Haunted by Confessions

Poe Webb, a true-crime podcaster, has built her life around the confessions of others, inviting strangers to reveal their darkest secrets on her show, "Tell Me What You Did." Her own life is haunted by a trauma she's never shared: as a teenager, she witnessed her mother's brutal murder and has lived in the shadow of that violence ever since. Poe's only real comfort is her loyal dog, Bailey, and her complicated relationship with Kip, her producer and boyfriend. The podcast is both her shield and her prison, a way to control the narrative of guilt and atonement, even as she remains unable to confess her own deepest secret. Each episode is a dance with darkness, but Poe is always waiting for the one confession that will finally set her free—or destroy her.

The Ghost in the Feed

When a new guest, calling himself Ian Hindley, appears on Poe's show, the familiar ritual of confession is shattered. Hindley's story is strange, unsettling, and laced with references that seem to target Poe personally. He claims to know intimate details about her past, including the murder of her mother. The encounter leaves Poe rattled, unsure if she's dealing with a deranged fan, a cruel prankster, or something far more dangerous. The boundaries between host and confessor blur, and Poe's carefully constructed world begins to crack. The ghost she's always feared might finally have found her, not as a voice in her headphones, but as a real and present threat.

Kip's Distance, Poe's Secrets

Poe's relationship with Kip, already fraught with tension, begins to unravel under the weight of her secrets. Kip senses the distance between them, his uncanny ability to detect lies making Poe feel exposed and vulnerable. Their arguments circle around the space Poe refuses to close, the trauma she cannot share. Kip's frustration grows as he feels shut out, and Poe's fear of losing him is matched only by her terror of what might happen if she lets him in. The emotional chasm between them mirrors the darkness stalking Poe from the shadows, and she realizes that her silence may cost her the only person she truly loves.

The Monster in the Mirror

As Hindley's presence intensifies, Poe is forced to confront the monster within herself. Memories of her mother's murder resurface, and the guilt of her own actions in New York—where she hunted and killed a man she believed to be her mother's killer—threaten to consume her. The line between victim and perpetrator blurs, and Poe is haunted by the possibility that she may have killed an innocent man. The confessions she once collected from others now echo her own, and she is left to wonder if she is any different from the monsters she interviews. The past refuses to stay buried, and Poe's identity fractures under the weight of her secrets.

A Killer's Voice Returns

Hindley escalates his psychological assault, claiming not only to know Poe's secrets but to be the very man who killed her mother. He taunts her with details only the killer could know, and Poe's world tilts into paranoia and fear. She is stalked online and in real life, her home invaded, her dog threatened, and her sense of safety obliterated. Hindley's demands grow more sinister: he wants a live confession, a public reckoning, and he will stop at nothing to force Poe into the spotlight. The hunter has become the hunted, and Poe must decide how far she is willing to go to protect herself and those she loves.

The Past Unburied

Poe returns to her childhood home, seeking solace and answers from her father. Their reunion is bittersweet, as Poe finally confesses the truth about her mother's affair, the murder she witnessed, and the years of silence that followed. Her father, broken by grief and guilt, reveals his own secrets, and together they confront the legacy of violence that has shaped their lives. The past is unburied, and the cost of survival is laid bare. Poe's confession is both a release and a new burden, as she realizes that the truth can wound as deeply as any lie.

The Stalker's Game Begins

Hindley's campaign of terror escalates from psychological manipulation to physical danger. He breaks into Poe's home, poisons her dog's food, and leaves chilling messages that prove he is always watching. The police are powerless, and Poe's sense of isolation deepens. She is forced to rely on her own instincts and the support of her father, who moves in to protect her. The game becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse, with Poe unsure if she is the prey or the predator. Every shadow hides a threat, and every decision could be fatal.

The Truth About New York

The truth about Poe's time in New York is finally revealed: driven by rage and trauma, she lured a man she believed to be her mother's killer into a trap and murdered him. The act was calculated, brutal, and, in Poe's mind, justified. But as Hindley continues to torment her, Poe is forced to confront the possibility that she killed the wrong man. The guilt and uncertainty threaten to destroy her, and she is left to question whether justice or vengeance truly motivated her actions. The line between hero and villain blurs, and Poe's soul is laid bare.

The Live Stream Trap

Hindley demands a live-streamed confession, threatening to harm Kip if Poe refuses. The event becomes a spectacle, with tens of thousands watching as Poe is forced to recount her darkest secrets. Hindley's sadism is on full display, and the boundaries between victim and perpetrator collapse. The live stream is both a trial and an execution, with Poe's fate hanging in the balance. The world watches as she is stripped of her defenses, her guilt and pain exposed for all to see. The trap is set, and there is no escape.

The Cat and the Mouse

As Halloween approaches, Poe realizes that Hindley's endgame is near. He abducts Kip, lures Poe into a final confrontation, and sets the stage for a showdown that will determine who survives. The cat-and-mouse game reaches its climax in an abandoned house, where Poe, her father, and Kip must fight for their lives against a man with nothing left to lose. The violence is raw and unflinching, and the cost of survival is measured in blood. Poe must decide what she is willing to do to end the nightmare once and for all.

