The Actor

by Chris MacDonald

Have you heard about The Method? Discover 2024's most original new thriller, that points a spotlight on the secrets and obsessions of the world of Hollywood.


At long last, Adam Sealey has an Oscar within reach. Working with his controversial former mentor, Jonathan, he's given the performance of a lifetime, and he almost believes it might be worth the cost.

Because Adam subscribes to "the method". It's the secret that the world's greatest actors swear by - digging into their darkest, most personal traumas to bring a role to life.

And Adam's greatest trauma is worse than most. Back in drama school, he had to choose between a girl he loved and the success he craved. What he did that night is his darkest secret.

And then he gets a someone knows. And if they tell, everything Adam's worked for will come crashing down.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Dark Academia, Crime, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2024

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: There’s a great story somewhere in here, but it is tough to locate the plot with all the flaws. This isn’t a thriller as advertised. Might work if you want a slow literary suspense.

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Story Synopsis: (Too bored to write sensible sentences.)

Adam Sealey. Method actor. Obsessed with winning an Oscar. Blindly trusts controversial mentor Jonathan, who teaches him to tap into his greatest trauma, from back in drama school, to bring out the best performance of his career.
Someone accuses Jonathan of something. Investigations begin. Danger of Adam’s dark secret coming out. Will he get the Oscar? (For that’s all that matters, right?)

The story is written in Adam’s first person perspective.

What I thought this book would offer:
👉 A taut psychological thriller. (To all those who advertised it as a thriller: please DM me with YOUR definition of ‘thriller’.)

👉 A quick-paced storyline in keeping with the promise of a thriller.

👉 A lead character who is a method actor obsessed with winning the Oscar, and is ready to do anything for his craft.


What the book actually offered:
🚩 A detestable first-person narrator who is one of the most shallow and self-absorbed fictional characters I have ever read.

🚩 Mostly unlikeable characters (except for Nina) who generate no sympathy or understanding in our hearts.

🚩 A dragged pace that takes ages to move the plot ahead.

🚩 A back-and-forth storyline that shuffled between past and present with no indication of any timestamp and no chapter divisions as well; and

🚩 Pretentious writing that uses needlessly highbrow vocabulary (even when it doesn’t suit the characters.)


This was a slog-fest to read and generated a headache upon completion. The only reason I plodded through till the finish line instead of DNFing it is that I had already invested multiple days on this book and didn’t want those efforts to go to waste.

The only positive I can think of is the light it shines on the exploitation in method acting schools done in the name of training. I wish the current timeline had been scrapped and the book had focussed only on the acting school and the shenanigans within. It would have made for a far more compelling read.

Apologies to the team behind the book, but I cannot advocate this work in any way. If I were a better actor, I might have faked my way towards enthusiasm. But I am not as talented at acting as the lead character of the novel.

Please read other reviews before you take a final call. The book *might* work a tad better if read as a slowburn literary suspense than as a psychological thriller. Simply having some surprises and/or twists doesn’t make a book a thriller, and I wish it weren’t advertised as such.

1 star.


My thanks to Penguin Random House, Michael Joseph, and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Actor”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.

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[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a chillingly dark and intense multilayered psychological thriller from Chris MacDonald, an indepth forensic examination of the murky, and obsessive acting world, stripped of its glitz and glamour, with a particular focus on 'method' acting which many readers will be familiar with some famous actors known for utilising it. It is the complex characters and their lives that the reader is immersed in that makes this a standout compulsive novel with its disturbingly unsettling narrative that seamlessly moves from past to present. The actor Adam Sealey is within touching distance of getting an Oscar, only for it all to come under a threat from what happened decades ago in his time at a London drama school.

We are given a sharply incisive picture of Adam's life story, of desperate ambitions, inner insecurities, and rivalries, a desire to succeed at any cost, nothing else matters, a willingness to make whatever sacrifices are required to be noticed. Jonathan Dors is a powerful, brutal and ruthless tutor, a manipulator, a proponent of method acting, advocating sinking into the deepest and darkest personal fears and traumas to be able to more 'truthfully' inhabit a role, opening up the possibility of incredible and inspiring performances. It is an eye opening glimpse of the environment, details and demands that go behind what it takes to become a actor of note. There are secrets and twists in this challenging read where the past, present, and the future are inextricably linked.

