Thank you, netgalley for the copy.
I loved the premise of this book. Although I don’t listen to true crime podcast, I do watch shows like this on television quite often. I feel that the sense of anonymity such as over the internet allows a person to feel more confident and do and say things they may not do or say in person.
I would rate this one 3/5 stars. I hate when women are dumb and I round Poe dumb. I also didn’t find this thriller really a thriller and the twist wasn’t very twisty.

Carter Wilson's Tell Me What You Did is a gripping and intricately woven psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The premise—a true crime podcaster collecting anonymous confessions—is fresh and compelling, blending the allure of modern media with chilling secrets from the past.

Poe Webb is a fascinating protagonist, her career and personal history colliding in a way that ramps up the tension as the story progresses. Wilson does a great job of keeping readers guessing, especially as Poe faces an unexpected visitor whose revelations threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew. The twists are cleverly executed, and the pacing rarely falters.

While the story is undeniably engrossing, there were moments where the plot felt a little over-the-top, and I found myself wishing for more depth in the exploration of certain characters’ motivations. Even so, Wilson's knack for atmosphere and suspense more than makes up for these minor flaws.

If you're a fan of dark, character-driven mysteries with plenty of surprises, Tell Me What You Did is well worth your time. It’s a solid four-star read that delivers intrigue, tension, and a truly unforgettable premise.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Tell Me What You Did” by Carter Wilson is a chilling and high-stakes psychological thriller that grips you from the first page. With a mix of creeping suspense and relentless pacing, this book explores revenge and the dark corners of the human psyche.

Poe Webb, a popular true-crime podcaster, is thrust into a nightmare when a mysterious and menacing man named Ian Hindley claims to know her darkest secret. Hindley insists on making her the subject of a live podcast on Halloween, forcing Poe to recount not only her past but also the violent act she’s kept hidden for seven years. Hindley’s claim that he killed Poe’s mother—and his knowledge of intimate details that were never made public—sends Poe into a spiral, questioning her memories, her safety, and the truth.

The book alternates between present-day events featuring podcast transcripts and flashbacks, slowly unraveling Poe’s traumatic past, her mother’s murder, and the deadly secret she’s been hiding. The tension builds to a heart-pounding climax as Poe faces off against a truly creepy and monstrous antagonist, testing her wits, resolve, and moral boundaries.

Wilson’s storytelling is gripping and relentless, creating a palpable sense of unease that keeps you on edge. The alternating timelines effectively build suspense, with the flashbacks providing a rich backstory that deepens our understanding of Poe’s character and her trauma while the present timeline keeps you wondering what exactly is going on as the stalker has taken charge of Poe’s podcast. The podcast transcripts scattered throughout the book add a unique and immersive layer to the story, though the premise of Poe’s podcast does make me wonder if it would actually work in real life.

Poe is a flawed yet compelling protagonist—intelligent, resourceful, and deeply human. Her bond with her dog, Bailey, is a touching aspect of the story (no harm comes to the lovable canine). I also really enjoyed Poe’s father as he was very relatable and was also a very interesting character. The antagonist, Ian Hindley, is genuinely terrifying, evoking comparisons to real-life serial killers with his calculated menace and chilling unpredictability. Wilson also excels at crafting a vivid atmosphere. The book’s dark tone is punctuated by moments of humor and warmth, particularly in Poe’s interactions with her steadfast partner Kip and her dependable father, making the stakes feel even more personal.

While the plot is undeniably gripping, it occasionally falters under the weight of some implausibilities. Certain elements, like how Hindley evades recognition despite being widely exposed online, stretch believability. Additionally, Poe’s decisions in key moments—such as not involving the police when it’s clearly the safest option—can feel frustratingly contrived.

Overall, “Tell Me What You Did” is a fast-paced and chilling ride that expertly blends psychological tension with a deeply personal story. Carter Wilson proves himself adept at crafting dark, nail-biting thrillers that linger in the mind long after the final page. If you’re a fan of edge-of-your-seat thrillers that focus on revenge and the blurred lines between good and evil, “Tell Me What You Did” is a must-read.

This was such a unique and fast-paced read. I loved the depth of each character and how nuanced and flawed they were despite still remaining likable and easy to root for. A lot of the twists were more slowly revealed, which isn’t my usual preference, but I ended up enjoying them more than just being out of left field for the sake of shock-factor. Overall, this was such a great thriller and I’ll be recommending it to my audiences!