The Father's Burden

Poe's father emerges as an unlikely hero, risking his life to save his daughter and Kip. His love is fierce and uncompromising, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family. The burden of the past is shared, and the possibility of redemption flickers in the darkness. Together, they confront Hindley, and the cycle of violence that began with Poe's mother's death is brought to a brutal and cathartic end. The father's burden is heavy, but it is also the source of hope.

The Dog's Warning

Throughout the ordeal, Poe's dog Bailey is a constant source of comfort and warning. Her instincts and loyalty prove invaluable, alerting Poe to danger and providing a lifeline to sanity. In moments of despair, Bailey's presence grounds Poe, reminding her of the possibility of love and trust. The bond between human and animal is a thread of hope in a world gone mad, and Bailey's courage is a quiet but powerful force in the fight for survival.

The Poisoned Past

The truth about Hindley is finally revealed: he is not Poe's mother's killer, but the brother of the man she murdered in New York. His campaign of terror is an act of vengeance, a twisted attempt to make Poe pay for her own act of violence. The poisoned past comes full circle, and Poe is forced to confront the consequences of her actions. The reckoning is brutal, but it is also a release. The cycle of violence is broken, and the possibility of healing emerges from the wreckage.

The Final Confession

In the aftermath of the confrontation, Poe confesses to her crime in New York, accepting responsibility and the consequences. The legal system is both a threat and a salvation, offering the possibility of closure but also the risk of further punishment. Poe's confession is an act of courage, a final attempt to reclaim her life from the shadows. The journey from victim to survivor is complete, and the price of survival is finally paid.

The Hunter Revealed

Hindley's true identity and motives are unmasked, and the web of lies and violence is unraveled. The revelation is both a relief and a new trauma, as Poe realizes that the monsters she feared were both real and imagined. The hunter is revealed to be as broken and lost as his prey, and the cycle of vengeance is laid bare. The truth is both a weapon and a wound, and Poe must decide what kind of person she will be in the aftermath.

The Last Stand

The final confrontation is a test of will, courage, and love. Poe, her father, and Kip must fight not only for their lives but for the possibility of a future free from fear. The violence is raw, the choices are impossible, and the cost is high. In the end, survival is not just about escaping death, but about finding meaning in the struggle. The last stand is both an ending and a beginning, a chance to reclaim what was lost.

The Price of Survival

Poe faces the consequences of her actions, serving time in prison but finding a measure of peace and purpose. The price of survival is steep, but it is also the path to redemption. Relationships are rebuilt, wounds begin to heal, and the possibility of a new life emerges. The journey is not easy, and the scars remain, but hope flickers in the darkness. The price of survival is paid in full, and the future is unwritten.

Dancing in the Dark

In the aftermath, Poe finds solace in unexpected places: the friendship of fellow survivor Alice, the loyalty of her dog, the love of her father and Kip. She learns to dance in the dark, to find joy in small moments, and to embrace the possibility of healing. The story ends not with a final confession, but with the promise of new beginnings. The darkness is never fully banished, but it is no longer all-consuming. Poe's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of connection to light the way home.

Characters

Poe Webb

Poe Webb is a true-crime podcaster whose life is defined by trauma, guilt, and a relentless search for meaning. As a teenager, she witnessed her mother's murder and has lived ever since with the burden of that memory and the secret of her own act of vigilante violence in New York. Poe is fiercely intelligent, emotionally guarded, and deeply loyal to those she loves, especially her dog Bailey and her partner Kip. Her psychological landscape is shaped by fear, anger, and a desperate need for control, but also by a longing for connection and redemption. Over the course of the story, Poe is forced to confront her own darkness, reckon with the consequences of her actions, and ultimately choose between vengeance and healing. Her journey is one of survival, confession, and the search for absolution.

Kip Nguyen

Kip is Poe's podcast producer and boyfriend, a man with an uncanny ability to detect lies and a deep need for honesty in his relationships. His love for Poe is both a source of strength and vulnerability, as he struggles to bridge the emotional distance she maintains. Kip's own history of trauma and resilience makes him both compassionate and demanding, unwilling to accept half-truths or evasions. His role in the story is that of anchor and catalyst, pushing Poe to confront her secrets and supporting her through the darkest moments. Kip's abduction and suffering at the hands of Hindley test the limits of his endurance and love, but his survival and forgiveness are central to Poe's path to healing.

Ian Hindley / John Worbly

Hindley, whose real name is John Worbly, is the antagonist whose campaign of terror drives the narrative. A recently released ex-con and the brother of the man Poe killed in New York, Hindley is consumed by a need for vengeance and recognition. His psychological profile is that of a classic sociopath: charming, intelligent, and utterly remorseless. He delights in psychological games, using Poe's own methods against her and turning her life into a public spectacle. Hindley's obsession is rooted in loss and rage, and his actions are both calculated and self-destructive. He is a mirror for Poe's own darkness, and their final confrontation is as much about identity as it is about survival.

