I absolutely loved this book. The main character Lucy is funny and dark at the same time. I finished the book and have been going back and forth with what the true story is. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved it! Love the podcast element, the small-town secrets vibes, the unlikable Lucy, and the big reveal. It kept me reading, racing to the end to uncover all the twists and turns.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of "Listen for the Lie" by Amy Tintera. Twisty, binge-worthy and funny. A trifecta of good reading in this sure-to-be hit by Tintera. I love humor in a mystery/thriller book and thanks so much for the writing wit of the author. It MADE the story for me.

Amy Tintera's debut thriller snuck up on me in the best kind of way. I'm a sucker for a podcast story and this was so well done. While I had been tired of the unreliable narrator trope, this was done in a unique and fresh way that kept me glued to the pages.

To solve a murder, you want answers….but do they have to be the truth?

Lucy left her small Texas hometown of Plumpton several years ago and moved to LA after her best friend Savvy was murdered. Hours after Savvy’s body was discovered, Lucy was found dazed and wandering down a street nearby, covered in blood. Savvy’s blood. She claimed she had no memory of what had happened in the preceding hours. At first, people thought that both young women had been attacked and that Lucy had been lucky to escape with her life. But soon that view shifted, and Lucy was assumed to have been the killer. Her husband, even her own mother and father, believed it to be true, and soon not even Lucy could be certain that she didn’t do it. She was never charged with the crime but was convicted in the court of public opinion, with only her grandmother believing in her innocence. Ever since, Lucy has steered clear of Plumpton, but two things happen that change that stance. First a popular podcaster named Ben Owens has decided to follow up the smash first season of his podcast, Listen for the Lie, by looking into the death of Savannah “Savvy” Harper. The rumors that had swirled around Lucy for years are now being heard everywhere, including in the office where she works and in the apartment she shares with her boyfriend Nathan. Soon thereafter she is let go from her job and is getting the distinct impression that Nathan is working up the courage to ask her to move out. Honestly the job isn’t that great and neither is Nathan, but losing both employment and a place to live at the same time is a real kick in the pants. Then Lucy gets a call from her grandmother, who has decided she wants a big family party for her 80th birthday and is insistent that Lucy be there. Plumpton is the last place that Lucy wants to show up, especially unemployed and unattached, but she really loves her grandmother and certainly can’t claim that she’s too busy to go. She arrives in Plumpton and discovers that (a) Ben Owens is in town doing interviews and digging up secrets, and (b) Lucy’s grandmother insists that Lucy give Ben an interview. Bad idea or genius? Hard to say. But Lucy knows one thing…..Savvy deserves to have the truth of that night come out, even if it means that Lucy did indeed kill her. Lucy reluctantly starts collaborating with Ben, and begins unearthing memories of that night as well as all sorts of other dirty secrets in this small Texas town. Could everyone have been wrong about Lucy, or will she be the last to know that she is a killer?
This isn’t the first podcast-themed mystery that I’ve read lately, and I suspect it won’t be the last. GIven the popularity of true-crime shows and podcasts, its a natural jump to use one as the framework for a novel. Listen for the Lie is one of the best that I’ve read, because it is not only a really good whodunnit but it also features a brave, funny and plausible protagonist in Lucy. The mystery captured me from the very beginning, and there were plenty of unexpected twists and potential alternate suspects along the way. I like Lucy straight away too; she has had to live with the fact that, with one notable exception, all of the people in her life including her parents and (now ex) husband truly accept that she was capable of killing her best friend. She can’t say with certainty that they’re wrong, as she still has no memory of the night in question. Could you believe strongly enough in your innocence when everyone around you says you’re guilty? And would you be willing to risk everything, including your freedom, to search out answers and learn the truth? Lucy is no angel, and there are more than a few secrets in her past of which she is less than proud, but the loyalty she feels to Savvy is motivation enough to compel her to work with Ben and find answers. There is laughter to be found in these pages as well as some ugly and uncomfortable truths, but it was impossible for me to put this down until, like Lucy, I found out what really happened that night. Readers of Alice Feeney, Liane Moriarty and Holly Jackson should scoop up a copy of Listen for the Lie, as should anyone who is looking for a whodunnit that they consume in one go. Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company/Celadon Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy in return for my honest review.

Everyone in Lucy's hometown thinks she murdered her best friend. She can't remember what happened, so she can't defend herself. When a podcast stirs up interest in the murder at the same time as her first visit home since moving away, she teams up with Ben, the podcaster, to finally find out the truth.

