Published March 12th, 2026 by Hodder & Stoughton
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Romance Novel
********
ABOUT THE BOOK:
‘A MYSTERY WRAPPED INSIDE A LOVE STORY. A STUNNING DEBUT’ ALICE FEENEY
‘THISÂ IS THE THRILLER I NEEDED TO FILL THATÂ GONE GIRL-SHAPED HOLE’ RUTH MANCINI
‘Absolutely addictive. This story might keep you up at night’
‘THIS AMAZING THRILLER MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE’
Benny and Joy like to say that they’ve been saving each other since the moment they met.
Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is accused of her murder.
Best friends Benny and Joy host a beloved ‘comedy survival’ podcast, gleefully finding life-affirming humour in near-death experiences.
When Benny arrives at Joy and her husband’s home one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house.
With Joy missing and the hours ticking by, not even their most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets they have hidden from the world – and from each other.
If Benny wants to find Joy in time, and clear his own name, he’ll have to solve the highest stakes survival story yet.
********
MY REVIEW:
We have a strong contender for my favourite book of the year.Â
Best friends Benny and Joy co-host a popular comedy survival podcast, finding life-affirming humour in near death experiences. But when Benny arrives at Joy’s house one morning to record, he discovers the house empty and in disarray. Joy and Xander are missing. There are few clues and as the police search for the couple, Benny is trying to decipher them in an attempt to find Joy and clear his own name before it’s too late.
What a rollercoaster! Funny, vibrant, and heart-poundingly tense, This Story Might Save Your Life is a love story cloaked inside a compelling mystery. Tiffany Crum has crafted a truly original debut. Beautifully written, perfectly paced, meticulously choreographed and layered with intimacy, humour and suspense, Crum had me in her thrall from start to finish. This feels like a very modern story and I loved the podcast element, especiallyÂ
how clips from actual episodes were included. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators elevated every facet of the story, which also meant I often found myself forgetting I wasn’t listening to a real podcast. I also loved trying to piece together the clues alongside Benny but it was hard to predict and my jaw dropped with every revelation. Totally unputdownable, it kept me on the edge of my seat and up well past my bedtime. And that ending! I’d never have guessed it.
The book is filled with a cast of characters that were likeable, charismatic and real, especially Benny and Joy, whose friendship felt genuine. I loved their easy, witty banter and the way they supported each other. And then there’s the undercurrent of love and longing, which creates a will they/won’t they tension. It’s obvious from the start that they have feelings for each other, but there is always a reason not to confront it, whether that’s other relationships or fear of ruining their friendship. I was screaming at them that they were meant for each other and that none of this would have happened if they’d just been together all this time.
A magnificent and unforgettable debut, this is a must for your TBR.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
********
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tiffany Crum grew up on a dairy farm just down the road from a maximum-security prison. A longtime Californian, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband, two sons, and dogs, and spends her free time trying to keep her vegetable garden alive. Her debut novel, This Story Might Save Your Life, is a New York Times bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of March, a Book of the Month selection, and a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick. It will be published in nineteen languages and is under option for television.
********
Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx
*This post contains affiliate links
Emma's Biblio Treasures 