This is a decent YA mystery that is perfect for teens that want something a little bit creepy and a little bit thrilling.

Can anyone say WOW!!!

Not only did McManus fool me once but fooled me twice!!!

I thought I had it all figured out on who was the killer in One of Us is Lying and I thought the same for this gem of a book but I was all wrong again!!

I.am.dumbfounded.

McManus is truly a master of mystery and this book kept me hooked!

First off is the main character Ellery. Amateur sleuth but overall nice girl. She was a average character I would say but that doesn't really bother me since I rather have average than whiny. I also found her relationship with her mother intriguing from the start since she doesn't even call her mom, just Sadie. That gives off right away that their relationship was strained but Ellery and her twin Ezra took it pretty much in stride. As best as you could really when you are forced to move to a blip of a town with new people and as grandmother you barely know while your mom is in rehab. There's also the other main character Malcolm whose own perspective alternates with Ellery's. Another cute but also dorky guy and I appreciated that about him since he wasn't a cocky bag of dicks. His life was not so great either but he also did his best when you are forced to live with your now stepfamily while also dealing with the black stain that is your older brother.

For this book was all about murder, and Malcolm's brother Declan was a prime suspect since one of the victims was his girlfriend Lacy. Found strangled to death in a theme park called Murderland. I liked that little element of this tiny town having a twisted amusement park that Ellery and Ezra ended up working at. I honestly wish it tied in more to the other victim's deaths for more dramatic emphasis instead of Brooke being found in the middle of the woods outside of town and Sarah having no details since her body was never found. But still, don't really have complaints. I can't when this plot was so twisty and windy, revealing whammy after whammy of secrets revealed. For did I have any suspision of Peter Nelson, fuck no I didn't. There were signs but the author made sure to steer our attention away with a ton of red herrings and almost successful framing of Declan as the killer. It's just so good I can't help but rave and rave about it.

What was probably the best part was the cute romance between Malcolm and Ellery and the ending.

THAT is an ending I'm not going to soon forget with the reveal and also not reveal of what happened to Sarah. Why Ellery decided not to tell Malcolm, Ryan, or anyone really that Peter was also responsible for her aunt's death I do not know. But still my brain is still reeling with that last line of Peter saying "I thought she was your mother."

Anyway I am a huge fan of this author's work and can't wait for more. I also have to give kudos to the narrators since I listened to this in audio form and they did a great job. So go grab a copy or download this on audible you won't be sorry!!

A fast-paced YA mystery that is chock full of secrets both past and present, just the way I like 'em! Karen M. McManus has hit another one out of the park, and I will definitely read whatever she writes next.

Fans of One of us is Lying and other similar YA thrillers will be just as happy with McManus's latest book. Although I did guess the ending, it wasn't too predictable.

WHAT DID I THINK OF TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET BY KAREN MCMANUS?
Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen McManus is a fun follow up to One Of Us Is Lying. This book follows the dual narration of Ellery and Malcolm. Ellery is a girl who is new to Echo Ridge. She moved there with her brother after their mother is basically in rehab. Meanwhile, Malcolm is Echo Ridge born and raised. Previously there were some murders around the homecoming queen. Malcolm’s brother was under suspicion and so, his family lives under that cloud. Meanwhile, Ellery is obsessed with true crime but somehow gets nominated to homecoming court.

So, okay, putting on my adult hat, I found myself wondering why the town didn’t just cancel homecoming given the penchant the event has for murder. Granted, a character responds to that question that if they do, the killer wins. Which, lol, what? No, if you cancel, no one gets killed. So, if you have adult logic, parts of Two Can Keep A Secret may not work for you. Otherwise, yeah, it works for me when it comes to suspense. It’s not really gory. The pace is fast. The two main characters are interesting and people I was okay being invested in.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook of Two Can Keep A Secret by Karen McManus is narrated by Sophie Amoss and Kirby Heyborne. It is 10 hours and 6 minutes long. Honestly, Sophie’s voice reminded me a lot of Emma Galvin which is not something I would ever complain about. She has a wonderful style of narrating. Meanwhile, Heyborne is a narrator I have long been familiar with and I enjoyed his narration as well. This was 100% worth the borrow and I’d say is a good use of an Audible credit as well. If you’re an audiobook beginner, both of Karen McManus’s books are good listens and easy to follow.

