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A review by beccabookshelf
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
5.0
☆ 5 Stars - 9.43 CAWPILE
I'm very late to the fan club with this book and this is my first (but certainly not last) Karen M. McManus read.
As it usually is with me and books I can usually pick out the plot twist relatively early on, I definitely underestimated the potential of this book based off the blurb, so props to McManus and her publishers for that. Well played. Once reading there were a lot of red herrings and suspicious behaviour from many of the main characters and side characters but I caught on to the true culprit by around 30-50% of the way into the book.
The characters in this book were well fleshed out, with varying personalities, complications, relationships and motives. Whilst following standard high school cliches that can get a bit tired especially as a 25 year old, this book contained many of my favourite elements of YA novels. I hadn't seen the romance genre tag prior to reading and was happily surprised and rooting for certain characters when it was presented.
I personally wasn't triggered whilst reading this book however some tropes/plot points could be triggering to some readers so I would exercise caution if any of the following may impact you and/or your personal safety.
I see people describe One of Us is Lying as The Breakfast Club x Pretty Little Liars and that is probably the best way to simplify it to those considering reading it. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy the YA and Mystery/Thriller genres. I will definitely pick up some more of Karen M McManus's novels in the future, and will probably even give the TV show an attempt.
I'm very late to the fan club with this book and this is my first (but certainly not last) Karen M. McManus read.
As it usually is with me and books I can usually pick out the plot twist relatively early on, I definitely underestimated the potential of this book based off the blurb, so props to McManus and her publishers for that. Well played. Once reading there were a lot of red herrings and suspicious behaviour from many of the main characters and side characters but I caught on to the true culprit by around 30-50% of the way into the book.
The characters in this book were well fleshed out, with varying personalities, complications, relationships and motives. Whilst following standard high school cliches that can get a bit tired especially as a 25 year old, this book contained many of my favourite elements of YA novels. I hadn't seen the romance genre tag prior to reading and was happily surprised and rooting for certain characters when it was presented.
I personally wasn't triggered whilst reading this book however some tropes/plot points could be triggering to some readers so I would exercise caution if any of the following may impact you and/or your personal safety.
Spoiler
LGBTQIA+ as shock factor, outing, mental health/illness, terrorism/school shootings, substance abuse, prison/juvenile detention, manipulation, abuse, narcissism, cheating.I see people describe One of Us is Lying as The Breakfast Club x Pretty Little Liars and that is probably the best way to simplify it to those considering reading it. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy the YA and Mystery/Thriller genres. I will definitely pick up some more of Karen M McManus's novels in the future, and will probably even give the TV show an attempt.