If you love A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, the name Karen M. McManus is probably not unfamiliar to you. McManus is one of the leading authors in the young adult mystery and thriller genre, praised for her compelling plots, dynamic characters, and clever plot twists revolving around secrets and deception. Better World Books
Her debut One of Us Is Lying brought her global fame — and since then, she has built an entire library of YA thrillers that you'll want to devour in one sitting. Here is the complete reading order.
Who is Karen M. McManus?
Karen M. McManus is an American author of young adult fiction, born in 1969. She studied English at the College of the Holy Cross and earned her master's in journalism at Northeastern University. Wikipedia
She is best known for her first novel One of Us Is Lying, which spent more than five years on the New York Times bestseller list. Wikipedia
McManus writes thrillers that are always set in a confined environment — a high school, an island, a mansion — where a group of teenagers is confronted with murder, secrets, and the question of who can truly be trusted.
The One of Us Is Lying series: The Bayview Trilogy
The One of Us Is Lying series consists of three parts: One of Us Is Lying (2017), One of Us Is Next (2020), and One of Us Is Back (2023). Fantastic Fiction
Always read the Bayview Trilogy in order — each part builds on the events of the previous one.
Part 1: One of Us Is Lying — 2017
Dutch title: Eerlijk duurt het langst
Five students walk into detention. Only four come out alive. Yale-bound Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. Star athlete Cooper knows only what he does on the baseball diamond. Bad boy Nate is on the verge of throwing his life away. Prom queen Addy is holding the cracks in her perfect life together. And outsider Simon, creator of Bayview High's infamous gossip app, will never speak of them again. He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Julia's Bookcase
One of Us Is Lying is the perfect entry point for new readers. The book reads like a classic whodunit but in a modern high school setting. The four suspects are all suspicious — and the ending is always a surprise.
Start here. Never skip.
The series was adapted into a Netflix series and was one of the most-watched series on the platform in 2022.
Part 2: One of Us Is Next — 2020
Dutch title: Twee kunnen een geheim bewaren
Set one year after the events of the first book, it follows three Bayview High students — Maeve Rojas, Knox Myers, and Phoebe Lawton — as an anonymous texter starts a dangerous game of truth or dare with fatal consequences. Wikipedia
The calm at Bayview High has returned after Simon's death — until a new threat grips the school again. A new group of characters, the same tension.
Part 3: One of Us Is Back — 2023
Dutch title: Iedereen kan een doelwit zijn
With the unexpected return of an old acquaintance to Bayview, things start to get deadly. Simon was right about secrets — they all come out eventually. And Bayview still has a lot to hide. Boekbeschrijvingen.nl
The finale of the Bayview Trilogy — with answers to questions that have been lingering for two books. The most emotional part of the three.
The standalone thrillers: read in any order
In addition to the Bayview Trilogy, McManus has written five standalone thrillers. McManus' standalone novels consistently return to similar themes: small towns and families that look perfect from the outside but are filled with buried history. Most Recommended Books
Each book stands completely on its own — you don't need to know the other books to understand them.
Two Can Keep a Secret — 2019
Dutch title: Familie liegt nooit
Two Can Keep a Secret sends twins to a town where homecoming queens have a habit of disappearing. Most Recommended Books
One of the most recommended McManus books for readers who have finished the Bayview series. New setting, same addictive tension.
The Cousins — 2020
Dutch title: The Cousins
The Cousins brings three teenagers to their reclusive grandmother's island resort to unravel a decades-old estrangement. Most Recommended Books
A confined setting — an island — with three family members who barely know each other and a grandmother who hides more than she shows.
You'll Be the Death of Me — 2021
Dutch title: Jij wordt nog eens mijn dood
You'll Be the Death of Me traps three former friends in one chaotic day after they stumble upon the murder of a classmate. Most Recommended Books
For readers who enjoy a compact, fast-paced thriller. Everything takes place in one day — which heightens the tension.
