“I don't know why it's so hard for people to admit that sometimes they're just assholes who screw up because they don't expect to get caught.”SPOILER ALERT!!!
Book: One of Us Is Lying
Author: Karen M. McManus
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery
Synopsis: Pay close attention and you might solve this. On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.
What I think about it...
The Characters
I like the characters especially Bronwyn and Nate, the pull is so strong that I didn’t miss a beat. I always look forward to their POVs. I also like Addy’s character development. I was once in her position, like losing yourself in the process of loving someone, a yes-girl, a people pleaser. But the ending for her? Atta girl!
Now Cooper, the hot, handsome athlete… his story is so intriguing that I didn’t expect that that is the secret he’s been keeping. Actually, his is the most surprising of all. The other three? Not much.
I don’t feel the indifferent feeling towards any of the characters here – even with the background characters like Jake. They’re just all okay with me.
The Story
The plot was so intriguing like when I first read the synopsis I started looking for the book and didn’t stop until I have my hands on it. It was intriguing in a way that I was curious as to how McManus will execute this kind of plot. I’ve read books with promising plots but failed miserably in the execution. This book, however, delivered it perfectly well but…
What went wrong…
The execution of the plot was good but I guess what I find absurd in the end was the fact that a group of young teens solved the mystery and the police - the experts - who have all the means (technology, skill and stuff) didn't crack the case. I mean, how lame was that. It's funny and unbelievable in so many levels. And if I live in the same town as them I would totally freak out because the police can’t do their jobs. Also another thing I hate about this book is the confusing change of point of views. I know it's necessary so we can all see what's right inside each of their minds and of course for the story to progress but dang, it's hella confusing like I need to backtrack every single time cos I forgot who's who already and it's irritating.
My Verdict
It was an okay read. Would recommend? Yes. Read the second book? Maybe no. I'm not curious about Maeve's story and the plot was quite sketchy and shallow. On second thought, if Addy and TJ (I’m rooting for them) has an appearance in that book I might read it. I really want Addy to be happy. But I guess I wont know til I started reading it. So yeah, might read it.
MY RATING
★★☆☆☆
