What do you think?
Rate this book
Olivia Cruz #1
You Can Tell Me
Crime writer Olivia Cruz is drawn into the dark secrets of a missing friend in a terrifying novel of suspense by #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.
On the three-year anniversary of true crime writer Olivia Cruz’s horrific kidnapping, she’s scheduled to walk her podcaster friend Zoe March through the crime scene, but Zoe fails to show. Olivia knows Zoe would never stand her up—not today.
Zoe’s husband, who claims she never came home the night before, has reported her missing. But marital conflicts make the police suspect she has left him. Olivia thinks otherwise. The police aren’t looking for Zoe, so Olivia begins her own investigation. Retracing her friend’s last steps, she finds Zoe’s phone and a text with one chilling Run.
It soon becomes apparent that Zoe has been keeping secrets, and with her true crime podcast, there’s no telling what she has unearthed. To find her, Olivia must dig into her friend’s past. Did Zoe vanish to escape a killer, and is Olivia walking into a deadly trap?
On the three-year anniversary of true crime writer Olivia Cruz’s horrific kidnapping, she’s scheduled to walk her podcaster friend Zoe March through the crime scene, but Zoe fails to show. Olivia knows Zoe would never stand her up—not today.
Zoe’s husband, who claims she never came home the night before, has reported her missing. But marital conflicts make the police suspect she has left him. Olivia thinks otherwise. The police aren’t looking for Zoe, so Olivia begins her own investigation. Retracing her friend’s last steps, she finds Zoe’s phone and a text with one chilling Run.
It soon becomes apparent that Zoe has been keeping secrets, and with her true crime podcast, there’s no telling what she has unearthed. To find her, Olivia must dig into her friend’s past. Did Zoe vanish to escape a killer, and is Olivia walking into a deadly trap?
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Melinda Leigh
50 books22.1k followers#1 Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker who learned that writing books is way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Since then, she has garnered numerous writing accolades, including two RITA® Award nominations and an induction into the NJ Romance Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have sold more than 15 million copies across the world. Melinda loves martial arts, rescue dogs, and sea turtles.
WEBSITE: https://www.melindaleigh.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melindaleighauthorpage/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1
WEBSITE: https://www.melindaleigh.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melindaleighauthorpage/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5
Popcorn thriller that was entertaining but not memorable.
Popcorn thriller that was entertaining but not memorable.
May 21, 2026
the setup…
It’s been three years since true crime writer Olivia Cruz was abducted and later rescued by Lincoln Sharp. She hasn’t been able to write since and decides to face the anniversary by allowing Zoe March, her friend and host of a successful true crime podcast, to interview her at the site of the crime scene. When Zoe fails to show, Olivia knows something is very wrong. When Zoe’s husband is clueless and police find evidence that suggests she left willing, Olivia decides to investigate further on her own. It looks like she was trying to escape from someone…after receiving a text with one word: Run.
the heart of the story…
It was wonderful being back in Scarlet Falls and learning more about Olivia whose abduction was the subject of the last story in the Morgan Dane series. She and Lincoln Sharp, a private investigator who rescued her, are now in a relationship. Together they make a great team and it was intriguing to unravel who Zoe really was and why she ran. There’s also another subplot that was just as interesting.
the narration…
Mandy Figueroa has a lovely tone and I liked her voice distinctions. She’s a skilled storyteller, though the pacing took some getting used to (unusual pauses). Overall, I enjoyed her performance.
the bottom line…
This is a great start to a new series and I liked the Olivia/Lincoln team. There were quite a few harrowing moments that kept the tension high as they searched for Zoe. The secondary storyline kept me equally invested. I definitely will be stalking the next book in the series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
It’s been three years since true crime writer Olivia Cruz was abducted and later rescued by Lincoln Sharp. She hasn’t been able to write since and decides to face the anniversary by allowing Zoe March, her friend and host of a successful true crime podcast, to interview her at the site of the crime scene. When Zoe fails to show, Olivia knows something is very wrong. When Zoe’s husband is clueless and police find evidence that suggests she left willing, Olivia decides to investigate further on her own. It looks like she was trying to escape from someone…after receiving a text with one word: Run.
the heart of the story…
It was wonderful being back in Scarlet Falls and learning more about Olivia whose abduction was the subject of the last story in the Morgan Dane series. She and Lincoln Sharp, a private investigator who rescued her, are now in a relationship. Together they make a great team and it was intriguing to unravel who Zoe really was and why she ran. There’s also another subplot that was just as interesting.
the narration…
Mandy Figueroa has a lovely tone and I liked her voice distinctions. She’s a skilled storyteller, though the pacing took some getting used to (unusual pauses). Overall, I enjoyed her performance.
the bottom line…
This is a great start to a new series and I liked the Olivia/Lincoln team. There were quite a few harrowing moments that kept the tension high as they searched for Zoe. The secondary storyline kept me equally invested. I definitely will be stalking the next book in the series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
May 15, 2026
My rating: 3.5/5
A romantic suspense novel set in the Morgan Dane universe. While Morgan doesn't appear, Olivia Cruz takes centre stage as the main character alongside her boyfriend, PI Lincoln Sharp. Having both characters carry over from the Morgan Dane books brings a sense of familiarity and depth to this spin-off.
