Carter Wilson’s *Tell Me What You Did* delivers an electrifying blend of psychological intrigue and gripping suspense, cementing his reputation as a master of dark, character-driven thrillers. This standalone novel explores the aftermath of tragedy and the sinister secrets that bubble beneath the surface of ordinary lives.

We’re immediately thrown into a high stakes game of cat and mouse as the main character battles her personal demons both literally and metaphorically.

Poe Webb has provided an outlet for people to anonymously confess their darkest secrets. She hosts a true crime podcast inviting guests to unburden themselves to the world. However, a determined guest wants to turn the tables and put Poe in the spotlight, forcing past events to surface and come back to haunt her.

I was entranced from the very beginning of this story. The mystery built at an all time slow, leaving me wanting more and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to discover the hidden truths. The author’s ability to create deeply flawed, relatable characters adds an extra layer to the story leaving me even more invested in the outcome.

There were a few moments I found myself disconnecting with the main character and the decisions she made along the way, making me question my overall enjoyment of the story, but ultimately, this was a great thriller, and I highly recommend it.

From the bestselling author (and podcaster) of The Father She Went To Find, Carter Wilson (favorite author) returns with TELL ME WHAT YOU DID, a deliciously wicked clever game of cat and mouse thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page is turned.

About...

A successful Vermont podcaster, Poe Webb, offers listeners (and criminals) a means to confess all their evil deeds and crimes. An anonymous apology on the podcast called Tell Me What You Did.

Poe was only 13 when her mother was stabbed to death. 14 times. Poe wants revenge.

Now Poe has a top true-crime podcast. Then something blows her mind, turning the tables on her when her past rises to the surface by one of her guests. She started the podcast as a means of healing after her mom's brutal murder.

Now, a man claims to be her mother's murderer. But how can this be, since her mom's murderer is dead? She should know since she was the one who killed him.

He claims to be Leopold Hutchins, the man who stabbed her mother 14 times.

She is skeptical, but he knows things—things that were not released by the police. He threatens her to do the broadcast, or he will hurt her father, producer, lover, Kip, and her black lab, Bailey.

But seven years earlier, she tracked down Leopold Hutchins and killed him herself. So who is this guy?

Can you ever escape your past?

Who is the cat, and who is the mouse?

My thoughts...

WOW! What a cleverly written game of cat-and-mouse! Intense, fast-paced, sinister, and twisty. The Halloween setting made it even more creepy and spine-chilling.

A fitting title; there are dark and disturbing confessions, and Poe is caught up in a morally gray area. She is in a constant battle between seeking justice and trying to save herself.

Another bonus for those who have read Mister Tender's Girl, you will enjoy catching up with Alice Hill, the protagonist of Carter's 2018 thriller.

I am a massive fan of the author and love his twisted thrillers with characters caught up in challenging situations.

Gritty and edgy, the author surprises and entertains with a juicy revenge plot. Wilson takes the ‘true crime’ trope to new and unexpected territory!

Recs...

TELL ME WHAT YOU DID is for crime junkies and fans of the author and those who enjoy intelligent and clever thrillers with cat-and-mouse games. Also, for readers who enjoy works by Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jenova Rose, Freida McFadden, Linwood Barclay, and Megan Goldin.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press Pen Press for a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
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Well... wasn't this the gift that kept on giving! We meet Poe Webb (great name) who is the host of a rather popular unique podcast. She invites people to come talk to her, to confess crimes they have committed. All anonymously, obviously! She can't guarantee them that the police won't find them but does guarantee that they won't find out anything from her.
Her path, and fascination with true crime is personal. He mother was killed, her murderer dead. She knows this for a fact. So it is a bit scary when one of her guests comes onto her show and claims he is the one who killed her mother. But he couldn't have done, cos Poe knows who did and, well, they got what was coming... And then the tables get turned and she is the one with the confession...
Poe is a funny fish. I guess this stems from her past, her change of name, her shenanigans, and what she now does for a living. She wears a lot of masks so it's hard to get to the person inside. Which made it hard to really connect to her. But I still couldn't help but feel for her, for what she went through. Although that said, it's also hard to get behind what she did.
What a unique premise the whole anonymous confessions is! Well, it is to me. And that's like a breath of fresh air for someone who devours this genre book. It's quite long but the pacing is fast, able assisted by short punchy chapters that keep you going, in my case, way past bedtime!
OK so I did guess something quite early on, but I really don't think that it hindered my enjoyment of the book overall. It held my attention all the way through, spitting me out at the end, exhausted but wholly satisfied.
I have read a few books by this author, but not the one that is connected to this book. Whether that matters or not, I can't truly say, but as I really enjoyed this one without, I guess not.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

When I hear someone say a book is “unputdownable,” I’m usually skeptical—but this one was that book! I buddy-read it with a friend, and at one point, I even texted her, “I think I’ve stopped breathing.” The story is fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters are so well-written, and the plot grabs you from the very beginning and never lets go. I can’t wait to read more from this author. A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy!