Karen M. McManus is the new queen of the page-turning YA mystery-suspense novel. Her first book, One of Us is Lying, is a New York Times bestseller and was recently named a Gateway Readers Award nominee for 2019-20. We can’t keep it on the shelf in my library. After reading Two Can Keep a Secret, I am confident that her second offering will be just as popular.

When their mother gets sent to rehab, Ellery and her twin brother are sent off to their mom’s hometown of Echo Falls to live with their grandmother. Bad things happen in Echo Falls. Mom’s twin sister was abducted the night of the Homecoming dance and was never found. Five years ago, Echo Falls’ Homecoming Queen was infamously murdered at the local horror-themed amusement park (aptly named, Murderland). On Ellery and Ezra’s first night in Echo Falls, a beloved teacher was killed in a hit and run accident and now, the signs that a murderer will strike again are popping up all over town in the form of creepy spray-painted messages and warnings about this year’s crop of Homecoming candidates. Ellery, who has always been a true crime buff, is scared but fascinated. She puts her brilliant mind to the task. Teaming up with her is Malcolm Kelly. His older brother, Declan, was always suspected in the HoCo Queen’s murder (he was the boyfriend, after all) and he’s finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as each of these odd signs appear. Malcolm wants to clear his and his brother’s name. In addition to her true crime fascination, Ellery also wants answers. What happened to her aunt? Why will no one talk about her? What has her mother been hiding all these years? This whodunnit has a horror twist that will have your spine tingling and your brain trying to guess the killer. The ending is abrupt and AWESOME. If you like this one, you’ll love Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious.

This book was so much fun!! I’m not sure why I never read the prior book. I’ll defintely have to check it out now. I loved these characters and found they really carried the story. Thank you so much for the chance to read this book!

I liked that this book had some romance but this was mystery in the past and mystery to solve. I liked the brother and sister. Overall this kept me hooked to figure out who did it and spoiler I didn't even see the killer :)

With slightly sarcastic characters in a few moments, Two can keep a secret is the kind of book in which you will suspect everyone and create various theories about what actually happened. In addition, the pace of events in the book makes the reader aware of everything that is narrated in an attempt to find out what happened. At the same time, "Two can keep a secret" is the type of reading that should please readers who do not read many thrillers, but who are looking for a book of the genre that is a "light" and engaging reading

I loved One of Us is Lying, and Two Can Keep a Secret is even better. It kept me turning the pages late into the night to find out what was going to happen next. I can't wait to share this with my students.

That last line! That last line!
I'm in shock. I loved the novel and want a sequel now. The author really know's how to write a great mystery suspense novel.

I often become irritated with books in this genre, especially YA, but that hasn't been the case with this authors books. I actually liked this book even more than One of Us Is Lying. It's a quick, but a totally engaging read with an intriguing plot and great cast of characters.

This was a solid, fun and straight up mystery story. I like how McManus doesnt try to do too much with her stories. They are focused and specific mysteries with a strong build up and satisfying ending and a strong sense of place.

I really, really loved One of Us is Lying, but this one fell flat for me. Cheesy, Scooby Doo-esque mystery.

This is a perfect thriller for YA readers. If you liked McManus' previous novel, One of Us is Lying, this is the perfect book for you!

I've always loved a good mystery, but find I don't read many mystery books because I ten to guess the ending or 'bad guy' early on in most cases. For that reason alone I am so happy I read this book, but more than that I loved the characters! Often mysteries seem to be more plot based, but this one has a nice balance between an immersive and engaging plot, and strong characters to support it. I really enjoyed the suspense and loved that it was difficult to pin down one suspect as more likely than the others to be the villain.

