This book was so much fun! I alternated between physical and audio and audio was definitely a fun listen. This one kept me guessing and I loved the podcast element. Definitely recommend for a thriller you won’t want to put down!

I loved this book and flew through it in one day! Though the plot includes several common (some may say overdone) tropes like a true-crime podcast and a woman returning to her hometown, Amy Tintera twists them and writes them so well that they felt fresh. I loved the hot Texas setting and I really enjoyed the perspective change where the story was told from the POV of the accused. So many types of books like this tell the story from the podcaster's perspective, so this felt like a welcome change and I enjoyed every second of it.

I cannot believe how many times I actually laughed out loud while reading this thriller- that usually never happens with this genre! But the humor between the main character and the grandmother's character was just so spot on! I loved the podcast element to this story and how it gave us so many different perspectives to the characters in this small town and what they thought of our main character and whether or not she murdered her best friend. Most of the book, I honestly didn't know who's story to believe and wasn't sure who did it. I know many in the bookish community have said they figured it out early, but I didn't see the connections and enjoyed seeing how the story came together at the end. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I can't wait to see what else Amy Tintera writes in this genre.

I should have listened to this one on audio since those reviews seem to be better. This mystery book had me guessing at a 5 year old murder mystery. The characters were all unlikeable and all sleeping around. Just didn't love this one.

Listen for the Lie has two of my favorite tropes of crime fiction: it's based in Texas and it's a "mixed media" novel. Chapters with the protagonist Lucy alternate with transcripts of the true crime podcast focusing on a past unsolved murder (of which Lucy is the prime suspect). Amy Tintera brilliantly reveals different townspeople's perspective on the murder (and on fellow residents) through the different guests on the podcasts. There were several times in the novel when I thought I had it figured out, only to be thwarted by a subsequent podcast episode. I will be surprised (and disappointed) if this brilliant novel isn't up for the Edgar next year!

For audiobook fans, the alternating chapters between Lucy's narration and the podcast "broadcasts" add an extra dimension!

When I picked up this book, I was captivated by its electrifying blend of dark humor and intricate murder mystery. The protagonist, Lucy Chase, is an unapologetically sharp and complex figure whose moral ambiguity only deepens the intrigue—could she really have killed her friend?

Lucy, a widow under the shadow of suspicion for the murder of her best friend Savannah, is trying to start anew in Los Angeles. Her life is a series of unfulfilling days at a dead-end job and a stagnant relationship with Nathan, who seems incapable of breaking up with her. Writing romance novels under a pseudonym offers little relief from her past trauma, marked by an incident that claimed Savannah’s life and left Lucy with brain injuries and memory lapses.

The arrival of Ben Owens, a charming but smug podcaster, threatens to dismantle Lucy’s fragile new existence. He’s investigating the unsolved case of Savannah's death just as Lucy is invited back to her hometown of Plumpton, Texas, by her supportive grandmother for a birthday celebration. Back home, where the locals have branded her a murderer, Lucy must navigate old accusations and the unwanted attention from Ben, who’s interviewing anyone who doubts her innocence.

Lucy’s psychological struggles, including auditory hallucinations and visions of committing violence, intensify the suspense, painting a portrait of a woman on the brink. As she confronts her past and the biases of her hometown, the story questions whether Savannah was as innocent as she seemed and whether Lucy is the perpetrator or another victim of circumstances.

This novel shines with its witty dialogue, deft character sketches, particularly of Lucy and her delightful grandmother, and a plot that twists with every chapter, culminating in a satisfyingly just resolution. It’s a stellar example of a psychological thriller meeting a dark comedy, earning it top marks in my book.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those who love a story that deftly mixes humor with suspense, and I am keen to explore more of Amy Tintera's work. Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company!

When I started this book, I was immediately hooked! I love the author’s writing style and the way the book was formatted. As a person who loves Podcasts, this couldn’t have been a more fitting book. I’m a huge thriller fan and absolutely loved that this book did not follow the same script as others. I loved the comedy and sarcasm and really liked the entire story! This book had that perfect mix that made you feel like you were listening to a podcast, watching a series and reading a book—the trifecta! Lol. I absolutely enjoyed this one!

I really liked how this book leads the reader in all different directions to try and figure out what happened. I also really liked how the book focused on the idea that “the truth doesn’t matter.” The whole town was quick to develop their own theories and the truth wouldn’t have changed them. It’s a bold statement about the state of a world where “innocent until PROVEN guilty doesn’t really matter.

In Listen For The Lie, by Amy Tintera, everyone in her small town believes Lucy murdered her beloved best friend — including Lucy. She’s fled to LA to escape the devastating pressure, but is called back home when a true-crime podcaster comes a’calling, looking to prove the truth, no matter what it takes.
I’m a huge fan of Tintera, who usually writes YA books. Listen For The Lie is Tintera’s first adult novel and it shines! Get stuck in for lies, secrets, and deceit as Lucy and Podcaster Ben rip this small town apart in search of the truth. Much thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this advanced copy for review.

