Member Reviews

WOW! A non stop thriller that you won’t put down. I’m predicting it to be one of the top books you will read in 2024! My mind is spinning and I’m defiantly in a book hang over. TBR TBR TBR
You will not regret grabbing this book as soon as it’s released.
A MUST READ!


Thank you Net Galley & Macmillan Audio for the advanced Audiobook

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This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

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I really enjoyed this book! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed while reading a thriller before, but I loved Lucy’s dry sense of humour. The podcast elements throughout were engaging and I had a hard time putting it down once I got into it. I didn’t predict the twist at the end, but I just felt like I wanted more from it. Overall, I definitely recommend this fun and fast-paced thriller!

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

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Lucy is accused of murdering her best friend. Everyone thinks so, including her parents. She may even think so. She was found bumbling along a dirt road covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood after the murder. The problem is, Lucy cannot remember anything about that night. There also was not enough evidence to convict her.

Five years later, Lucy is living in L.A. when a famous true crime podcast, Listen for the Lie, decides to investigate Savvy’s murdered. Lucy is lured home to a small Texas town to solve the murder. Even if she might be the murderer.

This is a smart, sarcastic take on a whodunit and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I grew up in a small town in Texas, and the descriptions here are spot on. Lucy is so witty and likable, and I honestly didn’t care if she was the murderer or not. I also enjoyed her relationship with her grandmother. I am a big fan of mixed media in a book. I didn’t listen to the audio, but I would bet it would be a good option here. The podcast aspect is done really well. I didn’t feel like it was overused. This is the author’s adult debut, which is super exciting. I think it’s a hit.

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Several Years Ago:

Lucy and Savvy resided in a small town in Texas and had been best friends for years. Lucy ended up marrying a wealthy man, they bought the perfect house and they looked like they were living their best life. Savvy was a social butterfly and was considered sweet and liked by everyone. One night everything goes wrong and Lucy is found wounded, covered in Savvy’s blood and wandering in a wooded area. A few hours later, Savvy’s body is found. Because Lucy was also wounded, police believed that both Lucy and Savvy were victims of attacks but as the investigation proceeded, it was discovered that wedding guests had seen them having a disagreement and doubts about Lucy arise, especially as she claims amnesia and says that she can’t remember what happened that night. While Lucy was never charged for Savvy’s murder, the gossip mill had charged, tried and convicted her and so Lucy moves to California for a new start.

Current Day:

Podcaster, Ben Owens starts digging into Savvy’s murder on his podcast “Listen for the Lie”. He contacts Lucy’s grandmother asking for assistance in getting Lucy to talk to him and because her grandmother has always believed in her innocence, she convinces Lucy to come back to Texas to face the past.

My thoughts: I went into this book assuming that it would be an average thriller/mystery but I was pleasantly surprised to find it above average and it kept me riveted to the very end of the book. At times I found it disturbing as there was a lot of gaslighting happening in the plot but after some thought, I realized that it was a fair plot point as gaslighting happens a lot – that’s why there is a term for it. If you are looking for a thriller-style book that will keep you engaged, I recommend giving this one a try. Trigger warnings for domestic violence.

Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for a review copy.

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One of my favorite thrillers by far! I love the "newer" trend of thrillers featuring podcast episodes, seasons, hosts, etc. It adds such a fun element to novels and breaks up the story in an interesting way by allowing viewpoints you wouldn't necessarily hear. Listen for the Lie had me hooked from the beginning and I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author in the future!

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If you are looking for a thriller that’ll keep you turning the pages quickly, then Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is one that you need to read!

As with most thrillers I don’t want to write too much in the review so you get the job of figuring things out yourself, but I can say that the relationship between Lucy and Ben is a great balance. Lucy is amusing with her attitude of being sick of being accused of murder, and Ben is right there to balance her out. The character development and their relationship is very well done.

Although I don’t listen to true crime podcasts (much to the dismay of some of my friends who keep getting me to try) I did enjoy how it was incorporated into the story. Tintera had me guessing for a long time as to who the murderer was, and although I did figure it out, there were some details that I hadn’t completely figured out.

Any good thriller will tie everything up, but still leave you thinking about it afterwards, which Listen for the Lie completely did for me.

