As a fan of the author's previous YA novels (particularly in audiobook), I was disappointed by how...adult this first adult book is. The marketing copy compares it to Backman, and the author certainly uses onmiscient narrator techniques to both reveal to the reader ("Years later, she would look back and regret this...") and to hide from the reader ("Which choice will the character make? You'll have to keep reading to find out..."). However, the brilliance of Backman is growing empathy by giving the reader a glimpse into a character's backstory, but in this book, the motivations were all a little hazy. The connections between all the hunting lodge owners and their wives was difficult to keep track of, and why is Topher there?
(Additionally, multiple revelations that characters were gay felt more like a tactic to surprise the reader rather than genuinely explore character complexity.)

Tell Me Something Good is a convoluted and fun romp through the naughty behavior going on behind the scenes of an exclusive hunting invitational in a small Kentucky town. A mother and daughter get wrapped up in the present day through a shady job, which leads to the unraveling of 20 year old coverups. This is an entertaining novel, though there a few odd tangents, like reference to one person's "football" playing youth transporting us to Britain with no explanation. Otherwise, it's very fun with relatable characters, dilemmas, and relationships. Some ages and math get complicated on who was in what state 20 years ago and why are they in a creepy relationship now, but don't think about it too much, nor about the trauma of hearing your dead dad's postcoital musings on life on a recording. I hope that's not the "something good" the author has in mind.

"We don't always live to see the ripples we make, but we must make them all the same." - - I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite quote.

This book simply reached in and plucked all my heartstrings. I don't exactly know why I connected with it so intensely but I did. I would describe it as a multi-genre novel - - a little mystery/thriller, with some romance and family drama blended in.

This story focuses on Anna. She grew up in a small town in Kentucky that she always wanted to leave. But life changed and she found herself tied there. Her mother became sick and Anna is the only family there is. When she loses her job teaching at the local high school, Anna is forced to ask for a job from her ex-fiance and things only get more chaotic after that.

The town that Anna lives in has a history - - years ago, there was a brutal murder of nine women and it's still unsolved. It hangs over the town like the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention and many seem to have forgotten about. But there are many that can't forget about it. They were there and can't erase the images from their minds. Either way, things in this sleepy little town are about to get heated.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I also listened to the audiobook and the narration was absolutely wonderful. It enabled me to completely immerse myself in the story. I simply loved it. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the audiobook and ebook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Court Stevens, and Harper Muse Audiobook for the audiobook. A great listen narrated by Marin Ireland. This fast-paced page-turner hooks you from the very beginning. An intriguing narrative expertly intertwines past and present to unveil a cruel plot.

This book had a strong plot and storyline, which drew me in. That said, there were a lot of characters, and it took me a while to get them all straight. But once I did, I was fully invested in their lives and the way all the stories interconnected. I felt every emotion right along with the characters, and I especially loved how everything tied together in the end.

The contrast between the haves and the have-nots was interesting, especially how that divide shaped a significant portion of the story. The narrator did a fantastic job and honestly kept me going during the slower parts. I'm glad I stuck with it; it was worth it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the free audio copy!

Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens is a heartfelt and engaging story that explores grief, healing, and the complexities of relationships. The narrative shifts between past and present, allowing readers to slowly piece together the truth behind the characters' experiences and how their lives have been shaped over time.

What I liked most about the book was the plot—it was well-developed and kept me engaged throughout. I really enjoyed the characters and how their stories unfolded. The intertwining of past and present was handled beautifully, adding emotional depth and intrigue to the story. It was a fun yet meaningful read, striking a thoughtful balance between heartache and hope.

The audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, was excellent. Her performance was clear, well-paced, and emotionally resonant. I appreciated how easily I could distinguish between characters, which made the listening experience smooth and immersive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the Advanced Listening Copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Whew! This one kept me on my toes.

A man’s accidental death resurrects a chilling cold case of nine young women murdered twenty years ago. The plot is atmospheric and rich with a large cast of characters, an illegal firearms auction, and even audio files left by a father for his son. I was constantly engaged in piecing together the intricate puzzle of who, what, and why.

I found myself deeply entangled in the intricate web of relationships and their emotional complexity. It’s a weighty thriller, delving into the burden of generational trauma, a small town's hidden secrets, and the unsettling question of when silence becomes complicity. The story follows a daughter's desperate attempt to save her mother’s life, only to find lies at every turn. I will admit you need to stay focused or your head may spin, but it is so worth it! The pacing is steady, the suspense unrelenting, and the ending both heart-wrenching and poignant.


