Book Review: One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
Come on, Bayview, you know you’ve missed this! The moment I spotted the sequel to One of Us Is Lying, I felt an irresistible pull to dive back into the world of Bayview High. Karen M. McManus has a knack for captivating her readers, and honestly? I forgot just how much until I turned the first few pages of One of Us Is Next. Holy sh*t, folks, my mind is still reeling days after finishing it!
Set a year and a half post-Simon’s tragic death, this sequel picks up where its predecessor left off, but instead of the original cast, we follow a new trio: Maeve, Phoebe, and Knox. The tension escalates quickly with a dangerous new twist on a familiar game—Truth or Dare. The stakes are high: refuse to take the dare, and your deepest, darkest secret gets exposed. The dynamics are electrifying as Phoebe becomes the first target, and believe me, it only gets better from there.
What struck me most is how brilliantly McManus weaves together a mystery that feels both fresh and nostalgic. I appreciated the classic whodunnit vibes—good Lord, how we’ve missed those in this trend of psychological thrillers. The pacing is spot-on; just when I thought I had the mystery figured out, McManus would throw in another layer, keeping me on my toes until the very last page.
Maeve, our resourceful protagonist, is a standout character. Her determination to uncover the truth about the game reminded me of why I loved the original quartet so much. It was heartening to see Cooper living openly and happily, and the narrative does a fantastic job of evolving the characters while introducing new ones without overwhelming the reader. Each side character was fleshed out beautifully, something McManus does exceptionally well.
And let’s talk about the plot twist—oh my goodness, I gasped aloud! It’s been a while since a twist caught me so off guard, reinforcing my belief that a good mystery can still deliver shock and awe. This twist, along with its emotional weight, pushed my rating from a solid four and a half stars to a well-deserved five.
Overall, One of Us Is Next was phenomenal. It not only lived up to my nostalgia but surpassed the original in many ways. If you enjoyed the mysteries of One of Us Is Lying, you’ll find yourself utterly entranced by this sequel.
This book is perfect for anyone who relishes a good mystery, loves tight-knit character dynamics, or simply enjoys being taken on a wild ride of secrets and dares. As for me? This was my first favorite of 2020, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Bottom Line:
➵ 5 stars
➵ Age Rating: [PG-13]
➵ Content Highlights: Insightful life lessons, danger, and a healthy dose of humor.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of McManus or a newbie, I promise you’ll find something to love in One of Us Is Next. Trust me—this is a thrill ride you don’t want to miss!
Discover more about One of Us Is Next (One of Us Is Lying, #2) on GoodReads >>