Sometimes, a book finds you at just the right moment—not when you’re seeking answers but when you’re drowning in questions you can’t quite articulate. Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson is one such novel, pulling you into its orbit of suspense, guilt, and the weight of our secrets.
Wilson crafts a world as sharp and unforgiving as shattered glass, compelling readers to tread carefully through every page. At its heart, it’s a psychological thriller that explores what happens when the truths we hide become the shadows that follow us.
Table of Contents
A Premise That Cuts to the Core
Imagine this: Poe Webb, a true crime podcaster famous for encouraging people to anonymously confess their crimes, suddenly finds herself entangled in one of her own. The chilling twist? A guest on her show claims to have murdered her mother—a fact Poe knows is a lie because she killed the real murderer herself. Already, the stakes feel impossibly high.
The podcast format breaths new life into the thriller genre, much like the way Serial reshaped the perspective people had on non-fiction crime stories. Wilson uses the structure brilliantly, with confessions, interviews, and listener messages woven into the narrative. For those unfamiliar with his work, you can get a taste of Wilson’s storytelling approach on his official website.
Poe Webb: A Character You Can’t Look Away From
Poe isn’t just flawed, she’s fractured. Her polished podcast persona—calm, inquisitive, in control—stands in stark contrast to the chaos brewing beneath her surface. It feels like watching someone walk a tightrope while casually holding a secret too heavy for the string to bear.
It’s this duality that drives so much of the story’s tension. You’re constantly wondering: How far will we drift before her carefully constructed world snaps? Poe’s moral dilemmas evoke echoes of The Let Them Theory popularized by Mel Robbins, which encourages a radical embrace of personal truth, whether painful or liberating.
The Cat-and-Mouse Dance: Ian Hindley
Introducing Ian Hindley, the man who claims he killed Poe’s mother—or so he says. His inclusion adds a pulse-quickening layer to the story. Hindley comes across as both manipulative and terrifyingly believable, embodying that creeping realization that perhaps he’s not bluffing after all.
Hindley’s interactions with Poe keep the tension throttled, making you question not just his motives, but the framework of justice itself. How do you forgive yourself for a crime you felt justified in committing? And what happens when the predator becomes prey?
Pacing and Story Structure: Holding the Reader Hostage
Wilson knows how to grip an audience, much like a seasoned podcaster who drops just enough breadcrumbs to keep you coming back for the next episode. The chapters are short and punchy, mirroring the clipped, to-the-point style of true crime podcasts.
If you’ve ever fallen down a rabbit hole of episodic storytelling from creators like Sarah Koenig or Ashley Flowers, this format will feel familiar. It’s unsettling yet addictive, just like Wilson’s choice of flashbacks to flesh out Poe’s history. For more on the integration of podcasting into the narrative, see the discussion on Goodreads.
Themes That Linger Long After Reading
Beneath the thriller’s glossy surface lies a weighty exploration of trauma, morality, and the lies we tell ourselves just to make it through the day. Wilson digs into the raw places most readers wouldn’t dare touch. Poe’s battle isn’t just external; it’s a reckoning with her own identity.
Similar to how The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins pushes readers to confront themselves and accept truths they’d rather ignore, Poe embodies that same struggle. Her every decision—and misstep—is a testament to how profoundly unresolved guilt can shape a life.
A Few Shadows in the Light
No book is perfect, and Tell Me What You Did isn’t immune to critique. Some readers might find the twists predictable, telegraphed a bit too clearly in places. While Wilson’s pacing propels you forward, there are moments where the narrative momentum stumbles.
That said, for every minor misstep, there’s a chilling detail or profound reflection to pull you back in. The story, for all its high-intensity suspense, doesn’t rush its emotional beats. You feel the weight of every choice Poe makes, and that’s what lingers.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Read Thriller
Tell Me What You Did is the kind of novel that grabs you by the collar—and doesn’t apologize for its grip. Carter Wilson doesn’t just tell a story; he creates a psychological experience, tightening the screws with every chapter until you’re caught in its vice.
For fans of suspense and true crime aficionados, this is one book you won’t want to skip. If you’re intrigued by the unique format, check out an audiobook version for a more immersive experience over at Libro.fm.
In the end, it’s not just a story about a podcaster or her twisted game of cat and mouse. It’s a deep dive into what it means to live with ourselves—and the secrets we refuse to speak aloud.