This is hard hitting, emotional and raw storytelling that captures the real nature of the acting world beneath the thin shiny and glossy veneer. It's the characters that pulled me in and held my interest, even when they are immensely dislikeable. This is a intelligent, tension filled and suspenseful read, well written, from an author who definitely knows and understands the world and people described in the novel. Recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down

After a series of issues, Adam Sealey’s acting career and reputation, nosedives.. However, now he has a real shot at achieving his dream of winning an Oscar for his role in “The woodsman“. Aided by his teacher/mentor Jonathan Dors from the Conservatoire, the London drama school, that he attends 30 years ago, Adam draws on an experience to nail the final scene. He is aided and encouraged by Jonathan who subscribes to method acting, he delves deep into a traumatic past to produce next level acting. However, that night 20 years ago is Adams darkest secret and it seems as if all he has striven for is about to crumble to dust. The story is told in the present day and back tracks to Adam’s time at the Conservatoire.

Initially, this novel is very hard to get into because the pace is so slow. However, it’s one of those novels you need to stick with as something clicks and I realise that it has me gripped. Central to what transpires is the character of Jonathan, the desperation of students such as Adam to attract his attention. This means that they will go to extraordinary lengths to seek his approval and this is where the storytelling becomes dark and disturbing. The impact of Jonathan goes deep and has tremendous ramifications and it’s not an exaggeration to say that it haunts some characters. The toxic atmosphere of “The church“ as students called the drama school, the manipulation and string pulling is truly shocking. These sections of the novel are where it hits a powerful level of intensity as characters, compete and seek control. It goes pretty deep into the psyche of acting, especially method acting, the disassociating of self in order to perfect a role and the impact that has on an individual. This becomes quite fascinating and these sections are very well written.

The characterisation is very good, although it has to be said that if few are likeable with the exception of Nina who Adam meets at drama school. Adam is an intriguing central protagonist, he’s obsessive, dark and self-centred though to redeem him slightly, there is trauma in his life from a young age. I’ll leave you to discover Jonathan for yourself.

It becomes a story of guilt as redemption is sought and I like the way this plays out. It ends on a slightly more optimistic note which I like.

Overall, ultimately, this becomes a novel that pulls you in several directions, as you watch the explosion and implosion of a character. However, the slow start means a rounded down star rating from me.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a controversial career so far, Adam Sealey's role in 'Woodsman' has brought him within an inch of a long-awaited Oscar. Adam is sure he owes it all to his former mentor, Jonathan, a teacher at The Conservatoire, who champions 'the method' or method acting: where an actor uses their darkest secrets & traumas to tap into that depth of emotion for the role. However, Jonathan has always been controversial & when Adam discovers that one of his current pupils has gone missing after suffering a mental breakdown, it brings back memories of a death from Adam's time at the school.

The narrative alternates between Adam's current acting career & back during his time at The Conservatoire. Adam gradually falls under the sway of Jonathan, who pits the pupils against each other for the lead roles. Adam is one of the most affected & he lets it turn him into a self-obsessed a**hole quite frankly. This cut-throat competition & the depth of trauma-mining they are expected to do eventually leads to tragedy. If you're looking for a fast-paced read with plenty of action, then look elsewhere - this is definitely a slow burn book. None of the characters (save perhaps Nina) are very likeable but something keeps you reading. 3.5 stars (rounded up)

TWs: self-harm, mental health issues, alcohol & drug use.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Penguin Random House/Michael Joseph, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Jennifer Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well plotted psychological thriller which looks at how far an actor can go to get into character for an acting role. I found the exploration of method acting fascinating, bringing out the dark and obsessive side to Adam. A fast page turner that is dark and suspenseful with surprising twists I didn’t see coming!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

To win an Oscar…

Adam Sealy has had a roller-coaster of a career in film acting, bursting on to the scene with an acclaimed performance then blowing it all by his behaviour, and now having a chance at redemption with his latest role – a chance at the biggest validation of all, the Oscar. But his long-term mentor, Jonathan Dors, has been accused of being linked to the disappearance of a female student from the Conservatoire, the acting school where Jonathan taught Adam his craft. And Adam has received an anonymous message, just three words – How could you? - which he knows must relate to a shameful incident that happened long ago at the Conservatoire while he was a student. Will either of these events, past and present, scupper everything Adam has worked for?

This sounds like a standard thriller set-up, but it turns out to be so much more. Jonathan Dors is a proponent of the method school of acting, and much of the book is a deep and dark examination of the lengths some actors will go to in their pursuit of authenticity. It’s also about the power that mentors can exert over their young charges, playing on their hunger and ambitions to achieve their own reflected glory. And it’s about egotism, the burning desire for success and artistic recognition, the willingness to trample over the weak on the path to fame.

