The host of a true crime podcast where criminals can anonymously confess has her life turned upside down when one of her guests confesses to being the host's mother's murderer. The problem is.... she killed her mother's murderer. This suspenseful story about confessions and the pain that can come with truth kept me glued to the page. Alternating between the host's POV and transcripts of the podcast, this book contained twists and did well at breadcrumbing to the solution.

This was a fun, fast-paced thriller with short chapters that made the story addicting to read. It wasn't exactly a groundbreaking plot, but it held my attention and kept me guessing, even though there weren't a ton of plot twists. It was actually kind of refreshingly straight forward in a way. It was a solid popcorn thriller if you're in the mood for that.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Tell Me What You Did is a gripping psychological thriller that asks one haunting question: how well do we really know our past—or ourselves?

Carter Wilson weaves a dark, emotionally charged story around Poe Webb, a true crime podcaster whose search for truth turns into a chilling personal reckoning. The novel masterfully blends podcast transcripts, dual timelines, and raw inner monologue to create an immersive experience that feels both modern and intimate.

What makes this book stand out isn’t just its suspenseful plot or twisty revelations—though those are delivered in spades—it’s the way it forces readers to sit with uncomfortable truths: about guilt, justice, and the lies we tell to survive.

Fast-paced but layered, Tell Me What You Did is not just a thriller—it’s a mirror held up to grief, revenge, and memory. Highly recommended for those who like their mysteries with emotional depth and moral ambiguity.

Poe Webb is the successful podcast host of her true crime show, having worked her way up from the trenches to get there. She invites guests onto the show to confess their crimes, whatever they may be. Given the opportunity to unburden themselves from guilt, the show is successful because so many listeners are intrigued by the “crimes” committed which range from the small (yet still amusing) to terrible. All guests are given the same disclosure: Poe cannot guarantee their anonymity, nor can she promise that the transcripts will not be subpoenaed in the event that the individual is arrested and tried in a court of law. But somehow, this does not discourage everyone and Poe finds she is never wanting for guests. The success of the show has ensured a life of success for Poe, and she is content, if not completely happy. But everything is about to change when one guest states that his crime is having killed a woman many years ago. The woman, however, he identifies as Poe’s mother and that murder, that part of Poe’s past, she has carefully kept secret from everyone, including her boyfriend. What makes this even more implausible to Poe is that she knows her mother’s murderer is dead, because she is the one who killed him. A dangerous game of cat and mouse begins as Poe sets out to find out whether this man who claims to be her mother’s murderer is telling the truth or lying. The implications are huge. What does this man want? And if he is the true murderer, who did she kill?

I read this in two days because it was SO riveting and I had to know how it ended. The creepy factor was BIG, leaving me completely freaked out and jumpy at several points.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and of course Carter Wilson for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one was great! The premise had me hooked - people confessing to bad deeds on a podcast. It kept me guessing and kept me enthralled - unique and twisty!

How I never heard of Carter Wilson before is absolutely crazy considering I loved this book so much. I always feel weird saying books involving murders are fun, but this book was fun! And it was creepy! And I couldn’t put it down! And, and, and all the good stuff!

I loved the concept of the podcast. I would totally listen to it in real-life. Did the main character make some questionable decisions? Yes she very much did, but I was INTO it. I thought the incorporation of the podcast transcriptions and format of the book was super solid. I can’t wait to go back and check out Wilson’s earlier work. I hope they’re all just as creepy.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was completely hooked by Tell Me What You Did — Carter Wilson has a real talent for digging into the darker corners of the human mind. The premise alone is chilling: a true crime podcaster, Poe Webb, who’s made a career out of anonymous criminal confessions, suddenly hears from a caller claiming he murdered her mother. The twist? Poe thought she had already avenged that crime.
What pulled me in most was how layered Poe is as a character. She’s sharp, emotionally raw, and not always easy to root for — which made her all the more compelling. The story balances suspense with real psychological depth, and the use of podcast transcripts adds a unique rhythm that kept me flipping pages late into the night.
It’s tense, a little unsettling, and full of those “wait, what just happened?” moments I love in thrillers. Wilson doesn’t rely on cheap scares — he builds dread slowly, and it pays off in a big way. If you like thrillers that play with perception and morality, this one is absolutely worth reading.

You ever build a theory so confidently only to have it crash and burn in humbling defeat? Because, same. Oh boy, how far off was I! Embarrassingly so. And honestly? That’s exactly why I love my thrillers. That gut-punch moment when your carefully crafted theory collapses like a house of cards? Chef’s kiss. This book delivered that and more.

From start, I was in it; hooked, spiraling in the best way. Relentless pace. The deliberate buildup to THAT day was a key driver of building high-stake suspense. Tension simmered within the lines, unease lingered in every chapter, & the mystery surrounding the truth? Gripping. Immersive. I was in a constant wide-eyed state, I n a good way. Picture me: edge of the seat, iPad death-gripped, aggressively swiping like my life depended on it, imaginary pearls firmly clutched. My poor finger still needs its TLC recovery time.

Carter’s writing style was captivating, pulling me so fully into the story that I forgot I was simply reading. It was whirlwind, tense, edgy, emotional, thought-provoking, & gripping.
Having the podcast element woven into the narrative was brilliant as that was a key factor in this story. It added a chilling realism & intimacy that made me feel like I was sitting right there, listening in, ears perked, heart racing, desperate for the truth.

