This the third book in the One of Us is lying series by Karen McManus. I really enjoyed this one. It was fast paced and kept me turning the pages well into the night. The characters from the other books were melded well into this one and the plot was engaging. There are twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Great series and I wish there was a fourth book! Thanks NetGalley and Random House for providing an ARC! I am giving an honest review.

This was a good installment of the One of Us is Lying series. It was nice to be back in Bayview with the crew. My favorite part of McManus's books is trying (and failing) to figure out whodunnit.

It’s two months after the last shenanigans occurred in Bayview, and the Bayview Crew are all back in town for the summer. A billboard soon shows up with an ominous line that suggests they’re not in for a peaceful summer. And when a member of their crew disappears one evening, they know that things are serious. But this time, no one knows the rules and it’s just getting started.

This is the third (and final?) book of this series. I’m honestly not entirely sure why this one exists. It’s a solid 25% through the book before anything happens aside from becoming reintroduced to the characters and their relationships, regrets, and rehashing the first two books. Then it’s almost another 25% before something else happens. And then it’s not until the last 20% of the book that the pace picks up to anywhere remotely close to being a “thriller mystery.” But by that point I wasn’t engaged with the minimal plot or mystery, which made it difficult to feel invested in the ending.

One of the things I disliked about this book was that it combined the characters from the first and second books. This left many characters being juggled around, including many characters that were never that strong or well written to begin with, that most of the MCs from the previous books didn’t have a meaningful presence in this one. The characterization in this book is also weak. Their voices are not unique – the POV swaps between Pheobe and Addy in this book, and they sound so similar that when I put the book down in the middle of a chapter, I’d have no clue whose POV I was reading when I picked it back up again. I did like that Nate was given a bit of character growth since the first book, but even his voice often sounded like the girls’. This lack of compelling and well written characters made the slow pace almost unbearable.

I don’t feel that this book is a necessary read – if you liked the first one, and/or second one, it would be reasonable to stop there. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for allowing me to read this work, which will be published July 25th, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

After One of Us is next ended on a cliffhanger I immediately raced to NetGalley to put in my request for the third (and maybe final?) installment of the series. And I have to say this does not disappoint.

One of Us Is Back follows the Bayview Crew as they are caught up in another round of mystery and murder. Each member of the Bayview crew is dealing with their own issues but none as much as Phobe, Addy or Nate. Phoebe is dealing with her family issues namely her younger brother conspiring to commit murder and sister fleeing their town. Addy is dealing with unresolved romantic feelings with one of her friends as well as the return of her cartoonishly evil ex boyfriend out on parole. Nate is also dealing with family problems though his father is doing better, but Nate still feels unworthy of girlfriend Bronwyn. It is fitting then that the book is told from the alternating point of view of each of these characters. Throwing Addy's ex boyfriend Jake into the mix also creates tension as the Bayview Crew deal with him and another copy cat Simon. McManus throws in plenty of twists and turns and I did not see the ending coming.

The novel manages to wrap up everyone's storyline in a satisfying way which makes me think this could be the end of the series. However I really enjoy these characters and would definitely read another book featuring the Bayview Crew. This book is a fast, fun read and I would highly recommend.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for graciously providing me with an ARC of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this series. The third installment proved to be quite satisfying. While, in my personal opinion, it may not have quite matched the exceptional quality of its predecessors, it still held its own and delivered an enjoyable reading experience.

Once again, we find ourselves delving into the lives of The Murder Club, albeit this time with the reappearance of a figure from their past. As more secrets are revealed and lives are placed in jeopardy, the stakes rise considerably.

I must commend McManus for her skillful writing style. I have a deep appreciation for well-crafted mystery novels that keep me engaged, constantly attempting to untangle the web of clues. Honestly, I was unable to identify the suspect until the story reached its climax. Admittedly, certain portions of the book may have lacked the same level of excitement found in the first two installments, yet on the whole, it remains a solid and worthwhile read.

For aficionados of the mystery genre, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this book a chance. However, I do advise starting with the initial two books in the series to gain a comprehensive understanding of the characters and the events that have transpired.

In conclusion, I assign this book a rating of 4 stars!