It’s told in the first person by Adam. There are many aspects of his character that make him unlikeable – he’s driven, egotistical and weak, and has the expectations of stardom that everyone around him should smooth his path and take care of his every want. But as we get to know him better, we learn about his difficult childhood which seems to have made it difficult for him to form deep relationships, either romantic or friendship. This, combined with his desire for success, has also made him vulnerable to the much stronger personality of Jonathan Dors. And that vulnerability has led him to do things that he justifies in the name of his art – some things the world knows about and has been shocked by, and some things, one thing in particular, that no one knows about and that Adam has tried to forget. But if no one knows, then who is it who is asking How could you? How reliable is Adam? Are his feelings of guilt leading him into a nightmare of his mind’s own creation? For Adam, winning the Oscar would be a justification of everything he’d sacrificed, everyone he’d sacrificed along the way. But the reader feels his redemption will not be achieved so easily.

Jonathan is a wonderfully drawn character – a Svengali, a manipulator, a man who will stop at nothing in his vicarious pursuit of his art. He is an expert in psychological cruelty, playing the young actors off against each other way beyond the level of healthy competition, driving them to seek out their deepest fears and traumas, their worst experiences, to give that edge that takes them beyond acting to becoming the characters they play, giving the audience what they most desire – the cannibalistic urge to see genuine suffering on the screen. The weak break down and give up and the strong survive. But it’s the ones in the middle – the ones who see success in acting as a solution to all the problems and baggage in their lives, the ones especially who may not have had a good father figure in their lives – these are the ones who are most susceptible to Jonathan’s manipulations. Jonathan is almost like a cult leader, and to be his chosen one is the greatest aspiration of these young actors, because they believe that to impress this man proves they are truly great. And to get his approval, they will do anything.

All the stories of Weinstein et al and how they use their power over young actors feed into this story, though not overtly – this is about manipulation and control, not sex. We’re already attuned to accept the truth of abuse of power in the film world, and the ambition and lust for stardom that makes some talented young people submit to their abusers. That knowledge kept this story credible even when it pushed at the limits. We’ve also heard the stories of method actors taking it to extremes – living the roles, becoming the people they are portraying. Perhaps they don’t go to the lengths to which Jonathan pushes his charges. But perhaps they do. Or perhaps they would, if they had been brainwashed to believe that the path to the Oscar lay through their own and others’ trauma. And perhaps they too would feel that that five minutes of ultimate fame was a goal worth pursuing, at any cost.

Apparently Chris MacDonald is a playwright, screenwriter and actor as well as a novelist, and attended an elite acting school himself, which explains the feeling of authenticity he achieves in his subject. Very well written, thought provoking, chilling and with a central character in Adam who starts out unlikeable but for whom we come to hope for the possibility of redemption – I loved this book.

NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Michael Joseph via NetGalley.

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[Ella Tansley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a cross between Donna Tartt’s "The Secret History'' and the 2014 film Whiplash. I haven't been this enthusiastic about a book since I read R.F Kuang’s Yellowface. In fact, it had me up and reading before starting work in the morning!

The story has a dual narrative following the life and career of successful actor Adam Sealey. Present day sees him wrapping up an emotionally challenging film under the tutorship of his former drama school teacher. The past narrative details some of Adam's early life, his experience at a renowned drama school, and how his teacher's intense style shaped him and his acting style.

This isn't just a book about method acting or the actions of a rogue teacher. There is a huge "whodunnit" element which will appeal to crime novel fans. It touches on several interesting topics: the nature of fame and success, the student/teacher dynamic, attitudes toward acting as an art form and viable career, and how much we allow comfort and happiness to distract us from career goals. I also enjoyed the trope of unlikable characters that you end up rooting for. With thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam is a method actor trained at the prestigious Conservatoire under the infamous Jonathan Dors, riding the rollercoaster of an uneven career as his approach attracts controversy. After his last film, when he nearly drowned trying to enter the mindset of a professional diver, The Woodsman feels like salvation. Working with Jonathan again, he's sure he's delivered the performance of a lifetime. In order to do so, Adam digs deep into the trauma of his past: the early death of his mother, and the loss of one of his classmates when he was at the Conservatoire. Jonathan has taught him that this is all good copy; to be a true actor, you have to have cracks in your soul, and shouldn't try to mend them through love or therapy. But as a new scandal at the Conservatoire brings back memories from Adam's days there, he starts to question everything that he's been told.

