Tell Me What You Did is a gripping psychological thriller that blends themes of trauma, revenge, and justice. The story follows Poe Webb, a true crime podcaster who invites guests to anonymously confess their crimes. She becomes shaken after a man calls into her show and claims responsibility for her mother’s murder—a crime Poe believes she has already secretly avenged. When the man begins to blackmail her, Poe is forced to expose buried secrets to protect those closest to her. The story is fast-paced, unpredictable, and intense from start to end, making for a highly bingeable read!

The characters are all morally gray and multilayered. Poe is an unsettling character who’s very protective of her loved ones. She’s also very clever and methodical, very evident in flashback scenes of her hunting down the man she believes killed her mother. Aside from the flashback scenes, the story mostly unfolds through Poe’s POV across two timelines—her initial interview with the man who claims to have killed her mother and Halloween night. On Halloween night, we also get the 3rd person perspective of her blackmailer, who is the epitome of an intelligent psychopath, adding another engrossing element to the story! When Poe is forced to reveal buried secrets, she does so unashamedly and prepares for the fallout, adding depth and intrigue to her character. Her sincere relationships/dialogue with her father and boyfriend provide some heartfelt moments in an otherwise dark narrative. Every central character in this story does something surprising, so be prepared for the unexpected!

The book has a very unique structure that includes captivating podcast transcripts, multiple timelines, and an alternating POV between Poe and her blackmailer—the combination adds depth and makes the storytelling highly original. The multiple timelines and flashbacks all include clues to the mystery—if reading by audiobook, it’s recommended to listen at a slower speed to fully keep track of everything. Readers should be aware that the story does contain some triggering content, including psychological trauma, body violence, poisoning, and blackmail. Carter Wilson explores the aftermath of trauma and how it factors into a character’s future decision-making. During the story, readers may face the moral dilemma of whether to empathize with Poe or not—as she’s also a murderer, how different is she really from her blackmailer? Her reckless actions also make her unlikeable at times, making her integrity more questionable.

The book is evenly paced and will keep readers attention throughout. The flashback scenes depicting Poe’s mother’s murder and her revenge subplot in NYC are perfectly placed in between very intense dialogue between Poe and her blackmailer—there is a great balance of backstory and suspense to make this a real page-turner! The suspense escalates in the second half, culminating in an explosive conclusion. Some of the twists will be predictable to seasoned thriller readers, and you’ll need to suspend your disbelief at some of Poe’s decision-making, but it doesn’t detract from the overall reading experience.

Overall, Tell Me What You Did is a unique mixed-media revenge thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last chapter. Narrators Allyson Ryan and Patrick Zeller deliver deliciously suspenseful and engrossing performances, bringing the characters vividly to life for an unstoppable listening experience. Readers who enjoy true crime podcasts, revenge thrillers, and books that make you question everything afterward will really enjoy this one!