I just loved this one. This whole series was so good. I loved the twists and turns in this one. It was great to get some resolution from the last book. I like how the story played out. It was very well done. I will be reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

They Bayview Crew is back! If you have read the first two books you CANNOT miss this one! I feel like anything I say can result in spoiling the book. If you haven't read any of this series do yourself a favor and read them because I have a feeling this will not be the end!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my ARC!

This was the book I’ve been waiting for! After book 1, I really wanted more from those characters, and after book 2, I felt like there were so many loose ends, but book 3 really was a perfect blend of both sets of characters and tied everything in a nice bow. This book answers any questions you had after the first two books, and has a new mystery!

The story starts with a billboard advertising a new ‘game’ in Bayview – is this for real or a bad joke? The crew then finds out Jake is being released from prison, pending a new trial. Then people start to go missing, and things start to get deadly!

I had to do a character refresh, especially on some of the secondary characters in book 1, I had forgotten exactly who some were. The story is mainly told from Phoebe, Nate, and Addy’s POV, but don’t worry you hear plenty about Bronwyn, Maeve, Knox, Cooper, Kris, and Luis! 60% through I thought I had everything figured out, and I was close, but not quite correct. It definitely kept me on my toes – such a great series, highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for this ARC!

Happy Monday y’all! I hope y’all had a great weekend- I took today off as a day to relax and read, so I’m trying to catch up on some reviews (which, let’s be real, I have SO MANY to catch up on), so today, I’m going to be reviewing One of Us is Back, the 3rd book in the One of Us is Lying series. I loved books 1 and 2, so I was super excited to read book 3. Thank you so much to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC!

One of Us is Back 5/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

From international bestseller, Karen McManus, comes the explosive third and final thrilling instalment in the acclaimed One of Us… series.

Ever since Simon died in detention, life hasn’t been easy for the Bayview Crew. First the Bayview Four had to prove they weren’t killers. Then a new generation had to outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it’s beginning again.

At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: Time for a new game, Bayview. But when a member of the crew disappears, it’s clear this ‘game’ just got serious – and no one understands the rules.

Everyone’s a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things are starting to get deadly.

Simon was right about secrets – they all come out in the end.

The thing is, Simon was right about secrets-they all come out, eventually. And Bayview has a lot it’s still hiding.

Oh I really enjoyed this book. It was really nice to see the O.G. crew and everyone from book 2 again. The billboard was such a great way to start this book, especially when it coincided with Jake being released from jail. I really enjoyed that we mainly had Addy, Pheobe, and Nate’s points of view- and those small snippets from 6 years earlier with Simon and Jake. It’s always so interesting to see the long game that Simon was playing. And how terrible parents can lead to terrible children. I had no idea who was really pulling the strings in this book until near the end, which I loved. Everything unfolded exactly how it should. I really enjoy the writing style in all of the books that Karen M. McManus writes, so I cannot wait to read her next book, but in the meantime, make sure y’all go out and grab One of Us is Back when it comes out tomorrow!

I was excited to see that we were getting another story in the On of Us is Lying series. And those are words I never thought I would say! After I read the first book in this series, I wasn't thrilled. And then the second one came out and for whatever reason, I picked it up and found I liked much better. Then I re-read the first one for book-club and liked it a lot more than the first time. And of course I had to watch the show when it released as well. And here we are, me writing a review for the third one before release day.

One of Us is Back hits all the points you want it to! After all, the Bayview Crew (it's a crew now) is back and ready for the game to start this time! I have to say, I think the mystery fell a little short in this book but there was a lot of character development and I loved seeing that! This book brought a lot of closure for several characters and wrapped up other ends that I had questions about. And I should say, I wasn't completely disappointed by the mystery but I felt like the story need a little more detail about a few things. I found myself shocked that I was already at the 'reveal' part and the book was almost over! If you enjoyed the other two, or even the first one - I recommend finishing the series, it will be worth your time!

Karen McManus is back with her third installment in the One of Us series. One of Us is Back brings together the surviving characters from both One of Us is Lying and One of Us is Next, or the Bayview Murder Club as they call themselves. I've usually found books in a series tend to fizzle our and lose that spark they had originally, that is not the case with the One of Us trilogy. Each book has brought the same amount of suspense and mystery as the first. It was a very enjoyable read, thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

In this third installment of the One of Us is Lying series, the original Bayview Four have united with the characters from the second book to figure out who is terrorizing their town. The Bayview Crew, as they’re now referring to themselves, first realizes that something is amiss when a digital billboard appears, ominously referencing the Truth or Dare game that ended in a student’s death a few months earlier. Jake gets released from prison as he awaits a new trial due to jury misconduct, and everyone is on edge, waiting for him to enact revenge on the ones responsible for putting him there in the first place. When Phoebe is drugged and kidnapped from a party at Nate’s house, the Bayview Crew is determined to try to figure out who is terrorizing them this time.

