Such a fun, fast paced, addictive read; part murder mystery, part dark comedy. Snarky, sarcastic Lucy is accused of killing her best friend 5 years ago; however, she was never convicted and that same incident left her with a brain injury and subsequent amnesia. She leaves her small hometown in Texas for LA to start over. But a podcaster arrives in her hometown to dig into the events surrounding the murder which ultimately draws her back. The story is filled with a cast of colorful, small town characters including the witty Grandma Beverly who has always believed in Lucy’s innocence and is the ultimate puppet master bringing Lucy back to Texas and getting her to cross paths with Ben, the podcaster. As Ben and Lucy get closer to the truth, the best and worst parts of small towns are put on display. Overall, we really enjoyed the interesting, unique characters. They had more personality and depth than many in this genre, so we are looking forward to more books from this author!


Thank you to Netgalley, Henry Hold and Company, and the author for providing us with a digital reviewer copy of this book in exchange for our honest thoughts. Publication Date: March 5, 2024. Until the next murder! - Murdersibs.

Clever title from author, Amy Tintera involving a pod cast, lies and if it’s possible to absolve Lucy from the murder everyone assumes she committed, even Lucy herself. “Listen for the Lie” is Amy’s first novel for adults but one you won’t want to miss!

Covered in blood , Lucy is spotted staggering down the street with a gash to her head. Savvy, her best friend, lies dead after they both attended a wedding. With surmountable evidence against Lucy, but not enough for conviction, she flees her hometown where she grew up. After 5 years, a true crime podcaster, Ben Owen’s is determined to dig into the details and find out for himself what truly happened the night Savvy was murdered. Lucy comes “home” for a family gathering and is tormented by her past, her destroyed marriage and Ben, who won’t take no for an answer.

I enjoyed this novel for its intriguing plot and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful storyline.
Favorite character: Lucy’s grandmother, Beverly
Least favorite: Matt, Lucy’s ex-husband
What I liked: Lucy’s judgment and recourse after suffering amnesia from the trauma she experienced.

“Listen for the Lie”, is a thrilling novel of “whodunit”. ENTERTAINING! Told in dual timelines, before and after that fateful night. Gripping yet slap stick funny with Lucy’s matter of fact idiosyncratic attitude. Some spice, wit and a fiercely tense novel that will keep you guessing.

Thanks to @celadonbooks @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

A mix of a podcast season with the POV of Lucy, the woman the podcast is about surrounding an unsolved murder she was involved in. Lucy was never charged with the murder of her best friend, but that doesn't need to happen for a community to blame Lucy. After all she was covered in blood and her skin was found under the nails of her friend who was killed.

Fast forward 5 years and the podcaster is beginning season 2 and including all the towns opinions on what they think happened along with those that knew the girls.

A plot line that I was interested and intrigued by. But, by 30% in or so I wondered if it was going to continue down the path that I wasn't loving and it did, but I finished to the end. I really did need to know what the heck happened that night.

I didn't love the use of the drunk and amnesia trope that was keeping this mystery unsolved. Very few characters were likable. Promiscuity amongst the whole community was commonplace. It felt a little like a new adult book as far as how the plot was worked out.

Publishes March 5th

Thank you to NetGalley and Celedon Books for the advance e-copy of this book.

Read this if you like:
•a hilarious grandma
•podcast / true crime
•small town
•twisty book

This audiobook was fantastic. I love thrillers with a podcast / true crime element. I finished this one in a matter of hours. This is such a fun unique read you’ll want to give it a shot.

Thank you Celadon for eARC!

A girl whose own memories jeopardize her reputation and her future grapples with what to do in the face of local and national attention.

Lucy, a 20-something living in California, experienced a tragedy in her early 20s. When called to return home to small-town Texas, the incident is examined again, this time by a smug podcaster. Ben Owens wants the truth, and he‘ll walk Lucy through every moment to get it. What starts as a woman at a crossroads develops into a woman tripping to hold onto what she knows.

