How to Disappear Completely
Our latest title, offered from Myke Bartlett. Your comments are welcome!
Part film noir detective story, part fantasy adventure, part East End gangster tale, How to Disappear Completely concerns Theo Braitwaite, a failed actress and worse waitress, becoming involved in an unseen world populated by history’s rejects and runaways from a secret society known as The Footmen. A stranger to London, waiting for life to come and find her, she instead found by a part-time thief called Kilbey Salmon who, along with his rockabilly-obsessed partner, is attempting to eke out a living stealing things that have already been stolen and finding people who don’t want to be found.
An episodic narrative, Kilbey and Nero’s capers will drag Theo through the forgotten parts and people of London, hunted by ancient sects, carnivorous shadows, cannibalistic butchers and off-duty policemen. Along the way she’ll meet the Eternal Footmen, blow up Hammersmith Bridge, reach the end of history and quite possibly disappear completely.
If Theo is to survive, she’ll need to get her life sorted before all of our futures catch up with her.
January 18th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
I’m enjoying this so much that I’ve been listening to each chapter twice. Also, I originally set this show to deliver a new episode every 3 days, but I haven’t been able to wait that long. I’ve been logging in and releasing the next chapter before it was scheduled to be delivered. The author has a great reading voice, and he makes excellent use of background music to highlight the tension near the end of chapters. The writing is of a style that is entirely unlike the authors (many of whom I like) that write more like a movie. This is Prose with a capital P. I’m enjoying his descriptions and metaphors completely and utterly.
February 1st, 2006 at 4:56 am
This book is awesome it is one of my favorite podiobooks. I love the dark and mysterious atmosphere that the books creates. Keep up the good work.
February 8th, 2006 at 11:19 am
Supurbly written and presented. I’m completely immersed. Myke Bartlett is my podiojunkie, and I’m hooked. I’d give two sticks for my next fix.
February 18th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
When is the next chapter. I have been waiting for weeks.
February 18th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
That’s a very good question, Roberta.
http://podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=44
You’ll notice a “visit author’s website” link on the page, and on that page you’ll probably find an email link. Nothing like gentle prodding from fans to motivate an author for something new!
E.
February 19th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Hi guys,
I’m glad you’re all enjoying the book so much and am touched it’s keenly anticipated. While I have been busier than usual the last few weeks, the good news I have sent in 2 new chapters over the last week, so I’m sure they’ll be posted shortly!
Hope you enjoy them and sorry about the delay!
Cheers,
Myke
February 25th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
Am really engrossed in this book now, though I admit, it took a few shows before I got into it. But now I’m hooked!
I do have one request though… can you please put an episode number somewhere in the title? I had accumulated a few shows while I was out of town and away from my computer, and when I downloaded them onto my iPod, they wanted to play out of order because they were listed alphabetically. So putting the show number in before the title would make them be in the right order!
Thanks!
p.s. MORE EPISODES, PLEASE!!!
March 8th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
I am engrossed in the book as well. Loved Chapter 10. Please hurry with the rest of the chapters.
Thanks.
March 13th, 2006 at 10:14 am
Am enjoying the story very much. Interested to know if/what you plan
to do with this work in print.
March 13th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
The writing on this story is extraordinarily good - witty and excellently crafted. My favorite podiobook by at half a mile. One of the most talented writers I’ve had the good fortune to stumble upon. Well done.
April 20th, 2006 at 5:17 am
This story is maximally pimp. The plot is bloody intriguing, the characters are real and the narration, being pumped full of ultra-soul, does both of these things justice. Good shizzle my nizzle.
April 30th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Gloriously moody and intriguing. The taste of London has me always excited to find a new chapter available.
May 6th, 2006 at 8:01 am
I like the complexity of the language, the reader’s accent, the characters (Theo’s musings on life and love, and the perplexed feeling of a missing wallet turning up where it should not be; Kilbey’s humor in the face of adversity, almost forgetting the all-important Urn), the descriptions (animated shadows; a vivid plate of eggs). I think I’ve met a dozen Theo’s in my life, and I think of Kilbey as a bumbling Han Solo with a hangover. I listen in the car, and am not always 100% focused on the story, so I may have missed some things. One thing I love, in addition to the SciFi/Noir aspects of the Footmen trying to ‘right’ history, if it gets mucked up a bit, is the haunting desire to ‘Disappear’ - per the title. Someone who has potential - but only potential - could be seduced easily into giving that up - easier to sell it off than to realize it yourself. Selling off their potential to someone else who might make better use of it. I am reminded of Bart Simpson parting with his soul. I haven’t listened to all available chapters yet, and am not sure if I read that in, or MB intended it, but that humanizes the story for me. Wondering how you might profit from letting go of your potential. It’s moody London at its best, its high concept creepy Sci Fi, and it’s thought provoking human literature.
June 14th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
How To Disappear Completely is a joy to listen to. Compelling writing, a surreal action plot balanced by believable characters and brought alive by fantastic narration and atmospheric production (the sound quality really improves after the first few chapters). Myke Bartlett has created a simply brilliant world that I look forward to entering with each installment and his writing is first class. I’m sure that HTDC has a huge audience out there just waiting. Anyone with publishing connections should get in quick because I think this is going to be huge…
July 26th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
I started listening to How To Disappear Completely after hearing a sample on my friend’s podcast (The Adult Space Child Free Podcast). I was not drawn in by the story itself, but the reader’s voice. It was lovely. I don’t read a lot of fiction, so when I do, it has to be something special. I am even more picky with audio books. I was hooked by the voice, but I was drawn in by the story. It’s strange and confusing…and perhaps a bit creepy at times…just what I like. I cannot wait to complete this audio series.
September 26th, 2006 at 4:36 am
Well written, very well presented, fundamentally a bit boring.
The strangeness was attractive to me and kept me interested. the story does seem to be hinting at what its all about but oh so slowly.
I’ve now unsubscribed because the story really wasn’t going anywhere. There is no overall story that I’ve seen, so I have no reason to stick around.
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I’m a recent podiobooks.com fan, but I’ve been eating up this wonderful new treasure quite eagerly. There are a many good titles, but I look forward to “How to Disappear Completely” the most.
I try to set aside only 30 minutes or so a day to listen to a chapter, but I find myself being a naughty girl and going through 2-4 in a day. I’m trying to control myself though, because this stuff is too good for me to wait a fortnight for the fab stuff. Am currently at chapter 9, and trying to slow down my frenzied consumption.
This is *incredibly* well done. Listening to the intro music alone puts me in a good mood, because I know fantastic stuff is coming. I am fully involved in each chapter, and feel myself physically reacting to the characters, emotion, setting, themes, and plot.
The language is rich without being ridiculous, the lovely metaphors and witty banter a joy to listen to. Descriptions for both the setting and emotional make-up of the characters are colorful and honest. It doesn’t hurt that it’s so well narrated, which is amazing since the author doesn’t have to go into an audio drama production and a gazillion voices to be able to bring this story to life.
It does take a while for the story to unfold (though there are of course amazing moments of thrill peppering the slow pace). But personally, I don’t see this as a hindrance to the story at anyway. I enjoy the time the author is taking to reveal the events, and each new reveal (subtle or loud) is a treat.
In the end, I would think the strongest point of this podiobook would be its ability to swing between the surreal and the mundane, until you realize they are somehow one and the same. The mystery and honesty get to me every time.
I may have talked too much at this point, and may come close to appear a tad brown nosed. You have my assurances, that I do not know the author personally, and have not been paid in anyway for this glowing review.
I simply wanted to put much effort into this comment, expressing what I like about this amazing podiobook. I can feel the amount of effort the author is putting into this piece, and my rambling comment is the very least of what “How to Disappear Completely” deserves.
Mr. Bartlett, Thank you so much for sharing your story with us at podiobooks.com
November 29th, 2006 at 7:39 am
I am utterly addicted to this story and love the darkness, humour and suspense of it. I am particularly fond of the downtrodden, curmudgeonly and yet heroic character of Nero, and am crossing my fingers that he will survive his latest encounter with Tresgold. Here’s hoping that he will live long enough to, one day, get the holiday he seems so desperately to need…
Thanks for this great story Myke. May it never end!
December 14th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Any word on new episodes?
January 15th, 2007 at 9:28 am
OK. I need more!! I’ve already listened to the 24 chapters available. How much longer must I wait? This book is great, and yes, the author sounds kind of hot. Hmm, is that a weird thing to say? Oh well. But seriously Myke Bartlett, can we get some more episodes please? Thanks:)
January 21st, 2007 at 10:37 am
This is good stuff. I’m glad to know you’re not done with it. And thanks.
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Thanks guys, I’m glad you’re still hanging out for more. The good news is there’s plenty more coming and a little more quickly now. I’ve been away for a month but Chapter 25 is recorded and ready to go with Chapter 26 to follow soon. Your feedback means a lot and I’ve been thrilled with the comments I’ve had here and on my site (which, by the way, is a good place to get updates on the progress of the book - http://kilbeysalmon.blogspot.com)
Cheers again everyone!
January 29th, 2007 at 11:43 am
*different Samantha..:P*
I just listened to the first chapter and I’m hooked. Very sharp writing with a protagonist who feels very real. Looking forward to more. Also, in agreeance with the other Samantha, whomever is reading it (author or otherwise)has a great reading voice.