The first 65% of the book is fast-paced and suspenseful. However, the final portion falls into that predictable battle in the rain trope. Despite this formulaic ending, the strong setup and familiar characters still make it an enjoyable read.
A romantic suspense novel set in the Morgan Dane universe. While Morgan doesn't appear, Olivia Cruz takes centre stage as the main character alongside her boyfriend, PI Lincoln Sharp. Having both characters carry over from the Morgan Dane books brings a sense of familiarity and depth to this spin-off.
The first 65% of the book is fast-paced and suspenseful. However, the final portion falls into that predictable battle in the rain trope. Despite this formulaic ending, the strong setup and familiar characters still make it an enjoyable read.
May 11, 2026
Happy Publication Day May !2, 2026!! I am a day early but didn't want to forget to post the actual review!
6/10: 3⭐️‘s
Olivia Cruz is set to relive her terrifying kidnapping on the 3 year anniversary with her podcast host friend, Zoe. But when Zoe doesn’t show to meet her at the scene of the kidnapping, Olivia knows something is terribly wrong. Zoe would never willingly miss this momentous occasion for Olivia.
With the help of her niece, Nikki, and her private investigator boyfriend, Lincoln, Olivia takes it upon herself to find her missing friend.
I absolutely love the Bree Taggert series, so I may have gone into this book with too high of expectations. While it’s good, it’s not Bree Taggert good, in my opinion.
I really liked Olivia, Nikki, and Lincoln. The story was just missing a little something for me.
I still recommend this book to those that love Melinda Leigh. And I highly recommend her Bree Taggert series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Original review and rating posted: 10/19/25
Will post to goodreads closer to publication date as requested by the publisher.
review posted to Goodreads: 5/11/26
6/10: 3⭐️‘s
Olivia Cruz is set to relive her terrifying kidnapping on the 3 year anniversary with her podcast host friend, Zoe. But when Zoe doesn’t show to meet her at the scene of the kidnapping, Olivia knows something is terribly wrong. Zoe would never willingly miss this momentous occasion for Olivia.
With the help of her niece, Nikki, and her private investigator boyfriend, Lincoln, Olivia takes it upon herself to find her missing friend.
I absolutely love the Bree Taggert series, so I may have gone into this book with too high of expectations. While it’s good, it’s not Bree Taggert good, in my opinion.
I really liked Olivia, Nikki, and Lincoln. The story was just missing a little something for me.
I still recommend this book to those that love Melinda Leigh. And I highly recommend her Bree Taggert series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Original review and rating posted: 10/19/25
Will post to goodreads closer to publication date as requested by the publisher.
review posted to Goodreads: 5/11/26
June 1, 2026
The good mysteries are slow in giving up their secrets and this one is very, very good. At the halfway point you still aren't sure exactly what is going on, or why. Probably won't know until the end. I just love a plot that is reluctant to give it up and makes you work for it. I loved Olivia! She is an older heroine and she is smart, giving and driven. There are a lot of different pieces to this plot and several mysteries to unravel. You don't really know which thread is important until close to the action-packed end.
After three years Olivia Cruz is finally ready to tell the story of her abduction, and she has chosen friend and true crime podcaster Zoe March to help her tell it. On the day they were to meet and discuss the podcast Zoe is a no show. Olivia knows this is out of character for Zoe and is immediately concerned.
Unable to contact Zoe, Olivia retraces her previous day only to find out she failed to come home to her husband who is concerned. The police, not so much. Zoe is an adult and is free to leave if she chooses. Olivia isn't buying that and knows she would have been dead if Lincoln had taken this wait and see attitude when she was abducted.
Finding Zoe's phone with the one-word message: Run, and her secret storage unit only makes Olivia surer that Zoe is in danger. But Olivia is running out of time to find Zoe and digging into Zoe's prospective cases and her life is the only path she has and that could end up being dangerous for Olivia as well as Zoe.
After three years Olivia Cruz is finally ready to tell the story of her abduction, and she has chosen friend and true crime podcaster Zoe March to help her tell it. On the day they were to meet and discuss the podcast Zoe is a no show. Olivia knows this is out of character for Zoe and is immediately concerned.
Unable to contact Zoe, Olivia retraces her previous day only to find out she failed to come home to her husband who is concerned. The police, not so much. Zoe is an adult and is free to leave if she chooses. Olivia isn't buying that and knows she would have been dead if Lincoln had taken this wait and see attitude when she was abducted.
Finding Zoe's phone with the one-word message: Run, and her secret storage unit only makes Olivia surer that Zoe is in danger. But Olivia is running out of time to find Zoe and digging into Zoe's prospective cases and her life is the only path she has and that could end up being dangerous for Olivia as well as Zoe.
