Listen for the Lie: A Novel

A New York Times Bestseller * A Good Morning America Book Club Pick * An NPR Best Book of the Year * A Washington Post Best Thriller of 2024

"I read this in one sitting! Such a fun and engaging read, with an ending that blew my mind!"
Freida McFadden, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A world-class whodunit."
—Stephen King

“An extremely successful high-wire act, balancing between dark comedy and darker thrills.”
—Alex Michaelides, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Laugh-out-loud funny, thrilling and twisty...”
Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author

What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life.

But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it.

The truth is out there, if we just listen.

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Published Mar 5, 2024

352 pages

Average rating: 7.89

2,169 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Andrea-The Shelf Life Books
Jul 03, 2025
8/10 stars
This is one of those gripping thrillers that you can’t put down! I was hooked from the chapter.

Lucy Chase is found wandering down the streets of her hometown Plumpton, Texas. When she is found, she is covered in her best friend Savvy Harper’s blood. The town quickly shows sympathy for Lucy as she’s the presumed survivor of a brutal attack that had cost Savvy her life. Lucy is not able to remember much from that horrific night, but tell the police what she can remember. Once they are not able to find any other suspect for the crime, feelings for Lucky turn to suspicion and then certain guilt.

Lucy decides to relocate to Los Angeles to start over, but Lucy’s past soon catches up to her when she hears of a podcast called “Listen for the Lie”.
The podcast host, Ben Owens, decide to investigate Savvy's murder. Now Lucy is forced to confront her memories, or what she can remember to help Ben solve the murder. Lucy reluctantly returns to Plumpton, determined to finally uncover the truth of what happened to Savvy, even if Lucy did murder Savvy. Has this small town been covering up a multitude of wrongs? Or did Lucy’s neighbors have it right five years ago when they said that Lucy was the culprit?

Listen for the Lie is one of the best thrillers I've read in a while , and I have no doubt it will be all the buzz this year in Thrillers. I would highly recommend to read this one. You do not want to miss out on this must-read for 2024!

Thank you to Amy Tintera, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Listen for the Lie.
Tanja
Jun 25, 2025
10/10 stars
4.5 ⭐️
JennyS
Jun 25, 2025
8/10 stars
3.5
Juliaj
Dec 31, 2024
8/10 stars
A great read!
KenzieReadsAlot
Dec 12, 2024
10/10 stars
WHEW. This book was so good. I literally couldn’t put it down. Woke up at 6:45 this morning, brewed coffee and finished it. I loved the true crime podcast aspect to it. Such a fun twist. Lucy was such an enjoyable character.

Just a good book all around.

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