What You Don’t Know About Charlie Outlaw

Stewart’s thoughtful novel (following The Myth of You and Me) chronicles the inner workings of famous television actor Charlie Outlaw after he is kidnapped on a remote island. Honest and people-pleasing to a fault, Charlie alienates his fans and makes his girlfriend, Josie Lamar, feel like a fool after revealing too much about their relationship and his thoughts about the industry in a magazine interview. Josie herself was famous 20 years ago when she starred on a cult superhero show, but now counts herself lucky to score an audition. She breaks up with Charlie, who decides to lick his wounds by going on a hiking trip alone on a remote, unnamed island. Charlie is abducted on his vacation by amateur criminals who hope to ransom their American captive. When he realizes that they don’t recognize him, he gives them a false name and uses what he’s learned as an actor to make the best of his situation. Back home, Josie lands minor roles, readies herself for a convention celebrating the anniversary of her old show, and longs for Charlie as gossip about her leaks to the paparazzi. Stewart skillfully creates multifaceted characters, and she shows a very human side of what’s often thought of as a vapid profession. In particular, readers who have had any sort of celebrity crushes will find this endearing and satisfying. (Mar.)