Small-Town Drama and True Crime Thrills
Imagine waking up, covered in your best friend's blood, with no memory of what happened—and the whole town believes you’re the killer. That’s how Lucy’s nightmare begins in Listen for the Lie. It's the kind of thriller that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go until you've devoured every last twist and turn. This week we take a look at Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera.
Tintera cleverly alternates between Lucy’s point of view and transcripts from a hit true crime podcast. This podcast format adds layers of intrigue, with each character throwing shade at someone else, stirring up the small-town drama in the juiciest way possible. If you're a fan of true crime podcasts like Serial or My Favorite Murder, this book will be right up your alley. It feels like a story that’s begging to be adapted for the screen—honestly, don’t be surprised if this turns into a binge-worthy series.
Lucy is such a relatable main character—she’s funny, a bit sarcastic, and clearly troubled by her dark past. Her journey from LA back to her small Texas hometown is tense and emotional. But what really keeps the pages turning are those short, punchy chapters. You just have to know what happens next, even if it’s well past bedtime.
The mystery of Savvy’s death, combined with the podcast's investigation, builds into a classic whodunnit with everyone from Lucy’s ex-husband to her former friends acting suspicious. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Tintera throws in a curveball.
If you’re a fan of Sally Hepworth’s thrillers or just love an easy-to-read, fast-paced mystery, Listen for the Lie will be a fun ride. It’s twisty, it’s engaging, and it’s packed with enough small-town secrets to keep you guessing until the end. I didn’t pick it! Plus, it’s the kind of book you could totally enjoy on audio, thanks to those podcast-style chapters.
Bottom line: This is a must-read if you like thrillers with a touch of true crime, quirky characters, and a narrative that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish, because life is too short to read bad books.