I absolutely loved this whodunit from Amy Tintera! The format of alternating between the POV of main character, Lucy Chase, who is accused of murdering her best friend, and the true crime podcast about the murder was clever. Listening to this as an audiobook made it even better! There was so much thought put into the aesthetics of it, making it sound like real podcast segments. This book had me hanging on till the very end and I could not stop listening!

I received an ARC copy of this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun one. The audiobook worked well for the podcast format, and I liked Lucy's sarcasm. The story is fast paced and the mystery of who killed Savvy kept me guessing to the very end.

Why killed Savvy?

Lucy is the main suspect. After all, she was found wandering the streets covered in her best friend’s blood with no memory of the past 12 hours. But when a true-crime podcaster comes to town, it’s revealed that everyone knows more about what really happened than they originally let on.

At no point did I correctly guess what happened next in this storyline. I loved the podcast element, and I highly recommend the audiobook version. If you love thrillers and true crime podcasts, you will devour this book!

Lucy Chase is returning to her small home town in Texas after being away for the last five years. She left because her best friend, Savvy, was brutally murdered and many in her town think she did it. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and has amnesia about what happened that fateful night.

Podcaster Ben Owens has decided to focus on Savvy's unsolved murder for his newest season. Lucy is a sarcastic and direct woman living in Los Angeles after divorcing her husband who she shared a chaotic relationship with. Lucy's dear, no-nonsense grandmother has lured her back for her 80th birthday party, but Ben is also in town investigating what happened to Savvy.

I listened to the audiobook, which moves quickly. The audiobook is perfectly narrated by January LaVoy as Lucy and Will Damron as Ben. They both have such pitch perfect delivery. Audiobook is the perfect medium for this book as you get a real sense for the podcast episodes and interviews. I loved Lucy's snarky attitude and commentary. She has a "dark passenger," which causes her to have intrusive thoughts about k!ll!ng people she meets. The story is really fun and twisty and we learn that many in the town have secrets. It's a fun and sometimes salacious read.

Thank you Celadon / Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing this ebook / audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Listen for the Lie was my first read by author Amy Tintera and her first adult debut; I was blown-away. The format alternating between the protagonist, Lucy, and the podcast worked extremely well in keeping me engaged and not wanting to put this down. I especially loved the humor thrown in throughout the story which made listening very enjoyable and made this a memorable novel for me. Narrators January LaVoy and Will Damron were exceptional at bringing these characters to life with their flawless narration and back and forth banter. I can not wait to read more from Amy Tintera and I highly recommend everyone read Listen for the Lie.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, author Amy Tintera, and NetGalley for this Advanced Listening Copy.

This was a fast paced gripping thriller. A main character you should hate but love! A massively dysfunctional family. And a town who’s convinced you’re a murderer! I absolutely loved how this was written it was funny but serious and grandma was an absolute masterpiece! If you love a good thriller that keeps you guessing and is also wildly entertaining this is it! I’m so glad I got the opportunity to listen to this audiobook because I feel like that just made this story so much better! It’s a podcast after all! Job well done! Highly recommend!!

Being from Texas in a small town, I totally loved hearing this murder mystery story. Gossip spreads fast. Image is everything. And lies are everywhere. This psychological thriller had me guessing until the very end. I enjoy strong female characters and this one definitely packed a good punch!

In the small town of Plumpton, Texas, Lucy Chase returns for her grandmother’s birthday, despite knowing that most of the townspeople still believe she murdered her best friend, Savannah Harper, five years ago.

The incident left Lucy covered in blood with no memory of what happened. She’s always been a woman with secrets, which hasn’t endeared her to the locals. Their narrative paints her as violent, secretive, and difficult.

Coincidentally, true-crime podcaster Ben Owens is also in town, interviewing Lucy’s family and former friends about Savannah’s murder. Ben is relentless in uncovering new evidence and coaxing interviews, leading people to question Lucy’s guilt. As Lucy lets down her guard, she and Ben draw closer, forcing her to confront the truth of her past and unmask the murderer of her complicated, gorgeous, and protective friend.

