Series: One of Us Is Lying, Book 3
Published: 2023
Author: Karen M. McManus
Genre: YA Thriller / Mystery / Contemporary
Audience: Grades 7–10
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: One of Us Is Back
Content Warnings: Kidnapping, dangerous “games,” violence, and blood.
Publisher’s Summary
Goodreads Choice AwardNominee for Readers’ Favorite Young Adult Fiction (2023)
The global phenomenon returns with the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen M. McManus. When someone from the Bayview Four’s past resurfaces, history begins to repeat itself—and the consequences are deadly.
The third time’s a charm. It’s been almost two years since Simon died in detention, and the aftermath has been hard to shake. First the Bayview Four had to prove they weren’t killers. Then a new generation outwitted a vengeful copycat. Now the entire Bayview Crew is back home for the summer, and everyone is trying to move on.
Only, this is Bayview, and life is never that simple. At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad Time for a new game, Bayview. But when a member of the Bayview Crew disappears, it’s clear this “game” is serious—and whoever’s in charge isn’t sharing the rules. Or maybe there aren’t any.
Bronwyn. Cooper. Addy. Nate. Maeve. Phoebe. Knox. Luis. Kris. Everyone’s a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things could start getting deadly. The thing is, Simon was right about secrets—they all come out eventually. And Bayview has a lot it’s still hiding.
Review
One of Us Is Back is the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series, and it is a great choice for middle school and high school readers who enjoy fast-paced mysteries, suspense, and character drama. While I did not like it quite as much as the first book, I still found it really engaging and hard to put down. One of the best parts of this installment was that I could not immediately figure out who was behind the events unfolding, which kept me hooked until the end.
The story moves incredibly fast, especially in the audiobook version, which makes it hard to stop listening. Readers who enjoy twists, multiple perspectives, and secrets being revealed little by little will likely enjoy this title. It is an excellent option for reluctant readers because the chapters move quickly, the pacing is strong, and the writing is accessible. The audiobook version is especially fun and would appeal to students who prefer listening to books or those who struggle with reading, as they can still fully enjoy the story and follow the complex plot.
Overall, this is a solid addition to a popular series and would work really well for a book club. It gives students plenty to talk about, especially with all the twists, shifting perspectives, and moments where you think you’ve figured things out—only to realize you haven’t.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA (Point of View & Perspective): This book is a perfect tool for discussing how narrative voice changes our understanding of events.
- Activity Idea: Have students choose one scene and rewrite it from the perspective of a character who wasn’t the narrator for that chapter. How does the “truth” change?
- Media Literacy (Digital Footprints & Privacy): The series began with a gossip app, and this book continues the theme of secrets being exposed.
- Activity Idea: Discuss the quote “Secrets always come out eventually.” In the age of social media, is it possible to have a “private” life? What are the consequences of sharing too much online?
- Creative Writing (The Art of the Twist):
- Activity Idea: Teach students about “Chekhov’s Gun”—the principle that every element in a story must be necessary. Have students identify a seemingly minor detail from early in the book that became important later on.
- Book Club/Socratic Seminar:
- Activity Idea: Facilitate a discussion on justice vs. revenge. Does the “villain” of this book believe they are doing the right thing? Can a person be driven to do bad things for “good” reasons?
