This was a fabulous mystery. It kept me guessing and I loved the way the podcast was worked into the plotline. Will definitely be recommending this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this ARC! "Listen for the Lie" by Amy Tintera is a captivating psychological thriller that grips readers with its intricate plot and deep character explorations. The story revolves around Julia, a woman who returns to her hometown after a decade, only to uncover long-buried secrets and lies. Tintera's writing is compelling, with a knack for building tension and suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are richly developed, particularly Julia, whose journey of unraveling the past is both haunting and riveting. The narrative is filled with well-placed twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. "Listen for the Lie" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, offering a blend of mystery, emotion, and unexpected revelations.

This was such a solid thriller/mystery read for me. I loved Lucy and her take no shit attitude. She was unapologetically herself and I just thought she was a great main character to take us through this story. The podcast element really worked for me. Perfect summer thriller to get into!

This sucked me in from the beginning. I love how the POV swaps between Lucy and the true crime pod cast. Even though this was a thriller the FMC made me lol so many times. Such a joy to read. Highly recommend.!!

This is one of my favorite books of the year!

Lucy is accused of murdering her best friend, Savvy. But Lucy didn't kill her... at least she doesn't think she killed her. She can't actually remember what happened that night, but she does know that she was found covered in Savvy's blood. But it's hard to prove that you're innocent (or guilty, for that matter) when you can't remember what happened. Not to mention, Lucy has intrusive thoughts constantly that tell her to grab the nearest object and kill whoever she may be in cahoots with at the moment. Enter Ben, the podcaster who is determined to find the truth about what happened that night, and settle once and for all whether Lucy is a murderer or not. But will interviewing Lucy and her family and friends really uncover the truth about what happened to Savvy, or will it uncover secrets that were meant to stay buried?

This was a wild ride. I actually ended up listening to the audio version and it was fantastic. The story itself was great but I think the cast did a superb job of really bringing the story to life (can you say that when the book is about a murder?) I loved the character development in this book, though the only character I truly loved was Lucy's grandma, that sassy little thing she is. All of the other characters were shady and unreliable and blaming everyone else for the murder, which worked really well, but made it hard to really connect and love them.

This book gave me some Finlay Donovan vibes, as I found parts of the story and dialogue to be humorous and witty. I also found myself guessing if Lucy was a murderer or not every other chapter, and trying to figure out who it could be if it wasn't Lucy.

All the stars for this one, I truly loved it. I was even happy with the ending, and that never happens!

This book was such a page turner from start to finish! I adore the podcast style representation and the snarky FMC. Quick chapters and I loved the side characters.

If you liked A Good Girls Guide to Murder or Night Swim, this is the book for you!

Rating: 4 stars

This mystery/thriller was so fun! If you're into audiobooks, I highly suggest the production of this recording while reading a physical copy. This book was so addicting, I couldn't put this down! If you want a very fast-paced read, similar pace to a Frieda McFadden book, then this is for you. I can guarantee this will get you out of a reading slump. The main protagonist was witty and entertaining. While I guessed the plot twist at the end, I will reflect back on this book and consider my time well spent. Can't wait to read another Amy Tintera book in the future.

Pick this one up!!!

4.5 stars

I'm so glad that I actually listened to the hype for once and picked this one up. This is one of those books that pulls you in right from the beginning and doesn't let you go. Lucy is an interesting main character because she doesn't actually believe that she is innocent. She has just tried to move on with her life and ignore those missing memories but with these huge question marks hanging over her head. I really enjoyed Lucy as a main character, but it was her grandmother that stole the show for me. She was just the best honestly. This book was quite the page turner which I flew through in just a couple of days. My one warning is that this book does deal with some darker subject matter but to put it in content warnings might also be a spoiler so message me if you need content warnings and I will share. Overall, I cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next. Believe the hype!

Readers who enjoy suspenseful, page turning reads should pick this book up if you haven't yet. Also, those who enjoy podcasts in their books should also give this one a try. I'm landing on 4.5 stars and rounding up on Goodreads.

