Hi all!

I’m back today to rank all of Karen McManus’s works. This author writes really engaging YA thriller/mystery stories, with exceptional twists. I am a huge fan of hers. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1.) One Of Us Is Lying 

I’m over the moon One Of Us Is Lying is coming to television next month, because it is my absolute favourite book of Karen’s. Five teenagers walk into detention for different reasons, but only four of them, come out alive. This novel was originally marketed as the thriller version of The Breakfast Club and I have to agree. There is a jock, a nerd, a beauty, a criminal and an outcast (Simon), who is the creator of Bayview High’s gossip app. Each character has a strong motive for the murder of Simon, who was planning to air their dirty laundry the following day. I loved the twist in this story. I never saw it coming. Not only that, all the suspects have designated POV chapters, so we get to know each of them in-depth. I hope the series is as good as the book! 

2.) The Cousins 

Coming in second is The Cousins. This was such a fun story, brimming with mystery. It also had a fantastic twist I couldn’t predict. Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know one another. They’ve never even met their collective grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter, inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they’re surprised and curious. The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn’t over – and this season, the cousins will learn everything. This is the perfect vacation read. I enjoyed relating to the characters and the familial relationships formed. I highly recommend this book.

3.) Two Can Keep A Secret 

In third place, we have Two Can Keep A Secret. I would recommend picking this one up during the fall/winter season. It’s darker, gloomier and much more serious. Echo Ridge is small-town in America. Ellery’s never been there, but she’s heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map, when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there, to live with a grandmother she barely knows. The town is picture-perfect, but it’s hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone’s declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing. I loved the ending of this book. It sent chills down my spine. It definitely has a different vibe to Karen’s other books, but I still enjoyed it immensely. 

Update: This is where I would rank Such Charming Liars. 

Update: This is where I would rank Nothing More To Tell. 

4.) One Of Us Is Next 

In last place, we have the sequel to One Of Us Is Lying: One Of Us Is Next. I don’t want to give too much away, but this book follows different characters from Bayview High, after Simon’s death. There’s a fresh mystery to solve and a whole new set of rules. This time however, it’s not an app. It’s a game: Truth or Dare. Phoebe is 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. In my opinion, One Of Us Is Lying didn’t really need a sequel. The concept had potential, but I found the execution slightly lacking. I also saw the twist coming a mile away, which isn’t typical for Karen’s books. It wasn’t bad, but I didn’t love it.

Update: This is where I would rank One Of Us Is Back. 

Update: This is where I would rank You’ll Be The Death Of Me. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. How would you rank this list? Thanks for reading!