Reviews with content warning for Stalking - One of Us Is Next

Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

54 reviews

conspystery's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The question I often find myself asking with sequels to mystery novels is, simply enough, why? Do we need to explore the lives of the characters from the first novel in the wake of whatever tragedy has befallen them, to examine that trauma? Are we seeing how a community heals and learning something new? Are we tying up loose ends, following threads intentionally left unresolved in the first book? One of Us is Next feels mostly like it is doing none of those things-- it might be trying, but in my opinion it is largely unsuccessful. I felt it was tacked on quite awkwardly to the first book, and didn’t do much to meaningfully develop on the existing narrative and characters.

Don’t get me wrong here: I liked getting to see the new cast. In particular, I really liked Phoebe, and I also enjoyed seeing more of Maeve-- I think from a writing standpoint, she’s the strongest character here. But once again, I have to ask why. Why these people, why this story? The connections to the first book feel contrived, almost silly. Set dressing. Why does the plot have to revolve around a copycat of Simon? It just seems to me this could’ve easily been its own story, unrelated to One of Us is Lying, with minimal changes. Ergo I feel like this book’s existence as a sequel is largely due to the fact that the previous book was pretty successful, and not because the story needed a follow up.

I understand that, though. I think that One of Us is Next does pretty well with what it’s given. Many of my problems with the last book revolved around weird tone shifts, and this book isn’t quite as bad in that regard-- it commits to its seriousness moreso than the last, as we can see in how Maeve’s leukemia storyline reflects the darker death threat plotline throughout the novel. I personally hated the romance subplot with Phoebe and Knox, but I thought Maeve’s was okay, and I liked the glimpses of Nate and Bronwyn we get to see. Their on-again-off-again thing feels realistic for their characters. Plus, I liked Nate’s limited interactions with Maeve a lot. Honestly, Nate was probably more of a favorite for me than Knox, one of the actual protagonists. Not a good sign. Of the Bayview Four, though, Addy and Cooper feel pretty detached, so once again: why these people, other than just for marketing purposes? I appreciate getting to see everybody again, but I just think this would’ve been a more interesting story on its own!

I also maintain my issues with predictability and questionable realism here, though I realize that probably wasn’t the goal-- like, not one student mentioned this to any authority at any point? How did phones NOT get banned from the school? And as surprising as I found the final plot twist to be, come on. Owen? Really? That is an entire child. I don’t know how much I believe it (even though I know this is fiction and that’s not the point.) I like its implications for the characters, though. Creates some interesting depth. Other than that, the rest of the plot was FAR more predictable than that of the first book, and, like most of the novel, feels contrived in its connection to the previous book.

Overall, this book was okay. I liked some of the characters, and some of the plot was interesting. But this was definitely not a standout to me, and I don’t think it’s an improvement on the first book. I generally don’t like sequels to mystery novels. I feel like they end up like this one more often than not: unnecessary and desperate to surprise while maintaining familiarity with the first book, which is a combination that leads to outlandish mystery/thriller aspects and contrived plot beats at once. I had the same issue with Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson. It might just be a staple of the genre. But I’m still a little disappointed.

Content Warnings

selahbeth's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Content Warnings

tbs250's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

kelsiemargareta's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

melodyseestrees's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book is very slow for the first 60%. There is a lot of focus on drama unrelated to the underlying mystery and characters that don't matter past the initial burst of drama. There is somehow not enough focus on any of these characters to pull off a red herring maneuver. You can basically figure out the plot by the 70% mark aside from a few details that were mishandled, in my opinion. There is also a romance between a 17 year old and someone who is old enough to have graduated college.

There is a character blatantly introduced at the 90% mark. He is mentioned two to four times throughout the book but only in passing as the "intense guy." To no one's surprise he is one of the three culprits and not at all a red herring. There are three culprits: Emma, Owen, Jared Jackson. Jared Jackson made a deal with Emma in a revenge board. Emma did this through the use of her sister's phone as she had conveniently lost hers. Emma admits this all from the hospital bed where she is suffering from the effects of alcohol poisoning. When Emma backs out by ghosting on Jared, Owen (the little brother) steps in, steals the pseudonym, and pursues revenge against Brandon for the death of his father. Emma and Phoebe agree to act like Jared fabricated Owen's messages to protect him.

The reveal right at the end of the book is a very cheap gimmick and though it was executed properly, it feels unrealistic to how someone of that age demographic would respond to the info they'd acquired.

Content Warnings

sarahro's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Great sequel that picks up 18 months after book 1 and thankfully still includes the original Bayview Four as minor characters. I wouldn't have enjoyed the novel as much as I did without the Nate/Bronwyn snippets here and there.
But I have to admit that Maeve was a perfect mc and even though I struggled with Phoebe and Knox in the beginning I liked their character development throughout the story. My favourite character turned out to be Luis, which was completely unexpected since I didn't even know he played a role in the sequel.

The mystery was okay but not as thrilling as Simon's ploy in book 1. The ending felt a bit rushed and I think the very last chapter was not as satisfying as it could have been.
Still, I flew through the pages and feel at home in Bayview, despite its dark side and revenge forums. I am looking forward to part 3 this year!

Content Warnings

taelights's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No

3.0

Personally I didn't like this one as much as the first book until the very end because I just disliked all the characters so I just couldn't get into it. I think this author is just not for me and I should just stick the the tv adaption but i will be giving the next book a read.

Content Warnings