Books With Your Besties – Episode Summary

Episode: Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
Hosts: Emily and Ashley
Date: August 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Emily and Ashley dive into Count My Lies by Sophie Stava—a thriller centered on deception, shifting perspectives, and dark psychology within domestic life. Amid their signature banter and tangents, they unpack the book's unexpected twists, the complexities of its characters, and its links to real-world justice. The discussion blends humor, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful analysis, making the episode as much about friendship as it is about fiction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Tangents and Tone Setting

• (00:24–08:29)
  The episode opens with friendly chatter, life updates (notably Emily’s immovable backyard bar and party planning), and relatable stories—establishing the show’s candid, humorous tone.
  • Memorable digression includes planning a Game of Thrones–themed party (even though neither has watched the show).
  • They reflect on friendships, marriage, and the quirks of adult life through witty stories.

Initial Reactions to Count My Lies

• (08:40–09:51)
  • Emily admits almost abandoning the book due to the “egregious lying” in the opening chapters.

    “I sort of had this moment where I was just like, I’m gonna hate this book. I don’t think lying is cute or funny… but then the book absolutely turned.” — Emily (08:40)

  • Ashley agrees—the early lies felt “so non important,” raising concerns about following a compulsive liar.
  • Both encourage listeners to push past the first chapters, as the story develops depth and intrigue.

Structural Surprises: Multiple Points of View

• (09:51–11:20)
  • Ashley and Emily praise the reveal of new narrative perspectives deep into the novel, a twist they did not anticipate but loved.

    “I absolutely love every book that does that, where a new voice comes in way into the book that you didn’t anticipate.” — Emily (10:21)

  • The switch from a seemingly typical “Single White Female” narrative to a multi-perspective thriller keeps both engaged.

Plot Mechanisms and Comparisons

• (11:20–13:07)
  • Ashley draws parallels to Gone Girl, especially the dynamic between Violet and Dani and using trustworthy friends to cover up crimes.

    “I was like, this is giving me Gone Girl…” — Ashley (11:32)

  • Emily loves the “planting of seeds” about secondary characters like Dani, leading to satisfying plot twists.

Character Analysis and Themes of Morality

• (13:07–17:22)
  • Violet is “just bad,” not a victim-turned-hero—yet Ashley and Emily still find her likable.
  • They scrutinize Jay, Violet’s husband, and his gradual unveiling as a “jerk” and emotionally abusive partner.

    “I didn’t find her unlikable... her husband was a total jerk.” — Emily (13:11)

  • Both discuss whether Violet’s schemes truly had her daughter Harper’s best interests at heart.

True Crime Links—Plea Deals and the Legal System

• (19:49–31:50)
  • The conversation pivots to the criminal justice system, inspired by Jay being pressured to take a plea despite questionable guilt.

    “How many people are there in jail for crimes they didn’t commit because of that exact advice?” — Ashley (19:49)

  • Emily offers a detailed, richly informative explainer on how plea bargains, DA discretion, and systemic bias impact real-world defendants—especially minorities and the under-resourced.

    “Plea deals disproportionately negatively impact people of color and people of low socioeconomic status... That’s what we talk about by systemic racism.” — Emily (20:33)

  • Discussion references Amanda Knox’s case to highlight false confessions and the importance of system knowledge.

Forensic and Plot Quibbles

• (34:43–36:21)
  • Emily and Ashley note suspensions of disbelief required by the book’s far-fetched plot points:
    • The feasibility of faking a death and rapid cremation.
    • The lack of forensic details about gunshot residue.

    “They didn’t forensically test the gun or their hands... there’s all this evidence, but we just are going to like, pretend there’s no CSI evidence.” — Emily (35:21)

Reflections on Lying and Trust

• (33:16–34:14)
  • The besties reflect on how habitual lying undermines relationships in both fiction and real life, emphasizing trust as foundational.

    “That’s why you don’t lie. That’s why we have to...stop that. Because it becomes problematic later.” — Emily (33:16)

Emotional Undercurrents and Final Thoughts

• (36:37–38:14)
  • Both sympathize with Sloan/Caitlyn—her desire for sisterhood gone awry, which added emotional heft to the story.
  • They rate the book highly (4.3–4.75 stars) and appreciate its divergence from standard domestic thrillers.

Upcoming Adaptation Buzz

• (13:18, 37:38–38:14)
  • The hosts get excited about the Hulu miniseries adaptation starring Lindsay Lohan and Shailene Woodley.

    “I’m so excited for this. I’m so excited. Okay, well, thanks for listening, besties.” — Emily (38:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shifting Perspectives:

  “I absolutely love every book that does that, where a new voice comes in way into the book that you didn’t anticipate.”
  — Emily (10:21)

• On Plea Bargaining’s Real-World Impact:

  “Plea deals disproportionately negatively impact people of color and people of low socioeconomic status…”
  — Emily (20:33)

• On Habitual Lying:

  “That’s why we want to, like, stop that. Because it becomes problematic later.”
  — Emily (33:16)

• On Relatable Adult Humor:

  “This is the forty-five-year-old version of it. Come help us do house projects and we will give you alcohol and food.”
  — Ashley (04:22)

• On the Book Adaptation:

  “Do we have a release date?...We don’t know yet.”
  — Emily (37:43–38:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 08:40–09:51 — Initial reactions and almost DNF-ing the book
• 09:51–11:20 — Surprise appearance of extra narrators
• 13:07–17:22 — Character analysis: Is Violet “bad” or likable? Jay’s flaws
• 19:49–31:50 — Deep dive: justice system, plea deals, real-life connections
• 34:43–36:21 — Forensic and plot holes in the story
• 36:37–38:14 — Final book ratings and empathy for the characters
• 37:38–38:05 — Anticipation for the Hulu miniseries

Final Ratings

• Emily: 4.5/5 (with a playful “4.3, 4.7, 5 stars” comment)
• Ashley: 4.75/5

Conclusion

Emily and Ashley deliver an insightful, spirited breakdown of Count My Lies, blending personal anecdotes with sharp literary discussion. The episode’s highlights include their analysis of unreliable narration, the consequences of lying, and eye-opening commentary on criminal justice. Their dynamic remains as entertaining as their insights are valuable, especially for thriller fans or anyone interested in true crime and human behavior.

For further discussion and bonus content, find them on Patreon at The Creepy Book Club.