One of Us Is Lying
AuthorKaren M. McManus
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult fiction
Mystery fiction
Contemporary fiction
Published
29 May 2017 (Delacorte Press, US)
1 June 2017 (Penguin Books, UK)
Media typePrint (hardback and paperback)
Audiobook
E-book
Pages368
ISBN978-0-141-37563-2
Followed byOne of Us Is Next[1] 

One of Us Is Lying is a young adult, mystery/suspense novel by American author Karen M. McManus. The book is her debut novel, originally published in the US by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, on 30 May 2017.[2]

The book uses multiperspectivity to show the points-of-view of all four student suspects. It has received several accolades including a five-year run on the New York Times best-seller list.[3]

Plot

At Bayview High, Bronwyn, Simon, Nate, Cooper, and Addy attend detention with teacher Mr. Avery after he found mobile phones in each of their school bags, against his strict no-phone policy. The students were thought to have been framed because all of the students claims that the phones are not theirs and that someone has planted them there to get them in trouble. They hear a collision and some loud arguments in the school parking lot, and Mr. Avery leaves to investigate. Simon—creator of the 'About That' an app that reavels secrets nobody knows about you in which the personal lives of students at Bayview High are posted for the rest of the school to see—begins a speech about the of the other four students and how he, through his app, is the omniscient narrator. He drinks tap-water from a plastic cup and suffers a fatal allergic reaction due to his peanut allergy. The others attempt to help, but it is too late and Simon dies in the hospital.

Initially, the incident is considered an accident, but after a Tumblr post claiming that Simon's death was planned and the killer watched him die is shared, the police begin to investigate and find an unpublished post by Simon that features the secrets of the other four students. Each of the secrets would affect the students’ future: Bronwyn's cheating in chemistry class could impact her college applications; Nate's repeated misdemeanor could send him to jail; Addy's infidelity might end her relationship with Jake; and the accusation of steroid use could halt Cooper's potential baseball career. The four are initially suspicious of one another but begin to grow closer due to their shared situation.

The investigation receives media attention and the four are dubbed the 'Bayview Four.' After Simon's funeral, his post is leaked and the rest of the school learns the four's secrets, triggering the consequences: Bronwyn's parents are disappointed, Nate's house is searched for drugs, Addy's relationship ends, and Cooper's performance is investigated. This prompts Maeve, Bronwyn's younger sister, to investigate Simon's online activity, which brings to light an encrypted original post about Cooper, and Simon's activity on massacre-worship forums, where he mentions a similar desire.

Addy befriends Janae, Simon's friend. Bronwyn and Nate return to the latter's home to avoid the media and find his mother, whom he claimed was dead, but whom had in fact suffered from bipolar disorder and drug addiction and subsequently moved to Oregon, leaving Nate and his father behind. She claims to now be sober and wishes to reconcile with her son and help. The encrypted file regarding Cooper is opened by the police, revealing that the steroid accusations are false and that Cooper is actually gay. This in turn outs him, causing a rift between Cooper and his father, who is homophobic. When Cooper is bullied verbally in the cafeteria after this news is leaked, Nate defends him, and the group sits together, demonstrating their new solidarity and friendship. Evidence is found tying Nate to the murder and he is arrested. Bronwyn contacts Eli Kleinfelter, a lawyer she saw on television defending the 'Bayview Four' on the crime show 'Mikhail Powers Investigates', asking him to help.

Janae hasn't been at school for a week and isn't responding to texts, so Addy goes to her home, where Janae confesses that Simon had been frustrated and angry for years that he wasn't more important in high school, and so he rigged the Junior prom to become King. Jake heard him bragging about the plan and Simon was afraid he would be exposed, so he told Jake about Addy's infidelity with TJ. Simon then enlisted Jake's help with his suicide plan, telling Jake he could get even by framing Addy as Simon's murderer. Janae was supposed to plant the evidence on Addy, but when she couldn't bring herself to do it, she planted it on Nate instead. Jake has been harassing Janae for ruining the plan, and he arrives while Addy is still there. Addy attempts to record the conversation, but her phone rings, drawing Jake's attention. Addy runs into the woods but Jake follows, trying to strangle her and hit her over the head with a rock. Addy is saved by Cooper, who had accompanied her to the house and saw Jake arrive.

Jake is taken into custody, Janae accepts a plea bargain for her involvement, and Nate is released but is shaken from his time in the juvenile detention center, rejecting Bronwyn's concern and breaking off their relationship. Addy heals in the hospital and after, Ashton asks Addy to live with her, which Addy happily accepts. Cooper's college options begin to reappear and his relationship with his father starts to improve. Bronwyn applies to Yale and begins dating Evan Neiman, another student, though she does not consider it serious. She later finds Nate waiting for her after a major piano recital when he apologizes for dismissing her. The story ends as she accepts his offer to a movie.

