"Listen for the Lie" is a true crime podcast in which Ben, the caster investigates unsolved murders. His latest case is the murder of a girl called Savvy ten years prior. The main suspect, the one the entire town thinks is responsible including her ex-husband and her own parents, is Savvy's best friend, Lucy. When the podcast starts making traction Lucy loses her job, boyfriend, and home in a matter of days. At the request of her grandmother, Lucy returns to the hometown that openly scorns her and agrees to talk to and work with Ben as he tries to determine who killed Savvy. Does Lucy truly not remember what happened or is she covering up a nasty truth.... or is it both?

I enjoyed the book, and was surprised by the ending, but was puzzled by a the inner dialogue Lucy has with dead, blood dripping Savvy. I was also perplexed by the glance into Savvy's own psychopathic tendencies.. I would have liked for that component to be developed more fully.

The compelling premise drew me in and the plot really delivered. All the characters were cleverly written, with distinct voices. But it was the two main characters, Lucy and Savvy, who really shone. The author pulls off the clever trick of presenting us with two women who, throughout the novel, evolve from their public persona into the women they truly are (or were)—all while unraveling a satisfying mystery with a side of snark and humor. It had a bit of everything I look for in a book.

I really liked this one! I found the characterizations and format to work really well together, and to support the plot in ways that kept me engaged and curious throughout. I did figure out who the murderer was rather earlier than I expected to, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the big reveal at all. I liked this one, and will definitely look for more from Tintera.

Arc from netgalley

4 stars! Very much in the vein of fans of Gillian Flynn. I was hooked the entire time reading it. Trying to piece together what really happened the night of the murder was fun. Some characters you like in the beginning only to end up hating in the middle. Loved it! Highly recommend!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I seriously couldn’t put it down.
Amy Tintera happened to write the most casual, easy going mystery set in present day. I loved the true crime podcast aspect of this book. I loved getting Lucy’s perspective but also feeling like I got the full episodes of the podcasts too. I cannot wait for this book to be released because I will be recommending it to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Listen for the Lie.

The current trend for thrillers features a podcaster investigating a decades old crime, unearthing new revelations for the main character, the one usually suspected of the murder.

The premise is the same for Listen for the Lie, except you know this is a book because Ben, the podcaster, is a hotter version of Chris Evans, and Lucy Chase, the woman accused of murdering her BFF Savvy a few years ago, is also hot, too.

As Ben uncovers lies and untruths, Lucy must probe her shattered memory for the truth of that night, and what really happened to Savvy.

I liked Lucy, but on the other hand, I didn't.

I liked her self deprecating humor, her I-don't-care-about-anyone attitude, but she also seemed flighty, with terrible choices in men (a common trait among many of us).

Everyone was unlikable, except her amazing grandmother, Beverly, who I loved.

I didn't mind the swearing as much as some reviewers did, a lot of people do cuss a lot, but I thought all the gratuitous sex scenes was unnecessary, and adultering and bed hopping.

This is a small town, let's keep this in mind, and apparently everyone is hopping in and out of everyone else's bed,.

Ewww....and gross.

Also, two of the main suspects are physically abusive, so readers should be aware of these potential triggers.

Lucys constant internal monologuing about how to kill someone grew tedious fast. I guess the author wanted to keep the readers guessing that Lucy could be a killer due to her dark thoughts.

Let me tell you; nearly everyone has dark thoughts about killing someone. Thinking about killing someone isn't the same as doing the deed. Then, most of the population would be locked up behind bars.

The reason behind the murder was just okay, as was the identity of the killer.

Nothing earth shattering, you just had to run down the suspect list, and keep in mind everyone is keeping secrets and lying to each other.

Once again, there's a soppy romance angle in the narrative, which is not necessary because as I always say, it's not a requirement for characters to couple up in a book.

This was an okay read, not original or suspenseful as I had hoped, but I appreciate the opportunity to read it early.

This is my first time reading this author and I just adored it. It’s twisty, suspenseful and has some hilarious moments. Check out this fantastic debut. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this arc.

I always love books that include a true crime podcast and this one was so good! I couldn’t put it down and read it in a few hours. I would definitely recommend it.

I am sorry to have to DNF this book. I don’t think I have ever DNFed an ARC, and I take my ratings and reviews seriously. I just could not get into this book after two solid tries. The writing was simplistic and there was so much swearing. I see that the overall reviews are good, and it makes me wonder what I am missing. Maybe I am just not the correct reader for this book.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Summary:
Lucy Chase left her home town and her family behind with no plans of ever returning. Why? Because they all believe she murdered her best friend, Savvy. She’s glued at everywhere she goes and even her own family members (except her grandmother) are afraid of her. And to be fair, Lucy can’t offer them any reassurances because she has no recollection of that night. All she knows is that she was found wandering barefoot on the side of the road, injured and covered in Savvy’s blood.

