I really enjoyed this book overall. I was hooked from the very first page and found it to be genuinely creepy and terrifying. However, what really let it down for me was the main character. She felt underdeveloped, and her dialogue was often cringeworthy—there were moments when it was so bad it made me roll my eyes. It was tough to get past that, especially because the story had so much potential.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Tell Me What You Did in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just say, starting this book during the holidays probably wasn’t one of the brightest ideas I’ve ever had…there were several moments in this book that were downright terrifying and left me listening for every little noise while I laid in bed being completely unable to sleep. So what did I do? Stay up and read more, of course!

Carter Wilson is a literary genius in this suspense filled novel surrounding a woman by the name of Poe, who suddenly is being stalked and threatened by her mother’s murderer from seventeen years ago. The only problem…Poe murdered her mother’s killer years ago. So who is this psychopath trying to torture her now and why is he claiming to be someone he really isn’t? Or is he?

This book is written in such a way that at times, I was reading it with one eye open, not having any clue what was about to happen next. I loved that the chapters were short and kept you turning page after page, as many chapters left you at quite a cliffhanger. I would have read this one significantly faster, had I not have started reading it in the midst of holiday activities (reading suspenseful thrillers in a corner like a social pariah seems to be frowned upon at Christian family gatherings). I did enjoy the wrap up and speed read the last 10 chapters, but it’s likely that most readers did anticipate the plot twist here-I know I did, but I wasn’t mad at it. ALSO, if you are a lover of pets, please know that both pets in this novel make it out unscathed and are completely safe. For me, this was knowledge I really wished I would have had going into it, but didn’t have for my own peace of mind, so you’re welcome.

Big picture, this was one of the most captivating thrillers I’ve read all year. A true nail biter that as much as you may want to, you won’t be able to tear yourself away from. I’m going to call this one now, but I have a sneaky suspicion that this will be one of the top 5 thrillers for 2025. Out on shelves January 28th, I highly encourage you to pick this one up if you enjoy being held at the edge of your seat!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. I haven’t read this author before but I really enjoyed this one! I’ve also never read a book with a premise like this. The “bad guy” is super creepy in both actions and appearance. Poe is an IDGAF bad ass who you really want to root for, despite her past. Would 100% recommend to those who enjoy thrillers as I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

I absolutely loved this book! I can’t keep gushing over it. I feel like it’s going to be hugely popular upon its release. I loved the plot line. I’m a big fan of books about podcasts, especially when they are done right. I’ve heard great things about this book and I’m glad that I listened. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

Poe Webb is a podcast host of a popular true crime podcast. People are allowed to confess to crimes they have committed anonymously to her audience. When a guy claimes he was her mothers killer, she know that can’t be true because she killed the killer. The twists and turns in this book were so good. It was a quick read! The minute you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down! It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and this one was it! Can’t recommend this book enough!
Thank you NetGalley, Carter, and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Don’t forget to check out Tell Me What You Did on January 28th 2025!

Main Characters:
-- Poe Webb – 30-year-old true-crime podcaster, no one knows that she witnessed her mother’s murder when she was 13 and eventually killed the man who did it
-- Kip Nguyen – Poe’s podcast producer and boyfriend, feels that Poe is keeping something from him but doesn’t know what
== Ian Hindley – man who calls into Poe’s podcast claiming to be her mother’s murderer
== Poe’s dad – 66 years old, hasn’t been the same since his wife’s murder

For me, a great crime thriller reads like several episodes of Criminal Minds. I can picture the BAU profiling the “unsub” (unknown subject) and tracking them down. This book by a new-to-me author would make a fantastic Criminal Minds arc or even a movie. I would totally pay to see something like this in theaters.

Poe Webb lives alone in rural Burlington, Vermont, and airs a pre-recorded true crime podcast where people agree to anonymously confess their crimes. With a pretty substantial following of resourceful fans, her podcasts have led to a number of arrests over the years.

The story is told in alternating formats. It begins as a transcript of the second live stream of Poe’s podcast episodes with Ian Hindley, the man who claims to have killed Poe’s mother 17 years before. On this episode, their roles are reversed. Ian has turned the tables on Poe, asking her questions, forcing a bit of karma on her by making her confess to her own wrongdoings.

Interspersed with the podcast transcripts is Poe’s first-person narration leading up to her initial encounter with Ian and the first podcast with him. Ian insists that the podcast air live, and Poe’s point of view gives us the story all the way up through that first podcast to the start of the second. That’s when the two points of view converge.