Nothing More to Tell — 2022
In Nothing More to Tell, a teenage true crime fan returns home to investigate the unsolved murder of her favorite teacher, only to discover that the friends who found the body haven't told the whole story. Most Recommended Books
For readers who enjoy the true crime energy of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. McManus combines podcast culture with a cold case.
Such Charming Liars — 2024
Such Charming Liars moves the setting from high school hallways to a glamorous Maine mansion, where a teenager and her ex-stepbrother plan a jewel heist that collides with a murder. Most Recommended Books
McManus's most recent book — and her most mature standalone to date.
Coming in 2027: The adult debut
Karen M. McManus is currently working on her adult debut, which will be released in 2027. Details have not yet been announced, but for fans who have been waiting years for an adult McManus thriller: it's coming. karen-mcmanus
The complete reading order at a glance
Bayview Trilogy (read in order):
| # | English title | Dutch title | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One of Us Is Lying | Eerlijk duurt het langst | 2017 |
| 2 | One of Us Is Next | Twee kunnen een geheim bewaren | 2020 |
| 3 | One of Us Is Back | Iedereen kan een doelwit zijn | 2023 |
Standalone thrillers (random order):
| Title | Dutch title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Two Can Keep a Secret | Familie liegt nooit | 2019 |
| The Cousins | The Cousins | 2020 |
| You'll Be the Death of Me | Jij wordt nog eens mijn dood | 2021 |
| Nothing More to Tell | Nothing More to Tell | 2022 |
| Such Charming Liars | Such Charming Liars | 2024 |
Where to start with Karen McManus?
If you're new: Start with One of Us Is Lying — the perfect entry point.
If you've seen the Bayview series on Netflix: Read the books for more depth and details that the series may have condensed.
If you prefer standalones: Start with Two Can Keep a Secret or Nothing More to Tell — both are widely recommended.
Not sure? Our Blind Date Book (Thriller) lets you choose the genre without knowing the title.
What to read after Karen McManus?
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder — Holly Jackson
The same true crime energy, the same confined setting, the same addictive whodunit structure. Read our article on the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder reading order.
Verity — Colleen Hoover
For readers who want a more adult thriller after McManus's YA thrillers. The movie will be released on October 2, 2026.
One of Us Is Lying on Netflix
Already read the books? Watch the Netflix series and compare how the adaptation portrayed the characters.
Complete your Karen McManus reading kit
🖤 The perfect thriller reading kit:
✔ Blind Date Book (Thriller) — for your next unexpected thriller
✔ Book Review Notebook — record your theories and plot twist reactions
✔ Reading Log (€1.99) — keep track of all McManus books
✔ Glass Can — for your iced coffee or matcha during the most thrilling chapters
✔ Bookmark of your choice — for marking your most shocking pages
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Happy reading — and trust no one! 🖤📚
Frequently Asked Questions about Karen McManus books
How many books has Karen McManus written?
Karen M. McManus has published 8 books: The Bayview Trilogy (3 parts) and 5 standalone thrillers. Additionally, she is working on her adult debut for 2027. FictionDB
Do I need to read Karen McManus books in order?
The Bayview Trilogy (One of Us Is Lying, One of Us Is Next, One of Us Is Back) should be read in order. The standalone thrillers are completely independent of each other — you can start wherever you like.
Which Karen McManus book is best to start with?
One of Us Is Lying is her most famous and recommended book — the perfect entry point. For a standalone, it's best to start with Two Can Keep a Secret or Nothing More to Tell. Wikipedia
Has One of Us Is Lying been adapted for film/TV?
Yes. One of Us Is Lying was adapted into a Netflix series that premiered in 2022 and was one of the most-watched series on the platform.
Are Karen McManus books available in Dutch?
Yes. Most of the books have been translated into Dutch and published by Van Goor.
When will Karen McManus's new book be released?
Karen M. McManus is working on her adult debut, which will be released in 2027. Details have not yet been announced. karen-mcmanus