FIVE. STARS.

You need to read this book! Pub date 3.5.24 , thank you Celadon and NetGalley for my advanced copy.

This book is a comedic mystery/podcast/whodunnit with all the dark humor and wit you could possibly ask for.

We are in Lucy’s POV, five years after her best friend Savvy was murdered. Everyone in her small town in Texas blames her because she was found wandering around with Savvy’s blood all over her dress. But Lucy has amnesia and literally can’t remember the night.

Ben is the host of a podcast called Listen for the Lie, and he spends some time in Lucy’s town interviewing her friends and family trying to help solve the case.

This book introduces a lot of people, but it was written so well that not once did I get confused at who was who. Lucy’s personality was unhinged, and I loved hearing her thoughts, multiple times I was cracking up. I was so invested in the story, I didn’t want it to end!! I will absolutely recommend this book to all my thriller friends.

Quote from literally the first page. “It’s an apology chicken, for my boyfriend. It’s like that engagement chicken. The one women make to persuade their boyfriends to propose? Except this is a ‘sorry I didn’t tell you I’m the prime suspect in my friend’s murder’ chicken. Apology chicken, for short.”

I would recommend for fans of The Night Swim & None Of This Is True.

Read if you love:
-podcast transcripts
-dark humor/wit
-amnesia pov
-small town unsolved murder

While I do think the true crime podcast genre is a bit overdone recently, Listen for the Lie brings a fresh novel to the scene. I was engaged in the story from the beginning. Lucy was found covered in dirt and her best friend’s blood, but can’t remember what happened that night. Many people in the small town, including some of her own family members think she was the one who killed her friend. When podcaster Ben arrives in town he seems to be the only one who believes there may have been someone else who committed the crime.

I enjoyed the layout of this book where we hear from Lucy’s point of view and sprinkled between is a new podcast interview. Each podcast reveals new details and secrets from multiple perspectives. The story moves along quickly and there are a TON of secrets, scandals, and gossip throughout. I loved the relationship with Lucy and her grandmother. I also enjoyed the chemistry between Lucy and Ben. The ending is shocking and not predictable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and highly recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for a digital ARC.

Lucy was found wandering the streets of her small town, Plumton, TX. She was covered in the blood of her best friend, Savvy (Savannah). Lucy has no recollection of the events that transpired that night. She is never arrested or charged or convicted of murder – officially – but the people in her life and in her town have already been the Judge and jury. Until one day, Ben Owens, the true crime podcaster of Listen For The Lie, decides to take this case on and see what he can dig up.

Fantastic narration by January LaVoy and Will Damron. The chapters alternate between Lucy’s perspective and the podcast. I am not a huge fan of audio books, but I wouldn’t change a thing for this one. It was brilliant. The characters grow and a classic whodunnit unfolds. You will love Lucy’s grandma – because anyone who drinks before noon and knows a good looking man when she sees one has to be a favorite.

This is my first Amy Tintera book and it will not be my last.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio

As a true crime podcast aficionado, this was right up my alley. I love a mixed media format of storytelling and this one kept me guessing until the very end.

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

This book was a super fun whodunnit to read! When first reading the synopsis, I had hopes that this book would be like AGGGTM, and it did not disappoint! The vibes were there, and this book is an easy read with short chapters to keep the reader engaged!

We have Lucy Chase, who resides in LA to start a new life after her best friend Savvy was murdered 5 years ago in Plumpton, TX. When Lucy was found wandering alone with no memory of what happened that night, everyone suspected that she was the one who killed her best friend. Lucy’s life is upturned again as true crime podcaster Ben Owens decides to investigate Savvy’s murder. Now back in Plumpton, TX where everything started, Lucy will have to decided if she’s going to work with Ben to help uncover the truth—even if she is the one who actually did it.

I really enjoyed Lucy’s character throughout this book. Despite everything that has happened to her, Lucy has a dark humor that makes this book comedic and enjoyable to read. Throughout this book, she also has intrusive murderous thoughts which I found okay as part of her character. The podcast scenes where Ben interviewed people from the town was really interesting, and I enjoyed all the side characters in this book. It really made this book suspenseful when it came down to what really happened to Savvy that night she was killed. I absolutely loved how everything was revealed and wrapped up at the end of this book. This book had me hooked from start to finish!

