Get ready for a podcast-driven whodunit. Being an avid true crime podcast listener, this book was so fun to read! I think a full cast audiobook would be even more amazing… or a tv series😏 Lucy’s character is hard not to like and she’s hilariously carefree. Kudos to Amy Tintera on her first adult debut novel, she crushed it. Thank you to @netgalley for the advanced reader copy! I definitely recommend picking up a copy of this book upon release here in a couple weeks!

wow!! i really loved this book. i flew through it, and when i wasn't reading it, i wanted to be reading it! i read most of it in one day.

i had the ebook and audio copy of this book, and i really think it was beneficial to have both. first off, there is a podcast element to this book. however, this book does something different with the podcast aspect since the podcast host, Ben, is not the protagonist. he is described as smug and self-assured, which is a departure from the podcast host being the hero of the story. the whole book is told from Lucy's perspective with podcast clips in between. the podcast clips sounded like a real podcast, and there were different voices for different characters. the audiobook narrators were absolutely fantastic! i always think January LaVoy does an incredible job, and Will Damron was also outstanding (and i'm realizing that i have loved his narration for other books). it was so cool that the title comes to life in this book, because the characters in the book listen to the podcast, and you're listening for the lie with them. sometimes you know who's lying, and sometimes you don't. i found that to be unique because the podcast was not just a means to give information to the reader--rather, the reader is questioning both sets of stories in the book (Lucy's POV and the podcast). i would HIGHLY recommend the audio for this, but i was also glad to have the words in front of me so i could see the changes in font, from Lucy's narrative to the podcast clips. Lucy can't remember what happened the night her best friend Savannah was murdered, and she hears a voice in her head (indicated by the italics). the book also used italics to indicate a flashback when we were in a present-day chapter, which was helpful. there were chapters that took place 5 years ago, too, and it was easy to distinguish which time period we were in.

Lucy is a hilarious protagonist and i enjoyed being in her head. she was a flawed, complicated, and quirky person. i felt like the (selective) amnesia trope was well done with her character. often, i feel books can be repetitive with a character trying to remember details, but this book did not feel that way. Lucy knows she isn't always a good person and doesn't try to convince anyone that she is. i found her to be very different from thriller protagonists in that sense. i had a strong sense of her character, and she was so funny! there is a cast of other characters who are brought up in this book, and it's easy to keep track of them.

i also did NOT predict who the perpetrator was. i was surprised by that reveal, and didn't feel like it was over-the-top or unrealistic by any means. i was also surprised by other reveals throughout this book.

this book discusses topics like the ethics of true crime (a topic i'm always interested in), how a narrative can divert from the truth, how much the truth matters, and the complications of victimhood. this book brings up these topics in a subtle way and doesn't hit the reader over the head with them.

i would recommend this book if you like:
- podcast elements
- audiobooks
- flawed, funny protagonists
- Texas small town settings
- compelling books
- questioning the truth
- true crime
- a teeny bit of romance in your thrillers

Listen for the Lie comes out on March 5, 2024. thank you to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Lucy is the main character I want in every book! Her sarcasm gives me life. I laughed out loud literally, multiple times, not something I usually do while reading a whodunit.

I was a little skeptical of yet another book with a podcast but this was very well done. I only wish I had the audio for this one because I only imagine how good it would have been! We alternate between present day Lucy, the podcast, and 5 years earlier. At no point was I bored, which I find can happen in these types of books, just waiting for the big twist. I was along for the ride and was surprised by the end! I hope Amy Tintera continues to write adult fiction because she has talent!

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with an eARC. This is a must read on 3/5/2024. I can’t wait to discuss with my book club who has this picked for May!

Listen for the Lie is Amy Tintera's first adult novel. It's the first book I've read by this author but hopefully it won't be the last. This was such a fun book, engaging and suspenseful, with characters who were well developed and a plot twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Loved it.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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

I really enjoy a book with a podcast element and this one did not disappoint! Several years ago Lucy was found wandering the streets, hurt, covered in her best friend’s blood, and no memory of what happened. We jump to present day and Ben, from Listen For The Lie podcast, is determined to get to the bottom of what happened.
The book switches between the podcast episodes and Lucy's POV. It's filled with sarcastic humor that had me laughing out loud. The main characters, Lucy and Ben, were fantastic and the cast of side characters enhanced the story. The mystery of what happened that night is slowly revealed throughout the book, but that story itself was very well paced and had me fully engaged.
I would suggest listening to the audiobook, it's so well done and the perfect way to consume a book with a podcast.
This is such a fun story and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5)

Thank you to @netgalley @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy of this book.