Thank you Random House for the review copy! I had fun returning to the Bayview world and the end of this trilogy; this is a fun fast paced YA mystery that has good momentum that kept me engaged the whole read. I did need the memory jolts to recall who was who at the start of the book (so if you are fuzzy of memory as I am... the book does give some review of who is who without it being tedious for those who don't need the refresher). The story is satisfying and what I appreciate about McManus is that she has a welcome insight into what YA thriller readers want (quick and engrossing) and also captures the complexities of what adolescents today have to navigate with online pressures.
A good read for fans of the author and the earlier two books in this trilogy.

I was excited to read One of Us Is Back and close out the series. I have to say this is my favorite book of the series and kept me hooked all the way through.

In this book, The Bayview Four (renamed the Bayview Crew) is back! I loved how this book brought everyone in "Murder Club" together as friends working through what they've been through and what will ultimately come next. Somehow Karen McManus found a way to bring the villains back too. Even Simon's perspective makes it way into the finale of this series.. The book shifts perspectives throughout so the reader has a strong sense of many of the characters motivations (mostly Addy, Nate, Phoebe and Simon (through flashback).

The weirdness starts when a billboard is displayed with a message warning about a game with no rules. Then, Jake gets out of prison pending a new trial due to a rogue juror at his first trial and being a model prisoner. Finally, a member of the Bayview Crew gets kidnapped. Is Jake involved? What might happen next? How can they end this all for good?

The Bayview Crew is the perfect group to get to the bottom of this newest mystery. Even though I figured out why someone was doing all of this, I still couldn't guess who was causing all of this trouble. I did kind of figure everything out about a paragraph before the reveal. It was a thrill to see how it all played out and I found the ending satisfying.

I always say this but I truly hope this isn't the last we hear from The Bayview Crew. However, if you are a fan of this series, you will not be disappointed at how this ends. If you haven't read this series, get started on the first two before this installment comes out on July 25, 2023.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Delacorte Press for the ARC!

Absolutely amazing follow up (end)? to the rest of the Bayview saga! I adored seeing the povs of Addy, Nate, and Phoebe. The interruptions by some surprising characters were really helpful in bringing everything full circle. The Bayview Crew is absolutely amazing and I am so happy with the way their stories close!

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the digital ARC of this book!

Couldn’t. Put. It. Down. I loved One of Us is Lying but didn’t enjoy the second book in the series (One of Us is Next) as much, so I was hesitant about this one. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and flew through the book.

The beginning was a bit confusing, as I was trying to recall all the characters and events from the first book (there is a character chart at the beginning of the book).

Time for a new game, Bayview.

Karen McManus is back! One of my favorite YA mystery author favorites has done it again in the unexpected sequel in the One of Us Is Lying trilogy. One of Us Is Back takes us back to Bayview, where everyone is still hiding their secrets (cough cough Phoebe) and playing games. Only this time, everyone, good and evil, is at risk as the crew quickly discovers when one of their own vanishes. But what game are they playing now and why? Combining old and new characters for different perspectives, McManus had me on the edge of my seat wanting all the answers and hoping that everyone would be okay! If that isn't the essence of a good story, I don't know what is!

In addition, the character growth we see is so beautiful, especially for my new favorite, Addy Prentiss! A princess without her crown, Addy's gone through it all and starts off this story finally starting to figure out who she wants to be, and it is beautiful. Likewise, reading about the rest of these characters felt like coming home. I know who they are, who they want to be, and I am so proud of how well they are doing! If you've enjoyed One of Us Is Lying, do yourself a favor and read this when it comes out!

The teens of Bayview have survived a lot, but when a billboard displays “Time for a new game, Bayview,” everyone hopes it is a bad joke. When a member of the Bayview Crew disappears, everyone wonders if a new game has started … and what are the rules. It seems as if everyone is a target and then the game turns deadly. What secrets will be uncovered? Who is behind this version of the game?

One of Us Is Back is the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series. There are enough hints in the first few chapters to nudge our memories about the first two stories and readers learn new information about this cast of characters. McManus has taken a town that has survived too much and thrown it into additional turmoil. I will have to say that this mystery wasn’t as exciting as the first two, but I kept guessing throughout about where it was going to go next. The big reveal is far from the end, so the finale is anticlimactic.

While I enjoyed returning to Bayview and McManus’s fast-paced and multi-POV style, this closing of the trilogy did not live up to its predecessors. Having so many “main” characters (everyone from both of the first two books) felt a bit forced, and many weren’t developed or relevant to the story. The plot and twists were also a bit too over-the-top, stretching that suspension of disbelief just a bit too far. That said, I would recommend to my students who love McManus’s other books and are always hungry for YA suspense.