I received a complimentary copy from Poisoned Pen Press and all opinions expressed are mine.

What a read! I absolutely did not expect to be taken for a ride. I did not fathom what happened in this book. Thrilling,fast-paced ,well written and twisty . I would recommend this book for anyone that loves a good true crime podcast ,family dynamics and secrets.

this is the thriller of 2025! i love how the topics in it were dealt with realistically, because these days the outrageous (ly bad) thrillers aren't doing it for me anymore and now I'm afraid and freaked out about my own online activity and potential creeps! also reading this till 6 am with random noises in the background is an experience in itself!

Tell Me What You Did is a chilling, gripping thriller that had me hooked from the first page. The unique podcast format, combined with alternating perspectives, made this story an absolute page-turner. The suspense was relentless, keeping me on the edge of my seat as Poe Webb, the host of a true crime podcast, is thrown into a terrifying situation involving her past—and the truth that has been buried for years.

What stood out most for me was the eerie tension and the unsettling presence of the villain, whose actions were both sinister and creepy. I could feel the hair on my arms raise as the story intensified. Poe's interactions with this man, coupled with the mystery surrounding her mother's death, create a perfect storm of dread and anticipation.

The book's pacing is perfect, and the unraveling of Poe’s past and her deepest secret had me hooked and I was completely absorbed in the psychological tension between Poe and the mysterious figure from her past.

Overall, Tell Me What You Did was an exceptional start to my reading year. It’s a thrilling, creepy, and satisfying read that delivers on every front—perfect for anyone who loves a dark, twisty psychological mystery.

This is the first time I have read a Carter Wilson book. I enjoyed it but I wish I’d of read Mr Tender’s Girl first.

I found a few bits far fetched but it was a good read. 3.5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for approving me for this ARC in exchange for my honest and genuine review.

Tell Me What You Did was my first read of 2025, and it DID NOT disappoint! This dark thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I just could not put it down. The main character, Poe, had me questioning my morals while riding her emotional roller coaster. I was so emotionally invested in these characters, especially Poe. I loved the suspense, never knowing how a chapter would begin or end. Poe’s story never lost steam, and I am excited to read more from this author!

This is such a great fast pace thriller with an awesome podcast element. It has a ton of mystery and kept me so engaged. This book also has short chapters and so easy to get into due to the amazing writing.

Poe has a popular podcast where she interviews criminals and asks them to tell her what they did. Her own Mother was brutally murdered in front of her eyes as a young teen so she is no stranger to crime. She gets a strange guest on her podcast claiming to be her Mom’s killer. But is he? How can he be if she herself killed him 8 years ago??

I was fully invested for the first 20% of the book but started to become uninterested at about the 25% mark. It seemed to go on forever and ever. It still kept my interest but just barely.

The final 20% did get better and the twist was mildly predictable but I still enjoyed the ending.

I really loved the premise of Carter Wilson’s new book, Tell Me What You Did. With the rise in the last 5 years of true crime podcasts, Poe Webb takes a unique spin on the genre. Running a podcast where people confess to their crimes. It all goes a bit off script when one of the subjects claims to be the murderer of Poe’s mom.

Overall, I liked both Poe and her father. A few of the twists were predictable, but it was still an incredibly fun ride. Splitting the chapters up with the transcripts from the live podcast was a great idea. It gave me an urgency to keep reading. All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Taking one star away for the number of times I wanted to tell Poe to just stop contacting the “murderer”.

Thank you to Carter Wilson, NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

Poe Webb has always had a dark fascination with crime. She witnessed her mother's murder when she was thirteen -- a secret she has kept for seventeen years.

Now the host of a very popular podcast, she invites guests to spend fifteen minutes confessing their crimes to her. She has some rules (no child or animal abusers, no boring stories) but she has recorded hundreds of confessions and her dedicated fans have even helped identify some of the confessors and having them arrested for their crimes.

But her world and her system are turned upside down when a man confesses to her mother's murder. The thing is, Poe found her mother's murder seven years ago -- and killed him herself. But this man knows enough details about the crime that she is second guessing everything she ever knew, and breaking all her rules to find out more.

Chilling and full of tension, this was a really interesting premise and a solid read! Poe was a complicated character, and this was super unique in that it really only had four characters in it -- Poe, her producer boyfriend, her father, and this creepy ass guest. But despite this, there is enough there to propel a great plot. True crime fans will enjoy this one!