Now, a podcaster, Ben Owens, has selected Savvy’s case as the next season of his hit show, Listen for the Lie. Ben’s first season was a great success when he solved a case, and he has vowed to investigate all angles of this one as well. And while Lucy has never given any interviews, Ben has hopes of unlocking her repressed memories to uncover the events that took place that night.

Will he solve another case? Did Lucy murder her best friend? Listen for the Lie to find out.

Review:
I was glued to this book!

Lucy is characterized as a sarcastic but straightforward person with a dark sense of humor, which she loves using to make others uncomfortable. Grandma Beverly is sweet, witty, and believes with her whole heart that Lucy cannot have killed Savvy. So, unbeknownst to Lucy, Beverly had invited Ben to their hometown with the promise that not only would she get Lucy to return, but that Lucy would end up giving an interview. Ben is the voice behind the Listen for the Lie podcast and Lucy immediately pegs him as smug, but ultimately, he’s not too smug for her to talk to. Because at the end of the day, she really does care about figuring out what happened to Savvy that night.

The pages turned really quickly for me and I felt as though the way new info was brought to light felt very organic, not like the author was reaching to make the connections.

Definitely has more of a whodunnit vibe than a thriller vibe.

A twisty, fast paced mystery full of conflict, dark humor and suspense. So…much…drama!

I love the book layout! The author uses podcast episodes/interviews in between chapters to enhance the characters and story development.

I was completely gripped by this story. I was entertained throughout the story and would not hesitate to recommend this book, it's Funny, sarcastic and just good. The main character is very likable, her humor is right up my alley. I liked how podcast episodes were interspersed throughout the book. Very different take but very good. I loved this book! Full of twists and turns. Lies and more lies! Everything was so vivid from the start to finish. This would make an awesome movie.

I read this as an ARC, and really enjoyed it! It kept my attention well, and I thought the end was great!

Many thanks to both Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Listen for the Lie, by Amy Tintera. Expected publication: April 30, 2024.

What would you do if you were afraid you had killed your best friend ... but you couldn't remember anything about the night she had died? Now the true-crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its host, Ben, have arrived in town to try and solve the murder.

TW: Abuse, Lots of swearing, and LOTS & LOTS of sex. 😄

I loved Lucy's grandmother!! In my opinion, that character was the most hilarious of any in the book. I thought the storyline was interesting but I'm going to be an outlier and state that I was unamused by all of the "voice in her head" stuff. The fact that so, so many reviewers have loved Listen for the Lie, leads me to believe it must be a case of "It's not you, it's me." I simply wasn't the right target audience. My apologies to the author!

It just might be the best psychological thriller I've ever read. I absolutely love it!

Everyone in Lucy's hometown, except for her colorful grandmother, thinks she's guilty. Even Lucy thinks so sometimes. She has no memory of the few hours before or after the murder of her best friend, and with the strange thoughts that run through her mind, it's possible. Now, a charming crime podcaster brings it all back to the surface and starts asking the right questions, or the wrong ones.

From the first sentence I was hooked, and the book kept me guessing the whole time. I kept listening for the lie, trying to pick it out, and solve the case. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers will love this novel.

I'd like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you!

I was completely gripped by this story and was impressed with the writing quality. I was entertained throughout the story and would not hesitate to recommend this book.

I’ve been seeing a few books that incorporate true crime podcasts into the plot, and this is the first one I’ve read. I loved it! As someone who enjoys true crime podcasts, I was very entertained and drawn to those aspects of the book. A very enjoyable read.

Lucy fled to LA 5 years ago and she’s been tempted back by her beloved grandmother. Coincidentally, a famous podcaster, Ben Owens, is also in town, and has made Lucy the centerpiece of his newest investigation. Instead of a super-tragic character, Lucy is likable — frustrated by the town gossips and mistrusting acquaintances, sullied by the new burgeoning attention of episodic podcast “fame”, and still vexed by the head injury that made her forget what happened. She is certain of one thing — she would have never killed Savvy and even with the, oh-oh, voices that keep talking to her. As she says “sugar is my main weakness, unless you count my inability to stop murdering people in my head.”

This is the first adult novel from YA author Amy Tintera, and it’s well-written and plotted, with the podcast scripts interspersing with what Lucy is learning about the past. It ended up being a page-turner for me (a read-in-one-sitting book).

Love, love, love this one! So well written, funny, sarcastic and just good. The main character is very likable, her humor is right up my alley. The storyline was very clever and I really love true crime podcast plots. I know some people don’t, but I actually enjoy reading the podcast dialog. I’d highly recommend if you like a good thriller/mystery.

I enjoyed watching this very unique story develop while reading this book. The twists in the plot were heralded quietly enough that they were not obvious to the reader too soon, but, instead, led the reader to look back and think, "I should have realized..." I could have done with less vulgar language; it didn't advance the plot or realize the characters.