The Disappearing Act

Steadman follows Mr. Nobody with an entertaining, twisty tale of suspense and murder in Hollywood. British actress Mia Eliot is fresh from a star turn in a film adaptation of Jane Eyre and a BAFTA award nomination. Mia’s agent encourages her to take advantage of this success by going to Los Angeles during pilot season to audition for as many roles as possible. Mia is glad for a change of scenery, as her longtime love has just abruptly left her for his much younger co-star. On arriving in LA, Mia goes to an audition where she meets an American actress named Emily. While they wait to audition, Mia gives Emily a hand by dashing out to feed her parking meter; she returns, still holding Emily’s wallet and keys, to find that Emily has vanished. Mia begins a search for Emily, with a number of shocking turns. Steadman narrates the tale herself and is extremely convincing. Mia can be naïve, but Steadman sells it by emphasizing the actress’s sorrow over her breakup. The narration is so good that it’ll carry listeners through the book’s rising tide of confusion, fear, and surprise.