Thank you to Celadon Books, Amy Tintera, and netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was un-put-down-able for me! What a fun spin on the usual thrillers out there! Gave me major true crime podcast vibes and it is sure to be a bestseller! Mark your calendars for March - you'll want to read this one!

5 years ago Lucy was found wandering down the road covered in her best friend Savvy's blood. She went from potential victim to murder suspect instantly. But Lucy can't remember anything from that night. So when the police don't have enough evidence to arrest Lucy she leaves for California to escape her small town where everyone deems her a murderer. When her grandmother insists she comes home for her birthday party Lucy runs into Ben Owens, the podcast host of Listen For The Lie. In Ben's most recent season he is investigating the murder of Savvy and bringing new light to the case. Hoping to find out what really happened that night and catch the killer, even if it does turn out to be Lucy, she agrees to help Ben and give him her first interview since the murder.

This is so twisty and fas paced! It switches between Lucky's point of view and Bens podcast where we read his transcripts with those in town. Every time I thought I had it figured out I was wrong. Only giving this 4 stars instead of 5 cause I thought the romance aspect was not necessary and made things a little weird. Overall I highly suggest this book!

WOW, what a rollercoaster of a ride. Following Lucy’s journey to go back and remember the night where her best friend died is intense. Fast paced and truly revealing!

Mind blown on this amazing suspense!
What if your best friend was murdered and everyone thinks you did it? Lucy takes this in stride and even with humor. This is a thriller/suspense that you don’t want to miss. Again, mind blown on this story and the ending!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for an ARC of Listen For The Lie. Based on the synopsis, I had high expectations for this debut thriller; unfortunately, I was disappointed.

The language ruined this for me. It was awkward and displaced; it seemed out of genre. Is this a thriller or stand-up comedy? The book can’t be on two shelves. It’s either a thriller or it’s a comedy. The author seemed confused.

It also seems that the author is unaware of how to create relatability for her readers. I can assure you that barely any of us have ever cooked an apology chicken, and those of us who have do not do if often enough to claim relatability to the number of times an “apology chicken” is mentioned in this novel. The general concept of apologetic balance in a relationship is relatable (i.e., I spent too much money so I’m picking up chipotle for my boyfriend before he notices the bank account), just not in the form in an apology chicken.

I so enjoyed this book! The main character is so funny and such a delight! I would have been on her side even if she murdered all the other characters in the book, and believe me, some were annoying enough to deserve it. The plot was interesting, and the twists and turns all unpredictable. This is one of those books you are sad when you finish. Honestly, this is one of the best books I have read in a really long time. I absolutely loved it!

Wow wow wow! If you are like me and love true crime podcasts, you would enjoy this book. The book is mainly told from the POV of Lucy but it has chapters where it is the podcast you are "listening" to. The plot is good and this who done it had me not knowing until the very end.

Lucy Chase is the subject of a true crime podcast hosted by Ben. He is trying to solve the murder of Lucy's best friend and town golden girl Savannah (Savvy). Most people think Lucy is responsible for the death of her friend. Lucy was sarcastic and snarky and made me laugh. Lucy's grandmother believes in Lucy's innocence and is a great side character. I don't want to give too much away, but do yourself a favor and read this book. You won't be disappointed!

Lucy is a little unreliable as a character, but still has enough charm to want to root for her. I liked the podcaster Ben, but some of the things he did had me questioning his motives and wondering what he hoped to prove with his podcast. Lucy's grandma won the best side character award!

While this was my first book by Amy Tintera, I am looking forward to reading more books by her in the future. This book will be released on March 5, 2024. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for voluntarily letting me read an advanced copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

What a fun read! I enjoyed Lucy Chase and her personality! She is blunt, smart, and has lots of snarky humor! She becomes friends with Ben and as he begins to interviews her. Every few chapters is about his podcast called "Listen for the Lie Podcast with Ben Owens."

Lucy's best friend, Savvy was killed 5 years ago and Lucy was found covered in her blood. She is trying to remember what actually happened while speaking with Ben. He interviews her as well as others that were presents the night it all happened, including Lucy's Husband Matt. The story takes place in Plumpton, TX, where Lucy grew up. The character building is great with a surprise ending!

Humor, Mystery, and Suspense! 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. The release date is 3/5/24.

