Book Description

Imagine this: five students walk into detention, but only four walk out alive. The one who doesn't make it is Simon Kelleher, the creator of a notorious gossip app that spills everyone's secrets at Bayview High. The remaining four students – Bronwyn, the brainy Yale-bound student; Cooper, the star baseball pitcher; Addy, the popular prom queen; and Nate, the school's resident bad boy – each had a strong reason to dislike Simon, and each is hiding something significant that could make them look guilty.

The central question becomes what truly happened in that classroom. Was Simon's death an accident, a suicide, or did one of them murder him? As the police investigation unfolds, their carefully guarded secrets are slowly brought to light, pushing them to confront not only the truth about Simon's death but also who they truly are and how far they'd go to protect their reputations and futures. This debut novel offers a mystery where everyone has something to hide, and the truth is elusive.

Author Information

Karen M. McManus is an American author who made her debut with "One of Us Is Lying." She has since become a well-known voice in young adult mystery, celebrated for creating suspenseful plots and engaging characters. Her strength lies in developing relatable teenage protagonists caught in high-stakes, twist-filled situations. Her other notable works include the sequels to this novel, "One of Us Is Next" and "One of Us Is Back," further exploring the Bayview High universe, as well as standalone mysteries like "Two Can Keep a Secret" and "The Cousins."

Series Context

This book, "One of Us Is Lying," is the first in a series set in the world of Bayview High. It introduces the initial mystery and its core group of characters, setting the stage for the unfolding events. The story continues with two sequels, "One of Us Is Next" and "One of Us Is Back," which delve deeper into new mysteries and the lives of those connected to Bayview High. While each book can be read as a standalone mystery, reading them in order provides a fuller understanding of the interconnected events and character developments.

Readers are saying

While we don't have specific reader quotes for this edition at the moment, feedback for Karen M. McManus's work, especially "One of Us Is Lying," often highlights her skill in crafting intricate mysteries with a modern touch. Readers frequently mention the compelling characters and the clever twists that keep them guessing until the very end. Many appreciate how the book explores themes of identity, reputation, and the pressures faced by teenagers today, all wrapped up in a fast-paced whodunit.

Key Details

• Title: One of Us Is Lying
• Author: Karen M. McManus
• Category: Young Adult Mystery/Suspense
• First Published: 2017
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Language: English