This was so creative and compelling and binge worthy and FUN. Truly fun to listen to and to try to figure out. It’s truly fantastic on audio too!!!

4.5 stars

Listen for the Lie kept me riveted with the twists that cast everyone under suspicion. Every chapter opens up another level of the whole story. I will be recommending this to readers who enjoy the twists of a suspenseful thriller, characters with sass, and a satisfying ending. I look forward to the next book from Amy Tintera.

WOW WOW WOW 🤯 I had so many people telling me how great this book was, and it did NOT disappoint, THIS is the thriller I had been looking for the last few months, fantastic!

Listen for the Lie will be one of the memorable mystery/thrillers of 2024.

Yes, the main character has amnesia which many readers do not like as a plot device, but in this novel, it is very well done and it works. Don’t shy away from picking up this book!

There is a multimedia approach to the story as the true crime podcast “Listen for the Lie” is investigating the death of the vibrant young woman, Savvy, years after the event occurred in a small Texas town. Her best friend, Lucy, was found wandering, covered in Savvy’s blood, completely disoriented and unable to remember what happened.

Lucy reluctantly returns to her small town for her Grandmother’s birthday years after leaving for LA and starting a new life away from all the whispers and accusations.

As the young handsome podcast host, Ben Owens, interviews friends and family members affected by Savvy’s death and Lucy’s amnesia, the tension and drama unfolds. Did Lucy murder Savvy? Should she be held accountable for that night? Who is telling the truth and who is hiding secrets? Complicating matters is Lucy’s wealthy ex-husband, her meddling grandmother, and her unsupportive parents. Who can Lucy trust? Can she trust herself?

A twisty, riveting mystery with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I honestly can’t put my finger on exactly what about this book grabbed me so hard I could have read it in one sitting, but DANG. It was so good! Very seriously could not put this thing down. I think part of it is that there’s everything I love about YA novels - readability, engagement, good characters, etc. But with an adult twist that appeals to me more as I get older. I also truly love a good podcast vibe, and Tintera does not disappoint with this. Hugely recommend!

Mysteries/Thrillers are not my favorite genre but I heard such good reviews of this book that I couldn't wait to read it. 5 years ago - Lucy was found covered in her best friends blood and her best friend dead. She is the main suspect but was never charged. She tries to build a new life until a true crime podcast decides to review the case and find out who really killed Savvy. As Lucy tries to recover memories of that night - you get to see bits and pieces of Lucy's and Savvy's past. I loved Lucy (she is flawed) and Lucy's grandma. I did not see the ending at all. Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!

This book was a fast-paced, twisty, fun thriller! It kept me guessing throughout, and I was surprised by the ending! The main character and her grandma were strong, funny and interesting main characters. I also enjoyed the podcast element, as it was done in a new and creative way. I truly enjoyed reading this book, and highly recommend!

This was such a great thriller! The main character was so witty and sarcastic and I loved her. I totally didn’t see the twist coming and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Plus I loved the podcast element. Definitely one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while!

I couldn’t put this one down and absolutely loved the MC’s sarcasm. It’s been a bit of time since I enjoyed a thriller as much as I did this one. Run to read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Solid 4 star read! This book was fun and did a great job at luring you in. I don't think this book was a masterpiece but it was a great way to spend an afternoon.


Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lucy returns home for her grandmothers birthday after being away from her hometown for years following the murder of her close friend. However her return isn’t exactly welcome since seemingly the entire town has always blamed her for the murder, even though she has no recollection of that night.

Not only is she back to the town that tried so hard to get away from, she’s also the subject of a true crime podcast investigating her case. As the podcast starts to unearth all that had previously been buried, will she clear her name? Or will she find that she is guilty after all?

I really enjoyed this book. It reeled me in from the beginning and the memory loss and unreliable narrator had me excited to discover where the story was going and how all the pieces would fit together. The characters each surprised me in wildly different ways and I liked the incorporation of story and podcast theme. Great thriller read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I had seen such good reviews of this book so I had high expectations. Fortunately, it did not disappoint.

It did take me a bit to get used to the writing style. I have not read a book that has been able to pull off both humor and mystery successfully, but somehow it worked.

Lucy was previously accused of murdering her best friend, Savvy. However, there was never enough evidence to convict her and she could not remember what happened the night of her the murder. She left her small town and started a new life in California. Years later, a podcaster tries to re-open the case and finally pin down the murderer. Lucy decides to revisit friends, family, and the rest of her small town that still believe she murdered her best friend. She is finally ready to find out what really happened that night.

This book really held my interest from page 1. Lucy is an unapologetic character and it was difficult to feel sympathetic to her in any way. However, the humor and storyline was very solid and kept me guessing until the end.

This book is SO good. A bingeworthy mystery that keeps you turning the pages.
I loved the MC Lucy and how sarcastic she was. I also really enjoyed Ben, his podcast was such a good part of the story.
The audio of this makes it even better. Highly recommend!

