Amy Tintera's "Listen for the Lie' is a murder mystery that will have you laughing. Characters from 30-ish Lucy to her 80 year old grandmother are realistically brought to life by veteran narrators January LaVoy and Will Damron.

Ben Owens is a true crime podcaster investigating the death of Savannah Harper. While never charged, her best friend Lucy Chase was assumed to have killed 'Savvy' since she was found wandering around, covered with her friend's blood. Lucy doesn't remember a thing and desperately wishes she could. Most of Lucy's friends in California had no idea she was a suspected murderer but when Ben's podcast went viral, she lost her job and her boyfriend kicked her out. She moved away from her small Texas hometown to California and only returned for her grandmother's birthday party at her grandmother's insistence. Lucy's ex-husband still lived in Plumpton and had remarried.

Ben is cute but Lucy is unhappy with grandmother Beverly having thrown them together. She is afraid he will learn she really did kill Savvy but at the same time, she WANTS TO KNOW. This was a fun book to listen to, even with it's dark moments. Lucy does have some secrets she doesn't want to come out and it turns out her parents as well as may other Plumpton citizens do as well.

Even if you think Lucy may have killed Savvy, you'll enjoy getting to know Lucy (and the voices in her head). Ben works to solve the crime and romances Lucy at the same time. If you enjoy the Stephanie Plum series by Evanovich, you'll enjoy this one too.

Note: I listened to an ARC of the audiobook, courtesy of NetGalley.

This was SUCH a good binge read and the audio is absolutely the way to go! You get a full cast with chapters linking back to the podcast discussed in the book and it was done so well!! I always appreciate audiobooks that are put together like real life!

I will say this book felt very similar to other podcast-y thrillers so definitely was predictable. But still a great execution of the story that’ll have you excited to get to the end while not wanting it to be over!

Thank you Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for my free ARCs of Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera — available now!

Read this if you:
😹 like to laugh while reading!
🍿 enjoy a twisty, fast-paced thriller
🎙️ love the combo of mystery and podcast

Lucy left her tiny Texas town after the murder of her best friend, mostly because everyone in town thought she did it. And truthfully, Lucy can't remember anything about that night so she can't even push back against the accusations. But a popular podcaster is dredging up the past, and when Lucy flies home for her beloved Grandma's birthday party, she'll get roped in, despite her best efforts.

This book is currently EVERYWHERE, and it definitely lived up to the hype! The characters are hilarious (especially Beverly), and my attention was riveted the whole time. I had an audio version, and the narration was excellent — I loved the podcast bits with all the different characters and their voices! The reveal didn't shake me to my core, but I absolutely loved the ride. Highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved, loved, loved it! This was such a fun and witty thriller. I like to think that I would be like Lucy if I was accused of murder - she is so sarcastic and ultimately doesn’t care what other people think of her. While many of the side characters were trash people (but entertaining!) Grandma Beverly immediately became my favorite. I definitely recommend the audio because it has January LaVoy narrating and really brings the podcast parts to life with Will Damron’s narration and different effects.

Hey Booksta Besties! Have I got a great book recommendation for you guys that's coming out on March 5th, 2024.
Narration by January LaVoy and Will Damron who did a phenomenal job with the voices!

It's been a while since I've listened to such a good murder mystery. With some added snark, darkish humor, and a podcaster looking for the truth added into the mix, you have a totally bingable novel.

The main focus is on the the first person POV of Lucy.
She's such a relatable character, and her dry wit, snarky, sarcastic attitude towards those she didn't trust was refreshing. I loved her and couldn't help routing for her throughout the story.

Normally, I'm not a fan of the amnesia trope, but this was extremely well executed, unlike other books I've read.
And speaking of well executed, the twists had me all twisted up inside. I was so wrong about who the baddie was, even though I changed my mind a few times! Maybe I am just a terrible detective 🕵️‍♀️ 🤔

The chapters are short and sweet, alternating with the podcast interviews, which were so entertaining.
There are secrets, dysfunctional families, lies, and gaslighting . Everything you could possibly want in a mystery thriller, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed everything about it.

A definite 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recommendation.


Thank you to Netgally, McMillan Audio, and the author for allowing me the advanced copy. My review was voluntary, and all opinions are my own

Lucy finally returns home after years of avoidance. It's finally out - a podcast announcing her name and connection to her bestie's mysterious death.
Lucy's grandmother is the best - loved, loved her.
Creepy, mysterious, tension.
I love this book has been chosen for Good Morning America's March Book club selection. Angry women - righteous and victimized, must have more attention. Well earned acclaim.

🩸 🩸 🩸 🩸 🩸/ 5

I devoured this book in 24 hours! I basically listened to it before work, on my lunch break and all evening! I was immediately hooked and highly recommend the audiobook! I am a big podcast fan so this book was really appealing!!

The book is about a woman who everyone thinks killed her best friend and she even wonders if she did, but did she? The story is really well done - I loved the different point of view from Lucy perspective and the crime podcast! It is so unique and fresh!! It kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end! I did manage to guess the killer but it was hard!