This book held my attention and kept me wanting more from beginning to end. No character is trustworthy, and I wasn’t sure who to root for. This led me to think about this story even when I was busy doing other things. A solid 4-4.5 stars.

I lowered the rating from 5 stars for two reasons: 1. The formatting felt inconsistent and confusing at times. Text messages, podcast clips, and internal and external conversations were formatted in different ways throughout some of the book, which caused some difficulty keeping track of conversations. 2. The ending felt a bit lackluster. While I did not predict the ending, nor do I dislike it, it did not feel like the earth-shattering reveal it should have.

I read this on my kindle; however, I recommend the audio for the podcast elements!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the eARC! Listen for the Lie is out March 5th!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Yes, I'm starting with stars, because that is how much I enjoyed this story!

🎧LISTEN FOR THE LIE by Amy Tintera and narrated by a favorite January LaVoy and Will Damron is a riotous, darkly funny, suspense thriller that had me engaged and entertained from start to finish.

Lucy is trying to live her life away from her hometown where 5 years ago she was found wandering, covered in her best friends blood, and no memory of the incident (but with a head injury, so...). Everyone believes she is a murderer, and she isn't so sure herself. When a cute Podcaster comes to take a new look at the cold case, he gets Lucy's Grandmother to convince her to come back.

This story is absolutely me. I loved the dark humor, the snark, the witty dialog, the tension that built through the podcasts, the amazing Grandma! Seriously, I have major goals in how I want to behave when it becomes acceptable to do so, due to Grandma. The mystery was clever and I had no idea. The last chapters were tense and extra riveting, but I think the magic here is really the journey. I didn't want this to end! I don't usually feel this way with thrillers, but this was so so fun!

If you enjoy a lot of darkly funny banter and snark, then March 5th should be on your calendar as THE DAY to go get this! The narration was absolute perfection as husband and wife LaVoy and Damron killed it. I did have digital copy which was great for the one late night I could keep reading, but this was a story that lent itself to audio; with these narrators.

Thank you @netgalley @celadonbooks & @macmillan.audio for these advanced copies. This will be a top thriller for this year for sure.

Thank you to Celadon Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. And thank you to my favourite bookshop, The Bookshelf, for a paper copy!

Several years ago, Lucy was found wandering a highway covered in her friend Savvy’s blood. Everyone in town assumed she was the murderer, but she was never found guilty. Ben Owens’ crime podcast now focuses on the case and brings that night back to the present.

I enjoyed this book. It’s rare that I have the time to sit and just read a book in a short period, but the planets aligned, and I read this one in about 36 hours. It’s a fast-paced thriller with short chapters, which led to me reading 100-page chunks at a time. I think the chunks of podcast excerpts paired with the present day also kept me invested in the storyline.

Most of the characters are a mess, but in an entertaining way that you can’t seem to look away from. I liked Lucy’s wit but didn’t relate much to her character. My favourite character was probably Lucy’s grandmother; there was something so fiery yet sweet and comforting about her.

This is an excellent adult debut for the author, with many twists and turns. As a warning, there is a discussion of domestic abuse throughout the novel. A refreshing feminist undertone to the story makes the reader question, “Why is it often men are believed and women are not?”

It's a great thriller that did everything I wanted in a suspenseful mystery!

Wow. I loved this. Couldn't stop reading. It grabbed ne early on and didn't let up. Well written characters, even though I only like Grandma. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I have a feeling this isn’t the first, second, or even tenth time you have seen this book — and rightly so. The hype surrounding LISTEN FOR THE LIE, the word-of-mouth excitement, has been like none other, and I’m thrilled to say it’s true.

Savannah — Savvy — was the golden girl in her tiny Texas town. Beautiful, smart, oh so sweet. Her best friend Lucy came from one of the town’s founding families, and in a town like theirs, that capital L Lineage means something. Though the girls made an unlikely pair, they were best friends, which was why everyone was shocked when Savvy was murdered…and Lucy was covered in her blood.

