Karen McManus Books in Order
Author of 2022’s hit Netflix series One of Us is Lying, Karen McManus is a fantastic writer who specialises in young adult thriller novels.
Here are each of her books in order, separated by series.
The Bayview Trilogy
Synopsis:
“Five students walk into detention. Only four come out alive.
Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing in the baseball diamond. Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime. Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life.
And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won't ever talk about any of them again.
He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it's no accident. All of them are suspects.
Everyone has secrets, right?
What really matters is how far you'll go to protect them.”
Synopsis:
“Welcome back to Bayview High…
It's been a year since the events of One Of Us Is Lying. But nothing has settled for the residents of Bayview. Not now someone has started playing a sinister game of Truth or Dare.
Choose truth? You must reveal your darkest secret. Choose dare? Well, that could be even more dangerous. Even deadly.
When the game takes an even darker turn, suddenly no one at Bayview High knows who to trust. But they need to find out who is behind the game, before it's too late.”
Synopsis:
“Life hasn't been easy for the Bayview Crew. First they had to prove they weren't killers. Then a new generation had to outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it's beginning again.
At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: Time for a new game, Bayview. But when a member of the crew disappears, it's clear this 'game' just got serious - and no-one understands the rules.
Everyone's a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things are starting to get deadly.
Simon was right about secrets - they all come out in the end.”
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
Standalone Novels
Synopsis:
“Ellery's never been to Echo Ridge, but she's heard all about it. It's where her aunt went missing at age sixteen, never to return. Where a Homecoming Queen's murder five years ago made national news. And now she has to live there with her estranged grandmother, after her mother lands in rehab.
Malcolm grew up in the shadow of the Homecoming Queen's death. His older brother was the prime suspect and left Echo Ridge in disgrace. But now he's back- just as mysterious threats appear around town, hinting that a killer will strike again.
Then another girl disappears. As Ellery and Malcolm race to unravel what happened, they realise every secret has layers in Echo Ridge.”
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
Synopsis:
“The Storys are the envy of their neighbours: owners of the largest property on their East Coast island, they are rich, beautiful, and close. Until it all falls apart. The four children are suddenly dropped by their mother with a single sentence:
You know what you did.
They never hear from her again.
Years later, when 18-year-old cousins Aubrey, Milly and Jonah Story receive a mysterious invitation to spend the summer at their grandmother's resort, they have no choice but to follow their curiosity and meet the woman who's been such an enigma their entire lives.
This entire family is built on secrets, right? It's the Story legacy. This summer, the teenagers are determined to discover the truth at the heart of their family. But some secrets are better left alone.”
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
Synopsis:
“Ivy, Mateo and Cal used to be close - best friends back in middle school. Now all they have in common is a bad day. So for old time's sake they skip school together - one last time.
But when the trio spot Brian 'Boney' Mahoney ditching class too, they follow him - right into a murder scene. They all have a connection to the victim. And they're ALL hiding something.
When their day of freedom turns deadly, it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out…”
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
Synopsis:
“True crime can leave a false trail.
Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she's sure that the three kids who found Mr. Larkin's body know more than they're telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He's definitely hiding something.
When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds.
Four years ago someone got away with murder. Now it's time to uncover the truth…”
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
Synopsis:
“For all of Kat’s life, it’s been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce.
Now Jamie is a jewel thief trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland’s family.
Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer’s crosshairs. They can’t trust anyone except each other. Or can they? Because if there’s one thing both of them know, it’s how to lie...”
You can buy a copy on Amazon here.
I’d love some more thriller book recommendations - please leave a comment and let me know!
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