The narration by January LaVoy and Will Damron was sensational!! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the digital advanced listeners copy!! Add it to your TBR! It is out March 5, 2024!

"Listen to the Lie" by Amy Tintera is a very enjoyable book! It is a modern day murder mystery and dark comedy. The chapters alternate between the main character, Lucy, and the true crime podcast for which the book is titled, Listen for the Lie, with Ben Owens. It is set in a small town in Texas.

Expertly narrated by Will Damron as Ben and the other male parts, and January LaVoy as Lucy and the other female parts.The podcast begins and ends with interesting tones and clicks.

This book will keep you interested and guessing. There is an unreliable narrator in Lucy, because she has amnesia about the murder of her best friend, Savvy. Most everyone in her hometown thinks she did it, but she really doesn't think she could have. She does seem to keep hearing voices telling her to "kill him", though. As the podcast goes on, different characters seem to have the motive or the opportunity to have committed the murder, and we are continuously guessing different suspects.

Characters 5/5 complicated
Writing 5/5
Plot 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Unputdownability 5/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Narration 5/5
Cover 5/5

Highly recommend for people who like murder mysteries, thrillers, and a sarcastic sense of humor. The audiobook was especially good. Trigger warning for domestic violence.

Thank you to Netgalley, MacMillan Audio, and Amy Tintera for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

There has been tons of buzz about this book, and I was eager to read this. I have to say, I was not disappointed at all.

Here, you are following Lucy who returns home (small, fictional Texas town) for her grandmother's birthday. The town is definitely not welcoming due to the fact that she has been accused of killing her best friend 5 years ago. The problem is Lucy does not remember anything from that night. Also in town is Ben, who is doing a podcast on the murder and Lucy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I really loved the Podcast element of the story. Every other chapter is a podcast episode. I also really loved some of the characters. I enjoyed (and laughed out loud) at Lucy's snarky-ism. She definitely doesn't behave like she is innocent, but it made me laugh. I also enjoyed Savvy popping up in the book. Having said all of that, my favorite character was the grandmother...I strive to have her "i don't care" attitude when I'm 80. Overall, I loved that dark comedic elements that these characters brought to the table.

Overall, if you love a good murder mystery that can make you laugh, then you will love this one. At 4.5 stars, I highly recommend you grab a copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

Absolutely wonderful. Snappy, sarcastic, enjoyable characters and motives for days. I loved every turn that I got.
The narration was also spot on for anyone doing audiobook:. interchanging male and female narrators who really helped bring an amazing story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook.

Happy Pub Day @amytintera 🎧🩸

If you’re looking for a mystery thriller to binge this spring, Listen For The Lie just might be for you! I thoroughly enjoyed this one and was definitely doing a lot of gasping, talking to the air about the plot while listening, and even laughing at some of the main character’s sarcasm & wit! 😮🫢

• Podcast element
• Small hill country Texas town (shoutout to all my fellow Texans out there)
• Amnesia
• Intrusive thoughts
• Some pretty unlikeable characters
• Badass grandma
• Female, Millenial main character
• Solid narration by January LaVoy (one of my favs) & Will Damron

*content warnings for domestic abuse, violence, & alcoholism

If you give this one a try, let me know what you think!

Thank you to @netgalley @macmillan.audio & @amytintera for the ALC! 🤝

#bookstagram #audiobookreview #alcreview #netgalley #mystery #thriller #listenforthelie #gmabookclub

"Listen for the Lie" is a gripping thriller that delves into the complexities of memory, truth, and guilt. The tension is palpable from the opening pages as Lucy grapples with the horrifying possibility that she may have murdered her best friend. Set against the backdrop of a small Texas town, the novel expertly weaves together past and present, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Lucy is forced to confront her darkest secrets. With twists and turns aplenty, this is a must-read for fans of true crime and psychological suspense.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for allowing me to audibly read and review Listen for the Lie on NetGalley.

Narrators: January LaVoy; Will Damron

Published: 03/05/24

Stars: 3

The description aroused my curiosity and I wasn't disappointed; how would a podcast be featured in an audiobook? I found the representation well done and the changeover was seamless after the first couple episodes. The book starts as expected. Next, a jingle is heard (this stays consistent throughout the book) and the podcast begins. I would have liked the volume of the jingle adjusted a little lower. While the story moves, my mind is visualizing and there is an appropriate pause before the podcast comes on, I was startled a couple times. Overall, I found the experience enjoyable.

Both narrators did a great job. Their performances complimented each other. They definitely amped up the book

The story was pretty good. Sadly, I was disappointed. There was so much potential and it was thrown away. What started as an adult fiction turned early on to young adult (at best) and it felt purposeful. Foul language just because the author chose to throw it in. Sexual escapes were too graphic for younger readers and surprised me. After the first encounter I recognized the storytelling quality was deteriorating.. By the end, I felt like I read a creative writing story not a published novel. The book had a strong start and ran out of steam.

Reading Between the Wines book review #19/130 for 2024:
Rating: 4 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: Listen for the Lie
Author: Amy Tintera
RELEASES TODAY, March 5, 2024

Sipping thoughts: Amnesia has to be one of the hardest things to deal with. Even if the moments you can’t remember were the most traumatic of your life. Most people can’t see themselves killing anyone but what if the time you can’t remember ends up with someone murdered and everyone says it was you. That is what Lucy has had to deal with for the last five years. I really enjoyed this book and the podcast addition to it. I did not come remotely close to figuring out what happened but it wasn’t implausible at all. I would like to explore more of Tintera’s books.

Cheers and thank you to @MacmillanAudio and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @ListenForTheLie.
#ListenForTheLie #AmyTintera #MacmillanAudio #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

▪️investigative
▪️podcast
▪️unsolved murder
▪️dripping in sarcasm

i’m calling it now- one of the best thrillers for 2024. filled with dark humor, the amnesia trope, this one has been blowing up booksta and it’s obvious why. so well written, the audio was incredible and i was recommending it to people before i even finished listening. i went out of my way to listen. highly highly recommend!
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ALC.

#ListenForTheLie:⁣
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Thank you @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for my gifted copies!⁣
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It’s pub day and also LFL drop day! Off to drop one of my favorite reads of February, and probably 2024.⁣
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This is how you do unlikeable main characters. It’s a fine dance on making a character unlikable and not ruining the story. Amy Tintera is chefs kiss when it comes to Lucy. Lucy gives me very much a Gillian Flynn Sharp Objects type character. She’s self deprecating, makes the worst decisions, but someone out there believes in her. (It’s her grandma, Beverly, that’s who)⁣
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I have been over podcasts for a while now, so I didn’t know how I’d feel about this one. My only complaint is to sign a petition to make podcasts have better theme music. I love mixed media, so this was actually really well done. I loved the different sides of the story that were told and how they came about. ⁣
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Audio was great. It was a whole production with the podcasting and recording. I loved it and highly recommend on audio if you’re an audio listener. I mean, it’s freaking January LaVoy, what else do you expect except perfection? Also, Will Damron? Yes. This combo was everything you need.⁣
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Overall, a hit. Solid 5 🏃‍♀️. I don’t want to spoil it but I loved the ending so much. The “aftermath” I guess you could call it. Lucy’s last line of the podcast too?! 🥹 ⁣
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Predict text: Listen for the ….⁣
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Listen for the latest episode of the podcast 😂😂

This is a rare thriller where I didn't see the ending coming from a mile away. Revelations in this don't so much feel like large plot twists but more like slow unravellings of the truth. Overall, a really enjoyable read - I highly recommend picking this up in audiobook format since a good portion of the book is told in podcast episodes. A well woven story and a well produced audiobook meant that I finished this book in less than 36 hours. My favorite 2024 title so far.

Lucy Chase finds herself at the center of a murder mystery when she’s accused of killing her best friend, Savvy. Despite having no memory of the night in question, Lucy is haunted by the accusations and the traumatic events that transpired years ago. Now, a true crime podcast hosted by Ben Owens is reigniting interest in the case, forcing Lucy to confront her past and return to her hometown in Texas.

With the help of her witty grandmother and an unexpected ally in Ben, Lucy navigates through small-town intrigue and family drama to uncover the truth, even if it means facing the possibility that she might be the killer everyone believes her to be.

This book captivated me from the very first page until the final sentence. The author skillfully crafted a narrative that kept me guessing at every character’s motives. It had me utterly engrossed, unable to stop reading and listening, since I devoured the audiobook too.

I have to give a special shoutout to the audiobook version, as the narrators did an exceptional job bringing the story to life. Their performances (especially the podcast parts) added an extra layer of depth to the already captivating tale, immersing me even further into Lucy’s world of small-town intrigue and dark secrets.

Overall, Listen for the Lie is a must-read (and must-listen) for fans of thrilling mysteries. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you @celadonbooks @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the gifted copy of this book.

Thank you Celadon Books for an advanced readers copy. Thank you Macmillan Audio for an advanced listeners copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Five years ago, Lucy Chase was with her best friend, Savvy, when she was killed. Lucy can’t remember what happened and everyone thinks she killed Savvy. She has since moved away from her small hometown in Texas, but comes back at her grandmother’s request for her 80th birthday party.

The host/creator, Ben Owens, of the Listen For the Lie podcast is focusing on Lucy’s story and is also in her hometown. Lucy decides to work with him to find out (finally) what really happened—even if she really did kill Savvy.

This is such a fast paced, wonderful book. Never a dull or lagging moment. I loved the short chapters with the podcasts mixed in. Plus, Lucy’s POV was a blast.

I am so glad I decided to listen to this. January Lavoy and Will Damron just made it even better. The snark and sarcasm from Lucy shown through by the amazing January Lavoy. I couldn’t imagine a better character than Grandma Beverly! Highly recommend.

This is a story about assumptions.

This book absolutely got me out of a slump with its pace & multi media format (10/10 for the audio @macmillan.audio!). I loved the twists, and that FOR ONCE when it described something a therapist recommended it was *actually* what I would recommend as a therapist. If you enjoy a good, unpredictable thriller with a touch of humor- this is excellent!

Thank you so much Netgalley & Celadon Books for the eArc!