Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Listen for the Lie by Amer Tintera.

Oooh, Tintera, I have your number girl. I'm already looking forward to your next one!

I don't care if I'm basic, I love me a podcast, especially if it's about a creepy small town murder/disappearance. Tintera enables that love by writing a book about just that, sprinkled with quirky characters, a whole cast of suspects, romance, a handsome podcast host, the works. It's fun, fast paced, and the only thing missing for me was a beach to sit on while I read it.

I gotta say, I was nervous going into this one. Blurbs from the likes of Stephen King, Alice Feeney, and Alex Michaelides (to name a few 😮)? C’mon! Talk about setting the bar high. Naturally, I went in blind as a bat—and boy, was I oh-so pleasantly surprised! 🤩

THIS. WAS. AWESOME. 👏👏👏 Is it going on my best of ‘24 list? Yep, sure is. From the prose to the witty AF inner monologue and the captivating podcast excerpts…man, I loved EVERYTHING about this book!

Random thoughts I had while binge-reading:
✨Wait, it’s 𝘯𝘰𝘵 normal to randomly murder people in your head all the time? 🥴
✨Grandma is a hoot and a half (and OMG she lives in a tiny house—AND IT’S PINK!). Can I adopt her? Maybe stick her in my pocket?
✨I wonder if Lucy is taking applications for a new BFF… #soulsisters
✨mmm brownies 🤤
✨Can we make #teambency a thing? Anyone? Bueller?

This is definitely one you’ll want to read ASA-FRICKIN-P! @amytintera’s adult fiction debut is a masterfully crafted blend of dark comedy and suspense—this [main] character has such a commanding presence and I am 100% here for it!

Many thanks to @NetGalley & @CeladonBooks for the early look/gifted eARC to read and review!

I think Stephen King said it best: A world-class whodunit! I've been in a reading slump I haven't been able to get out of. So when Celadon sent me the email for this book, I thought, "Perfect! Thrillers are good for pulling me out of slumps." And this one was no exception!

I don't think I've ever laughed that hard while reading a thriller, and I can't wait to read more from this author! I was pulled in from page one and stayed up all night because there was no way I was going to be able to wait until morning. I will be recommending this to each and every one of my fellow thriller lovers.

Thanks so much to Celadon for the gifted copy of this book. I loved it and so very much appreciate it! And thank you also to netgalley for providing the space that enables me to read it.

Everyone in Lucy’s small Texas town thinks she killed her best friend Savvy years ago, even her own parents. Lucy has amnesia and can’t remember what happened that night. Lucy has moved away but when a true crime podcaster goes to her hometown to investigate Lucy goes as well to try to figure out what happened all those years ago. This book has a snarky cast of characters and is dark, witty, sarcastic and clever. Loved the addition of the transcripts from the podcast. Fun format, clever story and a good read. I really enjoyed it.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Narrated by January LaVoy; Will Damron

If possible, I suggest listening to the audiobook of this story (although I had the digital book in front of me, too, and the snark comes through loud and clear). The snark is so thick that it can't be missed, but listening to January LaVoy voice Lucy is just too good to be missed. This story is dark but it is also funny. Being in the head of Lucy (a crowded place since her dead best friend, Savvy, resides there too and is none too quiet) is a bloody good time if you enjoy murderous thoughts.

It was five years ago when Savvy was murdered and Lucy was found covered in blood, with no memory of what happened after she and her husband had left for a wedding attended by most of their friends and enemies in Plumpton, TX. Everyone seemed to think that Lucy killed Savvy, including Lucy's parents. Heck, even Lucy thinks she might have killed Savvy since she certainly appeared guilty and she can't remember anything about that night.

At least Savvy doesn't seem to think she killed her (Savvy). Lucy should know since Savvy is taking up space in her head. What Savvy is doing is what Savvy used to do when she was alive. Although much of Plumpton didn't realize it, Savvy had a very wild and dangerous side to her and she's urging Lucy to do something very, very bad. Now Lucy's head is filled with ways to kill everyone. Lucy has brain damage from that mysterious night and maybe that's why she can't remember anything. Or maybe she did something so horrible her conscious mind doesn't want her to remember. But why does it fill her head with so much Savvy influenced bloody ways to murder people?

There are not very many likeable people in Plumpton, not once you really get to know them. But Lucy's grandmother, Beverly, is a hoot and a half, and Lucy would do anything for her. So Lucy has come home from her exile in LA and now has to face a popular podcaster who wants to solve the murder of Savvy, whether it's Lucy or someone else. Will Damron does a great job as podcaster Ben Owens. The way the audiobook is done, it sounds so real, the podcast portions sound like real podcasts which makes the audiobook even more fun. Overall, the dark humor of this story is a winner and the narrators did a great job with the material.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Celadon for the ARC of this book, I have to admit this one was not on my radar at all going into 2024, but once I read the blurb I was hooked.