The Actor, Chris MacDonald's debut, is both intelligent and riveting, raising important questions about art-making and its relationship to our own lives. Of course, artists are going to draw on our own trauma; indeed, we are often told that is how you make good art, by saying something that is 'true'. However, as MacDonald's brilliant portrait of Adam spells out, when we assume that we have no capacity to invent anything, no imagination beyond our own experiences, we risk destroying our art and ourselves. As Adam's allies tell him, he is a talented actor; he doesn't need to push himself to the limit to deliver truth. I was a little disappointed with the ending of The Actor, which seems to come down too firmly on one side of this equation I just don't agree that it was unethical of Adam to draw from his own trauma around Patrick's death in The Woodsman; it certainly may not have been healthy, but that's a different issue. Given the position he was put in by Jonathan and Amber, it seemed to me inevitable that he was going to flash back.

Where The Actor also faltered a bit, for me, was in its psychological thriller trappings. I wished MacDonald had gone full throttle dark academia/literary thriller and not bothered with things like the mystery of who is trying to sink Adam's career by writing anonymous posts on the internet. The bait-and-switch just distracted from the intensity of the novel. But having said that, this is a very good debut; I was especially enthralled by the authentic sections set during Adam's time at the Conservatoire, where MacDonald clearly draws on his own experience attending drama school. (He trained at Drama Centre, which was nicknamed 'Trauma Centre' because of its intense focus on Stanislavski, who argued that actors must work from their own experiences; it closed down in 2020 after the death of a student.) I'd recommend this one to fans of Erin Kelly's Watch Her Fall and ML Rio's If We Were Villains.

I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot of whodunit/thriller about theatre and actors but this is the first I read about acting and the force behind a good performance.
Well plotted, emotionally charged, gripping and twisty
I loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did find this book slightly hard to get into at first but once I did, my goodness what a book. The acting world: glitz, fame and glamour or secrets and obsession? Adam Sealey has an Oscar within touching distance. Working with his controversial firmer mentor he gives the performance of a lifetime as he subscribes to ‘the method’, using personal traumas to being a role to life. It’s easy enough to do after what happened at drama school. It’s his darkest secret, but it appears someone else now knows what happened that night and could be about to expose him. Compelling reading that will keep you hooked. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Sealy is on the cusp of winning his first ever Oscar. He’s been nominated before, but never won. He is the kind of actor that totally immerses himself in the role he plays. In fact, the media brandished him as ‘obsessive’ when he removed his safety harness during a drowning scene, because he couldn’t fake that level of fear.

During his latest film, he worked closely with his old teacher of London’s Conservatoire, Jonathan Dors, who taught him ‘the method’ of acting, where actors had to dig deep into their darkest, most shameful secrets and traumas.

Now, a person is claiming online that Jonathan is linked to a disappearance of a Conservatoire female student. Adam discovers that Jonathan retired mid-term under suspicious circumstances. Are those two events connected? Or is it just a smear campaign by a rival film studio?

Then, Adam receives a mysterious phone call, where a voice repeats ‘How could you? a couple of times. Of course, he immediately knows that the phone call relates to what happened at the Conservatoire when Adam was a student. Someone knows. Is someone willing to tell?

Ooh, you simply have to read this book for yourself.

It is dark with complex characters – you couldn’t have put more layers on Jonathan even if you tried. As a teacher, he was difficult to please, brutal to his students, and relentless. Adam spent his student years desperately trying to please Jonathan; something that persisted even when Adam made it to Hollywood.

This book is a perfect portrayal of the ruthlessness in the film and acting industry. You certainly need a huge amount of determination (and talent) to become successful. Adam was good when he started, however, thanks to Jonathan and his unusual approach, he became an elevated actor.

As a character, Adam was quite obsessive and self-centred. I disliked his actions at the Conservatoire and how he treated some of his fellow students, particularly Nina. Later on in his professional career he would immerse himself into his new roles way too deeply. He would take it to the next level. I picked up on a couple of occasions when in normal situations, he would speak with an accent of his past roles, or he would behave like them. Almost like he wasn’t himself anymore, he was that particular persona.

This is a spellbinding tale of guilt, redemption, wanting to excel ourselves at all times, and surprisingly… hope. I loved the ending; it felt apt to offer a tiny sliver of hope into this otherwise dark and mysterious tale.

