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.

I absolutely loved this book! I have never read anything by this author until this book and I was blown away! The storyline, the characters, the plot twists! I rate this book 5 ☆☆☆☆☆

Lucy may or may not have killed her best friend Savvy 5 years ago, but she can't remember anything from that night. Although she was covered in blood, there was not enough evidence to arrest her, but the people in her small Texas town had made up their minds that she was guilty. So, she high tailed it to LA.
Enter Ben, the handsome podcaster who wants to solve the mystery. (I'm sure you can already guess what'll happen with Lucy and Ben.)
Lucy returns to Plumpton, TX, for her grandmother's birthday, who has also become rather chummy with Ben. Grandma Beverly is a fun, witty character.
Lucy is sarcastic and blunt, with self-deprecating humor.
I liked how podcast episodes were interspersed throughout the book.
I didn't like the ending. I wasn't shocked by the "who", but the motive was lame.
A decent read.

Wow! I loved this book! Full of twists and turns. Lies and more lies! Everything was so vivid front the start to finish. This would make an awesome movie! Congratulations on such an amazing book! Can’t wait to see what’s next!

Lucy’s life changed the night her best friend Savvy was murdered and the town believes Lucy is the one who did it. Lucy cannot remember what happened that night and she was found wandering the streets covered in blood. The town is talking and their rumors have grabbed the attention of a hit podcast. The truth is out there but you have to listen for it.

I had a hard time getting into it and I found myself having to go back and reread because I couldn’t remember what happened. Once I was able to follow along the story was entertaining enough but unfortunately it’s not something I’d rave about. I think I’m the outlier here though. Just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it won’t be for you!

Happy reading 📚

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC, and giving me the chance to read and review it honestly.

When you get a super-advanced copy of a book blurbed by Stephen King from Net Galley, you have to give it a shot. I really liked this one.

A chick is suspected by everyone (including a podcast) of having murdered her friend a few years ago. She can’t remember the events of that night, but the podcast prompts her to start piecing things together.

I can’t even say that I cared about the whodunit part, but I liked how it was written. It was a good ride. It’s told with a great (dark-black) sense of humor.

Good gravy, y’all!! I did NOT figure out the villain! This was an AMAZING thriller. I read this in less than 24hrs, I couldn’t put it down. It was literally like reading a behind the scenes for a true crime podcast. Perfectly intriguing & everyone had sins they tried to hide. A perfect reflection on how women are so often vilified & abused by the men in our lives. Those who were tasked with caring for us.
I received this eARC through NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.
This comes out early 2024.