You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
voicenextdoor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I would highly recommend the audiobook. It was dual narration and definitely brings the podcast element to life.
***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
chezler24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
In this age of true crime podcasts and TV show dramas centered around real, gruesome events, Tintera has crafted an interesting new angle within this genre. The book takes place 5 years after Savvy (Savannah) had been murdered in Plumpton Texas. The main character, Lucy, has been living with everyone assuming she had been responsible for her friend's death; however, she has no memories from that night. Throughout the book, we see Lucy wrestle with her fragmented memory and poor reputation as a podcaster, Ben Owens, begins prying open the cold case to see if Lucy really did it or if someone else was to blame.
I enjoyed the novel's format and how it switched back and forth between Lucy's internal monologue and transcripts from the Listen for the Lie podcast. The book had a rough start for me, but I was hooked once we got the ball rolling with the true crime element, and I was immersed in our screwed-up little cast of characters. (I do mean that. Most everyone here has some element of unlikability whether it's from their sarcastic demeanor or from the hurtful, damaging things they've done.) The amnesia element is not going to work for everyone, but I did enjoy how Tintera decided to "trigger" the memories. Regarding this element, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and mostly content with how things turned out.
(The real MVP was Grandma Beverly. She might be my favorite side character out of the bunch.)
(Rating probably around the 3.5-3.75 range)
(Advanced Reading Copy)
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Alcohol
emetrock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
jjsbookcase's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
maggieparedesauthor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lime_lacroix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven’t seen the print version of this, but I’m telling you it doesn’t matter. Listen to the audiobook! I love, love the way they did this. Lots of different voice actors and the podcast part of the book sounds just like you’re listening to the actual podcast. The narrators did such a great job. I’m VERY picky about audiobooks and usually really dislike the way they’re read. Not this one.
Admittedly, I do love a good “podcast trope” book (is that what we’re calling that? I dunno, but I guess it is now) Good Girls Guide to Murder was very similar and I loved that, too.
Seriously. So great.
Now, the story itself. I loved it, too! This was my first book from Amy Tintera and I’ll be looking into reading more of her work after this.
I really enjoyed Lucy’s dark, sarcastic, dry humor. The author combined humor and thriller very well.
It was set at a good pace and I never got bored. I really wanted to know who did it. I was always thinking about when I could start listening again, and to me, that’s a sign of an engaging book.
I loved the way she wrote it going between the podcast and ‘real life’. We would meet characters in the podcast and then meet them in real life as well. I just think it was all put together really well. I was never confused and it was never hard to keep up with.
If I had any small complaint, it would be that I wish there had been a few more clues throughout the book as to who had actually done it.
And Lucy’s grandma was a hoot. Loved her, too.
If you’re looking for a new book to listen to, I highly recommend this one. It was great.
And I’d listen to Ben’s podcast.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing this ARC of the audiobook in exchange for my review.
Graphic: Physical abuse and Gaslighting
danibeliveau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail