Karen M. McManus author photo
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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.

Biografía y Trayectoria del Autor

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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I've also gotten ideas while watching crime shows, reading profiles of prominent families, and from conversations with interesting people
-Contact/FAQs
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I started writing stories in second grade, but stopped in high school when it became difficult to finish books
-Contact/FAQs
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I went to college and did many other things until I read The Hunger Games in 2014 and was inspired to start writing again
-Contact/FAQs
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My number one piece of advice is to connect with other writers at the same stage of the publication journey as you are, and exchange work with them
-Contact/FAQs
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Getting and giving constructive feedback is essential to development!
-Contact/FAQs
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Books featuring mystery and suspense have always been my favorites as a reader, from Agatha Christie when I was a kid to Gillian Flynn as an adult
-Contact/FAQs
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I'm naturally drawn to dark topics and how people react when they're thrust into a situation that scares or confuses them, but I like to balance that with hope and humor
-Contact/FAQs
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Definitely book! I always tell my readers that it’s my goal to keep them up too late, and I don’t mind at all when it happens to me
-Karen M. McManus Hopes You Stay Up Too Late
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I think there’s something about having half my brain engaged in a mundane task that kind of gives the other half freedom to roam
-Breakout Delacorte YA Bestseller ONE OF US IS LYING Celebrated in PW
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And the phrase ‘The Breakfast Club with murder’ popped into my head and it just stuck there
-Breakout Delacorte YA Bestseller ONE OF US IS LYING Celebrated in PW

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Voces de la Comunidad

"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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