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“Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera
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“Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera
Review by Yvonne Selander, collection development librarian
What a way to start my summer thriller binge reading!
Years ago Lucy was found wandering a dirt road covered with her best friend Savvy’s blood. She was never arrested, but the court of public opinion found her guilty. With no memory of the events of that night, it’s not really publicized that Lucy suffered a major head injury that evening – she can do little to defend herself. Her husband and parents all seem to think she killed her best friend, which she knows she could have never done, so Lucy flees her hometown for Los Angeles. Until that damn podcaster comes to town. Ben Owens, currently working on season two of the “Listen for the Lie” podcast, decides to focus on Savvy’s murder after solving a cold case in season one. Lucy has never granted an interview. But if this guy solved that other case, maybe her friend’s murderer could finally be found. Lucy only hopes it really wasn’t her.
Lucy constantly hears a voice urging her to kill people in her head. Doesn’t exactly instill confidence in her innocence, but you have to wonder if her head injury, or something else, is the reason that voice is so loud and clear as she returns home. I found myself empathizing with Lucy, even her parents think she did it, and no one seems to care that she was a victim too.
Like audiobooks? This is a must. Dual narrators of Lucy’s inner thoughts and Ben’s podcast bring the story to life. A portrait of a small town, with small town secrets, and a flawed but relatable protagonist, psychological thriller fans will devour this one.