Book Review: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
When I first heard about Listen for the Lie, I was immediately intrigued. A thriller centered around a true crime podcast, from the ever-talented Amy Tintera? Color me curious! As someone who typically avoids the true crime genre like a vampire avoids sunlight, I was eager to dip my toes into this narrative pool. Thanks to NetGalley and @CeladonBooks for the ARC, I found myself traversing the dark, tumultuous waters of Outlier Island for the first time this year. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t the thrilling escape I had envisioned.
At the heart of the story is Lucy, a woman with a muddied past that unfolds after her best friend, Savvy, dies under tragic circumstances. We meet Lucy disoriented and bloodied, grappling with fragmented memories from the fateful night. She escapes her small Texas hometown for bright lights and new beginnings in L.A., equipped with a new boyfriend, Ben Walsh—a charming podcaster with a nose for unsolved murders. As he fixates on Savvy’s case, Lucy is forced to confront a past she wishes to escape.
Despite the compelling setup, I found myself faltering as the narrative unfolded. While I appreciated the ambitious blending of threads—thriller, mystery, and even a pinch of romance—the execution felt lackluster. The podcast segments, which should have added layers of suspense, fell flat. They lacked the atmospheric tension I craved, often leading me to skim through pages of interviews that failed to resonate. I wanted to feel that electric buzz of discovery, but instead, I found myself yawning more often than gasping.
Lucy, our protagonist, left much to be desired. I had hoped for an edgy, cunning narrator filled with charm and complexity. Instead, I was met with a somewhat grating personality that felt more repetitive than riveting. The inner dialogue where she muses about “killing” those around her missed the mark for me, often veering into bizarre territory. It was hard to reconcile her humorous aspirations with the serious nature of her situation, leaving me feeling more disconnected from her plight than invested.
Another turn that felt forced was the inevitable romantic tension between Lucy and Ben. It began to overshadow the mystery at hand, creating a tonal imbalance that diluted the overall intensity of the narrative. The pacing dragged until the climax revealed itself late in the game—at 91% for those keeping track. For a thriller, the delayed revelations and somewhat ambiguous ending frustrated rather than intrigued me.
That said, I always appreciate Tintera’s storytelling prowess—it shows promise for a different genre engagement. I can easily see this story resonating with avid true crime fans or readers who enjoy a light touch of mystery wrapped in romance. However, it just didn’t click with me, leaving me to echo Lucy’s sentiment: “I remembered that I hate true crime podcasts.” Same here!
In conclusion, while Listen for the Lie missed the mark for me personally, I can see it captivating those who adore true crime melodrama mixed with a dash of mystery. If you’re looking for an intriguing thriller about secrets buried both in the past and within oneself and don’t mind a bit of ambiguous resolution, this might just be your cup of tea. I give it 3 stars, hoping my next read will shine a little brighter. Happy reading!