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I really enjoyed this thriller! I don't listen to true crime podcasts but I love books that feature them!

Five years after her best friend was murdered, Lucy is living a lonely life. She gets fired from her job and is pretty sure her boyfriend is going to break up with her. This is all because everyone thinks she murdered her best friend but Lucy lost her memory of that night so can't remember what happened to prove her innocence. True Crime podcaster Ben is trying to uncover what happened that night but in the process brings new attention to Lucy.

I thought this was such an interesting thriller. I loved how the author presented the data and I kept trying to guess who did it and what happened. I thought the big reveal was good and it wasn't a crazy unbelievable revelation like some thrillers. I really enjoyed the relationship that developed with the characters and I just really enjoyed how this all played out. I read this in one day - I couldn't put it down because I had to know what happened!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

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4.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads! I had seen nothing but glowing reviews for this one, so I was so excited to pick it up! I like true crime podcasts, so reading about them in books is so fun (think AGGGTM but for adults). Lucy is hilarious, and Ben is the perfect balance to her just not caring anymore about being accused of murder 😂 I guessed the killer but didn’t figure out all the details, and I liked how the story felt wrapped up but still like we don’t know everything that happened the night of the murder and between the characters. Such a fun read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read before pub day on March 5th! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Lucy, discovered wandering a highway drenched in her friend Savvy's blood, faced accusations of murder from the townspeople. Despite the lack of conviction, the case continues to captivate the attention of crime podcaster Ben Owens, who revisits the chilling events of that fateful night.


My experience with this book was highly enjoyable. With limited opportunities for leisurely reading, I was fortunate to have the stars align, allowing me to complete this riveting thriller in a mere 48 hours. The swift pace and succinct chapters enticed us to devour large portions of the book in one sitting. Additionally, the incorporation of podcast excerpts interspersed with present-day events added intriguing depth to the narrative, further engrossing us in the plot.

My sincerest appreciation to Celadon Books and Netgalley for graciously providing us with an advanced review copy in exchange for our candid evaluation.

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I had SO MUCH fun with this book. I devoured it. I ran in to tell my husband the hot gossip as it developed. This was one of those books that I forgot I was reading as I was reading it. I loved all the characters, and the story itself. It was a genuine treat to read.

This was a unique read on a few different fronts for me. Not only do you go between the transcript of the murder podcast, but you have Lucy’s life and her memories to boot as the story unfolds. I loved that you had the plot unfold for you, like everyone listening to Ben’s Podcast. I remember specifically after finishing chapter 22. I was sitting with my mouth open going “No, she did NOT.” And the beginning of the very next chapter is a character doing almost the exact same thing. Its like we were experiencing the podcast together and tuning in to all the tea surrounding the case.

I loved Lucy’s dark humor, and Ben’s ease. I loved Beverly’s general lack of fu*ks to give. (for lack of better –if not totally appropriate, phrasing). The characters were perfect, the setting was great, and the delivery exceptional.

This is a front runner for one of my favorite books of February. I loved every second of it.

Thanks so much to Celadon Books, and NetGalley for the free copy and the opportunity to read a new favorite. I am delighted to share my honest opinion.

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Five years ago, Lucy Chase left her small town of Plumpton, Texas under a cloud of suspicion. Following the murder of her best friend, Savvy Harper, what started as sympathy for Lucy quickly turned to suspicion and then certainty of guilt. After all, she’d initially been presumed to be a survivor of the brutal attack that had cost Savvy her life, despite being seen walking the streets the morning after covered in her best friend’s blood. But as new details came to light and no other suspects were found, it became obvious to everyone in Plumpton—Lucy killed Savvy.

Now drawn back to town by her grandmother on the eve of her eightieth birthday, Lucy must face not only her former friends and family, but an eager true crime podcaster as well. Ben Owens made a name for himself with his first series of Listen for the Lie and for his second highly anticipated case, he’s turning the microphone on Lucy. Not only is he and the rest of the country now primed for answers, but Lucy is as well. Given that she can’t recall anything that happened that fateful night, she’s always suspected the worst. Even if it meant she’d murdered Savvy herself.