Karen M. McManus did not disappoint me! Another great book to this series and I hope she comes out with more! It was such a great book and I read it in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book!

When I first started reading "One of Us Is Back", I was having trouble remembering who all the characters were, and I realized I had very little recollection of the previous two books in the series (no discredit to the author--I just have a really bad memory). However, after a quick skim of spark notes, I was ready to continue, and at that point the story started pulling me in with alacrity. I've absolutely loved and sped through all of Karen McManus's books, and this one was no exception. Some of the scenarios are a little far-fetched, as with her other thrillers, but overall it was an immensely enjoyable read. You will definitely want to set aside all your obligations as soon as you pick this up, as it is the type of book that's highly conducive to being read in one sitting!
I am extremely grateful to Random House Children's, Karen McManus, and NetGalley for this ARC! 4.5 stars rounded up!

IT'S HERE! THE THIRD BOOK OF THE SERIES!!!!!!!

Just like always, the writing is amazing and I was on the edge of my seat! I do admit the first part of the book was kinda slow and, but I still loved it!!

I think the POVs chosen for this book are very interesting, and I really enjoyed their development throughout the book, with all the loose ends from the previous books tied up. Though I would've wanted to see more of the other characters' opinions and thoughts.

I think the whole Addy/Keely thing was kinda pointless? Or just not as interesting as it could've been. It was just mentioned a couple of times and I feel like it had so much potential and could've been much more prevalent

So glad I got to read this early! I hope everyone who's been waiting for it will enjoy it! I definitely did!!

I loved getting an ARC of this book! I was so excited to see the continuation of this friend group.

Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. I feel weird saying that since so many reviews are positive. I felt like the author had to recap so many previous events especially when some of those events did not really affect the plot of this book. There was also a lot of telling instead of showing. People go missing, it's just announced. People die, we move on without much concern or conversation.

I was very disappointed in the book as a whole. I did like the mystery when we got there. The motive felt fresh and interesting. It just took too long to get to the point. Also what game? I didn't see a real game even though the premise of one is how it all starts.

I couldn't have been happier with this book!!! My high school readers LOVED the first two novels and when I told them I got an ARC of the third one, they were begging me to not give any secrets away. What I did tell them: it has been worth the wait and they'll read it in one day.

I appreciate the group of characters McManus pulled in from the other two books - I felt the narration was so well rounded.

I am always a sucker for a book where we are led to assume who the bad "guy" is and all the clues point to that person, yet are surprised in the end to find out what has really been going on.

Thank you so much for this this ARC and I can't wait to see how much my students love this!

I love this series and I hope the different ones go on forever. The mystery, the plot twists, the guessing who did what and why, I couldn't put this book down.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

If you're a fan of Karen M. McManus's series, get ready for a wild rollercoaster of a ride in "One of Us is Back." This third book brings back the characters we fell in love with in the first two installments and keeps us on our toes with its exciting and twisty storyline.

Okay, let's be real. At the beginning, I was a bit overwhelmed with all the characters thrown at me. It was like trying to remember the names of a whole classroom full of people. But hey, McManus must have sensed our confusion because she included a character page before the story even started. Thank goodness for that! I referred to it often.

Now, let's talk about the narrators. We've got Phoebe, Nate, and Addy taking turns telling the story. I'll be honest, it wasn't always easy to tell them apart. I had to do some quick checks to figure out whose chapter I was reading. But you know what? Once I got into the flow of things, their intertwined experiences and perspectives added a layer of depth to the story that kept me hooked.

What really sets this book apart is the sheer excitement and action it delivers. McManus knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats. The plot is like a labyrinth of surprises and unexpected turns. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, bam! Another twist smacks you right in the face.

If you've devoured the first two books in this series, "One of Us is Back" is a must-read. It's like a reunion with old friends, catching up on their lives and diving into new mysteries. McManus's writing keeps the story flowing seamlessly, building on what we already know and throwing us into another thrilling adventure.

To sum it up, "One of Us is Back" is an absolute blast. Yeah, it may take a little effort to keep track of everyone at the beginning, and the narrators might blur together at times. But trust me, the excitement, the twists, and the return of our favorite characters make it all worth it. If you're itching for another dose of McManus's addictive storytelling, this book is a no-brainer. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Natural succession to the first two books that was a nice build. I was worried this would turn in to the disappointment of the "Good girls guide to murder series" but alas I was impressed.