Five years prior when Lucy was living in her hometown of Plumpton, Texas she went to a wedding reception with her best friend Savannah (Savvy) Harper. At some point the two young women left the reception and Savvy was later found bludgeoned to death in a wooded area. Lucy was seen shortly after Savvy's murder walking down a dirt road dazed and covered in Savvy's blood.
Lucy was questioned by the police at the time but she had no memory of what happened that night and still doesn't. The police decided not to prosecute because there was not enough evidence. But the town of Plumpton never believed that Lucy had no memory of what happened. They believed she killed Savvy.
Lucy leaves Plumpton for Los Angeles hoping for a new start. But now, five years later, a popular true crime podcaster has decided to reopen the Savannah Harper murder case. Lucy's employers in LA find out who she is and she is fired.
And to make it worse Lucy's grandmother calls her up hoping that Lucy can return to Plumpton for her 80th birthday. It's the last thing Lucy wants to do but her grandmother is the only person in Plumpton who believes Lucy. And so she decides to return to Plumpton only to find the podcaster Ben Owen there as well interviewing the locals and wanting an interview with Lucy most of all.
Listen For the Lie is narrated by Lucy Chase in a cynical dark humor sort of way but it's a shield because Lucy remains devastated by what happened to her best friend. She genuinely can't remember that night. And she begins to trust Ben because he is committed to solving cases and has had success in the past. Lucy is at a point where she has to know what happened to Savvy, wherever that may lead.
I thought Listen For The Lie was top notch as a thriller and I am not alone. 30,000 reviews on Amazon with 88% of them 4 and 5 stars. Very good reviews too from the critics. The thriller genre can be a hit or a miss. But here it's definitely a hit. I was never bored, everything made sense to me and I enjoy novels with true crime podcasting plots. 4 stars for me.
Your review has me very intrigued about this one! I'll have to look it up as I want to know what happens now. Like you, I find thrillers a bit hit and miss but a good one can really give you the shivers.
ReplyDeleteHi Cath, this is a good thriller, a real page turner. I also love the true crime podcaster aspect of the novel. I have never checked into these podcasts but I like the idea of internet sleuths trying to solve crimes.
DeleteIt seems like an interesting brutal case ... and I hope Ben can get to the bottom of it. I find thrillers are often best on audio. Just more visceral perhaps. Maybe her memory can be jarred back to recalling what happened to her friend. That's my hope. Nice review Kathy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. I read it on kindle. It would have been very good in audio provided you get the right reader. Audio often enhances a book but can ruin it if the wrong reader is chosen.
DeleteI can't wait to read this one! It sounds like the kind of thriller I really enjoy. If I don't get to it sooner, it's definitely going on my summer reading list. :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Lark. I am having a very good reading year so far.
DeleteThis is not the usual type of thriller I like but I may give it a try. I will look for it at the next book sale. 30,000 reviews on Goodreads and so many of with high ratings! That is unusual.
ReplyDeleteIt was a big bestseller in 2024 and is still selling well. And the review from PW, Stephen King etc are good. It never dragged for me.
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