Net galley keeps saying it can not find book with this isbn when trying to review. Please see linked Goodreads review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6304671150

Listen For The Lie is a new release from Amy Tintera. In this one we are following Lucy who has been accused of killing her best friend but was never convicted. Years later Lucy is back in her home town because a popular podcast decided her life was his next series. I loved this book from page one and could not put it down. Very funny and fast paced! Thank you @celadonbooks for my #gifted copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this one!
Such a unique way to do a thriller, lots of twists and I wasn’t able to predict it!
I love the podcast style, and actually think doing audible is best for this one! It would have made this probably a 5 for me if I had! I just didn’t love reading it podcast style.
This story follows Lucy who was accused of murdering her best friend but can’t remember anything that happened the night of the crime.
Ben runs a crime podcast and starts doing interviews with everyone that night and helps Lucy uncover the truth that no one was able to figure out.

Excellent book!!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

So far, this is one of my favorites for the year! I absolutely LOVED the character of Lucy. Lucy is a mess. She may or may not have murdered her best friend a few years back. The story is told from her POV, and she is hilarious! Her thoughts are all conveyed in one form of sarcastic comment or other. Lucy also has a scene-stealing Grandma who is equally hilarious. But back to the murder. Lucy was found wandering the streets in a bloody gown after attending a wedding with Savvy, her best friend. Then Savvy's bloody body is found, and the entire small town tries and convicts Lucy even though there is not any actual trial and very little police action in the case. Lucy leaves town and is forced to return 5 years later by Grandma. Oh yeah, and there is also Ben, a podcaster who is in town to investigate the cold case. Podcast segments are thrown in which helps fill in the past. Lots of fun, suspense and twists and turn await! The secondary characters are well drawn and there are a lot of suspects and red herrings, and I had no idea how it would end. Run to get this book!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Amy Tintera and Celadon Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

If there is a podcast angle in a book, I'll pick it up and read it regardless of reviews, but the high reviews I've been seeing on this one were spot on. This was such an enjoyable thriller filled with dark humor, sarcasm, and mystery and the hype is totally real. I love a good unreliable, but likeable, narrator and Lucy absolutely fit the bill for that. Matched with the (also likeable imo) podcaster, Ben, the cast of characters were right up my alley and the mystery around who killed Savvy kept me guessing.
Murdered hometown girl + podcaster books can feel tired and basic if not done right, but the author gave the right spins to the storyline that it felt fresh and new.
Highly recommend picking up LISTEN FOR THE LIE if you're looking for an enjoyable, yet twisty, thriller.

Thanks to Celadon Books & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved this! It was a quick and easy read that was seriously enjoyable. There was so much misdirection in the mystery that I kept thinking I had it all figured out, and of course, I didn't.

This was a thriller that also has a lot of dark humor and sarcasm, and I love that in a book. The ending was great, and overall, this was a fantastic thriller!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review — “Listen For the Lie” by Amy Tintera (2024)

Categories — Thriller/Suspense, True Crime, Podcast, Mystery Investigation, Contemporary, US — LA & Texas, First Person POV

Pub Info — @celadonbooks March 5, 2024. Has 4.25 average & 18,500 reviews on Goodreads. This is the author’s first Adult Fiction novel, having written a handful of YA before this one.

Quick Summary — A woman suspected of 💀 her best friend returns to the small town where it all happened. A true crime podcast unravels the mystery and attempts to patch together the fateful night.

More Info, Thoughts, No Spoilers ⤵️

💿 This story follows Lucy. Suspected by most to have 💀 her BFF, she can’t remember anything. Has to go back to her small Texas hometown for aging grandma’s birthday & deal with a popular podcaster who tries to unravel the mystery & a town full of people who think she did it

💿 The story is told in first person through Lucy’s POV, with a page or two between chapters being podcast transcript, so the others involved can tell their side. The pace is medium. The suspense is minimal, until at one point toward the very end when it explodes into action.

💿 I never knew who or what was going to be the big reveal. I was surprised! I liked how the MC came across sketchy & unreliable. The story kept me guessing til the very end.

💿 There are a lot of adult things like cursing, cheating, intimacy, domestic issues, divorce, etc. Themes also include trauma, abuse, secrets, and toxic relationships.

💿 Admittedly, I didn’t really like a single character in this story. Weird decisions were made. Chaos abounded. A little too convenient ending. But along the way, I enjoyed wondering what happened. The MC’s constant intrusive thoughts made me wonder if she was an unreliable narrator. I liked the way the podcast was not overly relied upon. I enjoyed the ride.

💿 There is also a sassy grandmother character who many people have found funny. She really is something 😂

💿 Try this book if you liked Don’t Forget the Girl, Rabbit Hole, Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead. If you like suspense/mysteries that involve true crime podcasts, if you like small town dramas.