Name: One of Us Is Next
Rating: 3.887133182844244 (886 reviews)
ISBN: 9781094259000

Karen M. McManus

Maria Liatis

Holly Linneman

Fred Berman

Karissa Vacker

One of Us Is Next

Karen M. McManus is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. 

While I enjoyed the first book, this sequel felt even more intimate, mostly because of how close to home the events were this time and the identity behind the Truth or Dare game. McManus really knows how to build a mystery. The clues are layered so well that you’re constantly trying to piece everything together before the big reveal.

And the twist? I actually figured it out, but the execution was still 

in a way that completely worked. It didn’t take away from the shock. If anything, it made it more memorable.

The characters felt just as rich and complex as in the first book. Even with all the chaos unfolding, I was still deeply invested in their personal lives, their goals, and what they stood to lose.

Each of them brought something different to the story, and their dynamics added emotional weight to the mystery.

McManus has a real gift for writing addictive, fast-paced thrillers without sacrificing character depth. The pacing keeps you hooked, and the constant red herrings make it nearly impossible to stop reading. It’s the kind of writing that makes you feel like you 

Absolutely. If you enjoy YA thrillers packed with twists, secrets, and messy characters, this is a must-read. It’s a strong sequel that builds on the first book while still standing on its own.

This was technically a mood read for me. I started it in July, paused, then restarted in September and finished in November. Despite that, the suspense never faded. It kept me engaged from beginning to end.

 5 stars for its layered mystery, constant tension, and genuinely shocking conclusion. Karen M. McManus continues to prove why she’s one of the top authors in YA mystery. I cannot wait to read 

Tali ⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

 ⭐ Introduction
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

Rating: 5 stars

Karen M. McManus is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. One of Us Is Next, the follow-up to One of Us Is Lying, absolutely did not disappoint.

 ⭐ Plot Analysis
While I enjoyed the first book, this sequel felt even more intimate, mostly because of how close to home the events were this time and the identity behind the Truth or Dare game. McManus really knows how to build a mystery. The clues are layered so well that you’re constantly trying to piece everything together before the big reveal.

And the twist? I actually figured it out, but the execution was still BIZARRE in a way that completely worked. It didn’t take away from the shock. If anything, it made it more memorable.

 ⭐ Character Analysis
The characters felt just as rich and complex as in the first book. Even with all the chaos unfolding, I was still deeply invested in their personal lives, their goals, and what they stood to lose.

My favorites:
1. Knox Myers
2. Phoebe Lawton
3. Maeve Rojas

Each of them brought something different to the story, and their dynamics added emotional weight to the mystery.

 ⭐ Writing Analysis
McManus has a real gift for writing addictive, fast-paced thrillers without sacrificing character depth. The pacing keeps you hooked, and the constant red herrings make it nearly impossible to stop reading. It’s the kind of writing that makes you feel like you have to know what happens next.

 ⭐ Would I Recommend
Absolutely. If you enjoy YA thrillers packed with twists, secrets, and messy characters, this is a must-read. It’s a strong sequel that builds on the first book while still standing on its own.

 ⭐ Final Take
This was technically a mood read for me. I started it in July, paused, then restarted in September and finished in November. Despite that, the suspense never faded. It kept me engaged from beginning to end.

I gave One of Us Is Next 5 stars for its layered mystery, constant tension, and genuinely shocking conclusion. Karen M. McManus continues to prove why she’s one of the top authors in YA mystery. I cannot wait to read One of Us Is Back.

Die Fortsetzung des SPIEGEL-Bestsellers ONE OF US IS LYING

ONE OF US IS NEXT

Milan Joseph

I like this book much better than the first one. Even though the pieces fell together before the reveal, it felt ok and better than the out of the world twist in the previous book. 

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now.

This time it's not an app, though—it's a game.

Truth or Dare.

Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.

Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules.

One of Us is Lying #2

One of us is next

This is the second book in the series One of Us is Lying. 