4 out of 5 Stars!

Poe gets people to confess for a living with her popular true-crime podcast. If you sign up, you get to anonymously confess to crimes they have committed. It is what every criminal is looking for; instant fame and recognition. There is a fine line between telling too much and telling too little. Can they tell the world everything without revealing too much? When a new guest comes in and tells Poe his crime was killing her mother years ago, she is confused. Because she thought she had already killed him.

“Tell Me What You Did” by Carter Wilson caught my attention with the eerie cover and title. In the past couple of years, I have read a couple of mystery/thriller books with a podcast presence. As I am a huge podcast listener, once I read the synopsis I was sold! This was a fast-paced thriller with twists you will never see coming. This book had me at the edge of my seat, waiting to see what Poe would uncover next.

I really liked the premise of this book and the characters. Poe was fascinating, and I felt like we were learning more and more about her throughout the book. I normally base a mystery/thriller book off of how smart they are, which I would say Poe was up there. She was smart, acknowledged some things she did were stupid, and used her true crime detective skills to her advantage.

Overall, I thought this book was very good. I did knock a star down because I thought it was a little gimmicky in the end. It felt like Wilson was trying to drag out this story when it definitely could have been a few pages lighter. For example, Poe was saying she bought steaks for dinner, and she normally cooks them for a number of minutes, but because those steaks were bigger, they needed an extra minute. None of these comments impacted the book, so I wasn’t upset, I just thought they were kinda odd to throw in. Without these, I probably would have given “Tell Me What You Did” by Carter Wilson a 5/5!

Pick up “Tell Me What You Did” by Carter Wilson on January 28th, 2025!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Carter Wilson, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The book had a medium pace, which worked well for me. The writing was engaging, and the story kept me hooked enough to keep turning the pages. What really stood out was how the timeline alternated—it added an extra layer of suspense, keeping me on edge as the story built up to the final reveal. It’s one of those books where you feel like you’re piecing together a puzzle, and that kind of thrill is always fun.
That said, I did manage to guess the twist early on (yay, detective me!), but honestly, it didn’t take away from the experience. Sometimes, it’s not about the “what” but the “how,” and this book delivered on that front. I enjoyed seeing the story unravel and how the pieces fell into place.
The alternating timelines were like little breadcrumbs leading to the climax, and while the twist wasn’t entirely shocking, it was satisfying. It’s the kind of book you’d curl up with on a rainy day, where you’re not racing through it but savoring the steady build-up. Overall, I had a good time with this one. Not mind-blowing, but definitely worth a read if you’re into suspense with a well-woven plot!

I initially requested an ARC of Tell Me What You Did after reading the book's description, which immediately piqued my interest. I also previously read The Dead Girl in 2A and recalled liking Carter Wilson's writing style, so I figured I'd enjoy Tell Me What You Did too. That said, I was not expecting to be sucked into this book the way that I was from the very start. I know reviewers use the term unputdownable frequently, but I COULD NOT put this book down once I started it. The characters and their backstories, the settings, the premise of Poe's podcast -- every single part of this book was executed flawlessly. Tell Me What You Did should be on every thriller fan's list this year!

Needless to say, once I finished Tell Me What You Did, I immediately read all of Wilson's other books.

I quite enjoyed the aspect of the podcast, and thought that it was a really interesting idea to have her mother's suspected killer interview her. I thought the books pacing started off quite well and did get me hooked, although there where points within the middle where I felt that it dragged ever so slightly.

"Tell Me What You Did" by Carter Wilson is a captivating psychological thriller that intricately examines the themes of guilt, revenge, and the haunting nature of the past. The story revolves around Poe Webb, a dedicated true-crime podcaster who has built her career on inviting guests to anonymously confess their most troubling misdeeds. This unique format allows listeners to delve into the minds of those who have committed various crimes, seeking to understand the motivations that drive them.

Poe's life becomes dramatically complicated when she receives a shocking phone call during one of her episodes. A mysterious caller claims responsibility for the brutal murder of Poe's mother—a crime that Poe has long believed she had avenged in her own way. This revelation not only shatters her sense of justice but also forces her to confront the dark, unresolved emotions tied to her past.

As the story unfolds, "Tell Me What You Did" takes readers on a psychological journey, skillfully blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator. Poe must navigate a treacherous landscape of deception and uncertainty while grappling with feelings of guilt and betrayal. The novel invites readers to explore the complexities of human behavior and the severe consequences of buried secrets that refuse to remain hidden.

