One of Us Is Next (One of Us is Lying #2) by Karen M. McManus - Restarting April 12th 2024

[Courtney]

The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller everyone is talking about, One of Us Is Lying! There's a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there's a whole new set of rules.

Come on, Bayview, you know you've missed this.

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one's been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now.

This time it's not an app, though—it's a game.

Truth or Dare.

Phoebe's the first target. If you choose not to play, it's a truth. And hers is dark.

Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it's that they can't count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon's gone, but someone's determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there's a whole new set of rules.

[Karen]

So excited for this one...following McManus on Twitter and she drops little snippets every now and again!

[Maddie]

Oh yeah I am sooo excited!

[Aly]

Ch 8 (view spoiler)[ That was pretty messed up of Phoebe to sleep with Emma's boyfriend, although I guess at least they weren't still dating. And that asshole quarterback should go to jail for trying to rape Phoebe ugh! I'm glad we're still seeing the Bayview 4, but I wish Nate and Bronwyn would stay together instead of breaking up constantly (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 15 (End of part 1) (view spoiler)[ I think maybe Brandon and Shawn were messing with Knox and Brandon fell through. I feel so bad for Knox that people are teasing him after what Maeve said, even though she didn't mean it in a bad way. I was happy for her that she kissed Luis (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 25 (view spoiler)[ Okay so Emma has been using Phoebe's phone and some guy thinks he made a deal with Phoebe so clearly Emma is messaging him as her sister and now there are problems. I wonder what's going on with that and why Emma would drink so much she almost died (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Owen was messaging that guy?! Ooh I did not see that coming! I'm really glad things ended up okay and Maeve, Phoebe, and Knox are okay. Also really liked seeing the original four and that Nate and Bronwyn are back together! I didn't like the mystery of this quite as much as the first book, but it was still a lot of fun to read (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Starting now! Im so excited for this one.

[Courtney]

Prologue. What a freaking introduction!

[Courtney]

3% (view spoiler)[ Im so glad Cooper got onto a college team, and Nate and Broweyn are together! (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

6% (view spoiler)[ Ashton and Eli are engaged! I love this so far! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

My copy arrived today, so I’m hoping to start this later.

[Aly]

Courtney wrote: "6% [spoilers removed]"

Yes I was so happy to see that! (view spoiler)[ the characters from the first book seem pretty happy and I'm so glad (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Aly wrote: "Courtney wrote: "6% [spoilers removed]"

Yes I was so happy to see that! [spoilers removed]"

Same. (view spoiler)[ They deserve it. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

22% (view spoiler)[ That was a stupid dare. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

27% (view spoiler)[ Brandon is so disgusting! (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

34% (view spoiler)[ I would not be mad if Luis and Maeve get togather. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

39% (view spoiler)[ Why didnt they tell us what her secret is? There is no way it can be that bad. Right? (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

40% (view spoiler)[ Thats kind of stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

44% (view spoiler)[ Dang it Manny! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Courtney wrote: "44% [spoilers removed]"

Right? Terrible timing lol

[Courtney]

50% (view spoiler)[ I am so glad it wasnt Knox that passed away. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Aly wrote: "ch 15 (End of part 1) [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think your right about Sean and Brandon. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Aly wrote: "Ch 8 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ One thing I liked in the first book, and I think at least one other person mentioned it during the recent BR, was how the author touched on so many important topics that are relevant in HS - school shootings, suicide, etc. She does it again here with the attempted rape scene, more bullying issues. I'm curious to see what else these characters will face. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Through ch 9 and really enjoying this so far!
(view spoiler)[ It's cool to see so much of the cast from the first book and to find out where life has taken them while also getting fresh perspectives in out three new narrators.

The truth or dare game is an interesting twist but so far this doesn't have the same anxious mystery type of feel to it as book one. Maeve just got tagged to play so curious to see how it escalates from here. Also really hoping her cancer isnt back :( (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
Yes! (view spoiler)[ I was so happy to see the cast of book 1 and I agree about not feeling quite as anxious. I guess because the first book started with a murder (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Aly wrote: "HeatherH wrote:
Yes! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ probably so as far as the opening playing a part in the difference on anxiousness. Your rating is giving me hopes that it doesn’t let readers down as a whole though! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I didn't quite like it as much as the first book but it was really good and definitely worth it!

[Courtney]

73% (view spoiler)[ Maeve and Luis are so freaking cute! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Ch1-6. Returning to Bayview and it’s interesting to get an update on those students involved in Simon’s plot. Different characters, and a slightly different twist, but I am worried it’ll seem derivative.

[Courtney]

Aly wrote: "ch 25 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I didnt even think that Emma could have been the one to set up that meeting. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

83% (view spoiler)[ Shit! Brandon killed Pheobe's dad. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

87% (view spoiler)[ Holy Crap! I'm glad that bomb wasnt that bad, but I cant believe Nate got hurt. I hope he is okay. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

94% (view spoiler)[ Well I was not expecting that outcome, but I am not surprised that Emma has something to do about it. Knox and Pheobe! I can get behind that. (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was not expecting Owen to be the one messaging him either. I am glad they sisters didnt say anything though. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch11. Reminder to self to get on pc and check initial spoiler comments to respond to. So frustrating to not be able to see what people say when reading on iPad.

[Aly]

Courtney wrote: "Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Same! (view spoiler)[ I think the sisters should definitely talk to Owen, but he didn't really know what he was doing and involving the police wouldn't be good (hide spoiler)]

[Courtney]

Aly wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Same! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I agree. He was just trying to help his sisters out. Police dont need to know about that unless it becomes really really bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Omg so many updates XD

[Karen]

Aly wrote: "Ch 8 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think this would have worked just as well without the references to the Bayview Four, but I do think it allows us to see beyond the novel as we get to see the consequences of the previous novel. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Courtney wrote: "27% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Totally, agree! It makes me doubt Phoebe's judgment a little. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Courtney wrote: "39% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Irritating as anything, but classic device...part of me thinks we as the reader fill in the blanks and probably make it worse than the reality. Why didn't she take the dare? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch15. Probably linked, but hopefully not. The dares/power given to this person really focuses on how easy it is for a group of people to be coerced into doing something collectively. Fascinating.

[Karen]

End of part one. (view spoiler)[ Sean’s story of Brandon falling through the roof isn’t quite ringing true. Can’t imagine they’d try to protect Knox though...definitely something we’re not being told. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch22. (view spoiler)[ Can’t ignore the fact that these characters are being manipulated by the anonymous game-designer. Still, good news for Maeve so there’s some normal teen angst to deal with in-between the crime-solving. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 9 and really enjoying this so far!
It's cool to see so much of the cast from the first book and to find out where life has taken them while also getting fresh perspectives in out three..."

(view spoiler)[ I completely agree with the start. It felt a little slower initially, but it has picked up a bit. I was worried for Maeve, but it doesn't explain why she's been having these symptoms. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch26. Agh! Inadvertently read a spoiler for a bit I'm not quite at yet - that puts a whole new slant on things...

[Karen]

Up to ch30. (view spoiler)[ There's a part of me that marvels at the sheer luck of the timing here, but thank goodness for Maeve's perseverance. Hoping Nate and Bronwen are okay. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Courtney wrote: "94% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ The revelation about Emma puts things in a clearer light, and I did laugh at the way they worked out Owen's involvement. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Well, not quite what I expected and I have a feeling there’s more in the tank.