One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus Summary

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a young adult mystery thriller about five students who enter detention at Bayview High, but only four walk out alive. When Simon Kelleher, creator of a notorious gossip app called "About That," dies from an allergic reaction, the remaining four students—Bronwyn, Nate, Cooper, and Addy—become murder suspects after police discover Simon planned to expose their darkest secrets. The novel follows these four narrators as they work to prove their innocence while uncovering the shocking truth behind Simon's death.

One of Us Is Lying is perfect for young adult readers who enjoy mystery, suspense, and character-driven narratives with unexpected twists. The book appeals to fans of teen thrillers, readers interested in stories about social dynamics and identity, and anyone who appreciates multi-perspective storytelling. It's particularly suitable for readers aged 14 and up who can relate to themes like peer pressure, stereotypes, secrets, and the challenges of navigating high school social hierarchies while dealing with serious consequences.

One of Us Is Lying is worth reading for its compelling plot twists, relatable characters, and exploration of important teenage issues. Karen M. McManus's debut novel successfully combines mystery with meaningful themes about identity, friendship, and the dangers of assumptions and stereotypes. The book keeps readers engaged through multiple narrators, each revealing different perspectives and secrets, while addressing contemporary topics like sexuality, mental health, and social media's impact. The unpredictable ending and character development make it a standout in the young adult thriller genre.

Karen M. McManus is an American author who wrote One of Us Is Lying as her debut novel, establishing herself in the young adult mystery genre. The book showcases her talent for creating suspenseful narratives with authentic teenage voices and complex character dynamics. McManus crafted a story that challenges stereotypes by giving depth to characters who initially appear as high school archetypes—the brain, the criminal, the jock, and the princess. Her writing addresses relevant social issues while maintaining an engaging, fast-paced mystery that has resonated with both teen and adult readers.

Simon Kelleher dies during detention at Bayview High after suffering a fatal allergic reaction from drinking tap water contaminated with peanut oil. As the creator of "About That," a gossip app that exposed students' secrets, Simon begins a speech about the other four students before collapsing. Initially ruled an accident, his death becomes a murder investigation after a Tumblr post suggests foul play. The investigation ultimately reveals that Simon orchestrated his own suicide, planning to frame the other four students and ruin their lives as revenge for his social rejection and lack of popularity.

The Bayview Four refers to the four students who become murder suspects after Simon's death:

• Bronwyn Rojas (the brain, Yale-bound overachiever)
• Nate Macauley (the criminal with a troubled past)
• Cooper Clay (the jock with a promising baseball career)
• Addy Prentiss (the princess in a controlling relationship)

Each represents a high school stereotype but proves far more complex as their stories unfold. They were all in detention with Simon when he died, and each had a motive since Simon planned to expose secrets that could destroy their futures. Despite initial suspicion of each other, they form an unlikely friendship while working to prove their innocence.

About That is the gossip app created by Simon Kelleher that reveals students' darkest secrets at Bayview High. Simon describes himself as the "omniscient narrator" through this app, wielding power by exposing information nobody else knows. His final, unpublished post was set to reveal that Bronwyn cheated in chemistry, Cooper used steroids, Nate dealt drugs, and Addy cheated on her boyfriend—secrets that would impact their college prospects, legal status, and relationships. The app serves as both the catalyst for Simon's suicide plan and the weapon he used to manipulate others into helping him.

One of Us Is Lying reveals multiple devastating secrets about each character.

• Bronwyn cheated in chemistry class, risking her Yale admission.
• Cooper is gay and dating a male model named Kris, despite appearing to date a girl, with false steroid accusations initially covering this truth.
• Nate has a criminal history involving drug dealing and his mother's abandonment due to bipolar disorder and addiction.
• Addy cheated on her controlling boyfriend Jake with someone named TJ.

These secrets, intended for Simon's About That post, become public during the investigation, fundamentally changing each character's life and relationships.

One of Us Is Lying explores

• stereotypes and identity, showing how the brain, criminal, jock, and princess labels limit understanding of complex individuals.
• the destructive power of secrets and how fear of exposure can control people's lives and decisions.
• friendship and solidarity emerge as the four suspects support each other against public judgment and media scrutiny.

Other significant themes include mental health (Simon's depression and suicide), LGBTQ+ identity (Cooper's coming out journey), social media's dangers, and the consequences of assumptions, as the investigation reveals how quickly people judge based on incomplete information.

One of Us Is Lying concludes with the revelation that Simon orchestrated his own suicide with Jake's help to frame the other four students. Addy discovers the truth when Janae, Simon's friend, confesses that Simon used his knowledge of Addy's infidelity to recruit Jake as an accomplice. Jake attacks Addy when she uncovers the plot, but Cooper saves her life. Jake is arrested, Janae accepts a plea bargain, and Nate is released from custody. Three months later, relationships heal: Cooper reconciles with his father, Addy lives with her sister, and Nate apologizes to Bronwyn, asking her to spend time together, which she accepts.

Jake Riordan, Addy's controlling boyfriend, becomes Simon's accomplice in orchestrating the suicide and framing scheme. Simon manipulated Jake by revealing Addy's infidelity, convincing him to help with the plan as revenge against his girlfriend. Jake planted the fake cell phones that led to detention, wrote anonymous Tumblr posts claiming to be the murderer, and pressured Janae to plant evidence against Addy. When Janae instead framed Nate and Addy discovered the truth, Jake attempted to kill Addy by chasing her into the woods and strangling her before Cooper intervened and saved her life.

One of Us Is Lying is appropriate for teenagers aged 14 and up, as it addresses relevant issues young adults face while maintaining an engaging mystery format. The book tackles important topics including coming out and LGBTQ+ identity, mental health and depression, toxic relationships, peer pressure, and the consequences of social media. While it contains mature themes like suicide, murder investigation, and relationship issues, Karen M. McManus handles these subjects thoughtfully, making them discussion-worthy rather than gratuitous. The diverse representation and authentic teenage voices help readers relate to characters navigating identity, family pressure, and social expectations in realistic ways.