This was fun and gripping, and since Lucy can't remember her own actions the night of the murder, she makes for an intriguing narrator—not quite unreliable, but definitely memorable. Most of the plot centered on her regaining her memories to solve the murder, as opposed to a stricter investigation. I enjoyed the podcast transcript entries, and the way each episode or interview seemed to point to a different person. I wish we had spent a little more time exploring Lucy's feelings on that, as she started to suspect different people from her past. I thought the end came on a little abruptly, but I was glued to the page as we built towards the conclusion.

This was a well written psychological thriller, good for adults as well as teenagers. :Likeable interesting main character and a chance to clear her name or own that she did murder her best friend, as she has memory loss from an attack that night. Enjoyed it alot

I absolutely loved this book, Lucy, the sarcastic damaged but strong, her friendship with Savvy , Ben and most of all her grandmother. Interesting mix of true crime podcast with a woman trying to reclaim her memories of the night her friend was killed , back in the town where she is the suspected murderer. Five big stars

A new spin on a whodunnit murder mystery where we know who the murderer is from the beginning. Or do we? First, great title! The title alone captured my attention and the story did not disappoint. Listen for the Lie is a story about a podcaster investigating a death in a small town and while no one was convicted of murder, most in the town believe it to be the victim’s best friend. The characters are well-developed and their personalities resemble just what I’d expect in a small town.

Listen for the Lie is a fast-paced mystery that kept me entertained. Highly recommend for your 2024 reading list.

Thank you NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Celadon Books in exchange for an honest review.

I once fancied myself a bit of a clever reader of whodunits... but this one stole my mojo.

Lucy may or may not have killed her best friend Savannah. She sustained a head injury the same night and hasn't been able to reliably recover any memories. But she knows she loved Savvy, so what would've led her to kill her?
With her marriage in shambles and everyone in her hometown convinced she's a murderer, although there wasn't evidence to arrest her, Lucy leaves town and vows never to return.
When her grandmother requests that Lucy come home, and a murder podcaster lurking about, the missing pieces begin to fill in.
Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and Celadon Books for an ARC of this thriller in exchange for my honest review.

This debut thriller was so entertaining I hope the author will be writing many more. Our memory is affected by so many external influences, people, environment, emotion, places, scents and suggestions. As Lucy will find out in this story, her own lost memories may need to be left forgotten. Lucy suffered extreme trauma in an attack which left her best friend, Savvy, dead. Years later she still has no answers about what happened that night. She’s always blamed herself and continues to harbor guilt. Her Grandma has summoned Lucy from CA home to TX for a milestone birthday party. True Crime Podcaster, Ben, just happens to be in town for his next feature story about the still unsolved murder. Lucy will confront him, her X-husband, along with many old friends, family and enemies. She had an annoying coping mechanism of repeating a disturbing saying in her head when dealing with unpleasant people throughout the story, it drove me bonkers! Her Grandma was a wonderfully wise, interesting character with an affinity for drinking. As Lucy gets closer to finding out what happened and who was responsible the stakes become deadly. Affairs are exposed, relationships threatened, long buried secrets divulged and not everyone wants the facts unburied. I was not expecting the truth when it was revealed, many turns and a twisted plot. It was a terrific read with some stellar characters and a solid plot.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Listen For The Lie” by Amy Tintera, Henry Holt and Company, Celadon Books. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Thank you NetGallery for the arc! The premise sounded right up my alley, but unfortunately DNF. The narrator was not someone I could resonate with and I found her annoying

Thank you Henry Holt Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book “Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera.

What I loved:
How Lucy’s, the main character, traumatic brain injury shaped the story. I thought this was super clever. I don’t want to give anything away, but I think this is one of those great tools in a thriller. Reminded me of Women in the Window, which is high praise!

There is abuse and domestic violence in this novel. I appreciate that the author makes no attempts to romanticize it, which I’ve recently seen in other popular fiction novels recently.

The mystery and how it unfolds is fantastic. There are so many different characters (including the main character) who seem highly suspicious of being murderer and I love that I wasn’t quite sure how it was all going to play out until the end.

The title of this novel is perfect. It’s the name of the podcast, but it also sets the tone for the entire story. Again, don’t want to give anything away, but this is not an insignificant title. It absolutely sets the tone for the story and I simply love that.

The only thing I wish we had was a little more explanation of Nina. I feel like she didn’t get a complete story. I wish I knew more about her first husband and how she ended up with the two men in the story, since it parallels Lucy’s life. I also wish that we knew more about the guy in high school that Savvy and Nina fought over. I thought for sure the guy was going to be Emmett.

Ultimately, this is a fantastically written and phenomenally well paced adult thriller. I hope the author continues to write adult fiction. I certainly will be repeat reader!