Most of the novel is told from Lucy’s perspective, allowing a natural unspooling of her life and story. She’s strong, prickly, and gradually reveals just how wronged she has been. “Listen for the Lie” is a striking commentary on the insular and harmful nature of small-town prejudice, especially towards women who don’t fit the mold.

Amy Tintera effectively capitalizes on the true-crime podcast boom, creating a smart, edgy, and entertaining thriller that transcends the podcast structure.

Overall, this book is a captivating exploration of secrets, justice, and the power of storytelling. If you enjoy mysteries with strong female protagonists and a dash of true-crime intrigue, “Listen for the Lie” is a must-read!

This audiobook and it's narration were EVERYTHING! Perfectly done & added to the story in all the right places. I loved the podcast portions and how it broke up the suspense in the book. This audiobook sets the bar for others on what a good audiobook should be!

In the past I have read a few podcast focused books and thought they were just ok. This one was different for me. I liked it much more than the others I have read.

Years ago, Lucy was with her best friend on the night she was murdered. Lucy has no memory of what happened. Everyone thinks she is the killer. But is she?
Now Lucy is back in town and everyone is watching her. Including the podcast host.

For once I actually enjoyed the podcast portion of the book. It seemed much more realistic than others I have read.

Lucy is a fun character for the most part. Considering what she is dealing with, she is holding up well.

Grandma Beverly is the best character. She is funny, conniving and a little bit drunk.

I switched back and forth between the ebook and the audio book versions of this book. January LaVoy and Will Damron did a fantastic job narrating. Their presentation just added so much to the overall experience.

Thanks to netgalley and Celadon Books for the arc.

"Listen for the Lie" pulls you into a captivating experience, seamlessly blending podcast elements that elevate the suspense. The audiobook is well done, creating the feeling of tuning into a real podcast within the audiobook, adding depth to the narrative. Despite predicting the ending early on, the journey remains highly enjoyable, making it a compelling choice for someone not typically drawn to thrillers.

Amy Tintera's skillful navigation between flashbacks and present-day interactions, along with the expert narration by January LaVoy and Will Damron, brings characters like Lucy and Ben vividly to life. Lucy's unreliable memories add complexity to the storytelling. My favorite character was definitely Lucy's grandma, she steals the spotlight with her authentic Texas charm.

Overall, "Listen for the Lie" a solid four-star recommendation for both seasoned thriller enthusiasts and those new to the genre.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my unbiased review. 🖤

I am in heaven. This production was amazing - the voices, the podcast music, the suspense and emotion - my favorite book this year so far. I found my self finding excuses to sit in my car or have my headphones on - because I just wanted to keep listening!

I felt myself being pulled in different directions between everyone and the FMC, plus the voice in her head. It was intriguing trying to figure out if Lucy did it and if not who did. Im not going to lie, Lucy's grandma was my fave character lol She reminds me of the grandma on the TV show "Young Sheldon". At first i didnt like Ben,but he truly grew on me as the story went by. As things started unfolding more about 3/4th through it really picked up! Many bits were shocking and had me on the edge of my seat! I read the book and then listened to the audiobook to see if there was a difference. I found the book was great, but the audiobook was even better due to the different character voices it truly helped reel me into the story. Gripping with so many truly shocking twists!!

I received the audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio to listen/review. I won the physical ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. All or the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading the book and listening to the audiobook.

This was such a fun, bingeable listen. It's certainly a book I recommend listening to--the podcast elements make the audiobook so fun!

The first half is mostly just setup: Lucy goes back to her hometown for her grandmother's birthday, and the podcast chapters outline Ben setting the scene. Once the secrets start being revealed, though, I couldn't stop listening. Amy Tintera takes a fresh perspective on the amnesia trope, and in my opinion does something great with it.