I had read and loved the first book a while ago, but I wasn’t thrilled with the second book. There were too many characters, and the Truth or Dare plot seemed far fetched. This book, however, made up for the shaky second one. There were still too many characters, true, but the plot seemed more realistic somehow. McManus tied up a lot of remaining questions from the first two books, and through the use of flashbacks she even brought Simon back. There were some gasp-inducing moments, as I had not predicted the ending, and though there is a possibility for a fourth book, it feels as though McManus might be finished this time.

Recommended for students in gr. 8-12. Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The story picks back up with the Bayview Crew and is action packed. The story is told through multiple points of view including Nate, Addy, and Maeve. There’s a new mystery to solve. If you liked the first 2 books, then you should pick this one up too.

I've loved Karen McManus's books ever since the first page of One Of Us Is Lying and this was no different. The intrigue, suspense, and genuine care for the characters is something she does so well. I don't want to say more and risk spoiling, just that you won't regret it.

"One of Us is Back" is the third book in the "One of Us" series. In this installment, the characters from the previous novels are faced with a new threat: a sinister billboard hacker with eyes locked on the Bayview Crew.

"One of Us is Back" calls back the characters from the previous books, which was a nice way to bridge the series as a whole. I liked that McManus started the novel by recapping the pervious ones, so readers could remember the players and their connections to one another. While the characters in books one and two had separate plots and stakes, this novel gave them a chance to interact together. It was fresh and fun to see how these characters and their unique skill sets played off one another.

Setting the novel in the summer also allowed fan-favorite character, Bronwyn, to return on summer vacation from college. Bronwyn's relationship with Nate was a big part of book one, and it was nice to see it revisited. The small domestic interludes of the Nate and Bronwyn co-parent Nate's lizard Stan added a sweet layer to their relationship.

Nate's roommate troubles add an intriguing layer to the plot as well. His frustration with Reggie's behavior felt authentic, as well as his attempts to stand up to Reggie. Nate's relationship with his father also showed maturity and willingness to reconnect, which highlights how Nate has matured since the events of book one.

Phoebe's story arc with her brother, Owen, was compelling. It examined Phoebe's unresolved feelings about her brother's behavior in the previous novel and shows how she views him differently moving forward.

Addy's attempts to move on from the trauma of book one face an obstacle in "One of Us is Back." Addy's POV shows how the character has grown since book one and how she sees situations differently as a result. Far from being a character who lets things happen to her, Addy has become more intentional, choosing her own actions and speaking up for herself.

Overall, I was pleased with the character growth from the previous books. While the quirks of the characters readers loved from the previous books are alive and well, there was also character growth that shows how the events from previous novels impacted the characters and fueled their quest for justice.

The novel was quickly paced, which was in keeping with the urgency of the narrative. The pace was just right for the story because the twists and turns kept me intrigued. This multi-POV story had the potential to become overwhelming, giving the number of characters it covered, but McManus masterfully wove each character's narrative around the central plot. The ending was both surprising and satisfying.

This book, as well as others in the series, examines the harmful effects of bullying. It brings questions of unresolved trauma, forgiveness, and willingness to trust again into the forefront of the narrative in compelling ways. "One of Us is Back" is both character-driven and plot-driven and will leave fans of the previous books satisfied with the latest installment.

I've read, reviewed and enjoyed two of Karen Mc MaManus's previous titles in the past - The Cousins and You'll Be the Death of Me. I enjoy a YA novel for some escapist reading, so I added McManus's newest title - One of Us is Back, to my reading list.

I've picked it up a couple of times, but threw in the towel at page 40. This seems to be the third book in this series. Having not read the first two, I found trying to figure out what has happened in the past (a heckuva lot!), who is who and the connections within the myriad list of characters (again - a lot) quite frustrating. Reading it quickly turned into a chore for me and not the enjoyable experience I was hoping for.

I'll be in the minority for this title I'm sure, so I encourage others to seek out those positive reviews. I would pick up a stand alone title from this again.

"One of Us is Back" by Karen M. McManus is an absolute gem in the series, and I can't recommend it enough! As an avid reader, I got my hands on the e-arc ahead of its release on 25th July, thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley.
This book had me hooked from the start with its mind-blowing twists and turns. McManus' writing style keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the character development is simply fantastic. I couldn't get enough of the thrilling plot, and the way everything unfolded kept me guessing until the very end.
If you're into gripping mysteries and thrilling page-turners, this series is a solid five-star pick. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Grab a copy as soon as it's out, and prepare for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and excitement!


A hint of the storyline:
In "One of Us is Back," Karen M. McManus skillfully weaves a captivating tale of secrets, lies, and unexpected alliances. The story is set in a high school setting, where a group of students is faced with a new mystery that unfolds after the events of the previous books in the series.
The story revolves around a diverse cast of characters, each with their own secrets and motives. There's the enigmatic outsider with a dark past, the popular student with a hidden agenda, the overachiever with a relentless drive, and the rebellious troublemaker with a knack for stirring up trouble. As the story progresses, the characters' lives intertwine, and alliances form, making you question who can be trusted.
One of the central mysteries in the book involves the sudden return of a missing student, bringing back memories of a tragedy that shook the entire school community. As the students try to unravel the truth behind the disappearance and subsequent return, they uncover a web of lies, deceit, and shocking revelations.
Throughout the book, McManus masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative, sprinkling unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The characters' complexities and the intricate web of secrets make "One of Us is Back" a thrilling and satisfying addition to the series.