November 14, 2025
I always start a new series tentatively....will I like the new characters? What about the old characters...I wasn't done with them yet.
I was privileged.to read an ARC of the first book in Melinda Leigh's new series.l, and I was thrilled with it.
Melinda Leigh never disappoints amd this offering is no exception. The story grabbed me.from the first page. It was a thrilling ride from beginning to end. And, yes, I LOVE the new characters.
I was privileged.to read an ARC of the first book in Melinda Leigh's new series.l, and I was thrilled with it.
Melinda Leigh never disappoints amd this offering is no exception. The story grabbed me.from the first page. It was a thrilling ride from beginning to end. And, yes, I LOVE the new characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I requested this one for a very specific reason: it’s connected to Save Your Breath (book 6 in the Morgan Dane series), which I absolutely binged last year and loved. I was so happy to see Olivia Cruz finally getting her own book and story. For anyone wondering, yes ... you can totally read this without reading Morgan Dane. The author gives you enough context from the previous case without spoiling too much.
Now, onto the book itself. The pacing was okay, but I found myself taking a few breaks here and there, it felt like we spun in circles a couple of times and things dragged a bit. The plot about Zoe’s disappearance didn’t grab me as much as I hoped it would, probably because I didn’t really like Zoe that much. From her messy house to her questionable decisions… yeah, she just wasn’t my fave.
On the other hand, seeing familiar faces from the Morgan Dane series was so satisfying. Olivia is strong, determined and I love how she never gave up on finding Zoe. Her niece Nicki was an unexpected delight, and I was so glad nothing happened to her at that one point (my heart stopped there for a second, or 2 or more). And I'm so happy about Olivia and Lincoln, they finally taking another step in their relationship.
Soooo, yeah... I’m not even sure if I’m rating the plot or my happiness of seeing old characters again, buuut I’d say 3.5–3.75★ feels fair. The main storyline wasn’t my favorite, but the characters carried this one easily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded 4★)
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
Now, onto the book itself. The pacing was okay, but I found myself taking a few breaks here and there, it felt like we spun in circles a couple of times and things dragged a bit. The plot about Zoe’s disappearance didn’t grab me as much as I hoped it would, probably because I didn’t really like Zoe that much. From her messy house to her questionable decisions… yeah, she just wasn’t my fave.
On the other hand, seeing familiar faces from the Morgan Dane series was so satisfying. Olivia is strong, determined and I love how she never gave up on finding Zoe. Her niece Nicki was an unexpected delight, and I was so glad nothing happened to her at that one point (my heart stopped there for a second, or 2 or more). And I'm so happy about Olivia and Lincoln, they finally taking another step in their relationship.
Soooo, yeah... I’m not even sure if I’m rating the plot or my happiness of seeing old characters again, buuut I’d say 3.5–3.75★ feels fair. The main storyline wasn’t my favorite, but the characters carried this one easily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded 4★)
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
May 31, 2026
Book Title: You Can Tell Me
Author: Melinda Leigh
Publishers: Montlake + Brilliance Audio
Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: May 4, 2026 – May 5, 2026
🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: This is my first time reading Leigh’s work, and I have seriously been missing out! (Ask me how many times I’ve said this in the past, and I won’t tell you because it’s embarrassing. 🤣) From the very first chapter, I was completely enamored with this book, and it legitimately never lets up. Olivia and Zoe’s characters are really well crafted, and I couldn’t help but love them as well as Olivia’s niece Nicki. All three of these women are smart and tenacious, and it was just so refreshing to read something with so many strong and likeable characters. The mystery of Zoe’s disappearance is mysterious AF, and I was ultimately completely shocked by the big reveal (plus, the ending puts you in a real whirlwind of anxiety and action). This was a super twisty read, and I am thrilled that it is the first of a series!
🎧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬: I will say I am a bit disappointed that there wasn’t a full cast for You Can Tell Me. Don’t get me wrong, I thought Mandy Figueroa did a phenomenal job, but the numerous viewpoints were basically begging for a full cast. Thanks to the characterization, though, I was never actually confused about viewpoints or anything like that. Additionally, Figueroa perfectly captured all of the tension and emotions that ran high for most of the story. So, should you listen to the audiobook? Absofrigginlutely.
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🎙️🐻📱🪢🌊
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
I received a complimentary copy of this book as well as an advanced listening copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Author: Melinda Leigh
Publishers: Montlake + Brilliance Audio
Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Dates Read/Listened: May 4, 2026 – May 5, 2026
🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: This is my first time reading Leigh’s work, and I have seriously been missing out! (Ask me how many times I’ve said this in the past, and I won’t tell you because it’s embarrassing. 🤣) From the very first chapter, I was completely enamored with this book, and it legitimately never lets up. Olivia and Zoe’s characters are really well crafted, and I couldn’t help but love them as well as Olivia’s niece Nicki. All three of these women are smart and tenacious, and it was just so refreshing to read something with so many strong and likeable characters. The mystery of Zoe’s disappearance is mysterious AF, and I was ultimately completely shocked by the big reveal (plus, the ending puts you in a real whirlwind of anxiety and action). This was a super twisty read, and I am thrilled that it is the first of a series!