I am kind of lost for words because I just woke up and can’t think straight honestly

Sorry I’m messing up here a little bit but one thing I CAN ABSOLUTELY SAY is that McManus thoroughly cooked with the insults and rizz

There was this one part where this guy asked Muave what she was thinking about and she responded in her head “lately,you.”  

And the STD one that Phoebe said that I made a highlight of really made me conburgle like Phoebe what the fleep 😭

Also something else I wanna say is the new characters made me tweak a lil bit like who the actual blop is Knox?? And Phoebe? Like who’s Ashton again?? 🥲 What?? But luckily there is a very helpful thing on the first page that is like a phone contact kinda thing and says like “brother of _______” so thanks for that, otherwise I’d be cooked.

So if you haven’t read this book yet, read the first one and then this one. Also that was a sneaky lil plot twist at the end McManus I saw that 😁

Jafe

This is the second book in the series One of Us is Lying. 

I am kind of lost for words because I just woke up and can’t think straight honestly

I thought this book was good

Sorry I’m messing up here a little bit but one thing I CAN ABSOLUTELY SAY is that McManus thoroughly cooked with the insults and rizz

There was this one part where this guy asked Muave what she was thinking about and she responded in her head “lately,you.”  

And the STD one that Phoebe said that I made a highlight of really made me conburgle like Phoebe what the fleep 😭

Also something else I wanna say is the new characters made me tweak a lil bit like who the actual blop is Knox?? And Phoebe? Like who’s Ashton again?? 🥲 What?? But luckily there is a very helpful thing on the first page that is like a phone contact kinda thing and says like “brother of _______” so thanks for that, otherwise I’d be cooked.

So if you haven’t read this book yet, read the first one and then this one. Also that was a sneaky lil plot twist at the end McManus I saw that 😁

Loved it! Thought I guessed the ending but there was a second twist!

Lauren Piper

Loved the characters, fascinated by the author, the way she combines all the little details into a complex plot/ result is amazing.

Drekki

This book was really fun to read. I liked how the characters from the first book were still featured but more in the background. It was interesting, but I felt like a lot was happening. I kind of predicted that Emma was behind it after they found out he was looking for Phoebe, but I never would have guessed the ending. 

Maggie Hotmer

** spoiler alert **
           I was debating whether to give it a 4 stars or 5. I ultimately decided for 5 because the story was so good and well written. It gripped me, I would've read it in one sitting if I could (but it was in two, which is okay). I just didn't really like the ending. I understand that it could be intentional that the culprit (from the final 2-3 pages) goes unscathed, because the same thing happened to the person who died, I really think they should've been punished. It ruins the whole purpose of the game, in a way? And the final paragraph is hypocritical, given who's talking. But I really enjoy McManus' writing and worldbuilding, it really wasn't hard for me to slip back into the world of Simon even two years after reading One of us is lying.

This was even better than the first omg the end 

Pia 

tris

4/5 — actually 5 stars but i miss the OG bay view four but anyways, loved how the story builds up and starts to make sense each chapter i read!! there’s a third book in this series and ngl im so confused why is there a need for a third book but ig we’ll see :)

Maria Shade

oh. my. god. 
the ending?? completely caught me off guard.

The highly anticipated, #1 New York Times bestselling sequel to One of Us Is Lying! There's a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there's a whole new set of rules. Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this. A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts. Until now. This time it's not an app, though—it's a game. Truth or Dare. Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark. Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare. But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection. Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules. “Few craft teen suspense like McManus.” --Entertainment Weekly “A thriller from one of the best writers in the YA mystery genre, One of Us Is Next delivers more shocking surprises and twists you won’t see coming.” --PASTE

The Sequel to One of Us Is Lying

Lynn

This was enjoyable, an interesting take on a sequel and felt appropriately young adult silly and ridiculous. Fans of pretty little liars will enjoy this, but like the series this keeps adding unnecessary and unlikely turns. Without the last 30 pages this would have been a 4 star sequel. Phoebe was my favourite by far.

One of Us Is Next

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