Poe's Father

Poe's father is a man broken by the loss of his wife and the secrets that have haunted his family. His love for Poe is fierce and unwavering, but he is also burdened by his own guilt and failures. The revelation of his own infidelity and the years of silence that followed his wife's murder add layers of complexity to his relationship with Poe. He emerges as an unlikely hero, willing to risk everything to protect his daughter and atone for the past. His journey is one of redemption, sacrifice, and the enduring power of parental love.

Bailey

Bailey, Poe's black Lab, is more than just a pet—she is a source of comfort, warning, and unconditional love. Her presence grounds Poe, providing a lifeline to sanity and hope in the midst of chaos. Bailey's instincts and loyalty are crucial in moments of danger, and her survival is a symbol of resilience and the possibility of healing. In a world of betrayal and violence, Bailey is a reminder of the simple, enduring bonds that make life worth living.

Margaret McMillian

Poe's mother, Margaret, is the central absence around which the story revolves. Her murder is the original trauma that shapes Poe's life, and her memory is both a source of pain and a guiding force. Margaret's affair and subsequent death are the inciting events that set the cycle of violence and vengeance in motion. She is both a victim and a symbol, her loss haunting every decision Poe makes.

Leonard Avery / Leopold Hutchins

The man Poe hunts and kills in New York, believed to be her mother's murderer, is a figure of ambiguity and terror. His true identity is shrouded in uncertainty, and his death is both an act of justice and a possible mistake. He is the embodiment of the darkness Poe seeks to destroy, but also a mirror for her own capacity for violence. His connection to Hindley as a brother adds a layer of tragic inevitability to the story.

Alice Hill

Alice is a fellow survivor of violence and trauma, whose friendship and guidance provide Poe with a model for healing and hope. Her own history of survival and advocacy work offers a path forward for Poe, and their connection is a testament to the power of shared experience. Alice's presence in the story is a beacon of possibility, reminding Poe that the darkness can be endured and even transformed.

Grimm

Grimm, Poe's father's cat, is a minor but memorable character whose indifference and survival instincts mirror the emotional landscape of the story. His interactions with Bailey and Poe provide moments of levity and reflection, and his presence is a reminder that survival often requires both caution and courage.

The Podcast Listeners

The audience of Poe's podcast is both a source of support and a threat, their collective intelligence and curiosity driving the search for truth. They are the digital chorus, bearing witness to the confessions and the unfolding drama, and their involvement is crucial in unmasking Hindley and bringing the story to its conclusion.

Plot Devices

Confession as Narrative Engine

The entire novel is built around the device of confession—both public and private. The podcast format allows for a layered narrative, with stories unfolding through interviews, live streams, and personal revelations. This structure creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the reader into the psychological depths of each character. The confessions are both a means of control and a source of vulnerability, and the tension between truth and performance drives the plot forward. The live stream events serve as climactic set pieces, heightening the stakes and forcing the characters to confront their secrets in real time.

Unreliable Memory and Identity

The novel plays with the unreliability of memory and the fluidity of identity. Poe's recollections of her mother's murder, her certainty about the man she killed in New York, and her doubts about Hindley's true identity create a web of ambiguity that keeps the reader guessing. The use of false names, digital personas, and shifting narratives underscores the difficulty of knowing the truth, both about others and oneself. This device is used to explore themes of guilt, justice, and the possibility of redemption.

Psychological Cat-and-Mouse

The relationship between Poe and Hindley is a classic cat-and-mouse game, with each trying to outwit and outmaneuver the other. Hindley's manipulation of technology, his invasion of Poe's home, and his use of public confession as a weapon create a sense of pervasive danger. The psychological warfare is as important as the physical threats, and the tension is maintained through a series of escalating confrontations, reversals, and revelations.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The novel uses foreshadowing and parallelism to create a sense of inevitability and resonance. Poe's own act of vigilante violence mirrors the trauma of her mother's murder, and the cycle of vengeance is played out across generations. The use of animals, especially Bailey, as symbols of loyalty and warning, and the recurring motif of confession, create a thematic unity that ties the narrative together. The final confrontation is foreshadowed by earlier events, and the resolution is both surprising and deeply earned.

Analysis

Carter Wilson's Tell Me What You Did is a masterful exploration of trauma, guilt, and the search for redemption in a world where the lines between victim and perpetrator are blurred. Through the lens of a true-crime podcast, the novel interrogates the nature of confession, the hunger for justice, and the dangers of living in a world where secrets are both currency and curse. Poe Webb is a compelling antihero, her journey from haunted survivor to avenger to penitent offering a nuanced portrait of the costs of violence and the possibility of healing. The novel's use of digital media, live streaming, and collective investigation speaks to the anxieties and possibilities of the modern age, where privacy is fragile and the past is never truly buried. Ultimately, the story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of connection, and the necessity of facing the darkness within. The lessons are clear: survival requires both courage and vulnerability, and the path to redemption is paved with truth, however painful. In the end, Tell Me What You Did is not just a thriller, but a meditation on the meaning of confession, the price of survival, and the hope that even in the darkest night, there is a way home.

Last updated: August 18, 2025