🎧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬: I will say I am a bit disappointed that there wasn’t a full cast for You Can Tell Me. Don’t get me wrong, I thought Mandy Figueroa did a phenomenal job, but the numerous viewpoints were basically begging for a full cast. Thanks to the characterization, though, I was never actually confused about viewpoints or anything like that. Additionally, Figueroa perfectly captured all of the tension and emotions that ran high for most of the story. So, should you listen to the audiobook? Absofrigginlutely.
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🎙️🐻📱🪢🌊
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
I received a complimentary copy of this book as well as an advanced listening copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 21, 2026
Wow, that crazy ending! Needless to say I love twisty action packed stories and You Can Tell Me delivered, especially at the end.
Crime writer Olivia is finally all set to tell her devastating kidnapping story from 3 years prior during Zoe’s very popular crime podcast, except that Zoe doesn’t show up. As Zoe is Olivia’s best friend, Olivia knows something is terribly wrong and sets out to find her friend.
Enlisting the help of her niece Nicki, and PI boyfriend Lincoln, Olivia goes down a rabbit hole of Zoe’s research and ends up discovering Zoe’s gruesome secrets from her past.
I especially loved all the safety tidbits told throughout of what a single woman should be on the lookout for, I.e., date rape drugs, etc.
*Thanks so much to OTRPR and Montlake Publishing for gifted finished copy!*
Crime writer Olivia is finally all set to tell her devastating kidnapping story from 3 years prior during Zoe’s very popular crime podcast, except that Zoe doesn’t show up. As Zoe is Olivia’s best friend, Olivia knows something is terribly wrong and sets out to find her friend.
Enlisting the help of her niece Nicki, and PI boyfriend Lincoln, Olivia goes down a rabbit hole of Zoe’s research and ends up discovering Zoe’s gruesome secrets from her past.
I especially loved all the safety tidbits told throughout of what a single woman should be on the lookout for, I.e., date rape drugs, etc.
*Thanks so much to OTRPR and Montlake Publishing for gifted finished copy!*
June 22, 2026
Olivia & Sharp are investigating Olivia's friend Zoe's disappearance. A true crime podcast host, Zoe was going to interview Olivia about her kidnapping (Olivia, Sharp, & Lance are all from the Scarlett Falls & Morgan Dane series). Looking into her past and with a side case going on with Olivia's niece getting roofied ties the cases together. A shady past, murder, and mayhem make for a satisfying story to kick off this series. Melinda never disappoints
Read
March 31, 2026Thank you Montlake, Amazon Publishing, and Over the River PR for my gifted copy and spot on You Can Tell Me book tour! All opinions are my own.
This is my first Melinda Leigh book and now I need to go back and read her other series especially because our main character Olivia Cruz is one of her characters in past series. You Can Tell Me was book 1 in a new Leigh series and will definitely be continuing.
I loved the true crime podcast tie in to the book. It really added a level of likeness to it for me while reading.
Olivia Cruz was kidnapped and help captive but managed to escape and be saved. Now one of her friends Zoe a true crime podcaster has gone missing. Due to her traumatic past and love for her friend Olivia will stop at nothing to make sure Zoe will have a safe return just as she had.
This is my first Melinda Leigh book and now I need to go back and read her other series especially because our main character Olivia Cruz is one of her characters in past series. You Can Tell Me was book 1 in a new Leigh series and will definitely be continuing.
I loved the true crime podcast tie in to the book. It really added a level of likeness to it for me while reading.
Olivia Cruz was kidnapped and help captive but managed to escape and be saved. Now one of her friends Zoe a true crime podcaster has gone missing. Due to her traumatic past and love for her friend Olivia will stop at nothing to make sure Zoe will have a safe return just as she had.
May 14, 2026
You Can Tell Me is book 1 in the new Olivia Cruz series by Melinda Leigh. Olivia Cruz is a true crime writer who was kidnapped 3 years ago. She was lucky to be rescued before it ended badly. Olivia is scheduled to be interviewed by her friend, podcaster Zoe March. She's supposed to walk her through everything that happened to her 3 years ago. It's going to be tough for Olivia to put herself back there, but she thought it might be therapeutic for her. When Olivia arrives at the crime scene, she waits, but Zoe never shows. This is unlike Zoe as she's extremely punctual and would've called Olivia if she was running late. She waits a long time and finally leaves with Zoe never showing up. When Olivia calls Zoe's husband, Dylan, the next morning he's reported her missing. Zoe never came home the night before. The police suspect that Zoe has left Dylan after the neighbors say they heard them having an argument.
