Reviewed by Bella Treuting
Five kids enter detention none thought they deserved. However, only four walk out alive. One of Us Is Lying is an unconventional murder mystery novel by Karen M. McManus. With such a specific and some say overdone genre as murder mystery, McManus had to tell her story in a different way. She uses the four main characters’ point of views. All four characters come from different cliques, home lives. However, a shared experience brings these kids closer than anyone would expect.
Similar to the early 2000s TV show Gossip Girl, One of Us Is Lying has its very own troller. Gossip site About That is run by outcast Simon Kelleher. His posts are never under speculation for giving out false information.
Four students—Bronwyn Rojas (the brain), Nate Macauley (the criminal), Cooper Clay (the athlete), and Addy Prentiss (the princess)—all have secrets and coincidentally all find themselves with Simon in detention. What happens next to these high school stereotypes is just too juicy to say. Read the book to find out.
I would recommend One of Us Is Lying to anyone who can read. This book covers the experiences of kids from polarizing backgrounds. This book is perfect for anyone trying to become more in touch with the human condition.
Isabella Treuting was a sophomore in the Gifted program at Hahnville High. She enjoys reading fiction, watching and critiquing movies, and participating in the technical aspects of theatre.
Editor’s note: Book reviews are published throughout the summer and fall in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program and Unger’s “Adolescents Advocate Literacy” Brown Service Learning Grant.
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