I absolutely and totally loved this book! The writing is first class! Amy’s writing style is funny, witty, engaging and had me hooked from the start through to the finish. Such a great story with jaw dropping twists and beautifully choreographed storylines. Cannot wait to read more from this author!!

4.5 stars rounded up

Five years ago Lucy's best friend was murdered and while Lucy doesn't remember a thing about that night, her small town thinks she did it. When podcaster Ben decides he wants to investigate the case for his podcast, Lucy is forced to confront her past and the lies, judgements, and memories to find out the truth.

This was a fast paced, bingeable read with suspicion cast widely and laugh out loud moments throughout. Usually I would think that would be an odd mix but the writing here is seamless in portraying messy people with messy lives. The characters aren't necessarily likeable with their not so hidden secrets, small town drama, and questionable (at best) decisions, but they felt real and were very entertaining.

The narrative moves between Lucy and the podcast transcripts. They weave together nicely with both elements moving the plot forward. Lucy and Ben were great, morally grey characters using sarcasm to get through tough moments. There's a little bit of tension there and the banter was a great addition to bring the characters to life. As always, I love a sassy grandma/aunt figure and Grandma Beverly was absolutely fantastic.

Overall I loved this book and how it kept me engaged throughout. There didn't seem to be a dull moment and I loved how it all came together in the end. I will say that I was a little underwhelmed at the 'twist' but looking back the signs there there. This is a great thriller and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.

SPOILERS BELOW:

Is it just me or was the ending not 100% clear cut. I liked it and loved the final showdown but also, I am not quite sure exactly what happened to Savvy. Lucy's memories make the most sense, but there's just enough there to cast a sliver of doubt. I am ok with an ambiguous ending...but I like to know for sure it's meant to be ambiguous and with this I am not quite there hence the 4.5 and not a 5 star rating.

Thank you Celadon for the early copy!

"Listen for the Lie" is a great suspense/mystery for readers enjoy true crime and podcasts. I loved the main character's wit, dry humor and her relationship with her quirky but steadfast grandmother. Tintera is a great plot-builder, and the story will keep you guessing until the very end. I could see this book as a YA novel as well as an adult. murder/suspense story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #ListenfortheLie #NetGalley

I absolutely loved the premise of the story based around a podcast. The entire story keep me guessing and honestly didn’t figure it out until about two seconds before the book told me. Classic whodunnit, with multiple twists.

This was my first Amy Tintera book and I was BLOWN away! I find thrillers anymore to be a copy cat of Gone Girl or Girl on a Train...we always have some recycled story with an unreliable female narrator.

Amy Tintera said...holy my beer! She successfully resurrected a solid thriller that was un-put-down-able and I loved it from start to finish.

Listen for the Lie was a slow burn, then/now, part dialogue/part podcast transcription and all of these elements can become risky for an enjoyable reading experience, but Tintera nailed it. I found this book to be riveting, while being an anticipatory slow burn, incredibly fresh and an ending that Tintera NAILED. She. Landed. The. Plane. And it was flawless.

This was so fresh, the characters were all really unlikeable, but you rooted for them at the same time. You constantly were guessing who did what, who was involved and thanking the good Lord these parents weren't your parents. Beverly, our resident Grandma, was a gem and a badass and the only character I found myself to actually really like.

Bookmark this one now to pick up on March 5 - you won't want to miss this adult debut from Tintera. This was flawlessly executed!

Lucy goes back to her hometown after five years away to determine once and for all if she killed her best friend. 🔪

At first I wasn’t sure about our FMC’s sarcastic humor and the whole “let’s kill” thing, but this one quickly hooked me in. Fast-paced and fun, it was a solid mystery that didn’t take itself too seriously and had a few laughs thrown in throughout, but not in a way that was a distraction. We’re bordering on the whole podcast element feeling been there, done that, but I thought this book did it well and it will likely make for a great audiobook. (I read it though, so don’t hold me to that. 😂) This one was a pleasant surprise and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the author’s next adult book!

My thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out 3/5/2024.