With no memories of what happened that night, Lucy becomes the prime suspect. The case eventually goes cold without any evidence and Lucy leaves for LA where she writes novels under a pseudonym. When a popular true crime podcast announces the upcoming season will look into Savvy’s murder, Lucy’s carefully crafted new life is suddenly exposed and secrets of what happened that night become revealed.

If loving the podcast trope is wrong, I don’t want to be right! A plot revolving around a podcast digging into an old case is a sure-fire way to get me to pick up a book. Episode transcripts, short rapid pace chapters, Southern charm that might just be for show, I was hooked on it all and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

While I had some issues with Lucy’s character, overall LISTEN FOR THE LIE was such a fun weekend read. It’s intense and wildly entertaining with writing that practically leaps off the page it’s so action-packed. Just one more chapter turned into two, turned into three. This is a book that’ll grab you and refuse to let go!

I was freaking hooked from the first page on! Quick wit, humor, drama…and murder! Yes, please!

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for allowing me access to this ARC.

I loved the true crime podcast storyline. It was something different that really worked here. As the reader you will question everyone and won’t trust anyone.

Listen For The Lie is what I would consider a popcorn thriller and is exactly my cup of tea. Short chapters that don’t require a lot of thought and keep you flipping the pages. I absolutely devoured this and loved all of the added drama sprinkled throughout. Questionable characters, shady family members, a very scandalous and promiscuous neighborhood, plus my favorite…the very best Grandma around (who may or may not have a drinking problem). She was great!

I had no idea what to think or who did it until it was all spelled out in the final chapters. That shock factor ending is exactly what makes a fantastic thriller in my opinion and this didn’t let me down!

The only part I wasn’t a huge fan of is the “dead person talking/voices in my head” piece which I found overdone and distracting but it was also pretty funny at times.

Def recommend adding this to your 2024 TBR if you love a quick thriller with a shocking end!

4.5/5⭐️

Did Lucy Chase murder her best friend? That’s what Ben Owen an up and coming true crime podcaster wants to know. How is he going to find the truth when Lucy can’t remember the events of the night of the murder?
You will not love any of the characters in the story, they are all hiding deep seated lies and secrets. They are snarky, smug, arrogant and sometimes abusive. What you will love is the story that will keep you guessing as to who really killed Savvy. Settle in to a comfortable chair when you start this one because you will be there burning the late night candle to get to the bottom of the murder.
A great mystery that I highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for my ARC.

I did not see that ending coming! This book will have you thinking you have it figured it out, but you don’t. I found myself binging this book in less than 48 hours because the plot was so gripping; I had to know how it ended. I loved the integration of the podcast episodes right into the story. The overall flow of the story and the transitions at all the right times kept me hooked. One of the best thriller/suspense novels I have ever read!

WOW, this was an insanely addicting read! Lucy Chase can’t remember the night that her best friend, Savvy, was murdered… but she was found wandering the streets covered in blood… but has no memory of what happened. Despite never being charged, most of the residents of the small-town Texas town she lives in, thinks she did it. Once a true-crime podcast picks up the case, all of Lucy’s efforts to move on come to an immediate halt as she is thrown right back into the place she vowed to never set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder…even if she is the one that did it

- The twists and turns on this one kept me intrigued the entire time
- HIGHLY recommend the audiobook! It makes the whole podcast vibe of the story come to life – especially having a male and female narrator! January LaVoy always does a killer job, no pun intended

READ if you like
- True Crime podcasts
- Small town thrillers
- Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, None of This is True, Things We Do In the Dark, I Have Some Questions for You

This was AMAZING. The unhinged female, the small town vibes. I ended up doing this one on audio and it was fantastic. I loved the dual pov and the podcast format even thought I never even listen to podcasts. The voices and narration made it so comical to listen to.

