Title: One of Us Is Lying
Author: Karen M McManus
Summary: The set-up for this book is Breakfast Club meets Locked-Room Mystery. Five high school students walk into detention: Brownyn- the Brain, Addy- the Princess, Nate-the Criminal, Cooper- the Athlete, and Simon- the Outcast and creator of the school’s notorious gossip app. Unfortunately, only four students walk out of detention. It’s no spoiler to tell you, that before the end of detention Simon is dead and it doesn’t look like it was an accident. When the school gossip dies everyone seems to have a motive- especially the four students in the room when it happens. Because, as it just so happens the latest gossip Simon was set to post would have revealed each of their darkest secrets.
While the mystery is good, what truly sets this book apart are the author’s character development and her exploration of the dark secrets with which each character is struggling.
Who will like this?: Fans of mystery and suspense will fly through this one.
If you like this, read this: We Were Liars by E Lockhart, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, and Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Recommended by: Jen, Teen Librarian