Through first-person narration, sound effects, a fictional podcast, urgent voicemails, news reports, and a full cast, we are sucked into the world of The Studio, an elite acting school in Los Angeles whose cult-like leader, Marianna, (narrated by Orange is the New Black star, Yael Stone) promises to make you into an unstoppable talent...at any cost. How far would you go for greatness?

After years of seclusion, the once-celebrated child star Georgia Lane moves to Los Angeles, determined to make a comeback. But as auditions elude her and bills pile up, she quickly realizes that beneath the glitzy facade of LA lies a ruthless and unforgiving city.

That is, until she meets Henry, an aspiring actor, who sweeps her off her feet. He is kind and supportive, and after Georgia has trouble finding an apartment, he invites her to move in with him. He even connects her with his agent and brings her to audit a class at The Studio, an elite acting group of which he’s a member. It’s here that Marianna, the Studio’s head teacher, takes a special interest in her. As Georgia steps into the intense, ego-driven world of The Studio, she finds herself challenged and invigorated by its unconventional methods, which promise to unlock her full potential but demand much more in return.

The more she commits to its ways, the more The Studio transforms into a battleground of ambition, jealousy, and psychological warfare. With each step forward, she feels the grip of her past tightening, Henry’s love turning on her, and Marianna’s mentorship becoming all-consuming. And as the lines between the pursuit of art and the survival of the self begin to blur, everything Georgia holds dear starts slipping away, revealing the true price of a dream. Break Me Down is a testament to the power of art to heal, destroy, and ultimately transform.

The audiobook will also include a bonus conversation between Anna and some of the main cast members of BREAK ME DOWN, discussing not only the story, but also their experiences as actors on this project and in general.

Praise for Anna Downes's Red River Road and The Shadow House:

"The Australian Tourist Board will never endorse this road-trip nightmare. But readers are likely to recommend it highly." — Kirkus Reviews

"[A] terrific thriller...With the fantastic setting and fun payoff, this drive is worth the time and investment." — Criminal Element

"Downes is . . . sowing the seeds of psychological terror, rooted in everyday traumas from sleeplessness to coping with teens, and branching out to create a nightmare world. A hair-raising mood piece you'll be glad to awaken from." — Kirkus Reviews

"[A] distinctive setting and well-drawn characters . . . Downes remains a writer to watch." —Publishers Weekly

"This gripped me from the first tense and beautifully written page and didn’t let go. A must read!" —Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Sanatorium

An audio original from Macmillan Audio.