January 29th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I love the story and your Narration. I am so hooked!. I wish you could just write full time and adore your style of writing.
I have great difficulty waiting for chapter 25 so I started listening to the story again
Thank you for ALL YOUR HARD WORK and keep up the goood work.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:34 am
I love this story. I didn’t think I would like it at first, but I’m very much glad that I decided to give this a chance. Because it is so awesome. Seriously. I’m pretty much addicted to this book.
February 10th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Rockin’ great book! Sexy, suspenseful, unexpected twists like Alice down the rabbit hole. And I dig the music.
February 12th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Mr Bartlett, thank you so much for this amazing story! I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time and I am curious as to why you would choose to use a pen name for this podcast. Are you just having fun, or is there some practical reason for remaining icognito?
February 25th, 2007 at 11:10 am
you s*d, how can you leave it like this. I have just listened to chapter 27 and though i don’t want to spoil it for those of you who have not listened yet, i have to say, myke please don’t do it. make him ok, please. we don’t have to wait 2 weeks to find out do we? post again soon
March 4th, 2007 at 12:01 am
I listened to #1 and am very interested in the story. This is my first Podiobook.
I like the voice and accent. Sounds a lot like Hugh Grant. But I think the reading is just a little weak. Perhaps as things progress the reading will improve or perhaps some voice coaching would help.
Having some technical problems downloading #2&3, it stops in the middle of the download. I’m sure it will work out in time.
Good job! Really enjoying the beginning.
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:46 am
Okay Podiobook people, I know you have the last chapter. Nudge, nudge.
April 9th, 2007 at 2:30 am
Hi Everyone,
The final chapter will be available here shortly, but those of you waiting can find it at http://kilbeysalmon.blogspot.com.
Thanks to everyone for listening over the last 12 months. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have!
cheers,
Myke Bartlett
April 19th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
The narration quality was great and I really liked the ended.
April 20th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I just wanted to express my thanks for creating such a wonderful novel of sorts and providing the episodes for podiobooks. I believe that this could be the best book available on podiobooks.com to date. I hope you continue to contribute to the podcasting world with future stories and wish you great success in publishing the book. You deserve great praise!
April 21st, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I have finished this book and can highly recommend it.
There were many times when I thought I finally had a handle on where the story was going, but then the plot would twist again and again I’d be clueless! (Understand I’m not complaining, I hate it when I read a few pages and know the ending.)
The last couple of episodes tied it all together for me in such a satisfactory way that I almost don’t mind that the story is over.
You might want to check out the store at the author’s website.
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Wow! Yes quite an involved book- many twists and turns… Enjoyed this book quite a bit! One of my favorites by far. Narration is Excellent! And personally glad I found this book after it was complete- I listened to the whole thing in just a few days- would have gone mad waiting as long as many of you did- just too good to put down. Hopefully Myke will write more and share with us all again in the future…
May 20th, 2007 at 2:44 am
Like others I am glad I found this book after it had completed. Having the full novel on my iPod as part of my holiday ‘reading’ was excellent, and pacing it out so that I knew I’d get to the end just as I was about to come home was perfect.
Congratulations Myke on the best podiobook I’ve come across so far. While I respect the commercial objectives of some of the local ’superstars’, I can’t help admiring your individuality and originality. The dark humour and the layering of background detail (often deliciously unexplained - what is the fiscal significance of a chalk stick, for example?) made this a deeply satisfying novel. I also enjoyed the music, particularly the eerie background soundtrack to the scene in the tube - a genuinely disturbing and effective soundscape. Loved it.
Good luck with ‘Electricity’ - I shall be waiting for that one with bated breath.
May 28th, 2007 at 5:45 am
I loaded all 30 chapters for a weekend trip, and started from the top. It has been a luxury!
June 10th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Thanks everyone! I’m still utterly flattered by the feedback HTDC has received; it certainly makes me keen to continue the adventures of Kilbey and co. in the near future.
In the meantime, you can find out more about my new podcast at http://strangematter.blogspot.com
June 26th, 2007 at 6:11 am
I loved this book. Kilbey was frankly hilarious - not the run-of-the-mill hero, to say the least. What I liked best, though, was that even when Theo felt that she was adapting, the world found a way to one-up her. It was like a dare, to see who could out-nonchalant the other - if that makes sense. I loved the humor and the serious moments, because they were well-balanced and kept me interested. I can’t wait for more!
