Member Reviews
This was a thriller that checked all the boxes for me! I love anything to do with the podcast trope so this was perfect for me. I also love the revenge aspect of this book, it feels satisfying. I thought the true crime podcast having strangers confess to crimes was a very unique idea for this book and the author did an amazing job. I absolutely recommend!
Thank you, Net Galley & Poisoned Pen Press, for the ARC of Tell Me What You Did in exchange for an honest review
Tell Me What You Did follows Poe Web, host of popular True Crime podcast who gives the opportunity to real criminals to commit their crimes. Things get turned upside for Poe and we follow her journey through this twisty, crazy, creepy story.
If you're looking for a book that will have you hooked and on edge, definitely check this one out, you will not be disappointed.
4.5 stars
WOW!!! Read this book in 2 days, couldn’t put it down!
Absolutely thrilling. The book is a “ripper”- a book so thrilling you’re nearly ripping the pages off as you turn them.
The author wishes the reader to feel the story is “unlike any they’ve read before and leave with a sense of satisfaction about the protagonists ultimate fate. This was exactly how I felt
I love a good revenge thriller and this book checked all my boxes! Poe Webb is a true crime podcast host. Her podcast highlights those with a common need, a confession to make. The next call in on her podcast is Ian Hindley, a man claiming to know more about Poe’s past than her own family. I don’t want to spoil anything, but definitely recommend this creepy thriller! I had a hard time putting this down! Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, Net Galley, and Carter Wilson for the ARC!
4 stars-A little bit of a slow start and then it just took off. Poe (of Edgar Allen fame) is a podcaster whose show is based on confessions. A guest named Ian Hindley (a combo of the names of the famous English killers the Moors) comes onto her show. He confesses to murdering her mother when she was a teenager. He taunts her into doing a livestream where she will talk about being a witness to the murder.) This book takes the fear of being stalked to a whole new level! I am glad I was reading it during the daytime! And for those who are worried, small spoiler, but one I would want to know, Bailey the black lab is unhurt in the book. Thank you Carter Wilson for sparing her! This is my second Carter Wilson book. I really enjoy how he is able to increase the tension of the plot and to throw little twists in. Overall, I definitely recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to get early access to this gem !!!
The story starts quickly jumping straight into one of Poe Webbs crime podcasts, where she anonymously interviews strangers from the general public through the internet and asks them to confess their crimes.
As the story continues the chapters follow a now and then type of timeline, where Poe is interviewed by a man in the style of her own podcasts and current timeline building up to the events before the interview took place.
WOW…just wow 🤩 everything about this book from the moment you read the first chapter to the last it has you biting your nails and on the edge of your seat waiting to find out. I LOVE LOVEE LOVEEE the true crime references such as the Moors murders it really adds such character and realism to the book i have never seen this in a thriller before (amazingly done may I add such an intriguing plot).
Carter Wilson has such an intriguing way of writing and weaving in those little details all through the book. Short chapters so easy to read and follow, really enjoyed this book🤭🤭
The only reason this book loses the .75 stars is because It could have been capped at about 300 pages the end bit probably didn’t need to get dragged out as much as it did and I wish there was a more sinister or thrilling ending to the book!
Wow!!! 🤩
I rarely give out 5 stars in my reviews but Tell me what you did is a solid 5 star in my opinion. The storyline was different and so refreshing. I read a lot and find many of the books to really have the same storylines (the maid, the babysitter, etc.), so I was completely hooked with a new theme.
The entire book was a game of cat and mouse and I honestly only guessed one part which wasn’t the ending. It was a gripping page turner that will hook you in the first chapter and keep you hooked until the last.
The writing style was well done and the characters were so realistic. Readers can put themselves in Poe’s position and question what they would have done.
I love a revenge thriller and this book was just that. Suspenseful in all the right places!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Carter Wilson and Poisoned Pen Publishing for the ARC and opportunity to review this book. I am 100% adding this author to my must read list!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This suspenseful masterpiece written by Carter Wilson is gripping and thrilling in all the good ways.
I literally finished this book in one night, I was so engrossed that I kept checking my windows and doorway because that's how good the book was in pulling you into the story. I felt the unease and paranoia that the characters of the book were feeling and I honestly have not read a good thriller like this in a really long time.
The storytelling was also rather unique with a combination of flashbacks and present day events through a live podcast. I like how the book did not make the lead characters trauma their demise but rather something to draw power from which is also very refreshing.
Publication date is 14 January 2025. Don't forget to preorder!
A Dangerous Game.,
Poe Webb, a true crime podcaster who persuades people to confess to their crimes. It’s a dangerous game, even though those confessionals are anonymous. When one particular confession emerges, Poe is shocked to the core - but why? Edge of seat suspense with superb character development, a propulsive plot littered with hair bend twists and a unique premise which amply delivers. True crime podcast aficionados will devour.