As Ben starts to reveal dark secrets and deeply buried lies, Lucy is faced with a choice—either continue to hide from the truth or help unearth it herself. Is the small southern town actually covering up a multitude of sins? Or did her neighbors have it right five years ago when they pointed the blame squarely at her? One things for sure, by the time Ben is through, the truth will be out. Either Lucy will be relieved—or she’ll be locked up behind bars.

Oh. My. God. It is literally only February and I think I’ve just discovered my favorite book of 2024. No joke, Listen for the Lie had it all. Superb characters, perfectly timed dialogue, and one heck of a dynamite plot. Needless to say, I was utterly blown away as I ripped through the pages. After all, it was the kind of book that I both couldn’t stop reading, but also didn’t want to finish.

Right from the start, I was head over heels for the characterization of Lucy. Brilliantly sarcastic and just a little off of her rocker, her personality was an utter hole in one from the very first word. On top of her, however, I was over the moon by the dysfunctional family dynamic and deliciously dark humor. Quite frankly, they were some of the best personas that I’ve ever read as they all felt decidedly genuine but also delightfully twisted.

The plot was one I’ll certainly remember for quite awhile. A mix of Lucy’s perspective and Ben’s podcast transcripts, there were even a few memories from five years ago thrown into the mix. All together, it formed a propulsive storyline that didn’t let up, even as it had me devolving into laughter more times than I could count. And as if that wasn’t enough, the fast pace, growing tension, and dark conclusion made me fall for this one hook, line, and sinker. In all honesty, I don’t know how anyone WOULDN’T love this book.

By the time I flipped the last page of this psychological thriller, the short chapters, snarky quips, and precise plotting meant I was utterly done for. After all, with its IV drip of revelations and one heck of an explosive climax, there was no end to the surprises. One thing I’m positive about now is that this is sure to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about thrillers of the year. Now an avid fan, I cannot WAIT to see what Tintera comes up with next. If this book is anything to go by, she’s the next maestro of the whole thriller genre. Rating of 5+++ stars.

Thank you to Amy Tintera, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC and audiobook for review.

I absolutely enjoyed this thriller. Lucy was an unreliable character who you don’t know if you should root for. She can’t remember what happened the night of her friend Savvy’s murder and she doubts herself. I liked both the book and the audiobook but ultimately listened to audio more. Having one narrator for the perspective of Lucy and another speaking the podcast episodes was enticing and kept me listening. I look forward to more adult novels from this author.

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I haven't read any books by Amy Tintera before, but I got the ARC off NetGalley (thanks!), because it had good reviews. I was a little nervous early on because the setup reminded me a bit of a book I read last year, that I ended up not liking all that much, but luckily Listen for the Lie didn't have any of the problems that book did. It was quick to grab me, and I was quick to finish it. Enjoyable the whole way through. Great mystery, characters, and drama - five stars!

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4.5 out of 5 stars rounded up!

I haven’t had this much fun reading a thriller in a while. Our main character, Lucy, was so freaking entertaining. I loved her dry, dark humor and thought she made such a compelling narrator.

This book has a lot of things I love in a thriller - short chapters, that “can’t put it down” feeling, multi-format (most chapters end with an excerpt from the podcast), entertaining characters, and twists you don’t see coming.

The small town setting was perfect - so much drama! I want to have a drink with Lucy’s grandmother stat 😂 she was hilarious!

I didn’t guess the huge twist (which is the best), but the way the book wrapped up left me wanting just a little more detail.

🎧True crime podcast
🎧Small town setting
🎧Unlikable (yet very entertaining) FMC
🎧Short chapters
🎧Unpredictable

Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a thriller that you can’t put down!

Thank you Celadon Books for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. Listen for the Lie is out March 4th!

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Such a fun, fast paced, addictive read; part murder mystery, part dark comedy. Snarky, sarcastic Lucy is accused of killing her best friend 5 years ago; however, she was never convicted and that same incident left her with a brain injury and subsequent amnesia. She leaves her small hometown in Texas for LA to start over. But a podcaster arrives in her hometown to dig into the events surrounding the murder which ultimately draws her back. The story is filled with a cast of colorful, small town characters including the witty Grandma Beverly who has always believed in Lucy’s innocence and is the ultimate puppet master bringing Lucy back to Texas and getting her to cross paths with Ben, the podcaster. As Ben and Lucy get closer to the truth, the best and worst parts of small towns are put on display. Overall, we really enjoyed the interesting, unique characters. They had more personality and depth than many in this genre, so we are looking forward to more books from this author!


