Karen M. McManus
Karen M. McManus is an American author of young adult mystery-thrillers known for twisty, ensemble-driven novels such as One of Us Is Lying, Two Can Keep a Secret, and The Cousins. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling writer whose work helped popularize contemporary YA whodunits for a broad international readership.
Biography & Author's Journey
Karen M. McManus’s career took shape in two distinct phases: first in communications, then in fiction. A Massachusetts native who has been identified with both Walpole and Cambridge, she studied English at the College of the Holy Cross and later earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northeastern University. She has said that she started writing stories at eight, but set the dream aside when finishing books began to feel out of reach in high school and college. After roughly two decades in marketing and communications, her interest in writing returned in 2014 after reading The Hunger Games. Soon afterward, a passing encounter with “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” prompted the idea that became One of Us Is Lying. She wrote at night, on weekends, and even from the stands at her son’s games while still working full time. ((https://magazine.holycross.edu/stories/its-never-too-late-holy-cross-alumna-pens-two-bestselling-novels))
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Cousins
Karen M. McManus
Family secrets unravel as estranged cousins inherit deadly island mysteries.
Sadece Ölüler Sir Tutabilir
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Small town, deadly secrets-everyone has something to hide.
One of Us Is Lying
Karen M. McManus
Five enter detention, one dies. Someone's deadly secret awaits.
One of Us Is Back
Karen M. McManus
Deadly secrets resurface in Bayview's most twisted mystery yet.
Cousins
Karen M. McManus
Family secrets unravel as estranged cousins inherit deadly island mysteries.
Sadece Ölüler Sir Tutabilir
Karen M. McManus
Small town, deadly secrets-everyone has something to hide.
One of Us Is Lying
Karen M. McManus
Five enter detention, one dies. Someone's deadly secret awaits.
One of Us Is Back
Karen M. McManus
Deadly secrets resurface in Bayview's most twisted mystery yet.
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Community Voices
"Karen McManus has taken the YA fiction world by storm with One of Us Is Lying"
— Writer's Digest ((
"Queen of teen crime Karen M McManus bookended the year with two outstanding titles"
— The Guardian ((
"McManus… brings that signature blend of high-stakes high-school drama and murderous twists readers won’t see coming"
— Booklist ((
"Karen M. McManus is a best-selling author of young adult mysteries"
— The Horn Book ((
"YA crime queen Karen M McManus returned with One of Us Is Back"
— The Guardian ((
"When it comes to YA suspense, Karen M. McManus is in a league of her own"
— Entertainment Weekly ((
"It’s easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic"
— The Observer ((
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