Many thanks to Jen of Michael Joseph for approving my NetGalley request to read and review this title.

The Actor publishes by Michael Joseph in January 2024.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Everyone I turned, someone was reading this book and all I could see were positive reviews as far as the eye could see. This made me a bit dubious. No book is universally loved, of course it isn't. But this one seems to be. So I went in cautiously, as very often, the big books everyone raves about fall a bit flat for me. But I needn't have worried. This is as brilliant as everyone says.

I have never read anything like it. It chips away at you, at the surface, slowly, bit by bit, but very effectively. It wasn't anything like I imagined. I thought it was a thriller, and to begin with, I thought I'd made a mistake, thinking it was more of a literary piece. I thought it would be this straightforward thriller with some sort of crime that someone was trying to escape from. But it's simpler and more complex than that. It is such a brutal study of the human psyche, and is just so powerful. It is a thriller, and a horror, a literary piece, a forensic analysis, a contemporary fiction, a psychological thriller, a romance - it's just got everything thrown in, and boy does it work!

Adam isn't a particularly likeable character for me. I found him too arrogant and too...I wanted to say "hoity toity" but wasn't sure if anyone else would know what I meant. Like, because he's a method actor, his talent is worth more than others. But the other part of me feels sorry for him because there's obviously been some trauma in his life that still haunts him and it's hard to go day-to-day with that kind of paranoia. So I was conflicted. In the end, whilst I still felt he was a bit above his station, by learning about what things he went through when he was a child and in education, I could see many different sides to him and on the whole, he is a wonderfully created character.

Of course there are a lot of other characters, in his past and present. I won't name them all as we'll be here for hours. But I suppose you've got Nina, his best friend from drama school who has equally gone through some things, and is trying to be friends with Adam the person, as well as Adam the actor, and it's the latter that is causing all the problems. And then Jonathan, his sort of mentor at school. He continues through into the present scenes, and he is just a dream of a character. That's not to say I liked him, because I didn't - I won't go into the whys and whatfores - but he is so juicy, I could imagine he would be the perfect character for an actor to actually get into and explore, as there's so much more underneath the surface with him.

The main narrative is linear and in the present, leading up to that year's Oscars (where Adam is nominated), and just after. But unsurprisingly, it's not as simple as that, and chaos ensues. Every other chapter is a flashback of when Adam was at drama school. I thought the present scenes were psychologically brutal enough, but the flashbacks are even....I was going to say 'worse', but that makes it sound bad, which this definitely isn't. But it's harder in the flashback scenes, the characters, the action, the emotions, everything is very fierce. I felt this format was a great way of showing how the past, present and future are all interlinked, and how you can use your memories to impact your current actions, for better or for worse.

It is a slow burn, a slow thriller. The very definition of a psychological thriller, which I love. It feels good and enjoyable and you're having fun reading it, but when you think deeply about it, you can feel it really getting under your skin and it becomes this really powerful story to read. It becomes more than a page with some words, those words hold a strength of their own that you're battling with.

As well as its main thriller elements, it is a real discovery of human nature, of love, grief, dreams, the extremes you will go to reach them, and what you're willing to sacrifice.

It's not the easiest book to read by any stretch of the imagination. It's raw and harsh and sad and powerful and angry, but it has this...it has this aura about it. It's a book where you forget you're reading a book and instead you're living with these people and feeling what they're feeling. It has a power over the reader that you want to escape from but stay in. It's a really beautifully written piece.

How to really give justice to this book? I think you get the most out of it by reading it yourself. It's the kind of book that'll grab you, and mean something different to every reader. So I've said my bit, it's now time for you to meet The Actor.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very dark thriller, but not one that has a fast pace. It is an amble through the life of actor Adam Sealey. The story flicks back and forth between past and present and gradually fills in the answers to the questions that have been building.

Adam trained as a method actor, which involves getting into character and remaining in character, this is something his tutor Jonathan wants. To feel what the character feels and then express it to the audience so they believe the character and the actor are one person. This involves going deep into Adam's self and exploring his fears and his emotions. This is something that involves laying yourself open, and being vulnerable and not everyone agrees with the extremes that Adam or some others will go.

The story goes back to when Adam was a student, learning the trade and the different styles of acting, movement and skills required to be an actor. It is through these sections that you realise and start to learn how destructive this style of acting can be. It does have tragic consequences.

