A review by asourceoffiction
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a great, albeit slightly far-fetched, second part of a fun series. I am realising that I really enjoy YA thrillers; there's often more of a funny streak running through them than in an adult thriller, which seems to make me plough through them so quickly. Here we see the next group of high school students after the original Bayview Four (who still have peripheral roles) have moved on.

It's hard not to compare this to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. Both have plucky, intelligent groups of students solving complex mysteries at an age where I could barely choose an outfit or hair colour. They also both contain enough characters that reading the second book took a bit of flicking back and forth through pages before I could really remember how everyone was connected. And both seem to invite an inordinate amount of death and drama to one small community.

But this is where I'm happy to suspend my disbelief. The plot of One Of Us Is Next is fun, cleverly connected and intriguing, so I can overlook how implausible it is that so much happens in one high school. The way so many sub-plots connect is really interesting, and I was a little blindsided (and upset) by the ending, which I didn't see coming at all.

I've just heard there's a third installment on the way, so I'm looking forward to where things go from here.
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