disappointing. I didn't like the main character and the killer came out of nowhere ( )

Lucy Chase has no recollection of what happened the night her best friend, Savvy, was killed. She suffered a head injury, but was seen covered in Savvy's blood. However, due to lack of evidence, she was not charged with Savvy's murder. Now, Ben Owens, host of Listen for the Lie, is featuring Savvy's murder and the question of Lucy's innocence in season 2 of his podcast. The small town of Plumpton, TX is her hometown, but she left 5 years ago for Los Angeles. Lucy never wanted to return, but her grandmother begged Lucy to come to her birthday party. Her grandmother never doubted Lucy, but the town did. Through interviews with various townspeople and Lucy's ex-husband, the truth about that night unfolds.
This kept me interested throughout and I read it in one sitting! Entertaining and sarcastic - a great thriller! ( )

This is actually pretty good, it feels like your run-of-the-mill true crime podcast murder mystery at first, but the tone, character work, and pace all make this better than most. Often funny, relatable, and dark. ( )

Loved this on audio! Completely held my interest and kept me up too late! ( )

Lucy Chase murdered her best friend, at least that’s what everyone thinks, including the voice in Lucy’s head, even though she remembers nothing, and the police can’t prove it.

Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera is a darkly hilarious mystery in which Lucy reluctantly returns to her hometown for her grandmothers birthday at the same time as a popular true crime podcaster, Ben Owens, decides to open an investigation in an effort to solve the five year old case.

Lucy is a fantastic character, and carries the book effortlessly with her first person narrative. I delighted in her acerbic wit and bold attitude. Not surprisingly, Lucy always has her guard up, except around her grandmother, who is equally outspoken. Their bond is a delight, and Beverley nearly steals every scene they share. It’s Beverley who convinces Lucy to cooperate with Ben.

Transcripts from the podcast are used to provide details about the crime, and the interviews reveal new pieces of the puzzle. The residents of Plumpton have plenty of secrets and I enjoyed how the mystery played out. It’s not a complex plot but there is plenty of drama and intrigue, and separating gossip from truth to determine what really happened the night Savannah was murdered is a challenge.

Despite all the humour Tintera does touch on serious issues including domestic violence, PTSD, and obsession. The tension develops well as Lucy and Ben grow closer to learning the truth, and there is an exciting and satisfying climax. Short chapters and snappy dialogue support the fast pace of the novel.

A fun, quirky and compulsive mystery, I found Listen For the Lie to be a delightful read. ( )