This is a resounding 5 star read. I wish it was already out, so I could start recommending it!

PS There is a typo in the acknowledgments. It says “I don’t always TO GET meet all of you.” But this is the only typo I found :)

This was a fun one! The writing style sort of reminded me of Janet Evanovich; I enjoyed the humor. I did think that it felt as if anyone could have been the murderer, so I wasn't really invested in finding out who did it, But that didn't matter, I still really enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just stunning, so gripping and wildly surprising. One of my favorite thrillers I've read in a while. Highly recommended to everyone looking for one of those "unputdownable" books.

Wow wow wow wow. I have not read a thriller this twisted in a long time.

Lucy Clarke was accused of murdering her best friend Savvy, but was never convicted due to a lack of evidence and lack of memory of the night it happened. Years later, a nosey Podcaster, Ben, decides to make a podcast out of the murder in order to solve it. Lucy had since left her hometown of Pumpton but returns at the request of her grandmother only to be greeted by the Podcaster. Will being back home help Lucy remember what happened that night to prove her innoncence or will Ben find more evidence through interviewing her and people in her town that proves that Lucy murdered Savvy? You'll have to listen to the lie to find out.

This book absolutely stunned me. I could not figure out the ending. The author did such a good job of leading me to make my own conclusions prior only to prove me wrong. The short chapters also make it easier to say "one more chapter" before realizing you've read for 30 more minutes. The characters are so well developed that it will have you second guessing everything you think you know.

Amy Tintera's adult novel, Listen for the Lie, was actually a fun read. It is a murder mystery with most of the violence limited to the conclusion. Tintera draws some unfortunately truthful conclusions about human nature. I wish I could argue that she was wrong, but since I happen to believe that her view of human nature is likely the truth, there is no point in arguing with the truth.

Listen for the Lie is the name of a podcast seeking to solve a cold case murder.. The victim, Savvy, died 5 years earlier. Her best friend Lucy has always been the suspect, but since she suffered a head injury when Savvy died, Lucy suffers from amnesia. I really don't want to include spoilers, Listen for the Lie is carefully crafted with lots of possible suspects, but it will take some work for readers to figure out who might be guilty, if of course, Lucy turns out to be innocent. There is a great deal of laugh-out-loud humor. All I need to do is think about grandma's birthday party and I begin to laugh again.

Thank you to the author, publisher Henry Holt & Company, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I love murder mysteries, and I am sure that suggests something rather devious about my own reading habits, but I am also very fussy about my murder mysteries. I liked Listen for the Lie and do totally recommend it.

So good! Thanks to the author and NetGalley for an early copy of this book. I devoured it today. I was really put-off by the main character, Lucy, at first until I realized she was even guarded and sarcastic with herself as our narrator.

I felt like Lucy was absolutely relatable. She wasn't perfect, and didn't pretend to be, which made her a great candidate for the murder of her best friend. She wasn't cute and likeable, but her best friend was. Her parents weren't great people and projected some of their faults onto Lucy (again, relatable, amiright?). And that ex-husband...

Small town gossip and drama are exposed when a podcaster comes to town and Lucy is forced to come home and face the music. Her to down memory lane is very eye opening! So many twists and turns and I had my suspicions, but I was still wrong. Fantastic read! Grab your copy ASAP!

“Listen for the Lie” is Amy Tintera’s debut into the adult thriller genre and should not be missed. Darkly funny and an absolute nail-biter, this novel kept me up way past my bedtime and guessing until the very last page.

We follow the main character, Lucy, who has escaped from her small hometown after being accused of murdering her best friend 5 years before. She can’t remember a thing about that night and the police never had enough evidence to charge her. When a true-crime podcast decides to make that case their next target, Lucy can’t hide from her past anymore.

The podcast angle is a genius framework for this story. The episodic style as well as the gradual information gathered as the main character’s memories start to resurface was very immersive. It was impossible not to find out what happens next.

As with any small-town story, there’s an interesting cast of characters here all dealing with their own messy lives. Each one has a backstory and reasons for a being a suspect. However, the standout is the main character, Lucy. I love a strong main character, especially when I can’t figure out if I actually like or believe them until the end. And Lucy is not likable. She’s sarcastic, blunt, very funny, and quite possibly a psychotic murderer. Chef’s kiss!

Thank you to Henry Holt & Co and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was hesitant to pick this book up because of differing views but I'm glad I did. The humour was my type of humour so I found some comic relief from the actual mystery. I was hooked to this book to find out what happened that night and if Lucy was actually guilty and i enjoyed her humour combined with Ben's.