Characters

Main characters

  • Bronwyn Rojas: One of the four point-of-view characters; the 'brain'. Is an overachiever and Yale-hopeful from a well-to-do family who are also Ivy League graduates. She is a member, and often founder, of several after-school clubs. Her mother is white, a 4th generation Irish, and her father is Colombian, making Bronwyn half Irish and Hispanic. She has a good relationship with her younger sister, Maeve, and is protective of her. Her primary secret is she cheated on her chemistry test in order to maintain her straight-A status, which she fears will impact her college dreams. It is later revealed that she left a threatening message to Simon after he posted an "About That" post about her sister.
  • Nathaniel "Nate" Macauley: One of the four point-of-view characters; the 'criminal'. Is a 'bad boy' who is on probation for selling drugs. He lives with his alcoholic father after his bipolar, drug-addicted mother left and supposedly died several years ago. Their primary source of income is from a disability allowance after his father's work injury and is the reason Nate sells drugs. He eventually falls in love with Bronwyn and they date. His primary secret is that he has been continuing to sell drugs. It is also later revealed that his mother is still alive. Nate has a lizard named Stan.
  • Adelaide "Addy" Prentiss: One of the four point-of-view characters; the 'princess'. Is one of the popular students at the school. She is besotted with her boyfriend, Jake, but her secret is that she cheated on him with TJ, another boy within their friendship group. She eventually confesses to Jake, who breaks up with her. She is comforted by her older sister, Ashton, who helps her through the break-up and with her self-discovery.
  • Cooper Clay: One of the four point-of-view characters; the 'jock'. He is a promising baseball star who is accused of steroid use by Simon's post. It is later revealed that the original post was edited and his secret removed, but it eventually comes to light that he is gay. He plays a crucial role in the climax of the book.

Other characters

  • Simon Kelleher: Self-proclaimed omniscient narrator and creator of About That, the gossip app revolving around the students of the fictional American high school, Bayview High. He is noted to suffer from depression. His death acts as a catalyst for the events of the story, and the rumors and secrets told in his app are what implicate the others in detention as suspects for his murder.
  • Maeve Rojas: Bronwyn's younger sister. She is an intellect and takes a proactive role alongside Bronwyn in trying to solve the murder. She has also been featured in a post by Simon. She suffered from leukemia at the age of seven.
  • Jake Riordan: Addy's boyfriend and old friend of Simon's. He has a controlling nature, and when Addy's secret comes to light, he breaks up with her.
  • Ashton Prentiss: Addy's older sister. She has a rocky relationship with her husband Charlie, so spends a lot of time at the family home. She dislikes Jake and the way he treats Addy.
  • Janae Vargas: Simon's best friend. She plays a crucial role in the climax. She becomes friends with Addy. She is insecure.
  • Eli Kleinfelter: Lawyer who works for the pro bono legal group Until Proven. Bronwyn reaches out to him to defend Nate because he has no lawyer.
  • Kris Becker: He is Cooper's secret boyfriend. He helps to decode the mystery.
  • TJ Forrester: A student of Bayview High, whom Addy cheated on Jake with.
  • Mikhail Powers: A reporter who takes an interest in Simon's case.
  • Mr. Avery: A strict teacher in Bayview High.
  • Vanessa: Addy's enemy who relentlessly mocks her after her secret comes out.
  • Luis Santos: Cooper's best friend and one of the only people to stand by his side after his secret comes out.
  • Ellen Macauley: Nate's mother, a bipolar addict who abandoned him.
  • Keely Soria: Cooper's ex-girlfriend, who he pretended to like so he wouldn't be found out for being gay.
  • Evan Nieuman: Bronwyn's ex-boyfriend after Nate thought that they weren't compatible.
  • Amber: Nate's fling before he met Bronwyn.

