Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Lucy was the prime suspect in her best friend Savvy’s murder, but has no memory of that night. When a podcaster begins to investigate, it may finally be time for the truth to come to light…

I really enjoyed this one! It is a fantastic feminine rage book, which is frankly exactly what I needed this week (and always, who are we kidding) and I really appreciated both Lucy and Savvy’s characters and the flashback glimpses of their friendship. There were tons of twists and turns that kept me invested, and I thought the audio production was excellent and the perfect format to consume this book!

I also really appreciated the way this book handled important and difficult topics, and the nuanced exploration of victimhood and who makes a “good” victim. These are topics that are often deeply misunderstood and seeing them reflected and explored in literature is so meaningful!

CW: Death/violence/blood; domestic violence; misogyny

Oh my word, did I love this book. I found the main character's ability to live in the unknown and slowly but surely trust herself to test the waters and uncover what may or may not have occurred all those years ago is amazingly compelling. Each new character added brought a new dimension, although I am partial to the grandmother- she is the best. Highly recommend.

4.5 stars - This book was a fun, twisty read. I love an unreliable narrator, and this main character was perfect in that regard. There were also several twists that I didn't see coming. The only downside in my opinion (and I had to knock a half star off for this) is that some of the plot threads just felt unrealistic to me. Pretty much every character had slept with each other, and some of the behaviors felt odd to me. I know these aspects were supposed to be red herrings, but it caused some disbelief for me. However, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a fast-paced suspenseful thriller.

Lucy and Savvy were best friends, the kind of women that others envied. lucy had a great life ahead of her and Savvy was loved by all. Until one fateful day Lucy is found incoherent, disheveled, and covered in Savvy's blood. She cannot recall what have happened the previous days or where her friend is. Lucy decides to move away from her hometown and start anew in California. True Crime podcasts have become popular, and their subjects tend to be about cold cases. Just like the one Ben Owens broadcasts. Deep down Lucy thinks that she might have been the one who is responsible for her friend's demise and so does her hometown. But will Ben bring light and fresh eyes on this cold case? Lucy hopes that the truth will set her free and confirm what everyone thinks. A masterfully written mystery, the story and plot grabs the reader and doesn't let go until the very end. Well written characters.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely loved the concept of this book! I thought it was brilliant the way the podcast was interwoven into the story. I enjoyed Lucy and her self deprecating humor. She had me cracking up through some of the darker parts of the story. I love an unreliable narrator and Lucy didn’t disappoint. This was a fast paced mystery and I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a lighter thriller.

Lucy has tried to go on with her life after the murder of her friend Savvy. She has moved away from her little town and started a new life, until a Podcast begins about Savvy's murder. It was never solved and the main suspect is Lucy. She was found wandering around with a branch in her hand and Savvy's blood all over her dress. The problem is ....Lucy doesn't remember anything. She had a head injury and doesn't have any recall of what happened.

When her grandmother asks her to come back home for her birthday party, she agrees. People still blame her for the murder. She agrees to talk to the Podcast host Ben and things slowly start coming back in bits and pieces.

Lucy is a kick. She is such a smartass. I know it is probably a self defense mechanism but it works for her. Her constant thoughts of murder are a little disconcerting. It is a very well-rounded storyline and all the characters fit perfectly together. It is a nice twisty mystery with a very satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for a copy for review.

Another BOTM that had a ton of hype but that I did not care for at all (looking at you, First Lie Wins). I think I have finally tired of the true crime podcast trope. The main character was annoying and crass - I usually enjoy snark and sarcasm, but it was constant and got to be too much. It also read like a romance at times and there were some things that didn’t make sense.

Round up to 3.5 stars! Decent book, it did keep me very interested almost the whole way through. It just felt like there are a bunch of books out currently with a similar concept and plot. The ending did fall flat for me! But like I said, I was hooked for 75% of the book, and I did listen to this on audiobook as well, which I actually enjoyed more than reading the physical book!

As an avid reader of the thriller genre, I often find it difficult to remain thrilled by new releases. After all, there are only so many twists, turns, and tropes to be explored before a story feels overly familiar. However, *Listen to the Lie* by Amy Tintera stands out as a refreshing and compelling debut, offering a masterclass in how to keep a reader engaged without relying on predictability or overused narrative tricks.

One of the novel's strongest features is its use of the unreliable narrator, a device that can be tricky to pull off. Tintera walks the fine line between withholding just enough information to keep readers on edge and revealing enough that we never feel completely bamboozled by the story's twists. This balance is key to maintaining suspense and tension, and Tintera executes it expertly. By the time the final revelations unfold, they feel earned rather than forced, leaving you with that satisfying "aha!" moment that a good thriller should provide.

Lucy, the novel’s protagonist, initially comes across as unlikeable, particularly in the first few chapters. She’s passive aggressive, distant, and makes decisions that are difficult to sympathize with. Yet, as the story progresses, I found myself more and more intrigued by her character. The deeper we delve into her backstory and motivations, the clearer her complexities become. Tintera skillfully reveals the layers behind Lucy’s actions and personality, transforming her from a character I almost wanted to hate, into one I genuinely cared about by the end of the book.

Overall, *Listen to the Lie* is a standout debut thriller that I would wholeheartedly recommend to both newcomers and long-time fans of the genre. Tintera’s deft storytelling keeps the suspense high, her character development is sharp and rewarding, and the twists are satisfying without feeling contrived. I’m excited to see what Tintera will come up with next and look forward to her future works. If you're a lover of thrilling, character-driven narratives, this book is certainly one to pick up.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I really enjoyed this fast paced mystery featuring Lucy a young women who has no memory of her best friends murder (and the possibility of her committing the crime) and Ben, the pod caster on a mission to find out the truth.

