I tandem listened and read this book. Honestly, I rarely enjoy the audio more than reading the book itself but this audio was AMAZING.
I found myself wanting to listen to it more than read it myself.
The narrators were incredible and really brought this story to life. I also loved how they did the podcast POV. It truly felt like I was listening to a podcast during those chapters.
Macmillan Audio and the narrators really knocked this one out of the park and I 100% recommend this audio book to all mystery lovers!

As for the story itself…
Five years ago, Lucy Chase was found wandering down the road covered in the blood of her best friend, Savvy, with no memory of the past 12 hours.
Lucy became the prime suspect in her murder. But, without enough evidence, Lucy is never charged and moves away to Los Angeles.
Podcaster, Ben, decides to dig up this cold case determined to find the truth. Lucy and Ben find themselves in an unlikely alliance to uncover what truly happened that night five years ago.
Everyone is hiding something and damning secrets are finally revealed.
And everyone is tuning in to find out, did Lucy Chase truly kill her best friend?

This was such a great, fast paced thriller.
I couldn’t devour this book fast enough.
I loved Lucy (no pun intended) She was so unapologetically herself. Dark humor with zero fucks to give.
Ben was such a fun character. Him and Lucy had such great chemistry and I loved seeing them work their way through this mystery.
But the best character by far was 100% Lucy’s grandma! She was sassy with such spunk and so loving.
This book was a wild, twisty ride filled with secrets and shocking revelations.
You’ll love this book if you enjoy
- Murder mysteries
- Return to hometown
- Amnesia
- Small town secrets
- Dark humor

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is an upcoming mystery/thriller and one that you will not want to miss. After a long time, I felt completely captivated by a mystery and for fans of the genre, I suggest you save this post or add it to your digital bookshelf because you will want to get in on the action.

Tintera’s novel follows a girl named Lucy who is living away from the small town she grew up in because in this town she is accused of murdering her childhood best friend Savvy. And as it often happens in small towns, the people play judge, jury & executioner forcing Lucy to stay away even though she has never been convicted for Savvy’s murder.

The story begins with Ben Owens, a popular podcast host who runs a podcast called “Listen for the Lie,” and Lucy and Savvy just so happen to be the topic of discussion this season.

When Lucy find herself back home for her grandmother’s birthday, who happens to be investigating? Well, none other than podcaster, Ben.

Through a web of characters and storylines, and of course many, many lies, Ben must piece together what really happened to Savvy and who is responsible. Could it be that Lucy did it? Or was it someone else? And why can’t Lucy remember anything?

Reading this book was an experience like none other and listening to it is even better because the podcast chapters were so cool!

I truly did not see the twists and turns coming and I loved this book! Highly recommend for the true crime/thriller aficionados.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio & Celadon Books for the e-ARCs.

#ListenfortheLie #AmyTintera #BookReview

What a surprisingly fun novel that I flew through! “Listen for the Lie” is dark, yet incredibly funny. Yes, funny! I’m not sure I’ve read a thriller with so much humor and snark mixed in, but that is definitely what made this one stand out among the spate of mediocre thrillers that bombard bookstores these days.

Although not as unique anymore, I’m also a sucker for a book that features a true crime podcast, and this one did not disappoint. With that in mind, I wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook for this one! The production was wonderful and they really brought the podcast aspect alive. I’m talking sound effects, intro and outro music, plus two separate actors playing the various parts. It was quite the listening experience and kept me captivated the entire time!

US release date: March 5, 2024.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Celadon Books for this advanced copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Book for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review..

What happens when your best friend is murders and you're the only suspect? And on top of that you don't remember if you did it or not. Thats the premise of this amazing who done it? I don't want to give anymore away about the plot because I think it's best to go into this book blind.

What I loved about this book is the format. We went between Lucy and the podcast being written about her crime case. I highly recommend the audiobook. It was one of the best audiobooks I have ever read. There was so much production added to the podcast parts of the book that I felt like I was listening to a real podcast. It has sound effects and intro and outdo music each time it came on. On top of that there were actually two people talking in the interviews which I loved. It felt like a real interview.

It was very much "What Lies in the Woods" meets "Things We Do in the Dark". If you love a great who done it? with an unreliable narrator that is fast paced and fun I highly recommend this. Especially the audiobook!

The podcast backdrop is becoming popular in mystery/thriller books. I thought this one was well done, and it kept me guessing the entire time. Just when you think you might have figured it out, you end up guessing again. I do have a question about the ending that I would love to chat about with someone. January Lavoy is one of my favorite audiobook narrators, and this book benefits even more from her narration. I loved how many of the characters have so much nuance to them and are neither all good or all bad, but rather messy people with messy lives. This is Tintera's first foray into adult fiction, and I cannot wait to see what she does next!

Ben is going a pod cast on an old murder. Lucy was never convicted, but everyone believed she did it because she had blood on her. Lucy could not remember the details from that night until years later. As the podcast continued, and new evidence came into view, Lucy started remembering the events of the evening!
Who did kill her best friend Savvy?

