Spy the Lie

Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception

By: Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero, Don Tennant

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Three former CIA officers—among the world's foremost authorities on recognizing deceptive behavior—share their proven techniques for uncovering a lie

Imagine how different your life would be if you could tell whether someone was lying or telling you the truth. Be it hiring a new employee, investing in a financial interest, speaking with your child about drugs, confronting your significant other about suspected infidelity, or even dating someone new, having the ability to unmask a lie can have far-reaching and even life-altering consequences.

As former CIA officers, Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, and Susan Carnicero are among the world's best at recognizing deceptive behavior. Spy the Lie chronicles the captivating story of how they used a methodology Houston developed to detect deception in the counterterrorism and criminal investigation realms, and shows how these techniques can be applied in our daily lives.

Through fascinating anecdotes from their intelligence careers, the authors teach readers how to recognize deceptive behaviors, both verbal and nonverbal, that we all tend to display when we respond to questions untruthfully. For the first time, they share with the general public their methodology and their secrets to the art of asking questions that elicit the truth.



Spy the Lie is a game-changer. You may never read another book that has a more dramatic impact on your career, your relationships, or your future.

Excellent, with one disappointment

Where does Spy the Lie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Having listened to Joe Navarro's "What EveryBODY Is Saying", I felt this audiobook provided similar content, but with excellent suggestions for honing questions that an interviewer might ask of a potential hire, or an employer of an employee in an otherwise uncomfortable situation. My only misgiving is when the reading refers to "Figure 1" or "Figure 2", etc., and there was no companion download to include what might be important images. I'll never know how important they were to include unless they are available or unless I get the hard copy somewhere... please Audible, let the reader decide on their importance rather than make the decision on our behalf.

Excellent Listen

Would you listen to Spy the Lie again? Why?

I would listen to it again because there is so much helpful information contained in the book. As the author says, the only way to hone the ability to spot lies is to practice. To do that, you need to review. A very interesting book.

What about Fred Berman’s performance did you like?

His voice was exactly what you would expect for this kind of CIA/investigation narration. Almost amusing, but at the end of the day a smooth voice to listen to and appropriate to the material.

very interesting book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Very well read with lots of details and examples. Great content. It's exactly what you hope it's going to be when you see the title.

Preview of the book, does not do it justice.

I had listened to the preview and was sort of 'meh' about it. But I gambled and got it anyway.

So very glad I did. It was a very entertaining read, that gives you knowledge on how one can spot liars easily, whether it is during interviews, business talks, spouses or when your children lie about silly things.

They clearly outline what techniques are employed where, and how and when they should be.

They show us interviews of OJ Simpson and Sandusky, and dissect them to show us how they knew they were guilty even before their convictions just based on the interviews the CIA agents had listened to.

Overall, an amazing book if you want to have a introductory/intermediate book for deception detection.

Excellent and import info and tips

Would you consider the audio edition of Spy the Lie to be better than the print version?

I havent read the book but the audio edition is excellent

What other book might you compare Spy the Lie to and why?

In some how you can compare it with Daniel Coleman's Social Intelligence in some if his chapters where you can abstract usual behaviors in social interaction.
Or even with Paul Ekman, even though the authors recite Ekman

What about Fred Berman’s performance did you like?

Fred's perfomance just fit with this book, it engaged me!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

All in one setting and several times

Any additional comments?

Excellent information and tips that everybody should know and have present in social interactions