Reception

Reception of One of Us Is Lying has been mostly positive, receiving multiple awards and nominations, primarily within the Young Adult category. Reviewer Mary Cosola of Common Sense Media comments that the plot "raises lots of ethical questions" and "provides good discussion topics", receiving an overall rating of four-stars, with an age rating of 14+.[4] Nivea Serrao of Entertainment Weekly praises the author for the nuanced characters and their development, and for challenging the initial stereotypes, but notes that the slow reveal of the secrets leaves the reader with less time to engage with the ending's more fully developed characters.[5] Kirkus Reviews acknowledges the "insights into common adolescent struggles" and "opportunities for self-reflection" for young readers, also rating the book for readers between 14 and 18, however criticizes that author's use of language and the plot, which they suggest "border on cliché". It also mentions how, although Bronwyn, Maeve, and their father's side of the family are Colombian, the cast is predominantly white.[6]

One of Us Is Lying has been described on several occasions as a cross between The Breakfast Club and Pretty Little Liars.[7][8][2]

Awards and recognition

Nominations:

  • A YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction Book nominee[18]
  • A CBC Teen Choice Book Award nominee[19]
  • A Goodreads Best Young Adult Book of the Year nominee[20]

Sequel

A sequel, One of Us Is Next, was published by Delacorte Press on January 7, 2020.[21] Set 18 months later, the novel follows the residents of Bayview as someone starts playing a sinister game of truth or dare.[22] A second and final sequel, One of Us Is Back, was published by Delacorte Press on July 23, 2023. [23]

Television adaptation

A television series based on the novel was originally in development from E! in September 2017. However, the project was moved to NBCUniversal, who gave it a pilot order in August 2019 for Peacock.[24][25] After the pilot was filmed in November 2019,[26] the project was given a series order in August 2020 for a total of eight episodes.[27] The remaining seven episodes were filmed in New Zealand.[28] The series premiered on October 7, 2021.[29] The show's second season preimired on October 20, 2022.[30] The series made its linear premiere on E!, the network it originally was pitched for, on October 22, 2022.[31]

References

  1. ↑ Empire, Kitty (8 January 2020). "One of Us Is Next by Karen M McManus review – a thrilling sequel". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 "One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus". Penguin Random House Canada. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - April 2, 2023 - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Cosola, Mary (22 July 2017). "One of Us Is Lying - Book Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  5. ↑ Serrao, Nivea. "'The Breakfast Club' Meets Murder Mystery in 'One of Us Is Lying': EW Review". EW.com. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  6. ↑ "One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus | Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  7. ↑ Serrao, Nivea (30 May 2017). "'The Breakfast Club' Meets Murder Mystery in 'One of Us Is Living': EW Review". EW.com. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  8. ↑ "Review: One of Us is Lying – Karen McManus". YA SHELF. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  9. ↑ "National Indie Bestsellers - Children's Young Adult". the American Booksellers Association. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  10. ↑ Karen M. McManus [@writerkmc] (5 January 2018). "Ahhhh!!! One is Us Is Lying made the USA Today bestseller list for the first time this week!" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "Best Books for Teens". New York Public Library- Best Books for Teens. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  12. ↑ "Official 2018 Teens' Top Ten titles announced". News and Press Center. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  13. ↑ "2018 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 22 January 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  14. ↑ "The 10 best YA books of 2017". EW.com. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  15. ↑ Aslanian, Emily Maas. "10 Best Young Adult Books We Read in 2017". PopCrush. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  16. ↑ "28 Of The Best YA Books Released In 2017 That You'll Want To Read Immediately". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  17. ↑ "Library News | Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education". ccrce.ca. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  18. ↑ "Young Adult Library Association 2018 Teen's Top Ten PDF" (PDF). Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  19. ↑ "One of Us is Lying – Children's Book Council". The Children's Book Council. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  20. ↑ "Lists That Contain One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  21. ↑ "EW's winter thriller preview: Your complete guide to the season's best page-turners". EW.com. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  22. ↑ One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus | Kirkus Reviews. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  23. ↑ "Exclusive: Get a First Look at Karen M. McManus' Final 'One of Us Is Lying' Book, 'One of Us Is Back'". Cosmopolitan. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  24. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (15 August 2019). "NBCU Streamer Orders 'One Of Us Is Lying' YA Mystery Drama Pilot Based On Book". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  25. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (15 August 2019). "'Queer as Folk' Reboot, 'One of Us Is Lying' Move to NBCUniversal's Streaming Service". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  26. ↑ "One of Us Is Lying". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  27. ↑ White, Peter (12 August 2020). "'One Of Us Is Lying': Peacock Orders Young-Adult Mystery Drama To Series; Darío Madrona To Showrun". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  28. ↑ "One of Us Is Lying". Production List. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  29. ↑ Del Roaserio, Alexandra (13 September 2021). "'One Of Us Is Lying': Peacock YA Drama Unveils Full Trailer, Sets Premiere Date – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  30. ↑ "Pitch Perfect and Best Man Sequels, Julie Plec's Vampire Academy Among 10 Peacock Release Dates — See Full Slate". 29 June 2022.
  31. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019012629/https://www.tvtv.us/ga/atlanta/luUSA-GA67017-X TV guide listings, switch to Saturday for October 22 listing
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