Olivia begins investigating with the help of her boyfriend and former police detective, Lincoln Sharp. They both know that even if Zoe left Dylan, she would've reached out to her, to reschedule their meeting. Olivia locates Zoe's phone and the last text message she received said RUN! Zoe was in some kind of trouble and someone warned her before she disappeared. Who wrote the text? What kind of trouble is Zoe in? Why would a podcaster need to run? Zoe's been keeping secrets and Olivia wants to help her friend before it's too late. Will Olivia find Zoe before the person after her does? Who is the person following Olivia? When reading book 1 of a new series you never know what to expect. I'm excited to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in You Can Tell Me and look forward to the next book in the series. I rate You Can Tell Me 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of You Can Tell Me in exchange for a fair review.
Olivia begins investigating with the help of her boyfriend and former police detective, Lincoln Sharp. They both know that even if Zoe left Dylan, she would've reached out to her, to reschedule their meeting. Olivia locates Zoe's phone and the last text message she received said RUN! Zoe was in some kind of trouble and someone warned her before she disappeared. Who wrote the text? What kind of trouble is Zoe in? Why would a podcaster need to run? Zoe's been keeping secrets and Olivia wants to help her friend before it's too late. Will Olivia find Zoe before the person after her does? Who is the person following Olivia? When reading book 1 of a new series you never know what to expect. I'm excited to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in You Can Tell Me and look forward to the next book in the series. I rate You Can Tell Me 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of You Can Tell Me in exchange for a fair review.
June 8, 2026
You Can Tell Me ✨ Book Review 📖 thank you @otrpr @AmazonPublishing + Brilliance Publishing for the gifted copy and audiobook!
You Can Tell Me
by Melinda Leigh
Narrated by Mandy Figueroa
out now!
3.5⭐️ rounded ⬆️
On the three-year anniversary of her own kidnapping, true crime writer Olivia Cruz is supposed to meet her friend Zoe March at the crime scene but Zoe never arrives. When Zoe is reported missing and the police suspect she’s simply left her husband, Olivia isn’t convinced. As she investigates on her own, she uncovers a chilling clue: Zoe’s phone and a single text message that reads, Run. Now Olivia must unravel her friend’s secrets before she becomes the next target.
💭 My thoughts:
If your favorite thrillers are the ones that grab you from page one and make you desperate for answers, add this one to your TBR and clear that schedule. I listened to this one on audiobook, and it was a fast, enjoyable listen. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life and kept me fully invested from start to finish. I loved how quickly this story pulled me in. While the pacing doesn’t maintain that same fast pace throughout the entire book, I still found myself engaged and eager to uncover the truth. The twists, secrets, and layers of mystery made for an entertaining read, and the audiobook experience only added to the suspense. If you’re looking for a thriller that’s easy to binge and keeps you guessing, this one is one pick up!
Happy reading 📖✨
You Can Tell Me
by Melinda Leigh
Narrated by Mandy Figueroa
out now!
3.5⭐️ rounded ⬆️
On the three-year anniversary of her own kidnapping, true crime writer Olivia Cruz is supposed to meet her friend Zoe March at the crime scene but Zoe never arrives. When Zoe is reported missing and the police suspect she’s simply left her husband, Olivia isn’t convinced. As she investigates on her own, she uncovers a chilling clue: Zoe’s phone and a single text message that reads, Run. Now Olivia must unravel her friend’s secrets before she becomes the next target.
💭 My thoughts:
If your favorite thrillers are the ones that grab you from page one and make you desperate for answers, add this one to your TBR and clear that schedule. I listened to this one on audiobook, and it was a fast, enjoyable listen. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life and kept me fully invested from start to finish. I loved how quickly this story pulled me in. While the pacing doesn’t maintain that same fast pace throughout the entire book, I still found myself engaged and eager to uncover the truth. The twists, secrets, and layers of mystery made for an entertaining read, and the audiobook experience only added to the suspense. If you’re looking for a thriller that’s easy to binge and keeps you guessing, this one is one pick up!
Happy reading 📖✨
May 22, 2026
True crime writer Olivia Cruz is still haunted by her own kidnapping three years earlier when her close friend Zoe March vanishes without warning. Zoe was supposed to interview Olivia for her popular true crime podcast, but she never arrives at their meeting spot. When the police suspect Zoe simply left after marital problems, Olivia refuses to believe it. Determined to uncover the truth, Olivia launches her own investigation alongside her boyfriend, private investigator Lincoln Sharp. But the deeper she digs into Zoe's life and podcast research, the more secrets begin resurfacing. A single chilling text message, "Run", sends Olivia spiraling into a dangerous web of lies, buried history, and someone willing to silence the truth.
