One of Us Is Lying (TV Series Tie-In Edition)
4.5 | 47,280 ratings
Price: 21.66
Last update: 12-30-2025
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- KSOne of Us Is Lying was is just outright one of the most addictive books I’ve read all yearOne of Us Is Lying was is just outright one of the most addictive books I’ve read all year, if not longer. From the moment I picked it up and started reading I found it incredibly hard to put down; I read on my way to and from work, on my lunch hour, after dinner and right up until I could keep my eyes open no longer! One of Us Is Lying tells the story of five high school seniors; Gossip Girl-esque Simon who runs a gossip blog, popular baseball player Cooper, serious and studious Bronwyn, loveable drug dealer Nate and pretty girl Addy. Each one finds themselves suddenly in detention after having a cell phone mysteriously placed in each of their bags. Whilst trying to convince the supervising teacher that none of the phones belong to them and that someone must be pulling a prank, they all suddenly hear the sound of a crash outside. Whilst the teacher and four of the students rush to the window to see what is going on, one student, Simon, hangs back and when they all return to their seats Simon begins to choke. As Bronwyn, Nate, Cooper and Addy all try to get help for Simon, unfortunately, it arrives to late and he is pronounced dead at the hospital – from anaphylactic due to a peanut allergy.
So who killed Simon? Well here is the tricky part. No one knows, but there are plenty of people who would want to. Simon has a lot of enemies due to his gossip blog that he runs, filled with the rumours and secrets of just about everyone in the school. But since he was in the room with just the others in detention, they quickly become the focus of the police investigation into Simon’s death and the ensuing media circus that threatens all of their reputations and futures.
Each character bears the brunt of everyone’s judgement from both family and friends, is pressured to turn on the others and most importantly, has one last secret about themselves revealed on a tumblr blog which continues to post following Simon’s death.
Who killed Simon? Who is still posting their secrets? Who wants them all to be destroyed? Who is lying?
One of Us Is Lying takes you on a rollercoaster ride of some serious character development, highs and lows of emotion and an all-important final twist. It gave me a classic who-done-it scenario, all the of drama you would expect from a high school filled with rampant hormones, a newly budding romance, a secret romance and an incredibly satisfying finale. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced, addictive read, not to mention this is now set to become a tv series after being picked up by E! - Amazon CustomerMurder Mystery done rightOne Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManns is a multi-perspective book based on a mysterious death of a student during a detention. I found myself loving the way this book explored different points of view. It would often switch between different characters' perspectives. For someone who normally enjoys a movie or film adaptation rather than the book, the way that author uses these points of view makes me crave more. The perspectives are special as they give insight into each character and fully flesh them out. Instead of being presented with someone like a typical jock in most books, you end up learning their reasons for acting the way they do. On top of this, this book does a great job displaying social media's role in highschool life. It uses ideas like rumors to show the negative impact they truly have on the person involved. But the best part of this book is the main plot itself. The journey within the pages of this book holds many plot twists, suspenseful moments, and even some emotion. This aspect is a good contrast compared to most other mystery books.
But although this book is amazing, it doesn’t come without its negatives. I believe the largest flaw of this book is becoming hard to follow. With the multi-perspective way of writing, it often becomes jumbled and makes me have to go back to figure out which character’s perspective I was in. To add to this, the way the author displays time made it hard to tell if it had been a day or a year. This would not have become an issue if the author did not struggle to set the scene. The story often jumps between different settings with no warning and leaves the reader to decide what is going on. Overall though, this book was a great read. I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys mystery books, or just loves a good plot twist. - Norma Dogodathis is a good readThe story is intriguing and holds your attention til the end. I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for an entertaining story
- JuliaUnique PlotUnique plot, excellent character development, spoilers that don't spoil anything.
Very well-written. - MommaLayneSecrets and Suspense: A Deadly Detention MysteryIn "One of Us is Lying," Karen M. McManus crafts a thrilling contemporary mystery that invites readers to immerse themselves in the tension-filled corridors of Bayview High. Five seemingly typical students—each representing a different high school stereotype—walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. The shock of Simon's sudden death sets off a riveting chain of events, as the remaining classmates find themselves entwined in a web of suspicion and intrigue.
Each of the four suspects—Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper—harbors secrets that Simon was poised to expose, raising questions about their innocence and complicity. McManus skillfully interweaves multiple perspectives, allowing readers to uncover layers of deception and complexity within each character. As tensions rise and the investigation unfolds, the story explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the lengths one might go to protect their secrets.
With its fast-paced narrative and clever plot twists, "One of Us is Lying" keeps readers guessing until the very end, delivering a gripping tale that challenges assumptions and highlights the darker side of high school life. Perfect for fans of mysteries and psychological thrillers, this book is an edge-of-your-seat read that reminds us that appearances can be deceiving—and that anyone can be capable of murder.