The present-day is one that Adam is looking forward to, being short-listed for an Oscar is a dream and something that actors aspire to. This also involves more media coverage, interviews and appearances, one of which involves him going back to the college where he learnt his acting trade.

This is a thriller that gradually increases in tension and suspense. Having the answers slipped in over the course of the book makes the story intriguing. Trying to please his tutor and get some form of recognition from him involves Adam going to some interesting extremes and lengths. What makes this a psychological thriller is the way Adam is manipulated and it is this process that makes it such an intriguing and multilayered read.

The author does a fabulous job with Adam and shows the murky and vitriolic world behind the scenes and the glamour of the screen and its stars.

This is one for those who like a slower thriller and one that is very much character-led. A wonderful book with some disturbing scenes. It is one I would recommend reading.

[Pam Wright Alfie Blue Puss In Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

FROM THE COVER📖

At long last, Adam Sealey has an Oscar within reach. Working with his controversial former mentor, Jonathan, he's given the performance of a lifetime, and he almost believes it might be worth the cost.

Because Adam subscribes to "the method". It's the secret that the world's greatest actors swear by - digging into their darkest, most personal traumas to bring a role to life.

And Adam's greatest trauma is worse than most. Losing his mother when he was just a boy. A forced choice between the success he craved and the girl he loved. And that night back in drama school, the night of Adam's darkest secret, when everyone knows about the dead body, but nobody suspects the truth. 

And then he gets a message: someone knows. And if they tell, everything Adam's worked for will come crashing down.

REVIEW⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off thank you giving me the chance to read this utterly original compelling thriller. I was hooked from the opening pages. I knew nothing of this author before this book and if I am honest didn’t know what to expect I actually thought it would be another fairly good run of the mill standard thriller, I happy to report this book isn’t what I was expecting at all this is a stand out if the crowd.

A fascinating insight into acting world told with a personal truth in that can’t be made up ( the author attended a drama school not unlike the one in the novel) it’s deeply layered characters and a narrative voice is both uncompromising and unsettling. With the glamour of Hollywood and the struggle to get there we are told what it takes it go beyond the story to truly be a method actor and the personal cost it takes to be the greatest.

Told over fuel times lines, in the present day leading up to the Oscars and in the past at drama school, we hear from Adam in the first person POV. His narrative is engrossing it has a real feel of Donna Tartt ‘s The Secret History about it. There is a slow sinister boiling over suspense you know something is has and will kick off you want to keep reading long into the night to find out.

Plotted really well and written with skill I was nearly lead down the path the author wants you to be tricked into but worked it out but still never saw the twist at all.

The characters are drawn with real care and class the little snippets of some of the minor characters go a long way in developing them with a true to life feel without over crowding the book with too many voices. Adam as a character is written with a truth and understanding of not ever feeling good enough, this trait within the acting world makes a compelling portrayal. Van as a background character was my favourite I would have actually liked a few third person POV chapters on her. Johnathan was most of all interesting I felt like Adam trying to read and understand him, excellently written.

The drama school parts were my favourite to read I loved the journey and constant conflicting feelings Adam had. It give a real deep look into the acting world, I never knew the detailed study trained actors have had there is so much than just raw talent to the craft of acting. Within these sections I liked the relationship between Adam and Nina it gave the book the another dimension with it giving off a tragic love story feel.

The full novel has a carfatc and reckoning vibe set within the thrilling plot this along with the love story dimension and well written characters means the novel fits nicely into a lot a genres, I would actually argue it is more a character lead novel than a thriller. It’s much more than the average thriller you see turned out again and again. It’s very original and all the better for it.

With twists, darkness, glamour and characters you will care about this is a block buster book worthy of an Oscar.

[Karen Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Sealy is an actor of some renown, well-known for his commitment to the Method. At times, his willingness to go that bit further to get into character has been fraught with danger. In his most recent movie it’s resulted in a performance that has him nominated for an Oscar. Unfortunately, the process drew heavily on an event from his past that someone knows about and wants him to come clean about.
We see Adam’s initial training and get to see how he falls under the spell of one of his professors. We watch relationships developing and, eventually, see the truth behind the shocking story he wants to keep secret.
While the story itself was well-told, it’s hard to feel much for characters who are all rather unpleasant. Informative in part, but it doesn’t do much to paint this style of acting in a positive light.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

I found this book enjoyable to read on a number of levels! The insight into the film/theatre industry, the mental health issues, the toxic culture that can surround studying drama/being in the theatre… I was expecting more of a ‘thriller’ feel to it but it definitely had some twists and turns that kept me on my toes. Overall, a really good book that I’d be happy to recommend.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s some brilliance here. Excellent dialogue. Vivid sequences when the story is set in the past. The modern day sequences feel meandering and lack momentum. Reveals, when they come, are flaccid. The main issue is no one is likeable.

