Something in the Water

A CAPTIVATING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM A “DOWNTON ABBEY” STAR. British actress Mia Elliott travels to Los Angeles to get the role of her lifetime. Everything goes perfectly—until, at one of her auditions, she meets a woman named Emily. Then that woman disappears. Mia is the last person to have seen her alive—the only one who ever saw her at all. And when Emily suddenly appears a few days later, Mia is certain: it isn’t her, but a completely different woman—even if she looks exactly like her. But why would anyone pretend to be her? It’s time to brace for the astonishing truth: in this city of dreams, there’s no escaping the nightmares. Casting calls, screen tests, ruthless competition—Katherine Stedman knows Hollywood’s inner workings like the back of her hand. That’s what gives the story extra charm and makes you hold your breath watching how sabotage, sexual assault, and betrayal fuel the workings of the Dream Factory. “A thrilling story of the nightmares that come with chasing Hollywood dreams. It’s my favorite book by Stedman.” — Caroline Kepnes “Stedman shows Los Angeles in all its monstrous glory. Reading this book is very much like watching a tense film.” — The Washington Post “A stunning story with the dark side of Hollywood.” — Entertainment Weekly (The Best Thrillers) “Stylish, gripping, and deeply atmospheric thriller. I couldn’t put it down.” — Lucy Foley “A brilliant and intriguing thriller showing the world of Hollywood from the inside.” — B. A. Paris, author of the bestseller “Behind Closed Doors” “Katherine Stedman plunges beneath the polished surface of Los Angeles to reveal the dark side of Hollywood with the ruthless honesty of someone who has lived through it firsthand. Captivating prose and an obsessive need to get to the truth make this story unsettling and gripping. Identity swaps, ambitious starlets, and cynical executives—and also glamour, greed, and gaslighting—the perfect read!” — Harriet Walker “Authentic details of the movie business and well-developed characters… This story about Hollywood glamour and cruelty will undoubtedly win Stedman new fans.” — Ethel Barrymore