When Lucy is found walking down the street covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she’s a murderer. Even Lucy, years later, isn’t sure what happened that night. When that murder becomes the next hot topic of a popular true crime podcast about unsolved murders, Lucy has no choice but to go home and confront whatever truth she finds. If you like lead characters who are a little morally grey, a little confused, and a lot motivated to discover what really happened, this book is for you! If you like red herrings and twists, this book is for you too! And if you love books with characters you can hate…this book is definitely for you!

This was so good! Loved the podcast element and Lucy's grandma. I really liked how each town person was introduced, it made it easier to remember who everyone was. The pacing of the story was great. I liked the way the big reveal happened, I just wish we spent a little less time harping on Lucy's memory. It was an obviously huge piece of what happened, but it also felt like we were being beaten over the head with it a little bit.

I have always enjoyed Amy Tintera's writing so I knew going into this I would have a good time. The podcast element of this book was really good and kept me interested throughout tons of chapters of the main character being like "everyone thinks I killed my best friend.... idk I might have..." and it made the story more interesting. This really reminded me of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and The Night Swim but it still had it's own twist to the "True Crime Podcast" storyline, which I was greatful for. I love an unreliable main character and I liked that Lucy herself had no idea what happened the night her friend was murdered. My biggest complaint is that Lucy's memories coming back happened really suddenly and it felt super unrealistic. Also fuck all the men in this book!!!!!

Thank you Celadon for providing me an advance copy of this book to read.

I initially took some time to get to this book, but it was definitely worth it. Generally, I find myself thoroughly enjoying books published by Celadon, and I'm grateful for all the advanced copies they’ve provided. If you enjoy thrillers and haven't added this book to your list yet, I highly recommend doing so.

The story is infused with humor, which made it all the more compelling. Once I sat down to read it, I found it hard to put down and was eager to see where the plot would go.

Lucy Chase, the protagonist, is living with her short-term boyfriend when her grandmother invites her to celebrate her birthday. Lucy left her hometown of Plumpton five years ago under a cloud of suspicion after being accused of murdering her best friend, Savvy. She has no memory of that fateful night, only that she was found wandering the road, covered in her own and Savvy’s blood. The evidence seemed to point to Lucy as the murderer, with scratches on Savvy’s arms and Lucy’s DNA under her fingernails. Convinced she might have killed her friend, Lucy has avoided returning to Plumpton, aware that the townspeople believe she's guilty.

Despite her reservations, Lucy eventually agrees to visit her grandmother. Meanwhile, Ben, a podcaster intrigued by Savvy’s murder, comes to Plumpton to feature the case on his show. With a little nudge from Lucy’s grandmother, Ben and Lucy cross paths at a diner. Reluctantly at first, Lucy agrees to work with Ben to uncover the truth about that night and find out if she really was the killer.

The book's twists and turns, coupled with its humorous undertones, kept me hooked until the very end. It was so engaging that I stayed up late to finish the last 20%.

This thriller follows our main character, Lucy. She's a thirty-something living in LA. She fled her hometown in Texas because she cannot remember (whether it be due to physical or emotional trauma) the night of another townsperson's wedding, which was also the night her best friend, Savvy was brutally beaten and murdered.

This had the potential to be a GREAT book for me, but in the end, I was kinda left thinking "wait, that's it?" I was a little bit let down. I did start to figure out the whodunnit aspect of the book around 85% of the way through and it shocked me at first, but the shock wore off fast. I think I needed there to be a little more from present-day Lucy for it to have the shock-factor I want in a thriller novel like this. This is one I don't really know how to give a more in-depth synopsis without giving too much away haha! It wasn't bad by any means, but I have read other books in this genre that I've enjoyed more.

I LOVED this book and read it in one sitting. If you like true crime podcasts, you will enjoy this book.

One thing about me is that I love a podcast style book so anytime I hear of one, I must read it. Please send me all the rec's because I may have missed some but in case you need more: Sadie, Six Stories, Truth Be Told (fka Are You Sleeping) these are just off the top of my head. There is something so immersive about a mixed media style book and they suck me right in every time. This one was fun because I really had no idea or theory of what had happened the night Lucy's friend Savanna was murdered. I let myself just enjoy the ride this time and I think I read the book in 3 days so let's just say it was hard to put down. Celadon crushed the marketing with this book too, and just like Sadie had a website, so does Listen for the Lie. https://celadonbooks.com/listen-for-the-lie/ If you need a fast summer read, definitely pick this one up!