Thank you to Netgalley, Henry Hold and Company, and the author for providing us with a digital reviewer copy of this book in exchange for our honest thoughts. Publication Date: March 5, 2024. Until the next murder! - Murdersibs.

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Clever title from author, Amy Tintera involving a pod cast, lies and if it’s possible to absolve Lucy from the murder everyone assumes she committed, even Lucy herself. “Listen for the Lie” is Amy’s first novel for adults but one you won’t want to miss!

Covered in blood , Lucy is spotted staggering down the street with a gash to her head. Savvy, her best friend, lies dead after they both attended a wedding. With surmountable evidence against Lucy, but not enough for conviction, she flees her hometown where she grew up. After 5 years, a true crime podcaster, Ben Owen’s is determined to dig into the details and find out for himself what truly happened the night Savvy was murdered. Lucy comes “home” for a family gathering and is tormented by her past, her destroyed marriage and Ben, who won’t take no for an answer.

I enjoyed this novel for its intriguing plot and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful storyline.
Favorite character: Lucy’s grandmother, Beverly
Least favorite: Matt, Lucy’s ex-husband
What I liked: Lucy’s judgment and recourse after suffering amnesia from the trauma she experienced.

“Listen for the Lie”, is a thrilling novel of “whodunit”. ENTERTAINING! Told in dual timelines, before and after that fateful night. Gripping yet slap stick funny with Lucy’s matter of fact idiosyncratic attitude. Some spice, wit and a fiercely tense novel that will keep you guessing.

Thanks to @celadonbooks @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

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A mix of a podcast season with the POV of Lucy, the woman the podcast is about surrounding an unsolved murder she was involved in. Lucy was never charged with the murder of her best friend, but that doesn't need to happen for a community to blame Lucy. After all she was covered in blood and her skin was found under the nails of her friend who was killed.

Fast forward 5 years and the podcaster is beginning season 2 and including all the towns opinions on what they think happened along with those that knew the girls.

A plot line that I was interested and intrigued by. But, by 30% in or so I wondered if it was going to continue down the path that I wasn't loving and it did, but I finished to the end. I really did need to know what the heck happened that night.

I didn't love the use of the drunk and amnesia trope that was keeping this mystery unsolved. Very few characters were likable. Promiscuity amongst the whole community was commonplace. It felt a little like a new adult book as far as how the plot was worked out.

Publishes March 5th

Thank you to NetGalley and Celedon Books for the advance e-copy of this book.

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Read this if you like:
•a hilarious grandma
•podcast / true crime
•small town
•twisty book

This audiobook was fantastic. I love thrillers with a podcast / true crime element. I finished this one in a matter of hours. This is such a fun unique read you’ll want to give it a shot.

Thank you Celadon for eARC!

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A girl whose own memories jeopardize her reputation and her future grapples with what to do in the face of local and national attention.

Lucy, a 20-something living in California, experienced a tragedy in her early 20s. When called to return home to small-town Texas, the incident is examined again, this time by a smug podcaster. Ben Owens wants the truth, and he‘ll walk Lucy through every moment to get it. What starts as a woman at a crossroads develops into a woman tripping to hold onto what she knows.

This book held my attention and kept me wanting more from beginning to end. No character is trustworthy, and I wasn’t sure who to root for. This led me to think about this story even when I was busy doing other things. A solid 4-4.5 stars.

I lowered the rating from 5 stars for two reasons: 1. The formatting felt inconsistent and confusing at times. Text messages, podcast clips, and internal and external conversations were formatted in different ways throughout some of the book, which caused some difficulty keeping track of conversations. 2. The ending felt a bit lackluster. While I did not predict the ending, nor do I dislike it, it did not feel like the earth-shattering reveal it should have.

I read this on my kindle; however, I recommend the audio for the podcast elements!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the eARC! Listen for the Lie is out March 5th!

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