I’m disappointed with this one…

Tell Me What You Did started off so strong! I was truly enjoying reading this for the first 100 pages, until it got boring. It dragged on for way too long, and the ending was just so disappointing and left me dissatisfied. I had a feeling starting off that strong and revealing so much of the plot within the first 50 pages was a red flag and I guess I was right.

I was expecting a gobsmacking plot twist and that just didn’t happen. There were so many good possible endings to this book that would have been AMAZING. At one point, I thought it was heading to one of those possibilities, and I was so excited! But nope. Maybe I’m just too used to Freida McFadden’s plot twists. But an amazing plot twist to finish off the book is what I expect from a thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tell Me What You Did

What would you do…?

Sucked in by the rapid page-turner, short chapters, and intriguing characters, I quickly became a captive audience!

Does this type of Podcast exist? If so, WOWZA, what a concept! If not, super genius of the author!

More and more often, as the story developed, I kept thinking to myself: what would you do?

How good is your memory? What do you think trauma does to any situation? Where would your head be if you were confronted by your not so pleasant past?

This is a good one, it’s quick and keeps you on your toes; not to mention that good ol’ cliché of holding my breath without even realizing it!

If all of Carter Wilson’s books are this catchy, I will definitely get in line for the next NetGalley release. Nice work!

This book had me absolutely hooked! From the start the action was nonstop. This book had so many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of the seat. I also loved how the book went back and forth with the final live podcast. It was the perfect teaser throughout on how it was going to end. I also enjoyed trying to figure out if the identity was who they claimed to be or not.

My first from Carter and I’m hooked! This book had me in a chokehold until the end. I loved the past and present timeline, it just adds so much depth to a story I think. It also has podcast transcripts, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It made me love the MC, Poe that much more. It has some minor character standouts and they won’t be forgotten. Overall, a really great read to uncover the truth of what really happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

There are some twists in this book which I didn’t see coming! It was fast pace, easy and fun to read. Kept me guessing as I read. It’s a first POV and double time line. One leading to the event and the event itself. And the chapters are short! Poe is very direct also, her character has some spunk! This was my first Carter Wilson book and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to Carter Wilson and Poisoned Pen Press for my copy of this amazing book! It was about Poe, a women whose mother was murdered in front of her when she was 13. What followed was a fascination with true crime, leading her to create a podcast where people come on anonymously and tell her the crimes they committed. Then one day her guest seems familiar to her, and claims to be the man that killed her mother so many years ago. The only problem is, Poe doesn’t think that can be true. After all, she killed her mother’s killer…didn’t she?

Thoughts: I loved this book so much! The callbacks to Mister Tender’s Girl were amazing and made the story feel so connected to the world Wilson created. I loved Poe as a main character and this was an example of how a podcast element is really well done in a book. Even just the idea for a podcast where people confess their crimes was brilliant and I wish this was something I could listen to.

Wilson did such a great job making Ian Hindley a terrifying and creepy character. I got chills several times and was a bit terrified to read this at home alone. Also, I will say that all animals are okay in this book, despite what you may believe. I was a bit disappointed that the twist was so obvious, but the characters were so well written that I honestly didn’t mind that much. I loved the journey that this book took me on- 4.5 stars!

This story was incredibly suspenseful and never got weighed down by unnecessary characters or plot-lines. It was mostly straightforward, except for an ending that completely surprised me. I believe it will appeal to fans of various genres, including thriller, horror, crime, mystery, and suspense. The book grabbed my attention and kept it throughout. The idea of Poe hosting her own true crime podcast and then becoming a guest on her own show was fascinating. I appreciated how the narrative started near the end and worked its way backward, which really kept me curious about what led to that interview. There were some unexpected twists that caught me off guard! It was fast-paced, enjoyable, and easy to read, keeping me guessing the whole time. The story is told from a first-person perspective and features a dual timeline—one leading up to the event and the event itself.

Thank You Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this ARC.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted digital ARC!

4.5 stars rounded up.

This book sucked me in from page 1, it is a must read for true crime fans. The idea of a podcast where people come on to confess to past crimes is *SO* intriguing to me. I loved the premise.

The beginning and the end were extremely fast-paced, but it did drag a little bit for me in the middle. It didn't impact my overall enjoyment of the book however.

I also loved the easter egg to one of Wilson's previous novels! (No spoilers from me)

Tell Me What You Did pub date is January 14, 2025.

This was a decent thriller, but I feel like the whole "podcast" type of novel is a bit overdone right now. Very popular. I liked this one, but won't remember past a week or so.

This book was a ripper 😉

It is an absolute page turner, can't out down, thriller! I read it in a little over 24 hours!
A true cat and mouse game that will have you hanging on till the very end!

Definitely going to check out more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Tell Me What You Did.

The narrative got off to a good start and I was quickly sucked into my story...until it became repetitive.

I like morally ambiguous characters and Poe fit the bill but there was something about her I didn't like.

I can't quite put my finger on it but I didn't like her. I didn't dislike her but I wouldn't want to hang out with her.