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:49 am
Great book. Alice Through the Looking Glass meets Neil Gaiman. It’s an engaging mystery for the reader as well as the characters, and the writing is terrific. Thanks for posting it as an audio book.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
I just finished listening to this book today and I didn’t want it to end. It’s so terrifically written and incredibly well read. I’m glad to see that you came he has come out with another book! I can’t wait to hear it. It really helps my work day go quicker. Just can’t say enough, wonderful…truly wonderful.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Fantastic, hands down the best podiobook I’ve listened to yet. Really fantastic character development and storytelling, Dr. Who meets John Constantine. Looking forward to the novella! Thanks for such a fun ride, Myke!
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:09 am
Once again, it’s great to hear that people are continuing to enjoy HtDC - and comparisons are always interesting.
For those awaiting the sequel, there’s news at http://kilbeysalmon.blogspot.com and I’ve created a Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6562305892 with more info and space for chatting.
Cheers!
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Great book, cant wait for second season or sequal, whatever you will.
Was wondering if ppl had heard about/ seen ‘Neverwhere’ A tv show by Neil Gaiman in 1995 i believe. As close to a tv show/movie of HtDC i feel we will ever get. If you told the outline of one story to a person, and some chinese whispers along the way, you would have the overview for the other.
More so was wondering if Myke yourself had seen this show, and was a fan of Gaiman.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Hi Reclaim,
Glad you enjoyed the book.
I’ve blogged a bit about Neverwhere here, if you’re interested: http://mykebartlett.blogspot.com/2008/01/where-im-stealing-from-part-one.html
Cheers!
January 20th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Thanks for the link Myke.
Ive read most Gaiman works, And i can honestly say Ive enjoyed your work as much as his. American Gods is actully what filled the gap when I finished HtDC. Just finished listening to the My Chalk Outline, and Fantastic!
My comments probably pushed out your link to it so here it is for others.
http://kilbeysalmon.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for taking the time. Looking forward to the next adventure.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
This IS my favourite podcast. I love the way the story weaves in and out and events overlap. Myke Bartlett has one of the sexiest voices in podcasting and the talent of a great writer (not listed in order of importance ;).
I also noticed some correlation in the foundation of HtDC and Neil Gaiman’s novel Neverwhere but Myke took his story to places Neil never did. They were merely in neighboring zip codes.
Regardless of the influence of other authors, this podiobook is a unique and imaginative work that deserves all of the praise it has received.
I usually listen to podcasts while I’m at work doing the mindless stuff like filing and data entry. HtDC had me so engrossed I had my headphones on all day and I let the work I had to put thought into pile up so I wouldn’t have to stop listening. (don’t tell my boss). Myke, I’d like to read or listen to many more stories of yours, but take your time getting turning them out or I might just get sacked.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Oh, wow ! I just listened to the last cast. This is the best thing I have ever put into my ears ! Really. I was late for everything in my life, because I was always sitting in my car, listening to my iPod, waiting to hear what happens next. I am desperate for more. Go Myke ! And, Thanks. Really. Thanks. being late never sounded so good. - Andrew O.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I Love it!
whats the music from?
could you send me the name and title of the song and artist…
March 20th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Once again, many thanks on your kind words! It’s great motivation as I finally sit down this week to write some more Salmon & Dusk…
David, the music you seek is called ‘Tribute’ by an artist called Dilvie. You can find it here http://www.dilvie.com/2007/03/dilvie-music-in-audiobook-podcast.html
in the music archive. Let him know I sent you!
Cheers!
March 28th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
this is one of THE BEST podiobooks I have listened to since I was introduced to the medium. Myke Bartlett has created a story that is strange and epic in scope. The prose is both profound and easy to understand. I would like to give this book a rating of 25 stars if I could.
July 4th, 2008 at 2:34 am
This podiobook has good storyline and some interesting ideas in it. I liked that side of it a lot, what I did not really like was that I felt no real feelings towards any of the characters by 10 chapters in. I didnt seem to care too much what would happen to any of them. I also found that not knowing quite exactly what was going on by 10 chapters in was quite irritating. Afraid to say that at this point I reluctantly gave up and moved on to something else…. I am sure if I had carried on with it these things would have changed, but there was not quite enough to hold my interest.Though I expect I will come back to this one eventually as I do want to know what happens.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:07 am
How do you make time trvel work in fiction, anyway? Myke Bartlett has his own fascinating take on it. It’s fun to dive deeper and deeper into his cosmic plot, to discover where all the conflict and action are coming from. This book has an incredibly wide canvas, sprawling all over several epochs of London and its surrounds. It has four fascinating main characters, and a memorable supporting cast. And the locales Myke describes come to life on their own.
August 7th, 2008 at 7:14 am
This was my first podiobook ever (ok, so I’m a little late to the game) and now I’m spoiled for life. How To Disappear Completely is the yardstick by which all others are measured and no one has come up to scratch yet!