I really enjoyed this book. I like how we got current timeline and the transcripts for the podcast episodes. There were so many times I was certain I had figured this out, and I was completely wrong. I found Lucy’s personality absolutely hilarious. She could have let everyone thinking she murdered her best friend completely tear her down, but she found humor in it. Beverly might be my absolute favorite character though 😂I highly recommend this! I was hooked from the first page.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.”

Savvy is dead and her best friend Lucy is found with Savvy’s blood all over her, but Lucy can’t remember what happened.

This story starts 5 years after Savvy’s death. A true crime podcaster, Ben, is investigating who really killed Savvy. Was it Lucy, who the whole town believes did it, or someone else?

I really enjoyed this one! I loved Lucy’s sarcastic and dry humor. Her grandmother was hilarious too. It took me a minute to get into, but it picked up quickly and kept me turning the pages to try and figure out what really happened the night Savvy died! I liked the true crime podcast element and how some of the updates were given in real time. I didn’t see the twist coming, but it also didn’t shock me. It didn’t give me that “oh my gosh!” feel. But overall I enjoyed this one and would recommend checking it out when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon books for the ebook and the opportunity to share my honest review!

Five years ago, Lucy was wandering the woods after a wedding with her best friend’s, Savvy, blood all over her dress. Savvy is dead. Lucy does not remember anything from that night. She is not charged with murder due to insufficient evidence. Everyone in Plumpton, Texas including her parents think she murdered Savvy. She after she leaves and moves to Los Angeles.

Ben is a smug handsome podcast who travels to Plumpton to interview people about this cold case. Lucy comes back to town for her grandmother’s birthday party while Ben is in town. Lucy has not done any interviews but does decide to be interviewed by Ben.

This is a fast paced novel from Lucy’s POV with the podcast episodes sprinkled throughout the chapters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for the complimentary arc copy.

Lucy goes back to her hometown of Plumpton, TX after five years. Hiding in Los Angeles, because everyone in her hometown thinks she murdered her best friend Savvy, which is still an unsolved murder. Despite claiming amnesia, there was not enough evidence to prosecute her, even though, quite frankly, there was!

Until Ben, (who also is in Plumpton at the same time) a podcaster tries to solve her murder. They join forces to find out who the true killer is. Both characters are incredibly self serving and I hated their interactions. The podcast is told in real time with interviews and evidence to see what really happened the night of the grisly murder.

The first 30% intrigued me: a batch of characters, including Lucy’s inner mind telling her to “kill them”, despite denying she ever did anything. However, as the book went on, I hated the characters more and more. The smugness of each character, the actual podcast being played out, the side storylines, ugh.

I skimmed until the actual reveal and at that point, I could care less.
Another murder mystery down the tubes for me.

Strap in for a wild ride. I really enjoyed this story. Thank you to netgalley for this ARC. Lucy is a victim (or is she?) she is found filthy, soaked in blood, with a brain injury and no memory of how or why it happened. She has left her hometown since everyone pretty much thinks she killed her best friend and she has no memory to dispute it. Lucy is brought back to town by her loving grandmother to celebrate her birthday. A true crime podcaster Ben is in town trying to discover who killed Savannah. I loved how the writing style changed and the chapters were short. Finished this book quickly!

I have heard so much buzz about this one! Five years ago, Lucy was found covered in blood and her best friend was found dead….but she has no memory of the entire day or what happened that night and no charges were ever made in Savvy’s murder. In present day, Ben has come to Texas to interview anyone related to Lucy and this cold case for season two of his true crime podcast “Listen For The Lie.” He is determined to figure out what happened to Savvy, and Lucy is determined to gain back her memories and help exonerate herself and figure out who murdered her best friend.

If this was a real podcast I would have been rapt listening to how this unfolded. I loved Lucy’s sassy grandma and their relationship. For some reason I wasn’t as gripped as others who have read this, but I still really enjoyed it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @celadonbooks for the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.