Listen for the Lie Review: Unmasking a Haunting Secret

Title: Listen for the Lie
Author: Amy Tintera
Published: 2024 (March 5)
Publisher: Celadon Books
Pages: 352
Format: Trade Paperback
Genres: Fiction Mystery/Thriller, Contemporary, Psychological Fiction, True‐Crime Inspired
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About Author

When I first discovered Amy Tintera, I was drawn to her ability to blend deep emotion with gripping suspense. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she brings an undeniable energy to every story she tells. Her first novel for adults, Listen for the Lie, proved her storytelling talent extends far beyond her novels for teens. Chosen as a Good Morning America Book Club pick, it quickly became a winner of the Audie Award for Best Mystery Audiobook and a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Novel, the ITW Best Audiobook Award, the Book of the Month, Book of the Year Award, and even the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery/Thriller and Best Audiobook. It’s no surprise that this haunting tale has been translated into over twenty languages, reaching readers across the world.

Before achieving such recognition, Amy’s journey was as fascinating as her plots. She worked as a talent agency assistant in Hollywood, where the fast pace and creative chaos shaped her storytelling instincts. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in media arts and screenwriting from Emerson College, she built a solid foundation for her craft. Raised in Austin, Texas, she often returns to the Lone Star State in her settings, even as she now calls Los Angeles home — a city she describes as having less humidity, but sadly, not enough Tex-Mex.

Book summary

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is a sharp, darkly funny psychological thriller that dives deep into memory, guilt, and truth. The story follows Lucy Chase, who returns to her Texas hometown five years after being accused—but never charged—for her best friend’s murder. Everyone still believes she’s guilty, including herself at times, until a popular true-crime podcast begins to dig into the case. As old secrets resurface and new ones emerge, Lucy must decide whether to finally face the truth or keep living the lie she’s told herself for years. Fast-paced, emotional, and laced with biting humor, this Book of the Month and Good Morning America Book Club pick keeps readers questioning every motive until the final, haunting reveal.

Plot

Amy Tintera’s Listen for the Lie is a mystery/thriller that grips readers from the very first page. The plot revolves around Lucy, a strong yet broken heroine who was once accused of the murder of her best friend, Savvy. Though the charges were later dropped, the town still whispers about her guilt, creating a dark cloud of suspicion that never fades.

Years later, a podcaster named Ben Owens starts a true crime podcast exploring this cold case, turning Lucy’s painful past into public entertainment. His podcast series, now in its second season, digs into the crime scene, lies, and secrets buried deep in her home town in Texas. The investigation quickly becomes an obsession, with Ben chasing the truth and Lucy confronting her own memory loss and inner trauma.

The narration moves between Lucy’s perspective and the podcast format, giving the reader a mix of flashbacks, interviews, and tense dialogue. I personally enjoyed how the narrators in the audiobook captured the dark tone and emotional layers behind every voice, adding an eerie realism to the mystery.

Through every clue, we see the impact of friendship, betrayal, and trust unravel. The small-town dynamics and constant judgement from neighbors make Lucy question her own truth. Even her family, husband, and parents carry their own opinions, leaving her isolated yet determined.

The police once failed to bring justice, but this time, Lucy takes control of her own case. She faces painful flashbacks of that wedding night in the woods, haunted by blood, death, and pain she can’t fully remember. Her amnesia becomes both a curse and a shield as the motive behind the crime begins to emerge.

Amy Tintera cleverly builds twists that keep the reader on edge. The mystery grows more shocking as secrets, revenge, and unresolved truths come to light. Every chapter deepens the emotions, forcing us to question whether Lucy is the killer or another victim of a town’s cruel judgement.

What stood out most to me was the humor and sharp sarcasm woven into the dark story. Even amid misogyny, cancel culture, and social media gossip, Lucy’s voice remains raw and defiant. The plot becomes not just a thriller, but a story about women reclaiming their truth, even when the world refuses to listen.

Overall Conclusion

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is a powerful mystery/thriller that blends dark humor, raw emotions, and unforgettable twists. The story of Lucy—haunted by guilt, lies, and buried secrets—pulls readers into a world where the truth is as slippery as memory itself. Through sharp narration and a creative podcast format, Tintera builds a chilling yet deeply human tale about trust, revenge, and finding justice when everyone has already judged you.

Fans of character-driven mysteries like a discovery of witches book review, emotional adventures such as the hobbit book talk, and atmospheric tales like the night circus review or the city of brass review will find similar intrigue here. Listen for the Lie delivers the same immersive storytelling and haunting tone—one that stays with you long after the final page is turned.

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