A podcaster, Ben, begins unraveling the cold case of Lucy from 5 years ago who is accused of murdering her best friend, Savvy, one night but cannot recall a single detail or event from that fateful evening. The small town is convinced Lucy did it, but the truth is difficult to prove since Lucy has lost her memories. Was Lucy capable of such an act or did someone else have a hand in this terrible tragedy? I really like the different POV's and the clips of Ben's podcast sprinkled in between the chapters. The story moved along at a fairly quick pace and kept me guessing as to what happened to Savvy. I also loved Lucy's sarcastic tone and the way she used humor to deflect how she was really feeling inside.
Thank you to Celedon Books for an ARC of this book. Its release date is March 5, 2024 so be sure to add it to your TBR!
#ListenfortheLie #netgalley #celedonbooks

This was a super fun thriller great for fans of true crime podcasts!

At first I was a little thrown by the parts in italics and started to get a little annoyed by the voice saying the same thing over and over again - it got a little tired. But then when you got further into the book and figured out what was going on it made a lot more sense

This book was good right from the get go. I love a good suspense/ mystery where the main character is a little unhinged. This was a fast paced read that kept me guessing until the end. I am from a small town originally and could related to Lucy in wanting to GTFO from all the gossip and politics that comes with staying in an rural area. I also really think Lucy's relationship with her "most of the time" drunk grandma was really sweet. This book gets a solid 4/5 from me.

Lucy may have killed her best friend five years ago…except she doesn’t remember. After a blow to the head, she has no memories of the night Savvy was murdered. Lucy returns to her hometown and finds herself connecting with a podcaster who hopes to solve the case.

This was an entertaining page-turner that I had trouble putting down. But, at the same time, I’m really tired of the amnesia trope. I’ve read it in a few “whodunnit” murder mysteries in recent years and it feels so overused.

A lot of the plot of this story is focused on revelations about who is sleeping with who and/or cheating on their partners. I usually love juicy gossip like that, but I felt like the purpose overall was to leave so many red herrings behind that you’d never guess the killer.

And, to the author’s credit, I did not guess who killed Savvy and injured Lucy. But that’s because I don’t think the author set up the conclusion throughout the story. The ending felt very rushed and a bit out-of-the blue to me.

I did enjoy Lucy’s character, although some of her sarcastic quips and interactions was ghost Savvy got old or were a little cringey.

This was an enjoyable read, but I think the story could have used a bit more work to make the ending more believable. Yes, we were introduced to the character — but they were never really given a motive and the book didn’t set them up to be the perpetrator until the end.

I've really tried several times to get into this book but I'm having a tough time doing so. I'm having a hard time connecting with the main character. I think I will try the audiobook when it becomes available.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc!

Well daaaaaamn. It's a rare occasion when I completely ignore all the things I have to do in a day and sit and just read because the story is THAT good. Well this is one of those times! Listen for the Lie has all of the things that are becoming standard in a did she or didn't she murder mystery story.....true crime podcast framing, amnesia, and an unresolved homicide. What made this one different is that I felt in some ways like I was reading a more twisted version of a Spellman Files story where the main character is a smart ass and her family is full of a humorous cast of characters.

Lucy Chase is the assumed killer of her best friend Savvy (the worst nickname ever which is the only annoying thing I found about this story), but she was never actually charged with the crime. She also has no memory of what actually happened with the only evidence being that she was found the next day covered in Savvy's blood and had Savvy's DNA under her fingernails. Five years later, a podcaster is choosing this unsolved mystery as the focus of the new season of his podcast. Lucy returns to her hometown in Texas to finally face what happened.

This one kept me guessing until the last third of the book when it finally became obvious who the killer was, but I could not put this one down and devoured it in a day. I can't recommend this one enough!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Great fast-paced plot that had me hooked from the first page. Excellent surprise ending. Highly recommend.

I received an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The book had me at page one! I love sarcasm and always enjoy a little humor thrown into the mix of a good thriller. The podcast is a fun part of the plot. The entire town being involved in the case making assumptions and accusations kept me engaged throughout. This story has a bit of everything: mystery, humor, thriller with a touch of romance. Great unexpected ending…Definitely recommend!

Humorous & full of twists. Thanks to various subtle misdirections, I wasn’t able to piece this one together, making for an enjoyable ending. Definitely recommend for fans of Only Murders in the Building!

Grateful to NetGalley & Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.