#ListenForTheLie #AmyTintera #Ruined #Avenged #Allied

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This book was wild! I particularly enjoyed the podcast sections and how the author made us try to solve the case as we read (brilliant !)

The book follows Lucy who is accused of murdering her best friend Savvy. She had thought she had moved on until true crime podcaster Ben decides to investigate. Oh how shady the interviewees were and I was pretty much kept guessing to the very end. And if I am being honest Lucy's grandmother was just so adorable and lovable. I would go in blind.


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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
🎧 podcast thrillers
🎧 multi storytelling formats
🎧 a ‘lil spice 🌶️

I absolutely loved the formats of partial storytelling and part podcast, which allowed us to see many different people’s POV of the situation, and I really really enjoyed that.
I was not too much of a fan of the spice in this thriller, but I know a lot of people will appreciate that part 🤪
I did not see the end coming!! That’s one thing I really need in a story, I don’t want it to be predictable and let me guess the ending.
I really really enjoyed this book and I read it straight through! I can’t believe this is a debut novel, wow!

Great story. This was very relatable and can connect to what our students are currently enjoying. The characters came to life and were relatable.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read this book! It was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed it! I loved the sarcasm, humor, podcast theme and the character building. And especially the grandma Beverly! This book takes you on a wild ride and you’re not sure who to believe, or you think you do and then that’s taken right from you. The ending makes you still question what really happened but I did really like this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this story. I LOVED this book! Normally I have an idea of who had done it by halfway through the book, not with this one! I loved when Lucy would remember things from when she lost Savvy. I also liked the relationship between Lucy and Ben. I liked the format of being able to read the podcast excerpts. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a who dunnit type of book!

A podcaster to trying to solve a cold case and the girl everyone thinks is responsible team up to uncover what really happened to her best friend.

Ok, this thriller renewed my faith in the genre! We have an unreliable MC, a murder podcast and a thoroughly engaging mixed media format in this fast paced & suspenseful thriller about a girl who is found walking around with her best friend’s blood on her but can’t recall what happened.

I was gripped! The memory loss/amnesia angle can be very hit or miss but I’m here to tell you - this one is a HIT! It was an unputdownable listen. I had that urgent feeling that I just had to get to the end to know the truth that has been lacking in recent thrillers I read. With the mixed media and podcast angle - this was so good to listen to on audio. Highly recommend listening.

Lucy was unreliable due to her memory loss and the dark thoughts plaguing her but she was also an MC that you find yourself rooting for. I loved her sarcasm and her I don’t care attitude. And her grandma was an OG - I freakin loved her so much.

If you are in the mood for a fast paced thriller - don’t miss this one. It delivers!

At the start of this novel, main character Lucy was found 5 years ago at the scene of her best friend Savvy’s murder in the woods, covered in her blood - and with a head injury such that she had zero memory of what happened. People in her Texas town suspected her, but she was never charged, and she moved away and tried to start over. But when a true crime podcast decides to cover the unsolved murder for her latest season, and Lucy’s grandmother asks her to come home for her birthday party, everything gets stirred up again and Lucy starts trying to figure out what happened. Interspersed with Lucy’s narrative are segments from the faux podcast in the book.

And wow, now that’s what I call a good mystery/thriller! I’m usually over the unreliable narrator, but Lucy’s amnesia makes it make sense - though it turns out she is withholding some other info from us too! Her snarky sensibility also gives this one a different tone, and I always love a faux book podcast!

Listen for the Lie, a fast paced mystery where a podcast host attempts to help solve a five year old of who killed Savvy. Everyone thinks it is Lucy, Savvy's best friend, who was found close to the scene covered in blood. But there is one problem, Lucy can't remember anything that happened that night. As the story unfolds, you are introduced to various characters who have things to hide and a different light to shed on this mystery.

I enjoyed the humor and snarkiness of the main character, the bits of romanced peppered through the story, and the the different POV's from the various characters. I don't love amnesia plot devices but enjoyed this one more than most. If you are looking for something that grabs you from the beginning and keeps you turning the pages, this is the book for you. I think it would be awesome in audio with the whole podcast plot line.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celdon Books for access to the digital Advanced Reader Copy.

What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too?

What an interesting premise! You'd know if you murdered your best friend...right? Well, Lucy sure doesn't. But she wants to find out.

I REALLY enjoyed this one and could not put it down. I loved how Lucy was written, the right balance of snark and humor and heart. I would absolutely read anything else that Amy Tintera puts out.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks, Celadon Books and NetGalley, for the ARC! This book was SO good. It was a fun thriller that had all of the elements I love in a book and kept me guessing. I really enjoyed this author's writing style and look forward to reading more books from them!

A fun, twisty thriller! I thoroughly enjoyed this and definitely did not have it figured out up until the very end. Highly recommend!