It often times feels like the podcast thriller trope is overdone, and especially not done well, however I really enjoyed this set up. It didn't have too much podcast, and too little plot. It seemed like the perfect mix of the two.

This may be my first amnesia trope thriller story (that I can remember, don't quote me) and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story, and how at every turn I was guessing someone new and still got the killer wrong. I was shocked myself!

This was also the first thriller book that at times felt like a cozy mystery with how sarcastic our FMC, Lucy, was. Lucy is accused of murdering her best friend and there are times where she makes herself the butt of the joke just to make other people uncomfortable, but it's done SO WELL. I know it sounds tacky but just trust me on this. TRUST ME.

This is my first Amy Tintera book, and I am just waiting patiently for my next.

Thank you Netgalley. for granting me early access to review this book in exchange for my honest opinion in return.

Stars: 4.50

As I finish reading this book, all I can think of how refreshing it felt.

It kept me entertained from start to finish. It was heavy but light, with entertaining and deeply flawed characters all around. The true star of this book is the grandmother. She doesn't have much screen time throughout the book but the banter is the best with all the characters.

This is a good mystery and thriller, even though I could predict the outcome early on. The way they decided to use the podcast was a very good vehicle that kept the story propelling forward and never slow down too much. It's dark humor and sarcasm is constant throughout keeping you invested even with informational dumps. It's a story about bad decisions that get worse at each turn.

There were some elements added that I don't think were needed but did make it spicy for no real reason. All and all, a good read and I look forward to reading her next book!

3.5 STARS

A great premise, but my expectations were set a bit too high!

A hit podcast featuring a handsome host, Ben Owens is all the rave. He is investigating a murder and is determined to interview the victim’s best friend, Lucy, who is also believed to be the perpetrator! Can they team up and solve the murder themselves? I wanted to follow the podcast and pick up all the clues!

Lucy has some issues. She can’t stop the “murdering people” thoughts that keep popping in her head. And I mean constantly, at some point I just started skimming her intrusive, murderous thoughts.

There is a lot going on in this book. The podcast interviews, Lucy and her toxic family, Lucy’s amnesia, flashbacks and lots of cheating (talk about getting around)! I wanted more investigating and less Lucy.

It was entertaining enough and I enjoyed the Texas setting and Lucy’s humor and witty comebacks!

Usually when authors switch from YA to adult it is hit or miss and this one was surely a hit!! She’s sets it up podcast style and switches back and forth between this and Lucy’s point of view.
What I loved about…. The Austin setting, podcast style writing, short chapters, and I couldn’t solve the murder.
You should definitely add this to your TBR!!!

When Stephen King calls a book, “A world-class whodunnit”,I jumped on the chance to read an early copy.
It’s been five years since Savvy was brutally murdered. Her best friend Lucy has moved away from town, but cannot escape the past. Why? Well, mostly because Lucy was there when it happened and has no memory of who killed Savvy. What do most people think? Why that Lucy is the killer and so lucky to get away with murder.
Lucy hasn’t felt lucky since the day it happened though. With no memories and so many people believing that she is guilty, Lucy questions her innocence too. When a true crime podcast hosted by Ben Owens decides this will be his next case, the truth will be revealed, even if it means exposing Lucy’s crime. As Lucy struggles to remember, details about her past, come to light and things start to look less black and white. Who is lying and can Lucy remember the truth with Ben’s assistance?
Chapters alternate between Lucy in the now, and Lucy five years ago, with episodes of Listen for the Lie narrated by Ben providing additional information.
Darn I really liked Lucy and her grandmother Beverly provided much needed comic relief in this dark tale. Did I think Lucy was guilty? Most of the time no, but I had trouble settling on who was the killer. Overall, I was glued to the pages and hoped Savvy would get justice, and perhaps Lucy would get her life back. 4.5 stars.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books for the ALC and ARC!

This is the story of Lucy. She's just like you and me except for the minor detail that everyone thinks she murdered her best friend. The crazier part is that she doesn't even know if she did or not because she has no memory of the night she was found covered in her friends blood! UM TALK ABOUT CRAZY!

Now enter a famous podcast writer who is trying to find out what even Lucy doesn't know: who killed Savvy? And why? The podcast "Listen for the Lie" is interspersed throughout the story as well as present tense and past tense stories of Lucy's life unfold. I loved all the literary and audio variation, it really helped keep things interesting.

Personally, I don't looove when my thrillers have a side of romance, so I could have done without that as well as excessive (imo) strong language. Both of those things to me became a distraction that actually took away from the enjoyment of the story for me.

