The Children’s Book Review | January 23, 2018
Written by Karen M. McManus
Age Range: 14-18
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (2017)
ISBN: 978-1524714680
What to Expect: Mystery, Friendship, High School, Murder, LGBTQ
One of Us is Lying follows the intertwining lives of four high school students, Bronwyn (the Yale bound student), Addy (the popular girl with the perfect boyfriend), Cooper (the all-star athlete), and Nate (the drug dealer), after being accused of murdering their fellow classmate, Simon, during detention. All four students have motive for murdering him, yet all of them claim innocence. Simon’s school-wide app was due to publish very private and detrimental secrets about each of the “Bayview Four” until he is killed, and the posts are never published. Eventually, the truth finds a way out, and the four students must work together to not only clear their names and keep themselves out of jail but also protect their reputation and fix their lives from their havoc their mistakes have caused.
Their stories show us that although none of these students are innocent, they aren’t guilty either proving that justice isn’t always black and white. This unlikely band of misfits are able to find their true selves in the process opening themselves up to adventure and unlikely love along the way. As the secrets of their lives begin to unravel, readers are shown the faults in a broken justice system as well as the results of holding biased views regarding innocence, sexuality, income, race, and status. Additionally, readers are shown that love knows no limits, and true happiness lies in being true to yourself no matter who thinks you are wrong.
This story covers such topics as LGBTQ rights, domestic violence, and criminal activity such as drug dealing, and is a great introduction for high schoolers or children soon to be in the high school environment to see real life situations play out in a responsible yet realistic way. Highly recommended for anyone that loves plot twists, suspense, and thrilling mysteries.
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About the Author
Karen M. McManus’ debut young adult novel, ONE OF US IS LYING, was released from Delacorte Press/Random House in May 2017. The book is a New York Times and international bestseller, and is being translated into 30 languages. For more information, visit www.karenmcmanus.com or @writerkmc on Twitter.
One of Us is Lying, by Karen M. McManus, was reviewed by Samantha Sheridan. Discover more books like One of Us is Lying by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Friendship, High School, Karen M. McManus, Murder Books, Mysteries, Suspense, and Young Adult Fiction.