In You Can Tell Me, Melinda Leigh blends emotional trauma, true crime obsession, and non-stop suspense into a thriller that is fast-paced without losing its emotional weight. Olivia is an easy main character to root for because her fear never magically disappears. She's still carrying the scars of what happened to her, which makes her determination to find Zoe feel even more intense. The podcast angle adds a modern edge and the mystery keeps peeling back layer by layer. If you love thrillers with missing persons, buried secrets and tension that keeps tightening, this first book of a new series deserves to be on your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, Melinda Leigh, Montlake, and otrpr for both the eARC and physical copy! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
In You Can Tell Me, Melinda Leigh blends emotional trauma, true crime obsession, and non-stop suspense into a thriller that is fast-paced without losing its emotional weight. Olivia is an easy main character to root for because her fear never magically disappears. She's still carrying the scars of what happened to her, which makes her determination to find Zoe feel even more intense. The podcast angle adds a modern edge and the mystery keeps peeling back layer by layer. If you love thrillers with missing persons, buried secrets and tension that keeps tightening, this first book of a new series deserves to be on your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, Melinda Leigh, Montlake, and otrpr for both the eARC and physical copy! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
June 12, 2026
Audio book’d this one 🎧
A nice little thriller that did its job .. entertaining, easy to follow, and perfect for a road trip. It didn’t completely wow me, but it kept my attention and made the miles go by a little faster.
A nice little thriller that did its job .. entertaining, easy to follow, and perfect for a road trip. It didn’t completely wow me, but it kept my attention and made the miles go by a little faster.
June 6, 2026
This is a great novel about a true-crime podcaster, a tragic car accident, mistaken identity, and so much more! It's one of those that will keep your head spinning until the final page!
May 12, 2026
You just never know how a new series even by a fantastic author like this one. Well I shouldn’t have worried because this one grabbed me from the get go and wouldn’t let go. Many new characters and some old favorites.
This mystery kept me guessing though out the story. In the end I found a new series that’s that will keep me coming back for more every time!!
This mystery kept me guessing though out the story. In the end I found a new series that’s that will keep me coming back for more every time!!
March 2, 2026
On the three-year anniversary of her own kidnapping, true crime writer Olivia Cruz plans to revisit the crime scene with her podcaster friend Zoe except Zoe never shows. When Zoe is reported missing, Olivia starts digging into her friend’s past and uncovers old crimes, buried secrets, and a long-simmering revenge plot.
This book hooked me hard at the start. Creepy home invasion, real fear, high tension. I was ready.
And then… it turned into a procedural that really loves conversations. And logistics. And theorizing. And explaining things. In detail. Repeatedly.
Nothing is badly done. It’s actually very organized and methodical. But the story spends more time discussing what might have happened than making me feel anything about what did happen. Long chapters, lots of investigation talk, and side plots that don’t fully connect drained the momentum for me.
By the halfway point, I had the mystery figured out and the rest felt like paperwork.
If you enjoy step-by-step investigations and puzzle-forward crime novels, this will probably work for you. If you’re here for emotional punch, urgency, and tension that sinks its teeth in… this one may feel more like a meeting than a thriller.
Strong opening. Solid mystery. Just not my vibe.
This book hooked me hard at the start. Creepy home invasion, real fear, high tension. I was ready.
And then… it turned into a procedural that really loves conversations. And logistics. And theorizing. And explaining things. In detail. Repeatedly.
Nothing is badly done. It’s actually very organized and methodical. But the story spends more time discussing what might have happened than making me feel anything about what did happen. Long chapters, lots of investigation talk, and side plots that don’t fully connect drained the momentum for me.
By the halfway point, I had the mystery figured out and the rest felt like paperwork.
If you enjoy step-by-step investigations and puzzle-forward crime novels, this will probably work for you. If you’re here for emotional punch, urgency, and tension that sinks its teeth in… this one may feel more like a meeting than a thriller.
Strong opening. Solid mystery. Just not my vibe.
May 12, 2026
Wow! This started off fast and immediately had my full attention. While it does settle down some, the atmosphere only deepens as Olivia searches for her friend Zoe. From there, it becomes a slow, tension-filled burn as the truth of what is happening , and why, is gradually revealed. And holy heck, I was there for every single moment of it.
I did not read the original book that covered Olivia’s kidnapping, and I definitely want to go back and grab that one now. However, I never felt lost here. This story gives plenty of information to establish her past trauma while fully legitimizing her reactions and emotions throughout the book.
There is a little romance woven in, just enough to make my romantic heart smile, but this story is really all about the suspense, drama, danger, and emotional tension. And honestly? That is exactly what I came here for. I am completely sated by this read and so glad I finally gave this author a try.
Dual POV
Triggers
I did not read the original book that covered Olivia’s kidnapping, and I definitely want to go back and grab that one now. However, I never felt lost here. This story gives plenty of information to establish her past trauma while fully legitimizing her reactions and emotions throughout the book.
There is a little romance woven in, just enough to make my romantic heart smile, but this story is really all about the suspense, drama, danger, and emotional tension. And honestly? That is exactly what I came here for. I am completely sated by this read and so glad I finally gave this author a try.