Crime podcaster goes to the source to find if Lucy conveniently forgot her memory and is really the killer of her best friend or something worse. The only thing for sure is the killer is still free and closer than you realize. If you are a mystery reader, you know it is always something worse. Full of twist and turns throughout. Tintera delivers great characters that are fumbling through life like the rest of us.
VERDICT- Strong addition for adult libraries. A couple of steamy scenes may keep it from teen libraries.

This book is fantastic! It is enthralling, thrilling, and funny at times. I love the quirky, self-deprecating narrator that insists she is very unlikeable. It is a murder mystery, with so many red herrings, you will be guessing until the end. I listened to this on audio and though I couldn’t quit listening, I hated for it to end! Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. What a ride!

4.5 stars ⭐️ So so so good. I could not stop listening - I just wanted to know what happened! From the beginning, I didn’t know what to feel about Lucy and the voice in her head always telling her to kill people. Did she actually kill her best friend or not? I loved the podcast blurbs throughout. This one kept me guessing until the end.

I am usually very cautions when it comes to "podcast type" books. But this book's setup is phenomenal. You keep wondering if Lucy actually killed her best friend and if she is faking her amnesia about the night Savvy was killed. The podcast sections worked so well keeping the guessing and head scratching alive and not overpowering the actual plot line. Not familiar with this author, I was pleasantly surprised by how well this story flowed, the characters and storyline was just enough to keep me invested and overall the writing style was superb.

January LaVoy is one of my favorite narrators, and as always she did a fantastic job!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook ARC.

Listen for the Lie is an easy, fast-paced thriller. I listened to this on audio and the narrators, January LaVoy and Will Damron, did a great job voicing a large cast of characters. This book has a podcast element which makes it a great audiobook.

Lucy returns to her home town at the same time Ben, a podcaster, is visiting. Ben is investigating the murder of Lucy's best friend. Lucy has always been the main suspect, but was never charged. Lucy can't remember anything from the night of the murder. Lucy and Ben team up to find the truth. I struggled with Lucy's personality a bit. She was VERY snarky all the time. Another character described her as being very mature for her age but that didn't line up at all with how she acted. The constant sarcasm got old. I enjoyed Savy a lot. She's the best friend everyone needs in their life. Ben was ok, but a bit annoying at times.

I didn't find the twist to be very surprising, but I've read a lot of thrillers. I think if you're new to the thriller genre this would be a great place to start. The story is easy to follow and entertaining. It wasn't mind blowing, but overall it was ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC!

Wow! This was certainly a page turner! I was sneaking chapters in on my phone, in the shower, wherever. The dry sarcasm of the main character, Lucy, speaks to me. I love her. The set up of this book is super fun. The premise is a podcast made by a journalist about the murder of a young woman. Lucy is the main suspect but can't remember anything from that night. The entire town of Plumpton believes Lucy is guilty but will this podcast prove otherwise? Will it send Lucy to jail? I definitely had fun finding out! This incredibly twisted tale of deceit will definitely keep the pages turning!

The audio version was exceptional. Multiple narrators contribute to the overall quality of the audio. The story flowed well and was elevated by the audio version. If you have an option, the audio of this book is the way to go. The podcast format makes this a fun and enthralling listen!

A fast, fun mystery thriller that was nearly impossible to put down.

This was a twisty and darkly humorous story that uses the framework of a true crime podcast and its host, Ben Owens, to solve a murder. Five years ago, Lucy Chase was found covered in blood -- the blood of her best friend, Savvy, who was dead in the woods. It's widely believed by everyone in their hometown that Lucy killed Savvy. No murder weapon or other evidence was found, and Lucy had a traumatic brain injury from her own head wound that caused amnesia about the events of that night. Ben is using his podcast to investigate the case and Lucy decides to help him to finally find out if she really did it.

I really enjoyed this one. The characters were very well drawn, and Lucy was the sort of protagonist that you are skeptical of but root for nevertheless. She's very witty, sarcastic, and snarky -- and admits she makes very bad decisions. Her grandma is a hoot. There are frenemies and nasty small-town minds all weighing in during Ben's interviews with their perceptions of Lucy and the night in question.

I loved the way the narrative shifted between episodes of the podcast and the voice of Lucy. The narrators of this audiobook were fabulous and the production was excellent.

If you are looking for a topnotch whodunit with small town gossip, secrets, and lies -- this is it. I believe this is the author's adult fiction debut. Don't miss it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC to listen to, review, and highly recommend.

Is it too early to call this the best mystery audio of the year? I. Loved. It!!!!

Years ago, Lucy was found covered in her friend Savvy’s blood, wandering the streets. She has no memory of the night before, but the town is pretty sure she killed her friend. In the present day, Lucy returns to her hometown for her grandmother’s birthday party and is convinced to let podcaster Ben Owens interview her for his latest podcast season about her past. Will the recording sessions and run ins with people from her past bring back Lucy’s memories?