This was a fantastic book. It had me on the edge of the edge of my seat the entire time. The intense twists of the mystery, interwoven with the complex realities of the human experience had me wrapped up in this story the moment I began. WOW. Incredible.

If you’re a true crime podcast aficionado like me, let me introduce you to my current obsession: “Listen for Lies.” Trust me when I say, this book deserves a spot on your reading list. As I’m nearing the end, I can assure you, it’s been an exhilarating ride packed with unexpected twists and turns.

Let’s rewind a bit and set the scene. We meet Lucy, our protagonist, amidst the chaos of losing her job and anticipating her boyfriend’s departure. But that’s just the beginning of her troubles. A damning podcast accuses her of murdering her high school best friend, Savannah. Determined to confront her past, Lucy reluctantly returns to her hometown in Plumpton, Texas, for her grandmother’s birthday celebration.

Upon her return, Lucy finds herself thrust into unexpected encounters, like the one at the local diner. Sent on an errand by her grandmother, Lucy walks into the diner only to come face to face with Ben, the host of the very podcast tarnishing her reputation. In that moment, she contemplates turning around, but something pulls her forward. After all, where’s the intrigue in avoiding conflict? I found Lucy’s interaction with Ben particularly intriguing. Could she trust him to tell her story fairly, or was he merely exploiting her for sensationalism?

As the plot thickens, so does the complexity of Lucy’s relationship with Ben. Their dynamic adds layers of tension and uncertainty, leaving readers guessing about Ben’s true intentions. Is he a neutral observer seeking the truth, or is he a puppet master pulling the strings of Lucy’s downfall? The answer to that question is a journey best experienced firsthand.

What sets “Listen for Lies” apart is its narrative structure, seamlessly blending Lucy’s perspective with podcast episodes featuring interviews with various characters. It’s a format that mirrors the immersive experience of listening to a true crime podcast, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they uncover the layers of deception shrouding Savannah’s murder.

But beneath the surface of this gripping tale lies a darker undercurrent. Lucy’s struggle with memory loss and the haunting voice in her head adds a psychological dimension to the story, heightening the stakes and deepening the mystery surrounding Savannah’s death.

However, it’s important to note that “Listen for Lies” isn’t for the faint of heart. The narrative delves into sensitive themes such as abusive relationships, infidelity, and violence. While these elements are integral to the plot, they’re handled with care, never veering into gratuitousness but rather serving to enrich the storytelling experience.

In conclusion, if you’re in search of a gripping narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end, “Listen for Lies” is a five-star masterpiece. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, it’s a book that demands to be devoured in one sitting. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the intrigue of “Listen for Lies” and prepare for a journey into the heart of suspense and deception. You won’t regret it.

Listen for the Lie focuses on Lucy, who has forgotten the events of her friend Savvy’s death five years ago, and is believed by most to have murdered her. A podcaster, Ben, comes along trying to piece the events together to hopefully find out what happened and who killed Savvy.

I immediately was pulled into this book. The humor, especially between Lucy and her grandma, was so fun to read. I found myself actually laughing out loud at times. I also enjoyed the added transcripts of podcast episodes, as it added a unique touch to the book. About halfway through, I did start to find myself losing interest in the book. I’m not sure if it was due to it reminding me of a YA book I read years ago that gave similar vibes, or if it was the start of a romance when I really just wanted to get to the bottom of it all. I did enjoy that I was not able predict the ending, which has been a recent issue for me with thrillers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in true crime or thrillers.

Thanks to Celadon Books and Netgalley for an arc!

This book kept me reading because I wanted to solve the mystery, and I loved the Texas setting. Despite being a good suspense novel with short chapters and speedy pacing, I found the characters a little annoying. Because of the podcast element in this book, I think I would have liked it more on audio.

Amazing thriller with a touch of humor which isn't easy to pull off! Definitely an author I will look forward to reading what she put out next.