The uncertainty and unreliability of the main character kept me turning the pages. Looking forward to future books by this author.

Any Tintera has a done an incredible job with this one, and I cannot believe I haven’t read it sooner.

When Lucy is accused of murdering her best friend, and a podcasted steps in with an attempt to solve the case, the situation at hand gets turned on its head. This mystery from Lucy’s perspective mixed with the podcast episodes kept me on my toes the entire time, trying to solve the case at the same time as Ben and Lucy. Tintera has done a fabulous job creating suspense, twists and turns, and propelling the mystery with quick wit and scenes that cracked me up throughout.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital arc!

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera was an entertaining and darkly humorous read that grabbed my attention right from the start. The premise—a woman accused of murdering her best friend, with no memory of the event—was compelling, and the true crime podcast angle really drew me in. Lucy was a great character, with sharp wit and sarcasm that made her fun to follow. The small-town secrets and drama kept me hooked, and the mystery, while not too complicated, was engaging enough to keep me guessing. I especially loved the dynamic between Lucy and her grandmother, Beverly—their banter was a highlight of the book. However, the story could have benefited from a little more depth, especially with the backstory of Lucy and Savvy's friendship, which felt underexplored. While the mystery wasn't the most mind-blowing, the humor, strong characters, and quick pacing made up for it.

Wow - What a book! Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera had me from the beginning. It has been months since I have read a 5 star book!

I loved the writing style, humor, suspense, thrill and more. I have never listened to a true crime podcast but am planning to now! Would also love to see this turned into a movie or TV show series!

The only thing that was a bit confusing is the amount of characters introduced throughout the book and in the Podcast, but they are relevant to the story. It would be helpful to have a notepad and make notes of who is who to refer back to.

I did not figure out the ending but also hate spoilers so I will be ending my review here. I could say plenty more but this might be fave read of the year. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the talented author for allowing me to read and review this awesome debut novel advanced reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! Listen for the Lie was such a fun, thrilling read. Not only thrilling but so funny. I can't think of another thriller that literally had me laughing out loud while flipping the pages to find out who did it. Which I also did not even come close to guessing. The ending was a complete surprise.
The podcast format was also fun & engaging. Highly recommend Listen for the Lie if you're looking for an engrossing, funny, page turner.

3 stars

The book was engaging enough that I read it quickly. It wasn't revolutionary, but it was decent.

Five years ago Lucy woke up covered in her best friend's blood, with no recollection of what happened. Her whole town thinks she did it. Some podcast guy gets interested in the story and decides he will solve this mystery regardless of the circumstances. Lucy ends up helping him at her grandmother's insistence.

Lucy was an ok character who made some very questionable decisions like jumping into bed with someone she barely knew. But Ive seen that a lot recently.

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

OMG!!! This book had me from page 1. I literally couldn't put it down. I was cackling out loud at the sheer wit of the main character. This was so well written. I am a lover of true crime podcast and this book showcases the way these podcasts unfold to perfection.
I had no idea how the mystery of who actually killed Savvy would turn out. I have so much to say but refuse to spoil this for anyone. If this was made into a TV show or movie I would be the 1st in line to watch it. I am recommending this book to everyone!

*Thank you so, so much Netgalley, the publishing house, and this wonderfully talented author for the ARC.*

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley- thank you!

I really enjoyed this one. I know some people are over the podcast format in books, but I think it worked well in this one. It kept me interested throughout, and I think the ending really worked. This one was a winner for me.

*gifted via Mac milliards auduo*

wow, this book was absolutely addictive! the town gossip was juicy, I couldn't get enough of Beverly, and I loved the podcast format. I have this book in all 3 formats, but I think the audio was my favorite format. really gave life to the podcast.

as for who did it? I was nowhere near correct. this one will truly keep you on the edge of your seat.

this book also had some romance and even a little spice, which I wasn't expecting but always welcome.

overall Highly reccomend!

This was great! It took a long time to get into it and I considered DNFing. I’m so glad I didn’t! There are a lot of twists and I didn’t predict the end. I loved Lucy’s grandmother so much! I’ve never listened to a true crime podcast, so that whole angle was foreign to me. There is subtle feminism in here along with some very frustrating situations happening toward some of the female characters, but overall I think Tintera’s points are effective.

A few weeks back, my book club was fortunate enough to receive an early look at Amy Tintera’s debut adult thriller “Listen for the Lie” and the votes are in—we loved it! Every single person enjoyed this read, and that even includes a few readers who wouldn’t normally lean to thriller genre.


🔪 This was everyone's first introduction to the author, who previously published two series in the YA fantasy/romantasy/dystopian genres. Tintera had us from the start with this darkly funny whodunnit.

🤐 I’ll be saying less here, to avoid spoilers, but this book had the snark and dark humor of “Bookworm”, the podcast excerpt format similar to “The Night Swim” or “The Butcher and the Wren”, and a side of social commentary like “Such a Pretty Smile” or “The Change”. If you enjoyed any of those reads, I’d recommend you check out “Listen for the Lie.”

📕 The short chapters alternating with podcast excerpts made the pacing quick and decadent. Truly a “one more chapter” kind of read. We loved the way it was laid out, the podcast components were aligned throughout so that we were uncovering the mystery as more information was being revealed.

And you know I love my thrillers with a side of social commentary and this delivered, without being heavy-handed.

🗣️ This read also lent to a good discussion about the ethics around true crime podcasts, how it can be harmful to victims and their families.