A Woodsman cutting down his hanged wife; a barely adult man cutting down his hanged friend. The latter experience drives the realism of the former, for the young man, Adam Sealy, was a theatre student and the Woodsman is a character played by movie star Adam Sealy, twice nominated for an Oscar and now favourite to win one for this performance. Twenty years ago, at the “Conservatoire” theatre school in London, Adam was trained by Jonathan Dors in the Art of “Method Acting”, a totally immersive system in which the actor tries to become the character by, amongst other traumatic things, dredging up personal experiences and emotions to inform their performance. If this is totally successful then it is not a performance because the actor is no longer there – it is reality. Adam is a quintessential exponent of this Art, which has brought him great fame but at the expense of personal relationships of all kinds. Using the suicide of his friend to empower his emotions at the suicide of his “wife” was the thing that would finally get him the Oscar, but it would be the reverse if the Academy and the viewing public realised. Fortunately, the death is not widely known, but Adam is becoming obsessed by it and by extension is beginning to question whether Johnathan’s method might actually be less a glittering prize and more a poisoned chalice. This feeling is being reinforced by two separate things: an online blogger is hinting at revealing the suicide, and Jonathan has just been suspended from the Conservatoire because of a scandal in which a young girl student, possibly breaking under the pressure of his tutelage, has disappeared. This is flagged as a psychological thriller, the thriller elements being the resolution of the suicide, the disappearance, and the winning (or otherwise) of the Oscar. In a sense though, these elements are subservient to the psychological aspect: the deconstruction of a troubled, working class, son of an alcoholic mother; the construction of a tormented, isolated, aggrandised method actor; the collapse of certainty as the morality at the base of one’s life and achievements becomes questionable. The writing is extremely powerful, almost hypnotic in its intensity at times. The reader is not just taken into the usual bizarre world of the theatre, but into the claustrophobic, oppressive, focused, almost monomaniacal mind-world of the method actor. Identifying with this character is a very disquieting experience. The other players in this tale, are well drawn but seem pale in comparison. Many of them, especially Jonathan, are not very likeable people. There are a lot of quotations, particularly from Shakespeare, which are used descriptively to highlight the action not just to season the prose. The dense text means that it is often a slow read, speeding up where the thriller elements are to the fore. Overall, it is a challenging read, not perfect, so 4.5 rounded up. I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

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.

This is a deep, dark dive into the human psyche - brilliantly unpredictable, in turns both fascinating and abjectly horrifying. To be, or not to be, is not even a question here - The Actor pulls back the curtain on the dazzling lights of Hollywood and will leave you hanging on his every tormented word.

Simply brilliant. I’ve relished every page of this tense thriller set in the world of acting. Adam, the central character, has just delivered the performance of a lifetime and is in line for an award. But his joy is quashed when a dark secret from the past comes back to haunt him. There’s a dual timeline; past and present and as the narrative switches between the two, the events to bring the two together are revealed. This is a really clever story, set in a world of ‘method’ acting. It’s one where boundaries are crossed and it feels very relevant with the current difficulties in the entertainment business. Not a day goes by when there’s yet another exposé of inappropriate behaviour and this book builds on that theme but takes it even further. Hugely enjoyable and a complex plot that’s fresh and different. Characters that I bought into immediately and intrigue from the get go. Really enjoyed this and was sorry when I finished. Always a sign of a good book when it’s difficult to find another to follow it.

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.