I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Usually, I shy away from the whole true crime podcaster trope in books – I feel like it has been done to death, but the premise of this one sounded intriguing, so I decided to give it a go. I’m so happy I did! From the very first page, I was hooked on this thrilling and suspenseful book that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

The story centers around Lucy, a woman who was suspected of murdering her best friend, Savannah (aka Savvy), after a wedding several years prior. Ben, the host of the true-crime podcast “Listen for the Lie,” has decided to try to solve Savvy’s murder, and with this announcement, a whole new can of worms opens for Lucy. She loses her job, her boyfriend breaks up with her, and she is forced to return to her hometown in Texas to attend her grandmother’s birthday party – and face the people who all think she murdered Savvy.

Naturally, her return coincides with the launch of the first episode of the podcast. Ben, the podcaster, happens to be in town and continues to hound Lucy for an interview. The problem is that Lucy has zero memory of what happened that night. She doesn’t believe she would have killed Savvy, but what if she did? Should she work with Ben to clear her name, or should she get out of town before the truth comes out?

One of the things I loved most about this book was the writing style. Tintera has a way with words that effortlessly transports you into the heart of the story. The narrative flows smoothly, making it easy to get lost in the pages and lose track of time. The prose is very engaging and keeps you invested in the story. I felt that the plot was masterfully crafted, and the pacing was perfect; I was hooked from start to finish. Usually, I am very good at figuring out what is going on early in the book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the reveal in this one. I didn’t see it coming at all. Tintera expertly juggles multiple suspects and red herrings, leading the reader down various paths of suspicion.

The strong characters are another highlight of the story. Lucy is an amazing protagonist, and I loved her personality. She’s strong, resilient, and a major smart-ass. I loved her dark sense of humor and the way she moved through the world. This is a woman with a lot weighing on her, and I loved the way she approached things – mostly because I saw a lot of myself in her. As the truth begins to unravel, the reader is left questioning Lucy’s innocence and her own memories of that fateful night. It’s this internal struggle that drives the narrative forward and keeps you guessing until the very end.

The other characters are also very strong. I lived in Texas for several years, and Tintera has nailed not only the descriptions of the oppressive heat but also the personalities of older Texans. I loved to hate Lucy’s parents and her ex-husband, and I absolutely adored her grandmother. She is a hoot!

Overall, “Listen for the Lie” is an addictive and captivating read that will keep you guessing until the very end. With its engaging writing style, compelling characters, and expertly crafted plot, it’s a must-read for fans of true crime and mystery novels. Amy Tintera has written several successful young adult books (I really enjoyed her “Reboot” series), and I can honestly say that with this book, she has found a spot at the adult thriller table as well. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next.