🎧I love Marin Ireland’s narration of the audiobook; she ranks among my favorite narrators. I found myself switching between reading this book with both my eyes and ears, due to the large cast and the complex nature of the story.

Thank you #HarperMuseAudio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

"This is a story of the rich and the very poor. This is a story of an illegal auction with dire consequences. This is a story of murders past and present. This is a story of intertwined relationships and the silent ripples they leave behind, where love becomes a guiding force, revealing the lengths one will go to protect those they cherish."


You get all of this and more. This dual timeline and multi POV was engaging, captivating, haunting and heartbreaking. The fine line between extreme wealth and poverty and how that shapes ones personality. The lengths they go to, to find happiness.

Our narrators are both unreliable but also unlikable. The way their stories wove into each other had you guessing throughout.

"The trouble with the truth is this: we can't always control when it comes."

Books like this one are absolutely the reason that I wanted to start reading advanced copies. This book was SO good, and I want to tell everyone I know to read it immediately.

I will tell you up front, this story has a lot of characters and a lot going on. I listened to it on audio, so I really had to pay attention; lucky for me, Marin Ireland and Charlie Thurston made it impossible to even think about getting distracted. (Hands up for these audiobook legends, who I was first wowed by when I listened to Remarkably Bright Creatures and Demon Copperhead, respectively.)

Set in rural Kentucky, this is a story about how lies can change lives and what happens when the truth finally comes out. It's about decades-old hurts and hopes that never come to fruition. It's about the way life changes us.

I cannot wait for all of you to read this one. Mind you, it's not a happy tale, and these characters are hit with blow after blow, but Stevens' writing is so, so good. Not only did I want to figure out what was going to happen but I also wanted to hear more of these beautifully-written words.

Murder and money and poverty and lies. It's all here.

"We don't live to see all the ripples we make, but we must make them all the same."

The title fits the story. I really really like the narrators. Their voices were exactly like you would picture the person.
The book was a bit depressing. Cancer of a parent, dead girls (mystery part of the book), a character that has no money and doesn’t know who her father is……..it just keeps going.
Even when the mystery is solved, it end’s sadly.

Tell Me Something Good tells the story of two towns in rural Kentucky and the secrets that they hide. Anna is from Luxor, the town on the wrong side of the river. She has just lost her job and learned that her mother, Star, is sick. Now Anna must do the one thing Star warned her not to: find a job at the Lodges in Bent Tree across the river. The Lodges are known for hosting the Royale every year where hunters from all around the world come to hunt and participate in an exclusive auction. Anna comes to learn that everything at the Lodges is not what it seems and that the auction might be connected to the Choir Girls, nine women who were murdered twenty years before. This was a twisty mystery with a large cast of characters and a strong sense of place.

I really, really enjoyed this story. There was a lot going on in terms of all of the characters and how they related to each other, but I feel like the story fit together really well. In the beginning it was a little bit overwhelming and confusing how everything was related, but as the story went on it became clear. I also loved the setting and I think Stevens did a great job of making the reader feel like they were in these small, rival towns. The pacing was great and it felt like the story was constantly ramping up the tension until it finally cracks. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job with matching the pacing and setting of the story, they were really wonderful. This will be a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery, especially mysteries set in small town.

I was lucky enough to receive a physical copy of this one as well so I could toggle between the audio and physical.. A synopsis that piqued my interest for the uniqueness of it and a new-to-me author that found it's way into my hands.
The storyline was slow but having the audio to flip to made it a bit more interesting. I did struggle with too many characters to start with but once I got into the audiobook it was a little clearer.
And even then it was still hard to muddle through.

I just found there was too many plots and too many characters. I also found I "heard" the authors voice in the writing...her passions of opinions on what at times felt like preaching but other times just took me out of the story.

Besides that, if it was edited out a bit, I would have enjoyed the crime novel a lot more.
In the end it was just an "ok" read for me

Tell Me Something Good
Court Stevens
06/03/2025
Harper Muse

If you give me a Kentucky author with a story set in a rural Kentucky area I will read it every single time. That being said, let me start at the end. The ripple effect often describes how one event—like a tragic accident or a secret(s) being revealed—impacts not just the people directly involved, but an entire community or group of people and oftentimes for generations. When you step into this unforgettable and emotionally resonant tale, prepare yourself to think, not only about this story, but about the world and people around you for a long time to come.

I agree with other reviews, yes, there are a lot of characters, and several different moving pieces to this story, but this also covers decades of traditions and secrets and decisions, both good and bad, that have been made. Take your time with this book. Let it sink in. Uncover parts of your childhood and past that you may have forgotten. Consider how you may be compassionate to the people around you when you don’t know all of the circumstances surrounding their situations and remember not all secrets are meant to hurt you, some are meant to protect you.