No spoilers. I do not intend to give anything away on this.

The book contains only a handful of characters, so we get a good look at the character development for all of them. I can completely understand why Poe is where she is in life based on her back story. She’s somewhat estranged from her father, which makes sense since he never completely recovered from his wife’s murder. Kip believes that Poe is keeping something from him, and we all know what it is, but it sets the tone for the tension in their relationship.

We’ve all read books where we think that the characters could resolve their issues if they would just talk to one another. But Poe would be putting herself at risk by revealing everything that’s happened to her over the last 17 years. I totally buy into her rationale for keeping things to herself.

I found myself making notations pretty early on of what I thought was going to happen, who Ian is and how he knows what he knows, who’s involved in their initial encounter. I guessed wrong multiple times and eventually stopped trying to figure it out and just enjoy the ride.

This one is definitely worth picking up, and I’ll be looking to add some of Wilson’s previous novels into my rotation.

Carter Wilson’s Tell Me What You Did is a gripping and original thriller that blurs the line between fiction and reality. With a premise centered on a podcaster who interviews criminals about their dark deeds, the story takes a chilling turn when her mother’s killer reaches out with sinister demands. From that moment on, the tension skyrockets, creating a narrative filled with danger, secrets, and shocking revelations.

Wilson expertly crafts a protagonist who is both compelling and relatable, navigating the fine line between her professional ambition and personal vulnerability. The unique podcast angle adds a fresh layer to the story, immersing readers in a world where true crime fascination meets real-life horror. As the plot unfolds, secrets unravel from all sides, keeping readers on edge and second-guessing every character’s motives.

What makes Tell Me What You Did so effective is its authenticity. The writing feels so real that it’s easy to forget this is a work of fiction. The twists and emotional depth are delivered with such precision that the story becomes almost eerily believable. Wilson’s ability to balance suspense with character-driven storytelling ensures that every revelation feels earned and every moment of danger hits hard.

This is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and crime dramas. Tell Me What You Did offers a wild, edge-of-your-seat ride that keeps you hooked until the very last page. Carter Wilson has delivered a story as thrilling as it is unsettling, leaving readers wondering just how thin the line between fiction and reality can be.

What a truly unique storyline with such layered characters. Poe Webb is the embodiment of all the morally gray areas in life. I love how us readers are given such a complex character and subject matter to navigate, as it constantly had me asking myself, “What would I have done?” throughout the book. As complex as Poe is, she’s also surprisingly easy to sympathize with. I genuinely cared about her story and needed to know what would happen to her in the end. The conflicting and polarizing viewpoints in this book highlight just how powerful Carter Wilsons writing is—he makes you FEEL. Another thing I loved about this book was how genuinely scary some parts were! Some scenes felt like they came straight out of my nightmares (in the best possible way). Not many books can make my skin crawl, but this one definitely did, and I was both impressed and thoroughly entertained by that. If you’re looking for something scary, fresh, different, thought-provoking, and most of all, fun, please read this. I’d like to thank Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley, and Carter Wilson for giving me the opportunity to read Tell Me What You Did in exchange for my honest review.

I could not put this one down! Such an interesting unique premise and I throughly enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading more from this author!

OMG! What an amazingly thrilling, scary, and engrossing read! I can’t believe I considered myself a thriller reader without having read a book by Carter Wilson before! I’m immediately adding his books to my ever-growing TBR list, starting with Mister Tender’s Girl which was frequently mentioned in Tell Me What You Did.

I also really enjoyed this book since it’s based on a podcast.

If you’ve not read anything from Carter Wilson, and you identify as a thriller fan, you must immediately check out one of his books! Tell Me What You Did releases January of 2025 - you don’t want to miss it!

Oh-My-Lanta!!! Talk about a suspenseful read right from the beginning! I finished this in warping speed within twenty four hours and IT’S Christmas Eve! I would say this was a banger of a read leading into Christmas Day!

Look, I went into this blind and I highly recommend that you do too! Yes, I read the synopsis before requesting this, but we all know how memory goes when it comes to books. This is quite the treat and I feel it packs a huge punch when you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.

