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A review by readwithde
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I'm not disappointed.
While there are clear Breakfast Club vibes, the "Bayside Four" don't begin investigating until over 2/3rds through the book, once they're secrets have been revealed and they are mitigating the damage.
I liked their personal stories and growth, but it felt a bit like a Bait-and-Switch when you are sold a closed-door murder mystery, followed by 100 pages of teen drama before the investigation.
All that to say, I still liked it. It was fun, tense, surprising, and I didn't realize they weren't investigating because the narrative was so engaging -- I couldn't put it down.
So, if you're expecting a tight mystery, skip this one, but if you're interested in coming-of-age stories wrapped around a murder, this will be perfect for you.
While there are clear Breakfast Club vibes, the "Bayside Four" don't begin investigating until over 2/3rds through the book, once they're secrets have been revealed and they are mitigating the damage.
I liked their personal stories and growth, but it felt a bit like a Bait-and-Switch when you are sold a closed-door murder mystery, followed by 100 pages of teen drama before the investigation.
All that to say, I still liked it. It was fun, tense, surprising, and I didn't realize they weren't investigating because the narrative was so engaging -- I couldn't put it down.
So, if you're expecting a tight mystery, skip this one, but if you're interested in coming-of-age stories wrapped around a murder, this will be perfect for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer and Chronic illness