I don't think I was ready for how much I loved this book. I am a big fan of the podcast format and truly believe we need to see this in more books. If you want a book that you have to read in one sitting because you cannot put it down, this is that. It has the perfect amount of suspense and creepiness and Halloween lovers need to lap this up.
Another terrific thriller from Wilson about the host of a true-crime confessional podcast who is faced with the possibility that her mom's murderer is not as dead as she thought he was--since it was she who killed him. Or did she? Wilson creates a solid mystery with characters that are fleshed out (with nods to his earlier Mister Tender's Girl) and crisp dialogue. The book alternates between podcast transcripts and first-person narration which works well. The ending is solid and wraps things up quite nicely. Wilson is a big-time talent in the genre. Happy to see him continue that success. 4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Edgy, bleak, heart-pounding, and a nail-biter, this scream-inducing, eye-popping, jaw-dropping psychological thriller will make your blood run cold! It took me a few sittings to finish, even though the pacing is riveting and the highly disturbing storyline drew me in. I was genuinely freaked out because the book’s villain is extra creepy and monstrous, reminding me of real-life serial killers like Manson, Gacy, and Dahmer. Especially at night, I had to cut my reading short, yet I still slept with the lights on and screamed each time I heard a creaking sound.
Overall, this is an amazing thriller that makes every hair on your body stand up and sends shivers down your spine. You may guess the ending, but that doesn't lessen the impact of the incredibly mounting tension that nearly chokes you with fear. Until the last chapter, the suspense escalates to a climax, leaving you holding your breath, sitting at the edge of your seat, clutching your heart, and praying for a fair ending.
I felt like I was hit by a truck repeatedly after reading this book—that’s how much it shook me to the core. Maybe my inner masochistic self is writing this, but it’s worth facing my fears by reading this book. The author is now on my auto-approved list because, without great thrills and facing your nightmares and real-life monsters, you don’t truly embrace life and seize the moments! Reading a terrifying book is always the best cure for the urge to check under your bed, even as an adult!
Here's a quick recap of the plotline: Poe Webb, in her early thirties, is a popular true crime podcaster famous for her show called “Tell Me What You Did,” where people confess their crimes anonymously to her audience. Her show guarantees instant fame and anonymity while providing relief for confessing a heavy burden. Poe is intriguingly connected to these people because she has been carrying a secret for seven years.
When a strange, thin, scarecrow-like, creepy man named Ian Hindley attends her show and confesses that he killed her mother 17 years ago, Poe’s entire world changes in an instant. This man cannot be telling the truth, even though he knows details that the press and police investigation didn’t have. Seven years ago, Poe found Leonard Hutchins, the man who stabbed her mother 14 times, and she killed him without hesitation.
Ian wants to make a live podcast session with her on Halloween, insisting he knows what she did seven years ago. How can this man know all those details she hasn’t shared, even with her father or her boyfriend and producer Kip? Could she have killed an innocent man? Ian Hindley seems to be coming for her. Can she stop this dangerous man before he takes more lives, including hers and her loved ones? Let the cat-and-mouse game begin.
Overall: OMG! I’m still breathless! This smart, intelligent, and riveting page-turner comes highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this great thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🎥 podcast format
🎥 short chapters 🩷🩷
🎥 dual timelines
🎥 Halloween reads 👻🎃
I really enjoy books that are written in a different style than just the regular story-telling; in this case it is written part storytelling and part podcast episodes.
‘Doing a podcast with the guy who killed your mom’ is such a wild concept for a story and it’s something I don’t think I’ve seen before. It was very different and made for a very entertaining and attention-grabbing read.
The flipping back and forth between the 2 timelines a week or so apart kept the anticipation building and building right until the very end.
I loved all the characters but I really could have done without Kip 🤣
I really love all things Halloween, so of course I loved this one taking place mostly on Halloween night. I am just about ready to switch over to spooky reads, so this was the perfect little teaser 👻
I kind of a little bit guessed the ending 🤪 but it was a very enjoyable ride trying to fit all of the pieces together! I really really loved this one!
This was a very solid thriller!! I really liked the back and forth between the podcasts transcripts, as well as the real time events. I thought it was very well written and couldn't wait to get to the end to see how it got resolved. This was a quick read too which I appreciate and it was a lot of fun. My only complaint is I found the main character kind of annoying, but that's neither here nor there!
"See, that's the thing about trauma. You never get to quit it. You never get to walk away from it and rediscover the innocence and joy you felt just before the thing happened. It's just always there, an unwashable stain that you eventually grow to live with because you have no other choice." - Poe Webb
✨𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐈𝐓:
Tell Me What You Did revolves around Poe Webb as she finds her mother's murderer by creating a true crime podcast of her own. The first few chapters intrigued me. I was looking forward to the plot twists that would make me question my own fragile sanity. However, when I reached the part where the culprit was revealed, it was a total weak sauce for me. I suppose I was expecting more from Poe.
I am a fan of revenge plots where the main character avenges her loved ones, and I believed this one would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It was a total letdown. All the revelations were handed upfront; there were too many conversations where the characters revealed their sins nonchalantly and without remorse. The story kept circling around how they recounted the murder, what they did, and how they did it. Basically, the only part that kept me on the edge of my seat was the part where the murderer’s identity was revealed, which was also a huge letdown. I also didn't see much character development, especially for Poe. I didn’t like how she dealt with things or how she kept too many secrets, which led to a much messier situation. I also didn’t like Poe’s relationship with Kip; it was exhausting. Kip was unsupportive as a boyfriend. He was always hesitant when it came to Poe and he was struggling to accept her flaws. The timeline was also quite confusing for me. I also found the culprit’s vendetta to be oddly ironic.
On a brighter note, I loved Poe's relationship with her father; they were both so adorable. I loved her father's humor and the way he casually talked with his daughter. I loved how he called her "Firefly" and how protective he was of Poe, despite knowing he was risking his life. I also really liked the part where her father and Poe each had their own pets, Bailey the dog and Grimm the annoying cat. One thing they had in common was that they were both responsible fur parents, and I loved that about them.
Despite all my negative opinions about it, I still recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries, especially those who enjoy early revelations and subtle plot twists.
✨𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
📌 TRUE CRIME PODCAST
📌 CHARACTERS SEEKING VENGEANCE
📌 CHARACTERS WITH TRAUMATIC PASTS
📌 REVEALING THE CULPRITS EARLY
📌 SUPPORTIVE FATHER FIGURE
📌 NO SPICE
🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6729714403
💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.com/2024/08/05/arc-review-tell-me-what-you-did-by-carter-wilson/
This is one of the best thriller I've read in years! The plot was amazing. Awesome characters. The suspense and tension throughout! I couldn't put it down!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Simply put: I really liked this book. I read a lot of psychological thrillers, and this felt like a new and refreshing take on the genre. Poe isn’t your typical protagonist, but her self-awareness and inner dialogue make her likable. The podcast component is unique, and I enjoyed the time jump back and forth between the October 31 podcast and the week prior.
I do wish we had learned more about Poe beyond her mother’s murder, the podcast, and the murder she committed, as well as more about Kip and her father. Those three things (plus alcohol) basically sum up her whole personality, but it would’ve been nice to see other facets of her (any other friends, hobbies, pre-podcast career, etc).
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to other thriller lovers!
As the main character explained, this book was a "ripper" in that I read it so fast that I almost (metaphorically) ripped the pages off. I was so invested in the storyline and wanted to know what happened so bad that I finished the entire book in 2 sittings--I just couldn't stop reading it.
The premise is that Poe hosts a podcast where people come on to confess their crimes. But, one day a man claims that his crime was murdering her mother--which was impossible, because Poe killed her mother's murderer...or did she?
The book alternates between a transcript of a live-streamed show between the man claiming to have murdered Poe's mother (Ian) and Poe and a narrative from Poe's pov about the days leading up to the live show. The livestream flipped Poe's podcast script as Ian interviewed Poe about her involvement with killing her mother's murder, while the other timeline explores Poe's reaction to Ian's claims and all the happens to her before the livestream.
I loved the format, as I knew that Poe's perspective was heading toward the live show with Ian and I enjoyed the little bits of information I slowly got as the story progressed. The livestream transcript was perfectly paced, revealing Poe's crime and her reasons for it as the reader got to know Poe.
I found Poe's morally gray character fascinating, because on the surface, killing the man she believed to be her mother's murderer is a bit questionable. But, as I got to know her as a character and read through her motivations and experiences, I started to understand why she felt like she needed to do it.
Overall this book is very fast-paced, super easy to get invested in, and a fun thriller. Highly recommend to crime podcast-lovers or just thriller readers in general.
Thank you to NetGalley + Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
A captivating thriller that kept my attention until the very end! Truly creepy to the point that I was a little scared to go to bed at night lol! This author has thriller writing down to a science!
This was a quick & easy read with short chapters. I enjoyed the writing style with the transcripts from the podcast. I loved the idea of her having a podcast that the guests could anonymously confess their crimes and how everything ties in. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but it’s not one that stands out and that I will really remember by tomorrow.