Dual POV
Triggers
Did Not Finish
June 18, 2026Dnf
Couldn't keep my attention ㅠㅠ
Couldn't keep my attention ㅠㅠ
May 19, 2026
Wow! Melinda Leigh, the Author of "You Can Tell Me" has written an intense, intriguing, captivating thriller. Melinda Leigh is a master writer and master storyteller. I love the intricate casting of her characters, and the weaving of the characters and the plot together. The Genres for this book are : Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Romance and Fiction. The author vividly describes her dark, dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and flawed. There are twists and turns, betrayals, secrets, lies, kidnapping, danger, and murder. Olivia Cruz is ready to discuss her traumatic kidnapping on the 3 year anniversary on a Podcast, with Zoe March. Zoe March seems to have a handle on discussing controversial crimes with people on her Podcast. The day of the Podcast, Zoe March doesn't make an appearance. Olivia Cruz has a feeling of apprehension and dread for her friend Zoe. Oliva and Zoe's assistant contact the police, and Zoe's husband to see where she could of gone. There is no sign of Zoe.
Olivia and her niece , Nicki start investigating Zoe's life. It appears that Zoe has many secrets. Olivia also has the backup of her boyfriend, who specializes in certain disappearance cases. After threats and attacks, it seems that there are a number of characters, who can be suspect. Olivia checks Zoe's case files, and notices some frightening things.
I was interested in all the ways that the author has written that the characters can be kidnapped, threatened, harmed, or murdered. That was an eye opener for me. I read this book in one seating, and wanted more. There are clues, and former crimes that play into this. This is a powerful and intense thriller, that I highly recommend to others.
Olivia and her niece , Nicki start investigating Zoe's life. It appears that Zoe has many secrets. Olivia also has the backup of her boyfriend, who specializes in certain disappearance cases. After threats and attacks, it seems that there are a number of characters, who can be suspect. Olivia checks Zoe's case files, and notices some frightening things.
I was interested in all the ways that the author has written that the characters can be kidnapped, threatened, harmed, or murdered. That was an eye opener for me. I read this book in one seating, and wanted more. There are clues, and former crimes that play into this. This is a powerful and intense thriller, that I highly recommend to others.
May 13, 2026
This is one of those thrillers that you cannot put down. I found myself thinking about it all day and reaching for it any chance I got. From the very first chapter, the tension is there—and it just keeps building.
The story follows Olivia, a true crime writer, as she searches for her missing best friend Zoe. The pacing is fast without feeling rushed, and every clue pulls you deeper into the mystery. That one-word text—“Run”—sets the tone for everything that follows. Chilling.
What I loved most is how immersive it felt. You’re not just reading the investigation—you’re in it with Olivia, questioning everyone, second-guessing every detail, and trying to piece together what Zoe might have uncovered. The layers of secrets, the podcast angle, and the twists kept me fully engaged the entire time.
It’s suspenseful, emotional, and smartly written. I also appreciated the underlying theme of friendship and how far someone will go when they know something isn’t right—even when no one else believes them.
If you love fast-paced thrillers with strong female leads, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I cannot wait for more in this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for a digital ARC.
The story follows Olivia, a true crime writer, as she searches for her missing best friend Zoe. The pacing is fast without feeling rushed, and every clue pulls you deeper into the mystery. That one-word text—“Run”—sets the tone for everything that follows. Chilling.
What I loved most is how immersive it felt. You’re not just reading the investigation—you’re in it with Olivia, questioning everyone, second-guessing every detail, and trying to piece together what Zoe might have uncovered. The layers of secrets, the podcast angle, and the twists kept me fully engaged the entire time.
It’s suspenseful, emotional, and smartly written. I also appreciated the underlying theme of friendship and how far someone will go when they know something isn’t right—even when no one else believes them.
If you love fast-paced thrillers with strong female leads, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I cannot wait for more in this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for a digital ARC.
May 10, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Kindle Edition for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an exciting read that is the beginning of a new series about Olivia Cruz, a true crime writer. In her past, she was kidnapped and still suffers from the trauma. This has left her cautious, observant of her surroundings and most importantly, deeply intuitive. She’s built her career on crime writing seemingly to try to make sense of her own traumatic experience. When Zoe, a true crime podcaster and friend of Olivia, goes missing, it reopens Olivia’s worst fear of being taken and not found. As the search for Zoe begins, it turns out there is a lot about her that no one knew about. This is actually something I love in thriller books! Olivia realizes Zoe may have been connected to something bigger. Since this is the first book in the series, I thought it was strange that I felt like there were things that I was kind of expected to know about the character’s past. After a little searching, it turns out this author has another series that includes these same characters. I’m going to go back and read those to tie up some loose ends. All in all, I really enjoyed this and I’m looking forwards to the books to come!
This was an exciting read that is the beginning of a new series about Olivia Cruz, a true crime writer. In her past, she was kidnapped and still suffers from the trauma. This has left her cautious, observant of her surroundings and most importantly, deeply intuitive. She’s built her career on crime writing seemingly to try to make sense of her own traumatic experience. When Zoe, a true crime podcaster and friend of Olivia, goes missing, it reopens Olivia’s worst fear of being taken and not found. As the search for Zoe begins, it turns out there is a lot about her that no one knew about. This is actually something I love in thriller books! Olivia realizes Zoe may have been connected to something bigger. Since this is the first book in the series, I thought it was strange that I felt like there were things that I was kind of expected to know about the character’s past. After a little searching, it turns out this author has another series that includes these same characters. I’m going to go back and read those to tie up some loose ends. All in all, I really enjoyed this and I’m looking forwards to the books to come!