The main draw is the fun of the plots riffing on Hamlet.

A front cover full of book bloggers one line praise notes is by far its worst crime though.

Worth a read. Way more intelligent than a lot of thrillers these days, but it’s a thriller very much lacking in any kind of thrill.

[Karen Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sad to say that I struggled to get into this book. I did not like any of the characters and although that may have been the intention, it meant I was unable to feel very engaged.

Thank you to #NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this as I love psychological thrillers & I adore the theatre/films. I thought this book would be an excellent marriage but no. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very good read but it isn’t a psychological thriller. What it is is a deep dive into the life of one of the main characters & what a ride it is.

Set in alternating timelines & written as scenes rather than chapters, we are introduced to Oscar nominated Adam, as he is riding the crest of a wave. But someone wants to bring him down & a social media campaign hints at his involvement with a missing girl. His past is gradually revealed as well as the tortuous time he had at his drama school, at the hands of his vain & narcissistic tutor, Jonathan.

A tense read which reveals the dark & murky world which can exist behind the smiles of performing. A brilliant book which, although not what I was expecting, kept me gripped. Read it.

[Laiba · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟 Review to come!

[Richard Angrave · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lover of both the theatre and literature this book had the recipe for one I might enjoy. However although there were elements of the story I enjoyed overall it did not grab me and I thought it lacked substance. Good description of the emotions of an actor but something missing to encourage me to read more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher to ARC this book.

[Desmond Noordermeer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry maar 'method actors' zijn echt doodeng... Thriller aspect viel wel een beetje tegen, maar de hele psychologie over het acteren vond ik echt tof.

[Esther Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Every spare second I had I was picking up the book and when I was too busy to read I was thinking about when I would get to read next!

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

an enthralling story of obsession, guilt, sacrifice, and passion - for art and beauty

[Janaya Kabamba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Wow! Wow! I love thrillers in general but my favourite ones are the ones which give you a real life insight into a preciously unknown industry and this does exactly that. Its not all bright lights and glamour like most actor based books, it's grass roots of the stepping stones in an actors journey and to say it was fascinating would be an understatement. The book is really well written and plotted out. It goes at a good pace and the characters themselves are so well written and crafted. I was so invested in their lives and struggles that I just couldn't put it down. And there most definitely is still a huge thriller side to the book aswell so don't worry. The twists in this are masterfully done and I walked into them blindly each time! Absolutely outstanding read

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy in return for a fair review. I really enjoyed this novel which relates the career of a intensely method-style actor [the obvious parallel is Daniel Day-Lewis] from drama school to Oscar winner and the aftermath of a hidden secret. I am sure my enjoyment was enhanced by my knowledge of "Hamlet", a production of which is central to the plot. The central character is beautifully conveyed, although not particularly likeable, the reader can appreciate his struggles. I highly recoommend this book and will look forward to the author's next one.

[Aoife Cassidy McM · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had lots of promise but ultimately, I found it to be pretty plodding for the most part with a cast of horrible characters (Nina excepted), in whose lives I had no stake whatsoever. I debated abandoning the book at 50% but limped to the finish line.

Adam Sealey, a tortured thespian, is on the brink of Oscar success but an event from his past when he was a student at the Conservatoire in London threatens to pull down the house of cards and ruin him.

We delve into Adam’s past and his obsession with method acting. We spend time with Jonathan, an unstable genius (read: sociopath) and mentor to Adam. We meet Nina, a former girlfriend who Adam loved but who played second fiddle to Adam’s Hamlet. We get to know a cast of secondary characters including Patrick, a dashing Irish Paul Mescal type whose fate is intertwined with Adam’s.

It’s hard to muster up much enthusiasm for any of it. Adam is so conceited and horrible, I really had no interest in his redemption arc. This might appeal more to drama students who love thrillers but for me, it needed an injection of pace and wit and a lot less pretension to elevate it to a decent thriller. It could have leaned a little further into the cult of personality to make it more compelling. 2/5 ⭐️

*Many thanks to Michael Joseph Books for the arc via @netgalley. The Actor will be published on 18 January 2024. As always, this is an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about this book or the author before starting reading but within a few pages I was completely engrossed in this compelling story which documents the spiralling and catastrophic consequences of obsession, competition, grief and the ruthless nature of the acting profession.

