The Actress

The Actress was a totally entertaining and enthralling mystery. I loved it. Not sure what to expect from an author I had never read, I took a chance. The first chapter was a little slow for me, then, I couldn't put the book down. The story was totally orginal for me. The characters were interesting and elicited plenty of emotion; some I loved, some I hated. "Why are you doing something so stupid!" I wanted to direct their activity. I was very glad there was not a lot of sex and violence...she didn't need it for her story and didn't waste the energy or pages to put it in. Overall, if you are going on vacation or going to be home sick, this book will entertain you, start to finish.

A tightly woven courtroom drama sings with fully realized characters. They were both believable and likable. Although The Actress is tightly crafted and plotted, Elizabeth Sims didn't rely on that to carry the story through. She gives her characters convincing and mesmerizing backstory, and grabbed my interest and held it the whole way through. You definitely rooted for the protagonist, Rita, and respected her the whole way through for the choices she makes. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author.

After meeting his latest semi-notorious client Eileen Tenaway, L.A. celebrity attorney Gary Kwan realizes even he cannot stand the unsympathetic woman; a jury will hang her without needing any evidence to the charge she allegedly killed her baby. Desperate he hires starving wannabe actress Rita Farmer at one thousand dollars a day to train Eileen to appear a lot more sympathetic and likable in court especially when she takes the stand. Needing the money as she fears her rat of an ex will make an attempt to gain custody of their son Petey, Rita accepts the assignment. Rita finds teaching Eileen nearly impossible as the woman is sociopathically uncaringly numb. However, not long afterward, the case twists when insurance investiagtor Mr.Rowe informs Rita of a pay out to Eileen and her husband's business partner over the death of her sposue in Brazil. Soon Rita ponders whether the husband is dead and not long aftere that is resolved, his business partner, a lot of money and jewels vanish. When someone murders Gary and kidnaps Rita's son, the actress and her friend Daniel desperately search for her offspring even while knowing an unknown adversary wants Eileen hung. Readers will root for Rita who turns from gentle kitty to ferocious lioness when her cub is threatened although some of her early investigative actions seem out of character as it places her and ultimately Petey in danger. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Gary hires Rita and never slows down. The key to this exhilarating amateur sleuth legal thriller is Eileen. She is so unsympathetic fans will convict her without any need of evidence. Elizabeth Sims provides a fascinating tale especially when the plot focuses on Eileen. Harriet Klausner

I love Rita Farmer. She plays her role to a packed courtroom in Elizabeth Sims' latest page turner. Rita is a survivor, a devoted mother, a good friend and a struggling actress with an amazing ability to read people. Rita takes a job to put food on the table, but is drawn to the drama in the courtroom and is trapped in a multi-layered mystery. THE ACTRESS will keep you guessing until the last page. It's not just Hollywood, it's gripping courtroom drama as well. Bolivian gems, corporate embezzlement, and kidnapping create a complex and fast-paced thriller.

If you like your protagonists smart and spunky, you'll love Rita Farmer. She's a bright actress with a self-confident style and a sneaky sense of humor. But, Rita isn't the only compelling character in Sims' latest thriller, son Petey and guy friend Daniel win your heart as well. The Actress will keep you turning pages past your bedtime. This is Elizabeth Sims at her best.