With its well-developed characters and intense narrative, "Tell Me What You Did" is essential reading for aficionados of psychological thrillers. The book masterfully challenges perceptions and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, ensuring that they remain fully engaged until the final, heart-pounding page.

Literally could not stop reading this one! It had me on the edge of my seat literally shocked by how intense it was. It does have a fairly disturbing storyline which was slight off-putting initially, but once I moved past that, I was HOOKED.

The main character, Poe, has a very successful podcast where people are invited to come on and confess to a previous crime they have committed. But after a mysterious guest comes on, it becomes obvious that Poe herself has things to hide too.

I FLEW through this book. The books plot was incredibly unique, which is what initially drew me in, but the storyline and overall tense thriller vibes is what kept me up late!

thank you netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own

*review will be posted on IG closer to publication date

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this gifted copy!

I loved this book and how it was written. I am obsessed with podcasts and when half the chapters are written in that format it gave me the full body chills! IYKYK. The cat and mouse trope in thriller form was addictive. The book is fast paced and though I feel like I should’ve predicted that last twist, I did not. My jaw hit the floor. The FMC was not 100% likeable but I liked that she was hard to like. Her relationship with her father was also difficult for me to get behind but they both were grieving so I took that into consideration. Overall, top notch thriller!

Such a great book. I wish I had more time to sit and just read it in one sitting. I love true crime and podcasts and to have them both in a book was great! have never read anything by Carter Wilson before this and now I want to read more. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

I love getting psychological thriller ARCS and i simply ate it up. The adrenaline rush this book gave me?!? Unmatched 😵

To set the scene: a young woman who underwent some trauma, *witnessing her mom get unalived*, in her childhood has a podcast where people come on as guests to confess to things. And ONE DAY, her mother’s “shmiller” wants to be a guest on that very show. Needless to say, things reallllyyy escalate 🫣

Although the characters all had flawed personalities (some more than others), there was some huge character development (again, some more than others) which was refreshing to see in this type of book.

The writing style kept me intrigued and on my toes, and it was a page turner in every sense of the word.

4 stars, loved it!

Tell Me What You Did is the type of book you literally cannot tear your eyes from. Reading it is like chugging water after days in the desert. It was irresistible. Intoxicating. Completely bingeable.

I loved how take-no-shit Poe Webb is. She is the complete opposite of an unreliable narrator. Her personality and attitude made *me* feel brave from the other side of the page. And truly, it was such a refreshing take.

I was riveted the entire book. If you’re looking for something to sharply yank you into its depths, this is the book for you. Because holy crap. This was wild. I desperately needed an escape into an all consuming thriller such as this. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you #NetGalley for an arc of Tell Me What You Did in exchange for an honest review.

✨𝓝𝓮𝔀 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Tell Me What You Did
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Carter Wilson
𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆: January 28, 2025
𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔: 448 pages

🎙️Podcast
🎙️True crime
🎙️Dual timelines
🎙️Game of cat and mouse
🎙️Antithesis of a slow burn

WTF did I just read. Nails bit at the quick, this read had me on the edge of my seat from the get go. No slow burn moments AT ALL here.

I had worried that the whole podcast element has been done ad nauseam, but Carter expertly built her story surrounding podcaster Poe. Poe at the helm of this podcast asks her guest to confess their darkest secrets. That is, until the tables are turned and she’s forced to reveal her own secrets.

Would be a great audiobook if done right!

I DEVOURED this one! I'm a big lover of some mixed media and this one comes with the podcast transcripts so that's a win.
Highly suggest going in blind as the blurb is kinda heavy on the entire plot of what the whole story is.

Anticipated pub: Jan 28th!
Big thanks to Poised Pen Press for this one! I've not read anything by this author before but I'd certainly be interested in some of his previous works! Especially Mister Tender's Girl as there is a crossover character from that story in this one.

I loved the podcast aspect, this one is a woman that talk to the public that want to come on the show and confess something. It worked really well for me. [side note, you might think you're in for a story of animal abuse towards the beginning; can confirm NO ANIMALS ARE HARMED in this story! so stick with that scene if you can]

At times during this story I couldn't tell if I felt bad for Poe or if I couldn't care what happened to her. She's kind of a hot mess, she's the typical "I drink to go numb" girly you read about in every other thriller these days.

During the story we flip back and forth between the day of the second live stream, Oct 31 and the about 2 weeks-ish prior to that. With few flashbacks to the past sprinkled in as well. It worked well as we get breadcrumbs of the conversation among the lead up to that night.

Overall, this kept me on the edge of my seat as it has super short chapters and is PACKED with tension!

If you are a fan of Megan Goldin "Night Swim" OR "The Book of Cold Cases" by Simone St. James put this on your MUST read list! An edge of your seat, creepy past and present story of a true crime podcaster holding he own secrets. Huge shout out to NetGalley, Carter + Sourcebooks Publishing for the eARC!

