The Disappearing Act

The gripping new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Something in the Water

Catherine Steadman

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN:
  9781471189814
• eBook ISBN:
  9781471189807
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Crime & Mystery Literature
• Index: Literature

In a city where dreams really do come true, nightmares can follow . . . The new ‘engrossing and unputdownable' thriller from the bestselling author of SOMETHING IN THE WATER

'I devoured this Londoner in LA story in a day’ CAROLINE KEPNES

‘Stylish, riveting, hugely atmospheric — I couldn’t put it down’ LUCY FOLEY

SHE IS MISSING.
BUT DID SHE EVER REALLY EXIST?
 
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? Starting to question her own sanity, she goes on a desperate and dangerous search for answers, knowing something is very, very wrong.
 
In an industry where everything is about creating illusions, how do you know what is real? And how much would you risk to find out?
  
Praise for The Disappearing Act

'Captivating doesn't cover it. Brilliant doesn't do it justice. This is a dazzling, gasp-inducing plunge-pool of a novel that grips your heart and mind and refuses to let go. Absolutely stunning' BP Walter
‘Another screen-worthy thriller . . . Steadman's flair for storytelling makes this novel a welcome escape’ Washington Post
'Like Chekhov’s gun, the Hollywood sign is mentioned early, leading to a great, extended scene far above the city — and to a genuine Hollywood ending' New York Times
‘Engrossing and unputdownable . . . I devoured this Londoner in LA story in a day’ Caroline Kepnes
‘A fascinating glimpse of the darkness behind Hollywood’s glittering façade. I loved it’ TM Logan
'Another page-turning winner from Catherine Steadman. Ingenious and intriguing, with a fascinating insight into the acting world' BA Paris
'As tense as John Buchan and suspenseful as Patricia Highsmith' Emma Bamford
'Glamour, greed and gaslighting - the perfect summer read!' Harriet Walker

Praise for Catherine Steadman

‘Original, ingenious and utterly gripping, with characters you’ll really care about as they race towards the brilliantly unexpected ending’ JP Delaney 
‘A thriller for our times’ Louise Candlish
‘A proper page-turner’ New York Times
'Fans of The Silent Patient will love it' CJ Tudor
'Had me racing through the pages’ Sarah Vaughan
'An enjoyable, nail-biting ride' Observer

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Epigraph
• Prologue
• Chapter 1: The Good with the Bad
• Chapter 2: Stranger at the Door
• Chapter 3: Another Country
• Chapter 4: It’s a Sign
• Chapter 5: Diving In
• Chapter 6: The Favour
• Chapter 7: A Rose By Any Other Name
• Chapter 8: Passer-by
• Chapter 9: New Friends
• Chapter 10: The Whole Package
• Chapter 11: The Abandoned Car
• Chapter 12: An Unexpected Visitor
• Chapter 13: The Offer You Can’t Refuse
• Chapter 14: Stars
• Chapter 15: Missing Person
• Chapter 16: All is Well
• Chapter 17: Gifted
• Chapter 18: Emily’s Apartment
• Chapter 19: All That is Left Behind
• Chapter 20: Proof
• Chapter 21: Not the First Time
• Chapter 22: When No One is Looking
• Chapter 23: New Year’s Eve
• Chapter 24: Intruder
• Chapter 25: Not Safe
• Chapter 26: St Valentine
• Chapter 27: Video Footage
• Chapter 28: It’s a Test
• Chapter 29: New Information
• Chapter 30: Who Are You?
• Chapter 31: Preparations
• Chapter 32: The Truth
• Chapter 33: Up Into the Darkness
• Chapter 34: Clearing Up the Mess
• Chapter 35: Everyone’s a Winner
• Chapter 36: Coming Soon
• Acknowledgements
• ‘Mr Nobody’ Teaser
• About the Author
• Copyright