Disappearing Act was a FANTASTIC read. After a break from this genre due to them all being a little bit same-y this was the best choice to grab my attention and get me back. Absolutely brilliant.

It should be a trip of a lifetime for Mia Eliot, heading to LA for pilot season. She’s on the cusp of being hot property and is ready to audition and audition, anything to be who she wants to be, while forgetting about the breakup of her relationship with a fellow actor. During one audition, Mia meets Emily, who is equally seeking her fortune and who asks a favour. Mia agrees but things begin to get strained – and strange – when Emily disappears. A woman arrives at Mia’s apartment, claiming to be Emily but she’s nothing like Mia remembers – why all the deception? Despite being much in demand, Mia has to take time out to conduct an investigation. Something is wrong… but what’s in store for Mia? This reflects the glamour and the reality of life as a jobbing actor in LA, coupled with an engaging mystery that will have you wondering until the last page.

Mia is at an all-time low. Callously dumped by her boyfriend she takes the opportunity to go to LA. Thrown into the totally unfamiliar and artificial world of Hollywood she does a favour for a fellow actress. The other actress then disappears and Mia does her best to find her and return her car keys. strange things start happening to Mia. This book kept me gripped until the twist at the very end.

Not what I was expecting, really disappointed with The Disappearing Act.

More chick-lit than thriller. Mia is possibly the most irritating character since Bella Swan ( Mia is more of a Mary Sue!!) . The plot makes no sense, so many silly decisions and plot holes

. I wish I hadn’t wasted my time with this, I’m struggling to think of something I enjoyed.....

I really enjoy my thrillers and The Disappearing Act was a very good and interesting read.

Mia and Emily are both interesting characters and the story is very well written and entertaining.

Mia is an up and coming British actress in her mid 20's. As her career begins to take off, her relationship breaks down and she heads to LA for a break and to try and gain more work opportunities. When a young woman called Emily approaches her at an audition and Mia does her a small favour, Mia doesn't see her again and turns out to be the last person to see Emily at all. When Mia does eventually hear from Emily, it is a different woman entirely. I loved Catherine Steadman's other books so was really excited to read this. I thought it was a really interesting concept and made for quite a gripping read.

I found this a bit slow and quite boring at times. Was also quite predicable..... I just couldn't get into it at all couldn't wait until I finished it unfortunately

Actress Mia Eliot travels to LA for auditions and screen tests in the hope of getting some film work.
She meets a fellow actress Emily at an audition and they strike up a friendship of sorts.
When Emily suddenly disappears Mia tries everything to find her to make sure that she is safe.
A story about the murky dealings in the film industry in Hollywood.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such a good book. I raced through it wanting to know what happened to Nick, Emily and Mia.
Mia seemed like a really likeable but flawed character, didn’t rate George and Mia was better off without him.

#TheDisappointingAct #NetGalley
Best novel of 2021.
Mia Eliot has travelled from London to LA for pilot season. This is her big chance to make it as an actor in Hollywood, and she is ready to do whatever it takes. At an audition she meets Emily, and what starts as a simple favour takes a dark turn when Emily goes missing and Mia is the last person to see her.
Then a woman turns up, claiming to be Emily, but she is nothing like Mia remembers. Why would someone pretend to be Emily?
I loved Emily. It's characters are engaging. I would highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for giving me an advanced copy.