This one is made so dang good by the characters, the way the podcast works into the story, and by Lucy’s inner monologue. Snarky, sarcastic, playful, irreverent….never have I ever loved a potential murderer more. I burst out laughing so many times at the things she would think and say. She is a delightful trip of a main character. She must get it from her Grandma, because Grandma’s personality is just as amazing and she will easily be your second favorite character!

The format allows us to hear the interviews about the night Savvy died, and it felt like an actual podcast that I was listening to and trying to solve. I had started to get tired of the podcaster trope in mysteries, but it felt fun and fresh here.

The production of the audiobook was just crazy good. Narrators January LaVoy and Will Damron blend effortlessly well together, which shouldn’t be a surprise since they are married IRL. January put the perfect spin on Lucy’s character, full of clever wit and a sarcastic tone. The musical notes leading into and out of the podcast sections made it very clear when we were switching to an episode and were a nice touch. The audiobook was a true experience, and it would be one I would highly recommend to anyone new to audiobooks and worried about focusing on the listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. all opinions are my own.

I loved the back and forth between the main characters and the podcast interviews! Really kept me interested and wanting to listen more. 4/5! ⭐️

This was the best audiobook I have ever listened to. Not only was the story itself an incredibly strong thriller, but the audio was perfect. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Lucy, a woman who has been convicted in the eyes of the public (but not actually in court) of the murder of her best friend five years previously. Her chapters alternate with transcripts of a true crime podcast that is attempting to find out the truth behind the murder. The podcast chapters in the audio are done like actual podcasts...with music and differing character voices. It is so much fun to listen to these chapters interspersed with the rest of the story. Bravo Amy Tintera on your first adult novel--this will be such a big hit. And Bravo to the audio team--such a brilliant job of bringing this novel to life.

One night Lucy is found wandering the streets with her best friend Savvy's blood on her. After Savvy's body is discovered, everyone blamed Lucy but no one could prove anything. Years later, Lucy returns to her home town, running into true crime podcaster Ben Owens who is determined to solve Savvy's murder.

This was definitely my favorite thriller I've read this year! Here's what I loved:

The humor. This book was hilarious at times. Lucy has perfect sarcasm. I loved her inner dialogue and quick one liners with her family and friends. I was so engrossed in this story and Lucy was the number one reason why.

Romance. I love thrillers that give me a little romance and this one did just that. There are many men around Lucy and you can see a relationship with them (some very unhealthy). This added romance gave the book even more depth.

The mystery. I really wanted to know what happened to Savvy and there were so many different ways it could have played out. I will say that I was satisfied with the ending.

The podcast. Loved the way this book was structured. You get chapters from Lucy's POV and chapters of the podcast that Ben is recording. They are perfectly cut together. This worked really well with the audio! I adored the narrators and want to find other books they have done.

All in all, this was such a good thriller. The audio was perfect.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

Lucy woke up one morning with no memory of the night before. She wanders around aimlessly in the streets, realizing she is covered in blood. Not long after, the body of Lucy’s friend Savvy is discovered. Did Lucy kill Savvy? Their entire small Texas town sure seems to think so.

Five years later, Lucy is living in Los Angeles. Lucy is going back to her hometown for the first time since Savvy was murdered. The host of a popular true-crime podcast is investigating Savvy’s murder. Lucy is hesitant to participate in the podcast but eventually decides she will because she desperately wants to know once and for all who killed her best friend.

This was my first book by Amy Tintera and I really enjoyed her writing style. The sarcastic, funny bits she added helped break up the suspense, and I truly enjoyed them. The characters were all fully-developed and I loved this whodunnit. There was a place in the middle of the story that I felt dragged on a bit and was a bit repetitive, so that is why I rated it 4/5 stars. Other than that little bit, I thoroughly enjoyed this whodunnit with a podcast interspersed throughout.

I listened to the audiobook version and the narration was amazing. January LaVoy did an excellent job narrating the book parts and Will Damron did an excellent job narrating the podcast parts. The podcast parts sound like a really podcast and that really elevated the story for me. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys unique thrillers, especially if you enjoy podcasts!

(Rounded up from 4.5)

FANTASTIC audiobook for true crime lovers! The details of the case feel familiar to a compilation of real-life cases, the narration is perfect, and the pace of the writing is *just* right. I've been waiting a while for my next book where I wanted to ignore the world and race through to the conclusion, and Listen for the Lie was the book for me. There are a lot of ways this title could've felt BTDT, but the storyline and production avoid any of those pitfalls. I'll be recommending this title this year!

My thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to preview this title in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun and entertaining mystery and the audio book kept me entertained and wondering how the story was going to come together.
The author kept the release of information moving and as a result there were no slow spots or weird unrealistic tangents. The internal voice of the main character initially felt a little too repetitive and unnecessary until we learn the nature of the internal voice and then it became an interesting addition to the story.

The narrators: January LaVoy and William Damron did an excellent job. I liked the male/female sharing of the main roles as well as the supporting cast the two were able to provide. The podcast music was a nice touch to the audio book as well.

Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an honest review in exchange for an early copy.