In her debut thriller, Elle Owens crafts a contemporary mystery that cleverly utilizes modern technology and the emotional power of music to tell a story of betrayal, family secrets, and self-discovery. “Tell Me You Trust Me” introduces readers to Marissa Creighton, a woman whose life implodes when her husband Ethan vanishes without warning, leaving behind only cryptic clues hidden in song titles on their shared Spotify playlist. What unfolds is a tense domestic thriller that keeps readers guessing until the final pages.
Plot and Premise: Technology Meets Traditional Thriller
Owens has created an innovative premise that feels distinctly modern. When Marissa’s husband disappears after asking her to trust him, she’s left caring for their toddler son Logan while trying to make sense of the growing mystery. The novel’s central conceit—communication through song titles on a shared playlist—is both clever and timely, offering a fresh twist on the missing spouse trope that has dominated thrillers in recent years.
The story begins with Marissa relying heavily on her controlling family—tech mogul father Franklin, perfectionist mother, and protective brother Peter—as she searches for answers. But when Ethan begins communicating with her through cryptic song titles like “Trust No One” and “Tell No One About Tonight,” Marissa realizes there might be more sinister forces at work. As she follows breadcrumbs left by Ethan, she uncovers not only potential affairs but also shocking truths about her family’s tech surveillance business, hidden cameras, secret bank accounts, and even murder.
What works brilliantly is how Owens seamlessly incorporates digital elements into the traditional thriller framework. The suspense builds organically as Marissa follows digital clues—checking Spotify for song updates, discovering encrypted files, and navigating email trails—all while being physically threatened and manipulated by those closest to her.
Character Development: Finding Strength in Crisis
Marissa’s transformation forms the emotional core of the novel. She begins as a somewhat naïve character who has internalized her family’s dismissive attitude toward her intelligence and capabilities. Her father and mother have consistently undermined her, relegating her to the role of homemaker while her brother and father run the family tech business. When we meet Marissa, she’s a part-time music writer who lacks confidence in her abilities beyond motherhood.
Owens skillfully charts Marissa’s evolution from dependent daughter to fierce protector as the crisis intensifies. With each discovery—each betrayal—Marissa grows stronger, more resourceful, and more determined. By the novel’s climax, she’s confronting powerful enemies and making life-or-death decisions with remarkable clarity. This character arc feels earned and satisfying, giving emotional weight to the thriller elements.
Other characters are somewhat less developed. Ethan/Alexander remains enigmatic by design, though the revelation of his true identity and motives provides necessary complexity. The villainous family members occasionally veer toward one-dimensional territory, particularly Marissa’s mother, whose sudden transformation from passive homemaker to calculating mastermind feels somewhat jarring.
Pacing and Structure: A Tightly Wound Countdown
Owens demonstrates impressive control over pacing in her debut. The novel unfolds over just a few days, with each chapter heading noting exactly how long Ethan has been missing. This structural choice creates mounting tension as Marissa races against time to uncover the truth before someone silences her permanently.
The short chapters propel the reader forward, each ending with revelations or cliffhangers that make it difficult to put the book down. Owens wisely avoids unnecessary subplots, keeping the narrative focused entirely on Marissa’s investigation and increasing peril.
Where the pacing occasionally falters is in the middle section, where some revelations feel repetitive as Marissa cycles through similar emotional responses. Additionally, certain coincidences strain credibility, especially regarding how easily Marissa accesses crucial evidence despite being monitored by tech experts.
Writing Style: Music as Character
One of the novel’s strongest elements is Owens’ integration of music throughout the narrative. Song titles serve as both plot devices and emotional touchstones, creating a soundscape that enriches the reading experience. Fans of artists like Glass Animals, the Black Keys, and Arctic Monkeys will appreciate the musical references that pepper the text.
Owens writes in a crisp, straightforward style that prioritizes momentum over flourish—appropriate for a thriller of this nature. Dialogue is natural and distinct, particularly in tense confrontations, though some of the internal monologues become repetitive.
The author skillfully builds atmosphere in several key scenes, particularly the confrontation at Flashers Grill and the final showdown with Dennis at the safe house. These sequences showcase Owens’ ability to create nail-biting tension through environmental details and physical reactions.
Thematic Depth: Trust in the Digital Age
Beyond the surface-level thrills, “Tell Me You Trust Me” explores meaningful themes about trust, family loyalty, and identity in the surveillance era. In a world where our digital footprints can be tracked, manipulated, and weaponized, who can we truly trust?
The novel asks uncomfortable questions about family obligations and whether blood ties should trump ethical concerns. Marissa must ultimately decide whether her loyalty belongs with her blood relatives or with the husband who, despite his deceptions, sought justice.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Weaknesses
What Works Well:
The innovative use of music/song titles as communication device
Marissa’s compelling character growth from dependent to determined
The fast-paced structure with well-timed revelations
Atmospheric tension in key confrontation scenes
Contemporary themes of technology, surveillance, and privacy
Where It Falls Short:
Some secondary characters lack depth, particularly the villains
A few coincidences and convenient discoveries strain plausibility
Middle section pacing occasionally lags with repetitive revelations
The ultimate reconciliation between Marissa and Ethan feels somewhat rushed given the magnitude of his deception
Comparison to Similar Works
For readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with technological elements, “Tell Me You Trust Me” will satisfy the same appetite as works by authors like Lisa Jewell, B.A. Paris, and Shari Lapena. The novel’s focus on music and communication recalls elements of Harlan Coben’s “Tell No One” (which is cleverly referenced within the book itself) and Taylor Adams’ “No Exit.”
As a debut, Owens shows promise in a crowded thriller market by finding a fresh angle on familiar themes. While she doesn’t yet have previous titles to compare, this first offering suggests a strong future in the genre, particularly if she continues to incorporate innovative communication methods and contemporary technology into her plots.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut Worth Your Playlist
“Tell Me You Trust Me” is an engaging, tense thriller that showcases Elle Owens’ talent for creating realistic peril and clever plot mechanics. While it occasionally stumbles with convenience and character depth, the novel succeeds in delivering a genuinely suspenseful story with a protagonist worth rooting for.
The musical communication device elevates what might otherwise be a standard missing-spouse thriller, creating opportunities for both clever plot developments and emotional resonance. For thriller fans looking for something that feels contemporary and technologically savvy, Owens delivers a satisfying read that will leave them eager to see what she produces next.
Readers will find themselves checking their own Spotify accounts with new suspicion after finishing this novel—and perhaps paying closer attention to the song titles in their shared playlists. After all, in Owens’ world, even a playlist can hide deadly secrets.