Witnessing the insane amount of pressure that Adam is putting on himself to deliver a great performance and impress his mentor is so addictive. As he unravels, the psychological trauma he has faced in the past collides with the brutal criticism he receives from his tutors and fellow classmates with devastating results. It’s almost uncomfortable to read but impossible to put down.

A ‘Black Swan’ style suspense thriller for the acting world with hints of David Lynch’s critique of the film industry. A career that is usually portrayed as a glamorous and enviable path to take is suddenly seen in a scathing and sinister new light.

[Tilly Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was super lucky to get to read this exciting novel early, and now that I have this gorgeous proof with my quote on (that will NEVER get old 🤣), it’s time to share my thoughts!

The Actor is a dark, psychological read that looks into just how far artists will go for their craft - in this case, acting. It’s got this great tension throughout, and lots of characters who you’ll love to hate, whilst also getting a little envious of the glamorous side of the business! You can tell Chris knows the industry well, but this story shows us that it’s anything but perfect…

If you like your novels dark and disturbing, with that real page turning quality, then get this one on your radar!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I answered and for a moment there was nothing. A click on the end of the line. Static silence.
Then a voice I hadn't heard for two decades. A voice that couldn't be on the end of a phone because dead people can't speak.
'How could you?' it said.”

Sinister, haunting, addictive and utterly mesmerising, The Actor is a riveting thriller with a bigger Oscar night controversy than Will Smith slapping Chris Rock. I was in its thrall from the start, my heart pounding with nerve-shredding chills. It was so tempting to stay up all night and read this in one sitting, but, in the end, sleep got the better of me and I finished it quickly the next day.

Adam Sealey has given the performance of a lifetime and finally has the Oscar he’s dreamed of in his reach. All of his hard work and sacrifice looks like it's about to pay off. Because Adam is a student of ‘the method’, an acting approach that means digging into your greatest trauma and pain to breathe life into your character. Adam was taught ‘the method’ at drama school by his controversial mentor Jonathan Dors. And Adam’s greatest trauma is also his darkest secret. A secret that someone is now threatening to expose and bring his world crumbling down.

“It felt magnificent…there’s an extraordinary rush in wilful self-destruction. Destroying the sacred self seemed to me the ultimate form of empowerment.”

Wow. Just, wow. When I was asked to be one of the first bloggers to read this book I was excited yet totally unprepared for the rollercoaster I was about to ride. Skillfully written, fast-paced, tense and twisty, Chris MacDonald had me in the palm of his hand from the first page until the last. MacDonald goes deep in this book, exploring the darker side of ‘the method’, and asking if it could be damaging to the mental health of those who use it. His examination of the correlation between unresolved trauma, mental illness and ‘the method’ brought to mind how Heath Ledger immersed himself in the role of The Joker, and the discussions that this could have played a part in his untimely death.

Told in dual timelines, the story moves between past and present. In the present Adam is trying to find out who knows his secret and is threatening to reveal it, the past tells us the story of Adam’s days at drama school and events leading up to the night that still haunts him, long-held secrets are slowly revealed. My mind was a whirlwind of questions and I had no idea what would happen next as MacDonald pulled the rug from under me again and again. And that ending! I’m still reeling from the jaw-dropping shock of it all.

"The ripples of what I did had turned into high-walled waves."

The characterisation in this book is nothing short of spectacular. Adam is a fantastic protagonist. Flawed, fractured, tortured and troubled, he’s living a life most of us can’t imagine, yet MacDonald succeeds in making him totally relatable. He’s a lost soul who is looking for acceptance and to make his mark, but as he falls deeper into ‘the method’ he loses his way, turning his back on those who are truly there for him to chase his dream. We see that life has become one long acting role and Adam is either unwilling or unable to be himself, always searching for the right character to inhabit in every situation. It seems like he’s lost who he is in the many characters he’s inhabited during his career. The supporting cast were equally as compelling. Standout characters for me were Jonathan, who was the perfect, elusive villain, and Nina, who was an ideal leading lady. I was really rooting for Nina and Adam and loved their relationship.

A breathtaking thriller that oozes menace and foreboding, The Actor is sure to be a huge hit in 2024. Add it to your TBR now!