Karen M. McManus books in order

Q: "What is Karen M. McManus best known for?"

"She is best known for One of Us Is Lying, a YA thriller published in 2017 about five students who walk into detention but only four walk out alive. The book became a massive bestseller and was adapted into a Peacock TV series."

Q: "What order should you read the One of Us series?"

"Read One of Us Is Lying first (2017), then One of Us Is Next (2020), and finally One of Us Is Back (2023). The books follow the same characters and setting at Bayview High, so reading in order is recommended."

Q: "Does Karen M. McManus write standalone novels too?"

"Yes, McManus has written several standalone YA thrillers outside the One of Us series. She is known for writing twisty, fast-paced mysteries aimed at teen and young adult readers."

One of Us Reading Order

Title	Published	Buy on Amazon
One of Us Is Lying	2017	Buy
One of Us Is Next	2020	Buy
One of Us Is Back	2023	Buy

Karen M. McManus is an American author who writes young adult thrillers. Her debut novel, One of Us Is Lying, came out in 2017 and quickly became a bestseller. The book follows five high school students who enter detention, but only four make it out alive. It drew comparisons to The Breakfast Club mixed with a murder mystery, and its success led to a TV adaptation on Peacock.

McManus followed up with two sequels set at the same fictional Bayview High School. One of Us Is Next (2020) picks up a year after the original events, and One of Us Is Back (2023) brings the story full circle. Across the trilogy, McManus built a loyal YA readership with her sharp plotting and multiple-narrator structure, where each character has something to hide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Karen M. McManus best known for?

She is best known for One of Us Is Lying, a YA thriller published in 2017 about five students who walk into detention but only four walk out alive. The book became a massive bestseller and was adapted into a Peacock TV series.

What order should you read the One of Us series?

Read One of Us Is Lying first (2017), then One of Us Is Next (2020), and finally One of Us Is Back (2023). The books follow the same characters and setting at Bayview High, so reading in order is recommended.

Does Karen M. McManus write standalone novels too?

Yes, McManus has written several standalone YA thrillers outside the One of Us series. She is known for writing twisty, fast-paced mysteries aimed at teen and young adult readers.

One of Us Reading Order#

Frequently Asked Questions

One of Us Reading Order