The first half of the narrative was suspenseful and full of tension but then it went on for too long:

Poe's drinking
Her monotonous thoughts and if he is who he says he is
Moving back and forth
Her romance issues with Kip
Checking her online comments

Cutting 100 pages or even 50 would have ratcheted the tension and suspense but as a result, the pacing dragged halfway through the book and didn't pick up again until the end.

I loved Bailey and even Grimm, even though I'm not a fan of cats, I love animals.

Wow! An absolute page turner that I completed in a sitting. Literally couldn't put it down. I could feel the tension and the chills threatening the character. The supporting characters are well created too and so is the antagonist.

I felt the character was created in a way that you feel for her while understanding her trauma. I liked the concept of a podcast and the way the timelines were narrated into the story to make it interesting. The crime and the reason and the pasts coming together is well written. A bit of a red herring too that worked well for me. Recommend it for thriller readers!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This book was fantastic! I was captivated from beginning to end by this short, thrilling book. I was excited to see what would happen next in every chapter. To improve the back-and-forth between current events and earlier timelines covered in the episodes, Wilson deftly inserts podcast episode transcripts at the appropriate times. The book poses interesting queries regarding confession and whether it is possible to fully move past one's past.

I loved how the story hooked me in by toggling between the 2nd livestream podcast event and back to the days leading up to it. It felt like, in a short period of time, the author was able to create a complex character whose motivations could be sympathized with. When reading, I thought this book felt like what "Scream" would have been in Sidney stalked & killed Cotton Weary instead of ID'ing him to the cops. I was so pulled in to the story - wanting to know who it was stalking Poe and whether or not he really was the man who killed her mom. I was desperate to know how the story would end. I thought the story was written in a compelling way that hooked me from start to finish.

Really interesting premise but I wish the plot line was driven by more realistic behavior. There is no way a person who saw their mother brutally murdered by her naked lover would be so nonchalant about that same man stalking, harassing, and breaking into her home. And that’s just one example of Poe’s unbelievable behavior. Without adding spoilers, Poe’s choices just don’t make rational sense. Described as a “chilling thriller”, I’d have to say the only chilling components were some descriptions of Poe’s mother’s murder, and a few lines from the murderer. But the book itself was not scary.

*this ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book brings a unique twist to the psychological thriller genre, blending true crime podcast vibes with personal history and complex relationships. While the premise is captivating—especially with Poe’s podcast inviting anonymous confessions—it’s Poe herself who steals the show. Her sarcasm, wit, and no-nonsense attitude make her an engaging main character, even in her rougher moments. Her relationships, particularly with her father and partner Kip, add a layer of depth and realism that really grounds the story.

The antagonist, Hindley, is also a standout, bringing the right mix of intelligence and menace, with a slightly deranged edge that makes him both fascinating and unsettling. The format, with podcast episode transcripts interspersed throughout, adds intrigue and tension as we piece together Poe's story. This device works well to foreshadow events and keep the reader guessing—though sometimes a bit predictably.

That predictability is one of the few things that held the story back for me. While the plot is engaging, it didn’t quite hit the “thriller” sweet spot, as the suspense level didn’t reach the intensity I was hoping for. The big reveal, while interesting, felt a bit more “ah-ha” than jaw-dropping, leaving me more impressed with the characters than the storyline.

Overall, Tell Me What You Did is a solid, quick read that’s highly entertaining for character-driven thriller fans, with a unique concept that feels fresh in the world of mystery novels. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy the style of Murder in the Family or None of This is True.

“He’s screaming, and it’s a voice from hell. He’s Buffalo Bill demanding for me to PUT THE LOTION IN THE FUCKING BASKET.”

I absolutely loved this book! Like read it all in one sitting, loved. The way the characters were written, the twists and the suspense, it made for a thrilling adventure that had me on the edge of my seat.

The book was very well paced and had twists throughout, keeping me intrigued and needing more. It was great to have a complete backstory on Poe and the events that unfolded 17 years ago. While I enjoyed Poe and her father, I found that Kip seemed to be a filler character. The relationship between him and Poe was awkward and I felt it took away from the suspense.

Poe has a podcast where she interviews some of her listeners that want to confess their wrongs. But when one individual makes a guest appearance, her life becomes engulfed in chaos and revenge.

An interesting premise. I just couldn't get past my dislike of Poe. I know it's okay to have unlikeable characters. Something about her narrative voice was jarring for me though.

This was a creepy and unputdownable suspenseful thriller! I made the mistake of reading this into the late hours of the night and immediately wanted to turn all my lights on. The way this story was delivered is very unique. The twists were unexpected and the story is dark and unhinged. I read this book in one sitting, I just could not put it down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a millenial woman, I'm an avid consumer of true crime content, from novels to podcasts and everything in between. This psychological thriller takes true crime podcasts to their natural (if slightly unbelievable) conclusion. Poe is the host of a podcast called "Tell Me What You Did," which invites listeners to call in and confess their crimes, prompting her actively involved audience to attempt to track down killers, rapists, and other criminals. One day, a caller professes to be the man who killed Poe's mother...and the story unravels from there. Really great quick read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.