<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/67d034a62e3e41fa904627b073f4057a1a295dd7" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>

Karen M. McManus never disappoints! I think this was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy, it tied everything together nicely and we got to have some POVs from the main bay view four which was nice. We even got a few from Simon and Jake which were unexpected. I loved the reveals that this book had as well. My one complaint was that I wished we had a few more POVs from the original cast of characters and maybe an extended epilogue or a where are they now at the end but I overall really enjoyed this one.

I wrote about this on The Storygraph and on Goodreads. I sent a link to Twitter. Note that I decided to listen to this one via audiobook. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5690049843

When I heard there was another one of these being released, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. I have been a fan of McManus’ since the very first one. I’ve read every book she’s released. I think I’ve given all her books 4.5 or 5 stars. So when I saw we were going to take another visit to Bayview, I knew I needed to have it.

So basically I liked almost everything about this. I loved the fact that the mains were still there. And I loved that McManus gave us the info on each of them in case we forgot. But the problem was, there was still some things that I needed reminding about. With the amount of time in between this book and the one before it, I think there should have been some kind of thing that explained at the beginning of the book. Anything other than one year deserves that.

The writing style in this one just wasn’t up to her normal either. Usually there’s a huge ass bomb that’s dropped at the end of her books. I’m talking like I have to stand up because I’m like WTF. But with this one I guessed it as soon as they were mentioned. I was surprised by the other person,. but it wasn’t enough to write home about. Idk. I wasn’t as into it as I was with the others.

The mystery itself was ok, but there wasn’t that much going on. They spent a lot of the time discussing what was going on and finding the people that were kidnapped or whatever lol I just didn’t care for it. After having read all her work (like Nothing More to Tell and Two Can Keep a Secret) I just didn’t feel like this got the same attention? Idk how to explain it.

But even still. I still loved to see all the old main characters. It was good to be back in Bayview. Definitely not what I was looking forward to, but it wasn’t terrible. I don’t want to say anymore for fear of spoilers, but I will say this just wasn’t my favorite. I was expecting a huge SOMETHING at the end since that was the last in the series, but alas, there was nothing. Idk it wasn’t my favorite but I didn’t hate it. I hope you give them a chance, and if you do, tell me what you think.

The Bayview Crew, aka The Murder Club, is back and bigger than ever. One would think Addy, Nate and the gang have been through enough after being surrounded by death on more than one occasion. But it looks like it’s not over yet…someone wants revenge and the game of Truth or Dare that ended so badly before may just be gearing up with a new plan.

I just love Karen McManus. Her young adult novels are just what I need when I desire a good thriller with some good twists!

Ah, we are back in the pages with our beloved Bayview Crew! Can these kids ever catch a break? Bayview seems to always have a murderous plot on their hands. Our fave crew is back to trying to solve what is happening…again. A mysterious and cryptic Billboard starts off a new deadly game. But can they figure out the rules and who’s behind it in time? Are our fave crew going to make it out alive? Remember, practice makes perfect.

I do recommend brushing up on the previous books. I did a quick re-read of everything so I could go in with a fresh memory. Not necessary but it helped me place the past better.

What I enjoyed:
- multiple POVS between Nate, Addy, and Phoebe
- The pacing was quick and we jump right into the mystery.
- I did not see any of it coming! I kept second guessing myself. I loved the twists and turns.
- Such a great conclusion and wrap up of some our fave characters!!

Overall, I loved this book! I thought it was the perfect conclusion to a series I loved. The book was twisty and fast paced. 4 stars out of 5! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When the Bayview Crew ends up in the middle of another sinister game, it's all hands on deck to figure out what's going on.I loved coming back to Bayview and seeing what all my favorite characters have been up to since we last saw them, even if that means they are all in danger once again.

We get multiple POVs not only following a few of our main characters from the crew, but also Jake and Simon. There were plenty of twists and turns, some great suspenseful moments, and I never had any idea what was going to happen next. I loved how it ended, and I can't wait to see what Karen McManus is going to write next!

One Of Us Is Back | 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

One of Us Is Back is the third book in the One Of Us Is Lying series, and like always, Karen McManus didn’t disappoint.

While this felt like a watered down version of the first two books, and it wasn’t completely needed I love that we finally had a calm finale for all these characters.

I loved the plot twist of this book and the different perspectives we got! So interesting to read!

Thank you to Net Galley and Karen McManus for giving me the opportunity of reading an ARC Version of this book and giving an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, as it kept me reading to figure out how it would be resolved. There were several characters, so I had a cheat sheet for myself going at first to keep them straight. As it turns out, I haven't read book 2, but I didn't feel lost reading book 3, as there was plenty of background/plot recap to help me. I found the book entertaining and could easily visualize the characters. I think teens will appreciate the friendship bonds.