Tell Me Something Good is a chilling tale of an area not only divided by a river, but by money, privilege, moral complexities and secrets. The story examines how love and desperation can drive individuals to extreme measures, revealing the lengths people will go to protect those they cherish. At its core, the book examines how past actions cast long shadows, affecting not just individuals but entire communities. It prompts readers to consider the unseen consequences of choices and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths.

An atmospheric and enveloping mystery, Tell Me Something Good tells the story of a small Kentucky town with a dark past. This was a quick read with an engaging plot and I think it would make an excellent book to toss in your suitcase for vacation.

I tandem read the print copy and audiobook and found the print copy a bit easier to follow with such a large cast of characters. Marin Ireland can do no wrong from where I'm sitting though and I thought she did a great job narrating this story as always.

It’s a beautifully layered story about loss, forgiveness, and the messiness of healing — all wrapped in a small-town mystery that kept me hooked. The characters felt so real, and the emotional depth reminded me a lot of Fredrik Backman.

This powerful story is narrated by Marin Ireland — yes, the Marin Ireland who brought the Beartown series to life. If you’ve heard her narrate, you know how incredible she is! If you loved that series, this one is a must-listen too.

<b> 3.5 </b>

This was more of a crime novel then mystery/thriller. It was well written and I enjoyed the ride for the most part. I think you would like this book If you liked God Of The Woods by Liz Moore.

I agree with the general critique that there were a lot of characters and I lost track of some of them. It also tried to hard to be sentimental at times which felt cringey. The ending was weak and unsatisfying.



I recieved a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC audio version of this novel. This was my first novel by Court Stevens and what drew me in was the description and the place. Growing up in Ohio, I'm always drawn to rural books within the tri-state area. I really strugged with the beginning of this one. There were so many characters and I couldn't keep track of who was who and what was what. It felt like the book was just all over the place. I can typically manage two timelines but this one had me all sorts of confused and I didn't love any of it enough to rewind and start over to figure out what I'd missed. I did enjoy the actual plot (a murder that happened over twenty years ago and the people still affected by it in the present). I was really rooting for Anna and hoping that everything would work out for her in the end!

WOW! This was a STUNNER!!!

So, we start out like a typical Hallmark Channel movie...kind of...
BUT, it is definitely NOT a Hallmark book!!! 😮😮

Girl (Anna) and Mom (Star) live on the sparse side of town. Mom gets sick. Things start going wrong for the girl. And then, she needs a big favor, and goes back to speak to the love of her life (Jack)... to beg for a job... anything, just to get her through these rough times. And he obliges! But, all just may not be as it seems... and she may have gotten herself in a little too deep!

We OPEN the book with the gruesome killing of nine women, many years ago....

But then we return to current day, and the current problems... But, every now and then, the nine women come up. After all, the case has never been solved! As we bounce back and forth, little tidbits are revealed... And Anna starts to wonder... what exactly happened??

And then, a very wealthy, beautiful woman (Foster) comes STORMING into her life... and she realizes that this woman is so much like her! But how can that be??

And the more we discover, the more her world just keeps on changing.

#TellMeSomethingGood by #CourtStevens and narrated beautifully by #MarinIreland.

All the Stars for me, as it brought out ALL the feels, and then some!!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫💫💫💫⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*** THIS ONE HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! *** LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON JUNE 3, 2025!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperMuseAudiobooks for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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🎧 Advance Listen Copy – Audiobook Review
📚 Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens
⭐️ 3.25/5 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for the advance listen copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tell Me Something Good caught my attention with its unique premise: a small-town entangled in a decades-old murder case that suddenly comes back into the spotlight. I was expecting a twisty, fast-paced thriller—but what I got instead was a slower-burn mystery with a strong undercurrent of romance and emotional exploration.

The audiobook performance left me a bit conflicted. While the narrator had a nice tone and pacing overall, the lack of vocal distinction between characters made it hard to follow in scenes with a lot of dialogue. With a large cast and overlapping relationships, I sometimes found myself rewinding to catch who was speaking or how they connected to the plot.

That said, there are things to appreciate here: the small-town setting was vivid, the family dynamics added heart, and the mystery itself had layers that slowly peeled back. Readers who enjoy a character-driven mystery with relational tension and light suspense may still find this one worth checking out.

Not quite the thriller I was expecting, but an interesting ride.

Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens is a crime thriller. It was an okay book but the never-ending addition of characters. Trying to remember who was who took away from premise of the plot. I will definitely give it a re-read with a physical book, as an audiobook can make it harder to keep track.