Over the past 10 years or so, some of the best, most innovative storytelling has been delivered through headphones and car stereos. That's right; I'm talking about podcasts, which have become a global phenomenon. So perhaps it's no surprise that much like the many novels from the 1990s and 2000s that were set in magazine and book publishing, more and more writers are turning to the podcast as a source of inspiration --- and, along the way, reminding readers that authors are no slouch at stories either.

To this number, add debut novelist Tiffany Crum, whose THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE blends romance and suspense in equal measure. Benny Abbott and Joy Moore have been best friends for years. When we meet them, they're hot on the heels of their first-ever live show tour for their humorous survival-themed podcast (also titled “This Story Might Save Your Life”) and on the verge of a life-changing distribution deal.

"...an affecting portrayal of a long friendship that is deeply entwined with satisfying work.... I suspect that Tiffany Crum soon will be garnering legions of her own fans eager to see what this talented author does next."

Benny and Joy have built their success from the ground up. They’ve been learning as they go, relying on their familiar, naturally funny banter to draw in fans, and leaning on their tight-knit network of family and friends to provide the show's infrastructure. They include Joy's husband, Xander, who handles the business and financial side of the operation; Xander's sister, Mallory, the show's producer; and Mallory’s wife, a professional baker who keeps the crew well-fed with cupcakes.

But all is not entirely picture-perfect in this cozy, supportive world. A recent scandal with a podcast advertiser resulted in some negative press, and Joy has been contending with tension from a paparazzi-style stalker, which has been escalating under the pressure of the live shows. Nevertheless, Benny doesn't see it coming when Joy drops a bombshell of a decision on him or when, in the wake of a violent storm, Joy and Xander go missing. Benny is genuinely clueless about Joy's whereabouts and is fearful for her life, but many of the clues seem to point to him as the most likely suspect.

The book unfolds using a creative structure, alternating between chapters from Joy's memoir-in-progress (which outlines the history of her relationship with Benny and their joint project) and Benny's attempts to solve the mystery of her whereabouts. As the two converge, it's clear that everyone is keeping secrets from one another, some of which might have high emotional stakes and others of which might mean the difference between life and death.

THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE is genuinely suspenseful (though more than a few readers will figure out at least some of the plot twists well before they're officially revealed). It’s also a love story, although even without the romance plot, the book is an affecting portrayal of a long friendship that is deeply entwined with satisfying work. In that way, the novel is a good choice for readers who loved Gabrielle Zevin’s TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW. But I suspect that Tiffany Crum soon will be garnering legions of her own fans eager to see what this talented author does next.