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

As with her first book "One of us is Lying" this is a fast paced mystery with interesting twists. My only complaints are the main characters, Ellory and Malcolm are too similar and don't have enough depth and I wish the ending would have had more explanation. The last line is definitely chilling (as other reviewers have pointed out) and my favorite part of the book.

Librarians will want to purchase multiple copies of this title. "One of Us is Lying" has been wildly popular, and McManus's storytelling is continuing to evolve. Purists may take issue with some of the plot points, but those who are reading for a good twisty murder mystery are likely to overlook those in favor of a delicious read.

Got a secret
Can you keep it?
Swear this one you’ll save
Better lock it, in your pocket
Taking this one to the grave
If I show you then I know you
Won’t tell what I said
‘Cause two can keep a secret
If one of them is dead?


I am not usually a fan of mysteries and thrillers because I get super impatient. And the mystery is all the essence of these kind of books, you can’t just fast forward it. Anyway, this book was a total different story, it kept me on my feet, invested and totally ready to gobble it all up. The small town aesthetic, with the mysterious, shady vibes, and literally anything that moves being your suspect because you’re that paranoid was so much fun. Because I usually see the culprit coming but with this one I DID NOT!!!!!!

“Ellery, our main character is moving to Echo ridge to live with her grandmother, because her mother is in rehab. The small town which she has never visited but has heard about, is all the intrigue for her because her aunt went missing when she was seventeen there. And Ellery being the super sleuth with Nancy drew intuitions just can’t wait to dive in”

Characters: Okay I really enjoyed those. Each one had their own interesting quirks.

I have always been really into slue-thy characters, because I grew up with Nancy drew, the famous five and the naughtiest girl. So Ellery my girl was fun for me. She had a whole aesthetic for murder and mysteries. And I was all for it!

Ezra, he was hilarious and funny and I loved his one liners. And the no chill line deliveries. He at one point says about the school major mean girls vibes gang:

“I have a really strong feeling that on Wednesday, they wear pink”

I actually snorted at that, it was hilarious. And it first the scene so perfectly.

I was so down for the sibling interaction and relationship in this one. It was refreshing to see how my much the twins loved each other. And gave each other the oh stop the bullshit I know you well conversations. YES!!!!!!

Malcom: ah he was such a nerd and the definition of soft. And just had the luck for being in the wrong place at the wrong time sigh. And living in the Shadow of his jock accused brother wasn’t easy. And had me instantly rooting for him because how could I resist.

Plot:
For me the plot was really intriguing. And I was invested from the start. It just gets all into it from the first few chapters and guns for the mystery with all these deep dark twists. And the whole inclusion of home coming queen drama, the missing girls into the mix added more into the mystery and the shady aura.
Villain:
So the best part of this one was who the Villain was. Because I didn’t see it coming. But also it was a little underwhelming for me. Because I was like oh. That person did it. Oh. I wasn’t like impressed by the villain. For me personality wise they were really eh.

The ending was super chilling. The last line WAS MESSED UP. oh my word and such a “woah what the heck” end to finish the book on. And i think it was the highlight of the book.

Honestly, if you are looking for a fast paced thrilling ya contemporary this one is for you. It has a nice fall aesthetic, small town aesthetic. And will keep you busy and hooked enough that you will be able to finish it in one go.

Twins Ellery and Ezra move across the country to live with their grandma. In this small town, Echo Ridge, their aunt disappeared when she was in high school and another teen was murdered only 5 years ago. Are these two mysteries connected? I loved this author’s first novel, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. This story alternates between Ellery, and a boy in town, Malcolm, whose brother was at the center of the murdered teen. This book is fast-paced, and I couldn’t wait to find out what secrets everyone is keeping. With Ellery being a true-crime buff, she was ready to go with many different theories! If you liked Karen M. McManus’s first book, I think you’ll enjoy this one as well!