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

#firstbookof2025 #firstbookoftheyear #arc #tellmewhatyoudid

CW: death, murder, adultery, kidnapping

From NetGalley: 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.

My thoughts: Like everyone else, I listen to true crime podcasts. As such, I enjoy reading about podcasts and their hosts, and good thing I do, since there is a glut of books about podcast hosts over the last few years. And this is a good one. I read this book in less than a day, and it was a quick easy read with short chapters. The characters were interesting to me and I didn’t see the reveal coming. It wasn’t scary, more creepy, and I wish there had been more to establish the relationship between Poe and Kip so I could have been more invested in it. But overall, I enjoyed this one a lot and appreciated that Poe had a good, trusting relationship with her father, which often is not the case with mystery/thriller protagonists.

Thank you to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the advance copy. (Pub date 01/28/25)

Oh my god, this book was just sooo good! I could hardly stand the suspense and had to keep on reading. Hindley was so scary and Poe was a fascinating character that I couldn't help rooting for even though I knew what she did. This book had me locking my door twice after reading it. Really a great book!

An awesomely unique novel. A narrative and transcripts from a podcast. Poe is the host of a hugely successful podcast. The premise of the podcast, callers confess their crime. Kip, Poe's  producer and boyfriend, handles the technical side of the podcast. When Ian Hindley comes on the show, he gives them major creeps. He confesses to murdering Poe's mother seventeen years earlier. The game of cat and mouse ensues. Hindley isn't the only one with secrets. A page turning psychological thriller!

5 Stars

"Tell Me What You Did" by Carter Wilson is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go. The novel centers on Poe Webb, a true-crime podcaster who invites anonymous confessions from her guests. The narrative takes a chilling turn when a man appears on her show, claiming to be her mother's murderer—a crime Poe believes she has already avenged herself.

Wilson's writing is sharp and incisive, creating a tense atmosphere that builds steadily as the plot unfolds. The dual timelines and multiple perspectives add depth to the characters, making their motivations and vulnerabilities palpable. The portrayal of Poe as a complex and flawed protagonist is both realistic and compelling, offering a fresh take on the thriller genre.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter revealing new secrets that keep the reader on edge. The intricate plot is tightly woven, leading to a climax that is both shocking and satisfying. Wilson's exploration of the dark side of love and revenge is unrelenting, making this novel a standout in its genre.

In conclusion, "Tell Me What You Did" is a twisty, unrelenting gem that will captivate fans of psychological thrillers. Wilson's latest offering is a testament to his storytelling prowess, delivering a richly satisfying read that lingers long after the final page. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking thriller.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy prior to publication.

Unfortunately, this one was not for me and I wished I'd DNF'd it when I initially wanted to move on. The premise drew me in and sounded amazing. A podcast where criminals confess? I'd listen to that! A twist where one of the guests claims they killed the host's mother and also knows her deepest secrets? I'm so in.

I appreciate the author acknowledging that readers may not like the main character, Poe, but hoped that we would be interested in her story. I was not. Poe was for me so deeply unlikeable that I didn't care about her story. She did not feel morally gray — she felt vapid and childish in a way that was not redeemable for me.

This story not being for me would not deter me from reading another of Wilson's novels. Fantastic premise, terrible characters.

Slightly disappointed in this as the premise was why I wanted to read it. I found the main character one dimensional and didn't really care for her. It was slower than I would have liked and I was expecting something more exciting to happen towards the end that just never came. I was able to tell pretty early on, who the person she was talking to was and had an idea of how it would end.

Poe runs a popular podcast and lost her mother 17 years ago at the time when the book begins. She has a boyfriend, Kip, who is also her editor, and a loving dog and a wonderful dad with a grumpy cat. Being that there aren't a ton of characters in this one, I'd have personally liked a bit more definition to the characters that were included. I know Poe was meant to be morally grey, but that sometimes specifically reads as annoying when you're only reading from the one POV. I had some confusion because some of the plot points were treated as a mystery, but they were also listed in the synopsis so it wasn't like it took much to guess them? Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I think the mentioned factors could have elevated the plot, but I had a decent time with the short chapters and plot/ characters. Thanks so much to the publisher and author for the chance to exchange an honest review for an early copy.