Nothing Without Me

Name: Nothing Without Me
Brand: Penguin Random House Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Helen Monks Takhar
ISBN: 9780593822647

Author: Helen Monks Takhar

Narrator: Kristin Atherton

Unabridged: 11 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Random House Audio

Published: 04/02/2024

Categories: Fiction, Suspense & Thriller, Women, Psychological

Synopsis

The gripping tale of a film director with a shadowy past, her missing lead actress, and the disturbing cost of fame—from “addictive” (People) suspense writer Helen Monks Takhar

“A pulse-pounding roller coaster through the shadows of the silver screen.”—Jaclyn Goldis, author of The Chateau

Fame is a deadly game. . . .

April Eden is about to have the night of her life. After years struggling uphill as a female director, her debut movie The Vanished Woman is up for a major British film award, placing her firmly on Hollywood’s radar. Her leading lady, Essie Lay—a fragile but magnetic former TV host—is on the cusp of a stunning comeback after being canceled for a disturbing scandal.

When Essie messages April saying she can’t face the ceremony, April heads to Essie’s palatial London mansion, Lotus Lodge, to convince her to enjoy their big night together. But upon arriving, April is faced with tragedy: Essie’s body is floating in her swimming pool, all signs pointing to suicide. Panicked, April activates Essie’s team—her put-upon sister/manager, Janine, and her wily agent, Jonathan—expecting them to do damage control while she heads to the awards ceremony; she’s devastated yet determined to do what she can to protect Essie’s legacy.

But by the time April returns to Lotus Lodge to face the fallout, Essie’s body has vanished. Was Essie actually murdered? Is this an elaborate hoax or publicity stunt gone wrong? And why does April start receiving unsettling messages, trying to pin the blame on her?

Taut, twisty, and deliciously page-turning, Nothing Without Me examines the high price of female fame, how far some will go to climb the slippery ladder of celebrity, and the unbearable pressure of being the woman everyone wants to be.

About The Author

Helen Monks Takhar is the author of the novels Precious You and Such A Good Mother. She is also joint managing director of the production company Second Generation with her husband, screenwriter and executive producer Danny Takhar. Helen worked as a journalist, copywriter, and magazine editor after graduating from Cambridge University. She began her career writing for financial trade newspapers before contributing to UK national newspapers including The Times and The Observer. She lives in North London with Danny and their two daughters.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nilufer

The ugly face of fame, destructive online bullying, toxic friendship, and the ongoing fight of women for centuries to exist in a world ruled by men's rules: this book absolutely discusses these important subjects in a dark, realistic approach, not with kid gloves. Some chapters affect you like a har......more

Goodreads review by Ceecee

4.5 rounded up Wow, this latest novel from the talented Helen Monks Takhar sure packs a punch or two. This is April Eden and Essie (Esther) Lays’s story. April is now a writer and film director with her debut film “The Vanished Woman” being well received and up for awards. Her leading lady is Essie,......more

Goodreads review by Indieflower

Another story about the unpleasant side of fame and the heavy price people pay for it. Told from two different POV and in several different timelines, this one is very twisty and convoluted - maybe a little too convoluted. Also for me, too long, though I was really interested to see where the story......more

Goodreads review by Barbara

This was an enjoyable, twisty, but too long story about the friendship between April and Esther and the consequences of one night.......more

Goodreads review by Erin

See my review on www.mysteryandsuspensemagazine.com April has finally had one of her biggest dreams come true- she is up for a major film award for best director. Although she should be enjoying the accolades, April can’t help but think about her leading lady, Essie Lay, and the fact that sh......more

Quotes

“[Nothing Without Me] shows the dark side of fame and the extra pressure that it places on females. . . . Thought-provoking and emotional . . . Takhar has provided a novel that everyone will be talking about.”—Mystery & Suspense

“Terrific . . . An absolute humdinger of a thriller!”—Gytha Lodge, author of A Killer in the Family

“Expertly plotted and pulsing with suspense, Nothing Without Me plunges readers into the cutthroat world of Hollywood, peeling back the veneer of celebrity and deftly exposing the dark side of fame and ruthless ambition. A twisty and timely read, it kept me guessing right up to the jaw-dropping end.”—Lindsay Cameron, author of No One Needs to Know

“A pulse-pounding roller coaster through the shadows of the silver screen, Nothing Without Me will leave you questioning the true nature of celebrity and the devastating sacrifices women are forced to make to stay in the spotlight’s glow. Helen Monks Takhar lays bare the dark side of Hollywood glitz and glamour in this chilling and intoxicating mystery.”—Jaclyn Goldis, author of The Chateau

“Monks Takhar explores the dark side of celebrity in this diabolically plotted and ferociously feminist psychological thriller. . . . Exquisitely rendered, realistically damaged characters help make the novel’s jaw-dropping twists feel earned. . . . Liane Moriarty fans, take note: This is a must-read.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)