A review by michelleub
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A

3.75

5 students get into detention, but only 4 come out alive. One of them did it. This death rattles up the whole city as the killer isn’t found, everyone says they didn’t do it, but did someone lie? This book is told from alternating 4 perspectives of the students. It shows their lives and how they’re dealing with the accusation of having killed a fellow classmate, but it also shows why could they have done it in the first place. Everyone seems to have had a motive, a secret, which could change their life it came out. 
Due to the investigation those 4 students find an unlikely friendship in eachother and get close as no one understands them like eachother. Well and they want to find out who actually did it so they can get their peace. 

All in all I actually liked the book. It was a nice young adult mystery, but the sub-romance plot was a bit too much for me. It just seemed unnecessary and if I’m honest,
they’re not going to last. It is understandable that they have a fling and get closer while the investigation takes place but as the book said, besides that they don’t have anything in common. Their attraction only seemed superficial. And I know the author tried to justify them and get them together in the epilogue but it just wasn’t convincing.
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