"What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy's blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It's been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can't remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.

But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy's murder for the show's second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend's murder, even if she is the one that did it.

The truth is out there, if we just listen."

I love how the True Crime aspect works in the plot.

Listen for the Lie
By: Amy Tintera
4.5 stars

A wonderful whodunit book! I loved the alternating between Lucy and script from the podcast episodes.

This book is set in a small Texas town where everyone may not be exactly what they seem. Lucy has been assumed guilty of a murder that she has no recollection of committing. Unfortunately for her she doesn’t remember anything about the night of the murder.

The story is set five years later and now the murder is the topic of a true crime podcast. The story follows Lucy with snippets of the podcast interspersed throughout.

This book has lots of small town drama and twists. The story moves pretty well and I felt engaged throughout. The ending wasn’t exactly what I was guessing, but I also wouldn’t say it was a jaw-dropping finale. However, I like that the ending felt very final and did not leave a bunch of loose ends for the reader to determine for themselves.

Loved the writing and you really got to know Lucy through the narration. Definitely looking to reading more books by this author!

Thank you Net Galley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy of the book! This book is being released March 5th!

This was one of the most sarcastic, and fun, mystery/thrillers I’ve ever read. As usual I went in totally blind after seeing some high ratings from early reviewers. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it definitely wasn’t the main character planning a “sorry I didn’t tell you I’m the prime suspect in my friend’s murder” chicken dinner on page 2.

Honestly, that quote is a pretty perfect way to describe this book. Lucy high tailed it out of small town Texas five years ago after her best friend was murdered. While the case was never solved and Lucy was never charged, literally everyone believes she’s guilty. It doesn’t help matters that Lucy can’t remember a single thing about that night.

This was a quick page turner and while I usually loathe the amnesia trope, I think it was well executed here. Lucy is so sarcastic and bold and her grandma is a hoot. The characters were all equal parts entertaining and awful (okay, mostly awful but in an entertaining way!). There’s a lot of immaturity and bad decision making, but again this was far from a literary crime thriller so I didn’t mind.

Most of this book is very fun but there are definitely some heavier issues at play here such as abuse, gender dynamics, and a whole lot of gaslighting.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for the eARC! What a fun mystery/thriller! Dripping with dry humor, southern charm and sarcasm this novel was addictive. The podcast inclusions and overall plot had me hooked, there was the perfect balance of characters, mystery, and elements to figure out that this felt fresh and enjoyable. I am absolutely stunned that this is a debut. What a gem! I’ll be anticipating the next book from Amy Tintera!

This was a good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

Who do you think would really protect you if you were in trouble and not seem to recall what had happened? Maybe your family? Maybe your boy/girlfriend? of your best friend? You would expect all of these people to be on your side because you having amnesia made you a victim as well. But no, looks like everyone was ready to throw you under the bus

Your best friend had been murdered and everyone was thinking that you did it. You were covered in her blood after all. There was even a podcast started going through the case again. Lucy covered her ears and tried hard to not to listen people calling her a murderer and point finger at her. Savvy was her best friend; there was no way she could do it. They were always on each other's side

Just like Savvy was her best friend in life, she was also Lucy's best friend in after life. Maybe she was the only person who truly knew her and understand her limits. Because even when her parents did not believe Lucy, Savvy was telling her the truth Lucy was dying to know

Lucy Chase has just been fired from her job. She’s convinced it is because of that true-crime podcast “Listen for the Lie” which is looking into the murder of her friend, Savannah. She is also convinced it will reveal her as Savannah’s killer. She’s convinced she can see terror in her boyfriend’s eyes when she comes home that night. When her grandmother calls her and asks her to come home to Texas for her 80th birthday, Lucy can’t say no despite not wanting to go home. And what about the voices inside her head telling her to “kill”?
Ben Owens is the (smug) podcaster that is ruining Lucy’s life right now. Lucy has always maintained that she can’t remember the events of that night. He really wants to interview Lucy but she repeatedly refuses.
The book goes from Lucy’s point of view to episodes of the podcast. Lucy is a sarcastic, snarky, hot mess. The podcast highlights interviews Ben has with residents of the town that know both Lucy and Savannah. I liked the flow of the book (it was fast-paced) and the different characters in the book. Lucy and her grandmother, Beverly, were my favorite characters in the book.