If you thought Bayview High was done with drama after One of Us Is Lying, think again—because the One of Us Is Next book takes things to a whole new level. I dove into this sequel ready for more secrets, tension, and jaw-dropping moments, and McManus did not disappoint. The vibe is just as twisty and addictive as book one, but the stakes feel even more personal this time. New faces join the Bayview crew, and a creepy text-based game starts spreading around school… and trust me, things get dark fast.
Book Title: One of Us Is Next
Author: Karen M. McManus
Genre: Young Adult Mystery / Thriller
Date Read: August 2025
*Book Review by my 14-Year-Old Daughter, August 2025.
1. Introduction
I picked this up straight after finishing One of Us Is Lying because I needed more Bayview chaos in my life. I was curious to see how the story could continue after such a wild ending—and whether the new characters could keep the same energy.
2. ‘One of us is next’ summary (No spoilers!)
It’s been a year since Simon died, but Bayview still hasn’t recovered. Now, a new anonymous texter is playing a dangerous game of “Truth or Dare”—but there’s no opting out. The story follows Maeve (Bronwyn’s sister), Knox (her friend), and Phoebe (a popular girl with secrets), who each get pulled into the game as truths start leaking… and consequences get serious. The school is buzzing with rumours again, and it feels like Simon’s legacy is haunting everyone.
The mystery builds slowly but with so many twists that I legit had to reread chapters to catch what I missed. It’s not about solving a murder this time—it’s about stopping something just as scary before it’s too late.
3. What Did You Like About it?
- Maeve is such a relatable lead—smart, kind of awkward, but really gutsy when things go sideways.
- I loved the group dynamic. It’s fresh but still connected to the original story, which makes everything feel bigger and deeper.
- The text game plot was genius—it felt super current and creepy in the best way.
4. What Could Be Better?
- I missed seeing the old gang more often! Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper pop in now and then, but I wanted more of them.
- Some twists felt less shocking than the first book, but still kept me interested.
5. Favourite Quote
“You might think you know me, but you don’t. Not really.”
6. Who Would You Recommend This Book To?
If you liked the first book, “One of us is Lying”, this is a must-read. Anyone into thrillers with social media tension, high school drama, and secret-pulling power plays will love it.
7. Overall Opinion & Rating
This was a solid sequel that gave me just what I wanted—new drama, a messed-up mystery, and characters I actually care about. McManus knows how to keep a story fresh without losing the original spark.
8. Star Rating
I’d give “One of us is Next” a solid 4/5 Rating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars
Final Thoughts on ‘One of us is Next’ book
Okay, so I’m officially obsessed with the Bayview series. The game in One of Us Is Next totally freaked me out in a good way, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d do if I got one of those texts. Now I’ve started One of Us Is Back, and from what I’ve heard… things are going to get even more intense. Buckle up, Bayview isn’t done with us yet 😈
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