Genre-Thriller, murder-mystery
Blurb
Amy Tintera’s Listen for the Lie pulls readers into a small-town murder mystery filled with secrets and suspicion. Lucy Chase returns to Plumpton, Texas, for her grandmother’s milestone birthday. Five years ago, she was the main suspect in her best friend Savvy’s murder. Though the police had no concrete evidence to convict her, the town had already passed its verdict.
To make matters worse for Lucy, her side of the story consists of just one sentence. To this day, Lucy maintains that she remembers nothing about that fateful night. Meanwhile, a true-crime podcaster, Ben Owens, who is famous for cracking cold cases, sets his sights on Savvy’s unsolved murder. As his investigation unfolds, buried truths resurface, unravelling the mystery behind Savvy’s death.
Review
Listen for the Lie is a Brisk-paced thriller novel with clear and precise writing. It has an interesting narrative that alternates between Lucy’s POV and the true-crime podcast.
The novel explores themes of self-doubt, small-town mentality, friendship, love and betrayal. It subtly hints at the need for feminism in a town where men blindly support each other.
The author effortlessly weaves all the characters into the storyline with clear explanations wherever necessary.
Lucy Chase, the protagonist, has a tough time throughout the book. She constantly hears her dead best friend’s voice in her mind, chiding and speaking to her. Lucy drowns in self-doubt at every juncture.
My favourite characters are the youthful Grandma Beverly and Ben Owens.
The book has many good reveals. The ending was emotional and satisfactory.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is a must read and I rate it 5/5.
The book can be purchased here.
Quotes from the book
“And people hate that quality in a young woman, don’t they? They don’t know what to do with a girl who isn’t looking for their approval. They feel like they have to bring her down a peg.”
― Amy Tintera
“My life vastly improved once both those men were gone. Men don’t protect us, not really. They only protect themselves, or each other. The only thing men ever protected me from was happiness.”
― Amy Tintera
-By Soul Sword-
The Writers Room 