Not a thriller fan? Listen For The Lie is somewhat thriller-lite--not too much murder or gory stuff, just a cold case podcast investigator doing his thing.

I think the hype is well-deserved, and I'm excited to participate in a Celedon LFL drop for this book on Wednesday! If you're in the Poughkeepsie area, check the map for this copy's location!

Listen For the Lies didn't pull any punches. The characters are raw and flawed. How do you live knowing you don't remember the night your best friend died? How do you live when everyone thinks you did it?

I loved how slowly the past was revealed. I especially enjoyed using the audiobook to listen to the podcast portions of the book.

I really enjoyed this twisty mystery and I thought the podcasts sprinkled throughout were such a fun touch. Lucy seems to be an unreliable narrator and I loved how Ben gradually won her trust and his presence helped her figure out what was going on. I also loved that Lucy had someone that truly cared for her and was always in her corner. This is a unique thriller that had more of a psychological edge than suspenseful heart pounding moments and that's what I like in my thrillers. I listened to the audiobook and January LaVoy and Will Damron are fabulous together and their narration is perfection.

Starting off with the positive, the performances in the audio version were great. It was like listening to a Podcast within a book and I found that very entertaining. I also enjoyed the author's writing style, which was very clever and modern.

The story itself fell a little flat for me. This probably has more to do with my taste but it felt a little YA-ish. And I'm personally not a fan of that. And for a thriller it lacked someone in good plot twists, a lot of it was very predictable. Also not of fan of the romance parts. I'm more of a plot driven reader. That said, I'm sure these aspects of the novel will appeal to a lot of readers.

Overall it's an entertaining listen.

Lucy has tried her hardest to put the past behind her but then a podcast host decides to feature the murder of her best friend. The night that she can't remember at all. Now she has lost her job and is losing her boyfriend because she was branded a murderer even though she was never charged. She heads back to her hometown where it all happened for her grandmother's birthday party. The podcast host also happens to be in town and is relentless about interviewing her. He wants to solve the case and Lucy is torn if that will prove that she is a murderer.

This book was fabulous!! I loved the back-and-forth between what was happening in real life and in the podcast. It kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. I absolutely loved the way everything unraveled. It was such a great story and a more unique angle than some books with similar types of plots.

LISTEN FOR THE LIE review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

🎧If you’ve been seeing this thriller everywhere and wondering if it’s worth the hype, I’m here to tell you it definitely is! I can’t think of any other thriller that made me laugh out loud multiple times and simultaneously had me on the edge of my seat. I’m hoping this is a sign that 2024 thrillers are going to knock my socks off!!

🎧Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Lucy is infamous in her small town for being the main suspect in her best friend’s murder. Lucy doesn’t think she ever hurt her lifelong bestie, but she has no memories of what happened the night she was killed. Now a popular true crime podcaster is in town and is determined to solve the case. Does Lucy actually want to know what happened that night? Will the truth free her from the judgements everyone has against her? Or will it implicate her in the murder?

🎧Lucy’s inner monologue was one of my favorite parts of the book, along with Grandma Beverly’s witty sense of humor. Both had me laughing out loud, which is unheard of in a thriller imo. The podcast element in this one was so good and I’d hiiiiighly recommend the audiobook! The sound effects, music, etc. all made this a fantastic audio listen! I thought the ending came on all at once and I can’t quite pin down why I thought the pacing was off for the final part of the books. I still really enjoyed this one overall and would definitely recommend it!

🎧Thanks @macmillan.audio for the advanced copy! This one is available everywhere!

I’m not a mystery/thriller traditionally, but the premise of this one intrigued me, especially with the podcast angle paired with the dual narration! And the narrators were absolutely spectacular at bringing the characters to life.

A fun, quick read! Compulsively readable, this is a great book to break yourself out of a reading slump. I loved Lucy’s sarcasm & dark humor; she was a perfectly flawed heroine that kept me laughing and smirking the whole way. The twists & turns coupled with the short chapters kept the pages flying, and I can’t wait to see what the author does next!