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bluz19's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I actually really enjoy these books. They are very simple, they give like YA who-dun-it vibes. It’s your very typical high school drama but include murder. Imagine the one day you need a break from school and someone gets murdered and you just so happen to have a current vendetta all because they beat you out for class president. We get the point of views from all three main characters. It was interesting to see all of them develop throughout the story as secrets kept coming to light. As they tried to scoop out things, it was so interesting to learn about each one of them and what they held to be important. There are some twists in here where I definitely couldn’t figure out the ending. I feel like although there is murder, it is just a very light book overall. Don’t go into this book thinking there will be a lot of world building or very complex characters, or even thinking that it’ll be the biggest shock of your life. This is about kids trying not to be blamed for a murder of a classmate and thinking they can solve the entire mystery themselves.
I really liked the moments of suspense and I knew exactly what I was getting myself into starting this book. It was a quick read that honestly kept my attention from start to finish. If you want a book with quick twists and turns p, keeps you guessing till the end, but doesn’t quite do too much in building a story outside of the mystery, then you’ll enjoy this book.
I really liked the moments of suspense and I knew exactly what I was getting myself into starting this book. It was a quick read that honestly kept my attention from start to finish. If you want a book with quick twists and turns p, keeps you guessing till the end, but doesn’t quite do too much in building a story outside of the mystery, then you’ll enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Child death
savreads28's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Child death, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Pedophilia, and Toxic friendship
redroseses's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Child death, Drug use, and Murder
stories's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
McManus’ books are always an intriguing patchwork of characters and bigger lives, and this was no exception. The incidentally reunion of a trio of ex-friends was an effective backdrop, full of layered secrets and guilt.
I didn’t find this book as gripping as her others, but still a solid read, with a superb finishing twist to make it worthwhile.
I didn’t find this book as gripping as her others, but still a solid read, with a superb finishing twist to make it worthwhile.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Trafficking, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
Drug trafficking (opioids)mollyolloxenfree25's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Child death and Adult/minor relationship
z_thatsit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Pedophilia, Cursing, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, and Racism
Minor: Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Car accident
emily_mh's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If I was rating this solely based off enjoyment, it would be 5 stars. There were some definite issues with quality that meant I felt I should dock it a full star. But first, the positives! It was incredibly fast-paced and gripping, taking place over just a day (to this end, I thought it lived up to the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off gone wrong premise). Actual investigation took place, and the romance was actually believable (unlike the other two romances I’ve read of McManus). Finally, the situations and subsequent developments of the characters were really strong.
In terms of negatives, the character personalities (despite their diverse circumstances) were all fairly generic. More significantly, it was a little messy. For example, it didn’t really tie up who the Coach got to kill Brian. Finally, while I didn’t hate the resolution, I didn’t love it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Murder, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Violence, and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Medical content, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Minor warnings for gentrification, loss of a loved one, death of a pet, divorce.readwithsuzanna's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Child death, and Adult/minor relationship
jillkaarlela's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. I really liked Karen M McManus’s “one of us is lying” series, and this was another win for McManus in my opinion. Her other books, like “two can keep a secret”, we’re really a miss for me, but this new one was actually very good. I think McManus’s mysteries are far better than anything I’ve read in months. Again, it’s one of those books that you can binge in one sitting. I am a big fan of her writing style. I love the format of a main character group of 3-4 people, and the story is told while shifting POVs between the main characters. It adds a lot of depth and knowledge/understanding to each character that is sometimes missing in books with only one POV.
It had suspense, and some shocking twists that I didn’t expect. I was interested and wanted to keep listening to the audiobook. I really liked how interconnected the characters and plot were, and how McManus tied them all together. I wouldn’t say that it was quite as good the “one of us is lying” series, but it was still very good. The ending was a little ambiguous, and it leaves an opportunity for a sequel, so maybe there will be one. I would read it if there was a sequel.
Age rating: 14+
It had suspense, and some shocking twists that I didn’t expect. I was interested and wanted to keep listening to the audiobook. I really liked how interconnected the characters and plot were, and how McManus tied them all together. I wouldn’t say that it was quite as good the “one of us is lying” series, but it was still very good. The ending was a little ambiguous, and it leaves an opportunity for a sequel, so maybe there will be one. I would read it if there was a sequel.
Age rating: 14+
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Murder, and Death
Minor: Cursing
Maybe 13-14+. There isn’t any sexual content, but there are some heavier relational topics, as well as drug related plot.rey_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very typical of the YA genre - the writing was good, but not outstanding. I tend to be drawn towards more poetic writing, or intricate, clever descriptions, and this book didn't really have that.
Interesting mystery and plot idea, but I didn't like any of the characters enough to really connect with it. Minor plot holes. Characters made bad/ ill thought-out decisions throughout, but I'm not convinced they showed any development.
Pacing towards the end was a bit odd and left me feeling unsatisfied.
I did enjoy parts of the book, and the plot was strong enough that it was an overall enjoyable and quick read, but ultimately the characters didn't feel realistic or compelling enough for me to really connect with the story.
Interesting mystery and plot idea, but I didn't like any of the characters enough to really connect with it. Minor plot holes. Characters made bad/ ill thought-out decisions throughout, but I'm not convinced they showed any development.
Pacing towards the end was a bit odd and left me feeling unsatisfied.
I did enjoy parts of the book, and the plot was strong enough that it was an overall enjoyable and quick read, but ultimately the characters didn't feel realistic or compelling enough for me to really connect with the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship