The One of Us Is Lying books must be read in chronological order, which also matches their publication order, by following this sequence:[2-5]
| Order | Cover | Title | First published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
One of Us Is Lying | 2017[6-7] | Introduces Bayview’s first major case and core group. |
| 2 |
|
One of Us Is Next | 2020[8-9] | Follows a new Bayview threat shaped by earlier events. |
| 3 |
|
One of Us Is Back | 2023[10-11] | Brings together consequences from both previous books. |
1. One of Us Is Lying
One of Us Is Lying (2017)[6-7] opens the series with the death of Simon Kelleher during detention and the suspicion that falls on Bronwyn, Nate, Cooper, and Addy. It establishes Bayview High as a setting defined by secrets, public exposure, and criminal suspicion.[2]
This book also introduces relationships and past events that remain important to the later installments.[2]
2. One of Us Is Next
One of Us Is Next (2020)[8-9] shifts the focus to a new group of Bayview students, including Maeve Rojas, Knox Myers, and Phoebe Lawton, while keeping the earlier case in the background. Its Truth or Dare game creates a new mystery with consequences that reach beyond a single incident.[3]
This book is a sequel, because returning characters and earlier events help frame the danger.[3]
3. One of Us Is Back
One of Us Is Back (2023)[10-11] draws the previous Bayview stories into a broader continuation. It returns to Addy, Bronwyn, Maeve, Nate, Phoebe, and other connected characters while revisiting the damage left by earlier crimes and cover-ups.[4]
This installment relies on prior knowledge, since its central threats, suspicions, and emotional stakes are tied to both earlier books.[4]
References
- Books. Karen M. McManus.
- One of Us Is Lying. Delacorte Press. ISBN: 9781524714758.
- One of Us Is Next. Delacorte Press. ISBN: 9780525707998.
- One of Us Is Back. Delacorte Press. ISBN: 9780593485040.
- Contact/FAQs. Karen M. McManus.
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus: 9781524714758. Penguin Random House.
- One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. Penguin Random House Canada.
- One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus: 9780525707998. Penguin Random House.
- One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus. Penguin Random House Canada.
- One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus: 9780593485019. Penguin Random House.
- One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus. Penguin Random House Canada.