What to Expect:
⭐ True Crime Podcast
⭐ Riveting edge of your seat thriller
⭐ Past and Present story telling
⭐ Dark Themes
⭐ Moral Dilemmas
⭐ The twists and turns and the main premise of this story will have you turning pages until it's done!


My Thoughts:
I didn't read any of the other books by Carter prior to this. I have added the previous releases to my TBR list now! This was riveting, sat on the edge of my seat flipping so fast through every page. I am a big true crime podcast fan BUT this twist to it was a captivating tangled web of past and present story telling, well defined characters with secrets they don't want in the daylight and the untangling of it all.

You will 100% be asking and questioning your morales. You will find yourself rooting for main character Poe and her family, while also wondering how the heck am I rooting for her.

A few criticisms... The book felt long. There was a lot of on the run but not on the run moments that maybe could have been cut. There was also some of Poes storyline that could have maybe been tided up just a little bit. Poe as a whole you might root for but who is she really? While her past is defined via the podcast & what we learn in the storytelling, who is she really. She seems chaotic and unsure of who she is. While we come to a conclusion at the end of her past story, we have no idea who she really is... it makes it hard to be in her corner the whole time.

otherwise the scenes were very well written. You feel the nervousness, anxiousness and the fear that is felt in the scenes. You can easily place yourself in these scenes! In that case I cheer this author! Placing a reader in to the pages is the biggest part we all love about reading!

Based on the past books that have unfolded around the true crime podcast world, this theme was one of the best twists I have enjoyed!

Synopsis:
She gets people to confess their crimes for a living. He knows she's hiding a terrible secret. It's time for the truth to come out…

Poe Webb, host of a popular true crime podcast, invites people to anonymously confess crimes they've committed to her audience. She can't guarantee the police won't come after her "guests," but her show grants simultaneous anonymity and instant fame—a potent combination that's proven difficult to resist. After an episode recording, Poe usually erases both criminal and crime from her mind.

But when a strange and oddly familiar man appears on her show, Poe is forced to take a second look. Not only because he claims to be her mother's murderer from years ago, but because Poe knows something no one else does. Her mother's murderer is dead.

Poe killed him.

When Poe Webb was young her mother was brutally murdered, and their family home was set ablaze never bringing her killer to justice. As she got older, Poe decided to move on with her life and try to find happiness.

Now, Poe is the host of a top-rated true crime podcast called, Tell Me What You Did. Guests come on and anonymously and confess the crimes that they have committed. Poe makes no guarantees that the police or the thousands of amateur sleuths listening will not find out who they really are. One of the guests calls in to confess that he is the person that murdered Poe’s mother. He is the true killer or does Poe know something that this confessor has not realized. Does he know that Poe also have a crime that she will never confess.

This was my first Carter Wilson book, and it did not disappoint. It was a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was skeptical since this was almost a whopping 450 page thriller. Trust me when I say that you will get sucked in and breeze through this. The narrative takes off at a relentless pace. Wilson crafts a web of mystery and secrets, making it almost impossible to see what is coming next.

If you're a fan of novels that explore the darkest corners of the human mind while keeping you guessing until the very end, TELL ME WHAT YOU DID is the book for you.

✨ The Vibes ✨
The podcast thriller for those who are sick of podcast thrillers

📖 Read if…
✨ You like podcast thrillers, but want an interesting spin on the trope
✨ Prefer suspense over mystery
✨ Like short chapters and podcast scripts in thrillers

There have been A LOT of podcast thrillers in recent years, and while I’m a big fan of this trope, I can see how some readers might be burned out on it. So if you’re looking for a new twist on the familiar, Tell Me What You Did would be perfect!

The book follows Poe, a podcaster who allows criminals to confess to their crimes on air. The unique premise has earned her a big audience but she gets more than she bargained for when a guest calls in with surprising details about a crime Poe witnessed – and one she committed.

Tell Me What You Did instantly hooked me. The stakes are set pretty high right from the start making it hard to put the book down. The tension is top notch and the short chapters will have you flying through. I really liked the inclusion of podcast scripts, as they helped provide exposition without slowing things down. The story was also just generally kind of creepy in a very unsettling way, which is my favorite kind of creepiness.

Keeping things vague as to not spoil anything but while the pacing was great early on, a few reveals came too early in the story. While it was still tense, I wanted more time to uncover clues and make some guesses as to where the story was heading. That’s just a matter of personal preference though, and I actually think the story structure would work for readers who prefer to have everything laid out so they can sit back and enjoy the aftermath.

Tell Me What You Did is out Jan. 28. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Really enjoyed this psychological thriller about a true crime podcaster who isn't a stranger to crime. A real page turner, I ripped tough this book in a couple days.