I will give you this…….. there is a podcast where people can confess to their crimes. Crimes no one knows about. What I loved is that this a unique plot to the whole podcast trope. If you’re like me, you’re probably getting a bit tired of the podcasts. However, this one is a solid thrilling tale! I can’t believe I waited so long to dive in. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more from Carter Wilson!!!!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson is the epitome of a suspenseful thriller. This is a story about Poe, host of a popular true crime podcast, who invites people to anonymously confess crimes they’ve committed. 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. And she knows this because she killed him. Poe is a character you will admire, become frustrated with, feel empathy for, yell at, and cheer for. So complex and yet SO good. Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for this amazing ARC of Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson.

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson promised to be a read that you couldn't put down, and I can't argue that. I finished this book in one sitting and found it so easy to devour. With that being said - I feel like the "twist" wasn't nearly as twisty as it was promised to be, and that Poe (love the name!!!) wasn't entirely likeable to begin with? I also never really understood the "relationship" with Kip...that felt fake and unrealistic?

The premise is fun and everyone loves a thriller about a crime podcaster, but this felt like it was just a lot of different ideas stitched together with not much to actually keep them together. And I'm all for a cocktail, but the relationship with Poe and her dad to drinking was unhinged and was constantly distracting whenever they spent time together - I couldn't figure out the dad's character at all. I did love Bailey and Grimm though!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Releases 1/14!

This is my first read by this author and this book was so good! It started out with a bang and just kept rolling. It does time jump, but I found it easy to track what was going on at all times. I did not guess the twists and I was just along for the wild ride. I would definitely read more by this author.

This was a well done thriller that I really enjoyed. I didn’t guess the ending and read it in a day which are great signs. Definitely recommend.

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson is a dark and gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the final pages. With a chilling plot centered around secrets, betrayal, and revenge, Wilson masterfully builds tension, crafting a story filled with unexpected twists and deeply flawed, compelling characters. The fast-paced narrative and vivid writing draw readers into a web of suspense, making it nearly impossible to put down. A must-read for fans of twisty, edge-of-your-seat thrillers.

I was hooked by the premise of this one: a true crime podcaster who gets people to confess their crimes goes head-to-head with someone claiming to have killed her mother—when she knows that can’t be true because she killed him herself. Intriguing, right?

The setting in Vermont was such a treat for me, especially since I visited the same cities last year during leaf-peeping season. I loved the way the story was told through multiple formats—podcast transcripts, real-time POV from Poe, and flashbacks. While the mixed media approach added depth, the timeline occasionally got a little confusing.

The writing was excellent at keeping me on edge, especially as the story made me question who could be trusted—fitting, given it’s from Poe’s unreliable perspective. I was so relieved Bailey didn’t become a victim because I don’t think I could’ve handled it! The nod to the real-life Hindley case added a chilling touch of reality.

That said, I felt like the book dragged a bit toward the end. By the time I hit the last 10%, I was ready for it to wrap up, and the epilogue felt unnecessary. There were also moments where you had to suspend disbelief, but I was okay with that for the sake of the story.

Overall, Tell Me What You Did is an intriguing, riveting read with a haunting concept. It keeps you guessing and delivers plenty of twists. If you’re into psychological thrillers or true crime vibes, it’s definitely worth checking out!

Thank you to Carter Wilson, NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. Grab this one on 1/28/25!

Tell me what you did keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time. I loved how it was written based off a true crime podcast. The twist at the end was a shock you are not prepared for! Will definitely read more books by this author!

A young podcaster gets people to confess their sins on air. When she is forced to reveal her own past sins on air, life gets very scary!

As I saw more and more positive reviews for Tell Me What You Did pop up in my feed, I knew I needed to request it. I'm so glad I did!

📖: Dylan "Poe" Webb hosts a hit podcast which features a criminal confessing their crimes on each episode. One day the guest on her screen claims he murdered Poe's mother. But that can't be possible because Poe already killed him.

🤝: This may be a good fit if you enjoy:
- flawed, morally grey characters
- true crime podcast elements
- strong relationships to root for

💭: I can count on one hand the times I've finished a book in 24 hours, and I'm adding this one to the list! Between the significant amount of podcast dialogue and the short chapters, this book was easy to fly through. I wasn't necessarily surprised by the reveals, but I loved the journey. The author's execution of the dual timelines coming together for an action-packed ending delivered for me.

💬: "They want to like their heroes, picturing themselves in the character's shoes, commending themselves for doing the right thing, for shunning violent temptation in order to achieve some brittle and thin-shelled redemption. . . They don't know that sometimes the path to redemption is forged in poison and bullets."

Rating: I really liked it! (4.5 rounded up)

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.