Thematically, this read unpacks a few: themes of revenge, guilt, morality, and justice. It doesn’t just tell a story; it poses bold, uncomfortable questions about ethical dilemmas, moral ambiguities, and justice. Are murderers always the villains? Is justice ever truly cut dry clean & done? It asks you to look at the grey & ponder.

At the heart of it we have Poe, a flawed, morally complex protagonist shaped by the weight of her past. She’s not here to be liked, and maybe that’s the point. She’s raw, haunted, calculating, & resilient. Her internal tug-of-war between justice and survival was both heartbreaking and compelling. She clawed her way fighting through her predicament. You don’t have to like her per say, but maybe sympathize with her, even if just a little.

Definitely one to add on your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I think I've become way too jaded after reading so many thrillers over the years, as it takes a lot for me to really love one these days. This one didn't quite hit that mark for me, but I can definitely see why it is so popular and other readers are enjoying it.

A podcaster who has been contacted by a man claiming to be her mother's killer is the setup for this mystery/thriller. Only problem is, she tracked down the killer and murdered him years ago. Creepy & disturbing, it pulled me in right away, and I was satisfied with the ending. I will be looking for other books by this author!

I enjoyed this one! It kept me on edge and I honestly didn’t see the ending coming. Some parts I was like oh I should have seen that coming but I didn’t. A good pallet cleanser.

While the podcast story line is played out, it really works here. I love alternating timelines, so I was engrossed! It was a bit long but it was very fast paced.

Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press, Carter Wilson, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and honestly review this book.

I was immediately drawn in by the structure—short, punchy chapters that made it nearly impossible to stop reading. The podcast/interview format added a unique and immersive touch, and I loved the way it switched between past and present, transcripts and traditional narrative. It kept things feeling fresh and fast-paced.

I had mixed feelings about the main character. There were times I connected with her, but just as often, I found her frustrating—her sharp tongue and a few questionable choices pulled me out of the story. She had potential, but I wish she’d been a bit more fleshed out. The dad was fine—he had his moments—but Kip ended up being my favorite (well, besides the dog and cat).

While it was a quick, easy read, the pacing felt uneven. Some parts rushed, others dragged. The twists didn’t quite land for me—they were mostly predictable, which made the suspense fall a little flat. Overall, I think the story could’ve been tighter. Cutting 70–100 pages wouldn’t have hurt, as some sections felt repetitive or overly wordy.

Still, it had an engaging format and some good moments—I just wanted a bit more depth and surprise.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💐

I really enjoyed this book. It was FRESH! With the numerous references to social medial platforms and it was clearly written with the digital age mind and the audiences of younger generation of readers. The Heroine worked as a Podcaster and it just really spoke to where we are in this digital age now and the culture that brings with it. I enjoyed the plot (no spoilers) it too was fresh. I'll admit, the story did not go down the road I thought it would, and did not see the ending. It was surprising but not an OMGosh type of book. It would make a great beach read!

Thirty-year-old Poe Webb hosts a podcast for people who want to confess to a crime. Tables are turned on Poe when a caller admits he knows Poe committed a crime years ago after she witnessed her mother's murder. Poe is stalked by the caller who insists she admit live, on the podcast, that she is a criminal. The novel has many suspenseful twists and turns and is highly recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this mystery thriller! The story was intriguing, and the suspense built up nicely throughout. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and I appreciated the clever plot. While there were a few moments where the pacing slowed, overall, the book kept my attention and kept me engaged until the end. The characters were well-crafted, and the atmosphere was gripping.

It’s a solid read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with plenty of surprises along the way.

Carter Wilson’s "Tell Me What You Did" is a psychological thriller that delivers tension, twists, and emotional grit—but doesn’t always hit the high notes it aims for.

The story pulls you in quickly: a chilling premise, a cast of deeply flawed characters, and a steady drip of secrets coming to light. Wilson’s writing is sharp and propulsive, with short chapters and cliffhangers that make it easy to keep saying, "Just one more." I always enjoy a thriller with a podcast theme and this one delivers in dividends.

That said, some of the plot developments felt a little too convenient, and a few character decisions stretched believability. I found myself wanting a deeper emotional connection to the main character; while the tension was real, the heart of the story didn’t always land as powerfully as it could have. The ending ties things up but may leave some readers wishing for a little more complexity or ambiguity.

Overall, Tell Me What You Did is a solid, fast-paced thriller with enough suspense and psychological depth to satisfy most fans of podcast style thrillers. 3.5 Stars

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨Dual POVs, podcast theme/radio ,secrets and lies


✨ Starting off with a strong plot that comes into two POVs . It was interesting as it was being podcast/ stream about the suspects did and what not.
But it was sometimes the plot goes to circles and it take for it to be almost ninety chapters.

I have to admit it was abit draggy as it keeps coming back on the same sentence but hey ho it’s was very entertaining. The ending was shocking, I did not see that coming. It wasn’t strong but it’s good to end the book well without any other question.
I definitely recommend this better in audio format.


Thankyou for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review.

❤️ shaye.reads

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC of this title. The way the story unfolded was intriguing and kept me wanting to continue. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish and have already recommended it to others. I will be reading more books by this author. Thank you again.

The concept of the story was really good and I was super engaged. However, something with the pacing - it might be the short chapters or the length - just made it seem like it dragged on and I wasn't able to keep the tension in the story.