Anyone who enjoys books with mystery, suspense and secrets is sure to love One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus. The book is about five kids named Simon, Bronwyn, Addy, Cooper and Nate who get stuck in detention together. The thing is, Simon has an allergic reaction and dies in detention. Police say it’s more than an accident. Someone was purposely trying to kill Simon. The book follows the other four kids in detention that day. One of Us is Lying shows how their everyday lives have been turned upside down as they become suspects. The question is, “Who really killed Simon?”

I enjoyed how each character seemed stereotypical at first, but as the plot progressed they got more complex. It really shows how there’s more to people than what meets the eye. Bronwyn’s a stereotypical smart kid with dreams of going to Yale. Nate’s already a criminal whose mother left him and his alcoholic father. Addy is a popular girl who is obsessed with her boyfriend. Cooper is a baseball star who is already being scouted by the MLB. 

Hearing different points of views from each character also made the story feel more real. As I was reading, I knew things the other characters didn’t. It helped me feel a part of the story. As a character found out something I already knew about, it gave me a sense of satisfaction. 

One of the best parts of the book was also the suspense. The author really knew how to keep the reader engaged. Karen M. McManus would cut chapters off just after something really interesting and important happened. Then the story would switch to another point of view. This method of writing always kept me wondering what was going to happen next.

While I have not read them yet, there are two more books in the One of Us is Lying series: One of Us is Next and One of Us is Back. The book has been adapted into a TV show and is available to watch on Peacock. 

Overall, One of Us is Lying is a really great book full of twists and turns. I highly recommend it to any mystery fans. Stop by the Loyola library and check it out!