This is a fast paced thriller with all the jumps and turns our generation craves. The true crime aspect? Genius. The addicting main character vibes? *chefs kiss. This is a wonderful read and one that definitely lingers long after it is over.

I am personally a fan of true crime podcasts and true crime in general. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings on them but I have always been fascinated by what makes a person want to hurt another. Why are some people seemingly pure evil.

Poe is a true crime podcaster who invites people to confess to her on her podcast to their deepest and darkest secrets. Poe herself has a very dark secret and when a guest comes on claiming to know what she did, she needs to fight for her safety before her mothers murderer comes for her.

This was an incredibly riveting read that I had a hard time putting down. The twists were perfection with just enough clues left to make you feel as though you were able to unravel it along with Poe. There are a lot of graphic scenes, and Poe is a hard drinking hard cussing kind of gal which makes her the perfect morally grey protagonist.

Trigger warnings include: Murder, stalking, poison, blood, stabbing, alcohol and substance abuse

Thank you to Poison Pen Press for providing me with an advanced copy of Tell Me What You Did. This title will be available for purchase at your local book seller or library on January 28 2025

5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of Tell Me What You Did.

Poe has a wildly successful podcast where she speaks with people who admit horrible things they have done. One day a man named Ian is on the podcast and admits that he is the one who killed her mother. She knows that it cannot be true because she killed the man who killed her mother or did she kill an innocent man?

This book was so good I could not put it down! I loved the writing, the plot, and the podcast element. I loved the female main character-she is a badass! I highly recommend this book!

This psychological thriller does not disappoint.
This book will have your heart pounding, your head spinning, eyes popping, and gasps gasping.
This book is BRILLIANTLY written and impossible to not think about afterwards. I loved reading this book and definitely recommend to any fans of thrillers.

Well, I didn't like that.

It is one of those occurrences where the blurb had fooled me and made me think this was going to be a fun, chilling, thriller book, but it was not.

All the secrets or the "twist" have already been out there in the blurb: a woman thought she killed the man who killed her mother, but a man who claimed he killed her showed up. The only questions left for this story are: If this is indeed the murderer, then who did Poe kill? If Poe actually killed the murderer, then who is this man?

I thought it would be one hell of an interesting plot, but it's meh.

Poe is not a good main character in the sense that nothing about her is interesting. She does not seem to be smart enough to pull off a murder. There were times when she willingly gave up information that was not needed or even demanded by the man who was threatening her. One could argue that she was drunk, but still, who would send a criminal a text like: <i>hey you fuck</i>? The text alone is almost laughable.

The dialogue in the transcript was unconvincing, and some aspects of the story felt unrealistic. First, it was implied that the mayor was a fan of Poe and cared enough to send the police to check on her. Second, there was an actual person who was missing from their home. Third, a lot of people are watching the main suspect through a livestream, yet there was not a lot of effort from the police. Really? While I usually try to overlook minor details that don’t quite make sense in fiction, these inconsistencies really bother me.

The pacing is also slow and the chapters are tedious. I didn't really care about what was going to happen next, and the only reason I finished the book was because it was an ARC and I wanted to give a fair review. Had it been something I actually bought or borrowed from the library, it would have gone to my DNF shelf. Near the end of the book, I was mostly skimming because I had completely lost interest.

If the blurb had not revealed that Poe had killed a person right away, I think this might have been a nice little twist for readers. I noticed a lot of people seem to like this book, so I might be the minority here.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rich with nail biting suspense, psychological intrigue and high emotions, Tell Me What You Did is a tense psychological thriller which packs a punch.

The premise feels novel - a podcast where people can ‘anonymously’ admit to their ill doings. The characters are morally nuanced, and faced with unimaginable situations. Thrust into the action from the first chapter, my heart was racing throughout - this was a tense and discomforting read. Then ending was unpredictable and more surprisingly (due to the complicated tangle of the story) highly satisfying.

I look forward to picking up more of this authors work (particularly their previous novel with some crossover to this one).

Thank you Poisoned Ink Press for a complementary copy of this book. Options expressed are my own.

This book was a nail-biter//page-turner from the VERY beginning! This is told about half "podcast style" and the other half more narrative...but ugh! I could not put it down. I literally wanted to get back to this to see what happened next! This was eery and creepy and kept me always wanting 'one more chapter.' This was a psychological thriller like no other. Highly, highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

In “Tell Me What You Did”, Poe Webb has created a platform where people can anonymously share their deepest, darkest secrets. As the host of a true crime podcast, she invites guests to unburden themselves to the world, while keeping a bit of anonymity. But when one determined guest turns the tables on her, Poe finds herself forced into the spotlight. Past events she's tried to bury resurface, threatening to unravel her life. With the perfect mix of suspense, mystery, and a sprinkling of horror, this psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat! The writing is captivating, and the storyline is utterly addictive. From start to finish, the author had me hooked. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about when I could pick it up again to keep reading. I was thrilled to discover that one of the characters appears in one of the author’s previous works, so I’ve already added that book to my TBR list!

This had an intriguing premise and was thought-provoking. It could be classified as a psychological drama and a revenge thriller. It asks the question: Is the killing of an evil person morally acceptable, or should it fall into the same category as the murder of an innocent victim? The chapters were short, alternating with transcripts of a live-stream podcast on October 31. Mounting tension and suspense build up throughout the book, resulting in a fast-paced read. I regret that I did not care enough for the two main characters to care if they survived until the end.

I was not entertained but kept reading, finding the plot cringe-worthy. I was hoping for some major twists, but they were absent. 'Tell Me What You Did ' is the title of a popular, much-followed podcast. It is hosted by Poe and involves people anonymously confessing crimes and misdeeds live online. Poe acts calm and supportive while urging them to describe what they did. Why would they choose this method of confessing via audio when they could confess privately to someone whose profession included an oath of confidentially? It is mentioned that their participation in the show could lead to them being arrested and charged with the crime. Poe interviews people based on videos, but the police can subpoena them before they are destroyed.

Poe is shaken by a creepy, deranged man who says he murdered her mother two decades earlier. She observed the crime as a child, but her memory is shaky. Poe thinks he is an imposter because she believes she killed the murderer seven years earlier after following him to NYC. Did she kill the wrong person by mistake? Is this man the actual murderer? Poe has kept her crime a secret and worries that it might become known. The man orders her to be interviewed by him on Oct 31. He is stalking her and threatens to harm her father, boyfriend, and pets if she doesn't follow his commands. She fears he will reveal what she did in NYC but later does not mind that her audience knows. Think of the ratings!

My low rating is based on the toxic villain, but I also disliked Poe. She was a protagonist many readers admired, but I came to detest her. She was very changeable in her thoughts and actions. She agonized over whether to be interviewed by the man, frequently fluctuating as to whether she would follow his commands. She fears what might happen to her father, boyfriend Kip and her pets but refuses to go to the police. She is enraged, swears too much, and alternates between feeling guilty and remorseless. She feels it is necessary to kill evil people to protect herself and others, but she also fantasizes about all the torture she might inflict before the pleasure of killing them. Her thoughts seemed almost psychopathic. Some of her actions were rash and implausible. Can killing vicious criminals be justified?

Her loving father will do anything to protect her. He lost his wife to violence and fears he may lose his daughter. Her boyfriend, Kip, seems level-headed but is appaled that she killed someone. Poe decides to be interviewed in hopes that her podcast followers and supporters can identify her stalker, and she will stalk him in return. What happens to the man, and how does the story end for Poe?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, which is very popular with many readers. Do not be influenced by my ratings, but read the reviews of those who rated it highly. The date of publication is January 28th, 2025.

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!