Overall, I thought the ending was wrapped up well and I didn't see it coming!

3.5 stars rounded to 4 for GR

This will be available for purchase on March 5, 2024.

I absolutely devoured this book. Amy Tintera's first foray into the "adult genre" was expertly done. I love the concept of the true-crime podcast - especially from the various points-of-view. Amy kept me guessing, right up until the end. The characters were well-developed and nuanced - just the way I like them. I will be recommending this book to everyone!

I love true crime podcasts and was so excited to read this. It did not disappoint. I loved the short chapters and the writing style and could not put this down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am so sorry to say that this book did not work for me the majority of the time, and the ending did not work for me either.
I had high hopes for this book because the synopsis sounded great. This was a silly mystery about a woman that returns to her hometown of Plumpton, TX for her grandmother's birthday party, but in reality, she is there to find out the truth of what happened to her friend 5 years prior. Many people think she murdered her best friend, Savvy, and even she is perplexed about it because she claims to have no recollection of that night. Bits and pieces come together, along with a murder podcast trope within the story, and after multiple interviews with people in the town, silly occurrences with family, unnecessary mentioned sex scenes, and a conclusion (yet slightly fun) that did not shock me at all, this just was a wrap for me. It disappointed me because I thought the first several chapters were fun! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, as well as the author for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, and I am sorry that the book did not work for me. I am sure many people will love this story, but I was not the right audience for it. I expected a darker thriller, based on the title.
On the other hand, if you like a silly mystery with quirky family characters and interactions with a pretty predictable ending, albeit a slightly fun one, this one might be for you!
2.75 stars from me

Even though she might be a murderer, I loved Lucy Chase right off the bat. Why? She's dry, has almost no filter, fights back and her favorite person is understandably her grandmother, who is an absolute hoot. Lucy has mostly moved on with her life five years after everybody came to the conclusion that she'd murdered her best friend Savvy. Since there wasn't any evidence and Lucy can't remember events from that evening it seems like an advisable choice. But then a podcaster picks the cold case as the second season of her show, drawing unwanted attention to Lucy and drawing her back home. Through some well-intended manipulation by her grandmother, Lucy decides to cooperate with Ben, the podcaster, in the hopes that information will be uncovered that will help provide light on the events of that evening. Without a doubt, a can of worms is opened. The reader will feel much like Ben, watching (or reading) in delight as people confess to dirty little secrets that they've been hiding for the past five years. The reader will also realize that the very dry and blunt Lucy and the sweet and harmless Savvy are not quite as straightforward as initially implied. Lucy was in an abusive marriage at the time Savvy was murdered, and this increasingly becomes a bigger factor in the story. It's also a thorny reminder of how abuse stays in the shadows because someone is afraid people won't believe them or it will be used as against them. This book doesn't have twists and turns in that reader is lead one direction and then something unexpected gets thrown in. I never expected that Lucy actually killed Savvy because that's way too easy, but the unraveling of what really happened is fascinating and makes this a book you won't want to put down. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgallery for an early copy of Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. This book will come out on March Fifth of 2024.

Listen for the Lie’s premises sounds really interesting, I was excited to see the podcast aspect and flashbacks scenes in the book. I don’t commonly listen to podcast but in my opinion it felt authentic, like I was reading the transcript of an actual podcast. The podcast bits had to have been my favorite parts of the books.

The flashbacks scenes are decent, I expected one during the beginning to really get myself hooked on the story instead it feels more like the start of a Redit post. Our main character Lucy I didn’t like at all, the little sadistic voice in her head was annoying as well as her imagination of certain… things. She just wasn’t a likable character at all, none of the characters here were likable, the only one I found decent was Grandma Beverly. The characters also sleep around a lot, none of the romances feel genuine it’s more of a “I’m trying to get in your pants” sort of thing. (Side note the writing style was giving me young adult vibes. It just felt a bit immature at times)

I'm a sucker for books involving podcasts! The information from the pod cast was laid out very well. The book had just the right amount of characters. I really liked the main character. What I did not like was most of the characters were sleeping with each other BUT no details were given. Some may prefer less details but not me! Also, I guessed who the culprit was very early.

Wow wow wow WOW what an amazing novel! I couldn’t get enough from start to finished was totally captured! If you are looking for a solid read look no further! Highly recommended!

This was a fantastic thriller. I absolutely loved the POVs jumping from Lucy to Ben's podcast. That was a creative way to jump around and add exposition. I was thoroughly engrossed and managed to read most of this in a couple of sittings.

Good morning readers. I finished this book last night at around 1am. I did not wanna put this down. I had to keep reading. Nothing is better than losing sleep to finish a good book.