June 12, 2026
Even though this is listed as the first book in this series I felt like I was missing something the whole time because it never went into Olivia’s own kidnapping. It wasn’t until I finished it and did some digging that I realized her kidnapping is covered in a different book, but there is no clear direction that I could find that tells you should read that book first since it’s like book #6 in a different series. It was still readable without knowing her story, but it would have been better if I read the other series first apparently.
Otherwise it definitely held my attention the whole time, but there were certain parts that I felt like it was too unrealistic and too much going on at once.
Otherwise it definitely held my attention the whole time, but there were certain parts that I felt like it was too unrealistic and too much going on at once.
May 5, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I didn't realize how connected Can You Tell Me was to other series I have read by Melinda Leigh. Her books are always enjoyable but this upped the pleasure for me. It is directly connected to the Morgan Dane series where the last book Save Your Breath is the foundation of the main character here, Olivia Cruz.
Olivia is a true crime writer. Her long time friend (15 years) Zoe disappears and it's eerily like the feeling of when Olivia herself was abducted 3 years ago. With the help of Lincoln Sharp, she hunts for Zoe. Zoe does a true crime podcast. They investigate her business partner, her husband and her cases. Eventually, they are led to things in her past.
During this, Olivia's niece is roofied and that becomes another investigation. Lance helps with this one, along with Lincoln. The niece is very shaken. She ends up in the hospital and then stays with Olivia, helping look for Zoe.
The trail to Zoe is one of bloody fights and dead people. Someone is after her. Olivia and Lincoln end up in danger from her pursuer and a flooding rainstorm. It's exciting and dangerous. I look forward to the next book, I Know Your Secret in September 2027.
Narration:
The narrator is new to me and does not seem to have too many titles yet. Her voice was pleasant and appropriate. I don't know if it is the narrator or the production but the pacing was something I didn't like. Maybe it's called something different. It was a sentence - pause - sentence - pause. Every pause disrupted the flow. The narration added to the emotional tone. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I didn't realize how connected Can You Tell Me was to other series I have read by Melinda Leigh. Her books are always enjoyable but this upped the pleasure for me. It is directly connected to the Morgan Dane series where the last book Save Your Breath is the foundation of the main character here, Olivia Cruz.
Olivia is a true crime writer. Her long time friend (15 years) Zoe disappears and it's eerily like the feeling of when Olivia herself was abducted 3 years ago. With the help of Lincoln Sharp, she hunts for Zoe. Zoe does a true crime podcast. They investigate her business partner, her husband and her cases. Eventually, they are led to things in her past.
During this, Olivia's niece is roofied and that becomes another investigation. Lance helps with this one, along with Lincoln. The niece is very shaken. She ends up in the hospital and then stays with Olivia, helping look for Zoe.
The trail to Zoe is one of bloody fights and dead people. Someone is after her. Olivia and Lincoln end up in danger from her pursuer and a flooding rainstorm. It's exciting and dangerous. I look forward to the next book, I Know Your Secret in September 2027.
Narration:
The narrator is new to me and does not seem to have too many titles yet. Her voice was pleasant and appropriate. I don't know if it is the narrator or the production but the pacing was something I didn't like. Maybe it's called something different. It was a sentence - pause - sentence - pause. Every pause disrupted the flow. The narration added to the emotional tone. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
June 12, 2026
There is no world in which I’m understanding why this book has the rating it does. IM SORRY! I know that’s mean. This book included 3 too many references to the “man or bear” trope, multiple preachy tangents woven in as unbelievable dialogue, and way too many weird side story lines. Why is one of the main characters’s husbands being a serial rapist a MINOR side storyline???? PLEASE!! On top of all of the insanity, this book was actually somehow boring. I’m not sure how it was possible. I’m so glad it’s over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
3.5. This started off a little slow and really amped up the last 60% of the story. So much, happened. The suspense kicked up along with the action. Olivia's niece was drugged, which led to the eventual arrest of Zoe's husband. Olivia & Spark found Zoe as they all escaped from a violent man. I like that Olivia finds some closure in writing her book but it really doesn't give any closure for Zoe and what she experienced. I like Nikki and hope she's in book 2
Read
April 26, 2026On the anniversary of her kidnapping, a woman awaits a True Crime podcaster friend who never shows at the scene. Melinda Leigh beings a new series with a bang-up start.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on 6.25.26.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on 6.25.26.
June 25, 2026
Engaging
Good thrilling and engaging read. Grabs you early, then slows down a little. At the end it puts it all together for a better understanding of the story and a surprising revelation.
Good thrilling and engaging read. Grabs you early, then slows down a little. At the end it puts it all together for a better understanding of the story and a surprising revelation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews