Is 'One Of Us Is Lying' Based On A True Story?

2025-06-19 15:10:13 126

3 answers

Oliver
Oliver
2025-06-23 11:27:30
I just finished 'One of Us Is Lying' and was totally hooked, but no, it's not based on a true story. Karen M. McManus crafted it as pure fiction, though she nailed that high-school drama vibe so well it feels real. The book plays with the classic 'Breakfast Club' setup—five teens in detention, one dies—but spins it into a murder mystery with social media twists. The author took inspiration from real teen experiences, like gossip, secrets, and the pressure cooker of high school, but the murder plot is all her imagination. If you want something similar but non-fiction, try 'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' for true crime chills.
Mateo
Mateo
2025-06-21 20:01:35
As someone who devours both YA and true crime, I can confirm 'One of Us Is Lying' is fictional. The brilliance lies in how McManus blends tropes from murder mysteries with modern teen life. The characters—brainy Bronwyn, sporty Cooper, princess Addy, bad boy Nate, and doomed Simon—are archetypes turned inside out by the plot. Simon’s death isn’t ripped from headlines; it’s a clever device to explore how secrets unravel under pressure.

The book’s realism comes from its tech-savvy details. Simon’s gossip app, 'About That,' mirrors real platforms like Whisper or Sarahah, where anonymity fuels drama. The police investigation feels authentic because McManus researched procedural tactics, but the twists—like the bay leaf poison—are pure fiction. For a true-story alternative, 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt explores similar themes of guilt and deception in academia, though it’s darker and more literary.
Isaac
Isaac
2025-06-24 08:13:24
Nope, 'One of Us Is Lying' isn’t true, but it *feels* like it could be. McManus built the story around universal teen anxieties—blackmail, social media scrutiny, the fear of being exposed. Simon’s death isn’t real, but the fallout is painfully accurate: the way rumors spiral, how friendships fracture under suspicion. The book’s strength is its pacing; it reads like a Netflix documentary, with timed reveals and red herrings that keep you guessing.

What’s cool is how McManus subverts expectations. The ‘murderer’ isn’t some cartoon villain—it’s someone relatable, driven by motives that echo real teen struggles. For a non-fiction take on similar themes, check out 'People Who Eat Darkness' by Richard Lloyd Parry, which examines real-life crime through a societal lens. Fiction or not, 'One of Us Is Lying' taps into truths about how we judge—and misjudge—each other.
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

One True Love
One True Love
Seven years back, Sam had met a cute , Sweet girl in a friend’s wedding reception. He has come across countless girls since then but no one could stir his heart like that girl..Seven years later, He is one of the youngest successful architect in the IT industry . Christine has been greatly appreciated for her work by everyone. Her Boss forces her to accept an on site role. However, Upon reaching Country N, she realises she has fallen right into the trap setup by someone.That someone is very “Powerful” and want his sweetheart to stay by his side . She is his true love. Author Notes: Mon- Fri 1 chapter DailyThere is no Rape or major misunderstandings in this novel . This novel is for those readers who are tired of CEO, Actress, Mistress plots. Warning : lT industry terminology used whereby necessary
9.5
100 Chapters
My True One
My True One
Nagara Sosuke, an assassin couldn't help but fall in love with Sakura who was once a rich spoilt brat but turned into a slave overnight. She faces off her enemies trying to regain what she had lost. In the way obtaining true love that could last for eternity.
Not enough ratings
12 Chapters
.Lying Puzzle.
.Lying Puzzle.
If you start with a lie, you live within the lie and die embracing the lie. She who is clueless about the world yet has a strong personality, enough to not get intimidated by others. Is now held captive within the realms of someone dear. Is it for the best or for the worst? Will happiness finally find it's way or will the past repeat itself like a curse to her tragic love story. Will she finally start appreciating her new life or is even that a rose mirror. "I...I can't remember anything! W...who are you?"
Not enough ratings
18 Chapters
The Story of Us
The Story of Us
Des thought she has found the man to spend her forever with, only to find out that her boyfriend was two timing her. After taking a break for her heart, she was ready to move on. A common friend introduces her to another lonely heart. However, there was a 20 year gap in their age. Would love see them through till the end when that new guy is her ex 's rich uncle?
Not enough ratings
13 Chapters
The One True Alpha
The One True Alpha
Born to lead—destined to die. Due to the pack’s council not accepting her destiny, Amelia is cast into the human world for her safety and grows up unaware of her true power. But everything changes when a package arrives for her before her 18th birthday—letters from her late father that unlock the biggest secret she’d ever discover… “You, my daughter, are a werewolf.” …or so she thought. Determined to uncover the truth behind the dangers that threatened her, Amelia returns to her place of birth—the Silver Moon pack. There, she crosses paths with Everett Shaw, the captivating and frustrating son of the Alpha and future heir. Sparks fly, secrets unravel, and a powerful curse simmers beneath the surface as Amelia searches for answers in a world where trusting the wrong person could be fatal. Power. Legacy. Love. Betrayal. In a world where tradition is law, can a female rewrite the rules? -------------------- Content Warning: The story will begin lighthearted but take a dark turn, with elements of violence, sexual assault and even abuse/torture. There will also be intimate and sexual scenes included throughout different parts of the story. Please be cautious before reading.
Not enough ratings
399 Chapters
Her One True Mate
Her One True Mate
"Do you know who I am now?" "Yes" I breathed "You're the Alpha of the Crimson Claw pack" "That's the first half of who I am. What's the second half, Harvey?" "I....I don't know. I don't understand" "I'm not only the Alpha of the Crimson Claw pack, I'm your mate. Your MATE, Harvey" he hissed, putting emphasis on the word 'mate' "Do you understand what that means?" he continued "It means you belong to me. You're mine, Harvey. You'll obey me and do as I say. You'll stop fighting the mate bond and accept me" ********** In a world where witches, werewolves and other creatures exist; Harvey is blessed with the gift of being able to see glimpses of the future through dreams. She believes she has already identified her mate as Zach - the sweet and caring second son of the Alpha of her pack who also happens to be her boyfriend. So she is in for the shock of her life when the Alpha of the largest and most feared pack in the state turns up on her 18th birthday and makes her heart race in a way only one's mate can. Now Harvey has to accept the fact that she is not going to be just a regular girl mated to a Beta male but the Luna of the most formidable pack and the mate of the devilishly handsome and mysterious Alpha Greyson. Add to that the fact a vengeful rogue she-wolf with a personal vendetta against Alpha Greyson and anyone he cherishes is out for her head on a platter and will do whatever it takes to get it...... like putting together an abominable pack of rogue wolves. How would Harvey be able to handle becoming a Luna with the possibility of war looming?
9.3
79 Chapters

Related Questions

How Does 'One Of Us Is Lying' End?

3 answers2025-06-19 05:11:59
The ending of 'One of Us Is Lying' wraps up with a shocking reveal that Simon, the creator of the gossip app About That, actually planned his own death to frame the four suspects. The truth comes out when Addy finds Simon's hidden notes detailing his scheme. Each of the four main characters—Bronwyn, Nate, Cooper, and Addy—had motives, but none actually killed him. Simon ingested peanut oil, knowing he was severely allergic, and died in the classroom. The police eventually clear the four, but the aftermath shows how their lives are forever changed by the experience. Bronwyn and Nate grow closer, Cooper comes out as gay, and Addy gains independence from her toxic relationship. The ending leaves you thinking about the power of secrets and how far someone might go to expose them.

Does 'One Of Us Is Lying' Have A Sequel?

3 answers2025-06-19 01:48:25
I tore through 'One of Us Is Lying' in one sitting and immediately needed more. Good news—there’s a sequel called 'One of Us Is Next', and it’s just as addictive. While the first book focused on the Bayview Four, this one introduces new drama with a deadly truth-or-dare game. The stakes feel higher, and the twists hit harder. Karen McManus keeps her signature style: sharp dialogue, messy relationships, and shocking reveals. If you loved the original’s murder-mystery-meets-high-school vibe, you’ll devour this. Bonus: some familiar faces return, adding continuity without rehashing old plots. For similar vibes, check out 'The Cousins'—another McManus page-turner with family secrets galore.

Who Is The Killer In 'One Of Us Is Lying'?

3 answers2025-06-19 22:00:32
The killer in 'One of Us Is Lying' is Simon, the creator of the gossip app About That. He orchestrated his own death to frame the four main characters—Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper—as punishment for their secrets. Simon planned everything meticulously, from poisoning himself with peanut oil to leaving behind incriminating evidence that pointed to each of them. His motive was twisted but clear: he wanted to expose their lies and watch them suffer. The reveal hits hard because Simon was always the manipulator, controlling the narrative even from beyond the grave. The twist makes you rethink every interaction he had with the group, showing how far he was willing to go for revenge.

How Does 'One Of Us Is Next' Connect To 'One Of Us Is Lying'?

3 answers2025-06-25 21:13:19
As someone who devoured both books back-to-back, the connection between 'One of Us Is Next' and 'One of Us Is Lying' is brilliant. The sequel picks up a year after the Bayview High scandal, with a fresh but equally deadly game of truth or dare. The original characters like Maeve and Knox return, but the focus shifts to new targets—Phoebe, Knox’s sister, and two others. The anonymous tormentor uses Simon’s old gossip app, Truth or Dare, proving his legacy still haunts the school. The tone is darker, with higher stakes—physical harm replaces secrets as punishment. What ties them together is the theme of consequences; the first book’s events directly fuel the second’s chaos, showing how trauma doesn’t just disappear.

Who Killed Simon In One Of Us Is Lying

4 answers2025-02-06 12:01:29
In "One of Us is Dead", a stirring novel, Simon is the creator of a high school gossip app but meets an untimely end. Many are suspected.Whereas in actuality, things are not so simple. And in this case, he took his own life from terminal depression made it look as if one of his class mates had killed him.With this breathtaking plot twist, the author impels us to think about our actions and how deep human despair can go.

What Is The Ending Of One Of Us Is Lying Novel?

3 answers2025-04-21 12:34:54
The ending of 'One of Us Is Lying' is a mix of closure and lingering questions. After a tense investigation, it’s revealed that Simon, the creator of the gossip app, orchestrated his own death to frame the four suspects. He wanted to expose their secrets and make them pay for their actions. However, his plan backfires when the truth comes out. The four main characters—Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper—are cleared of suspicion, but they’re left grappling with the fallout of their secrets being exposed. The novel ends with them finding a sense of solidarity, realizing they’re not as different as they thought. It’s a bittersweet resolution, showing how trauma can bring people together even as it changes them forever.

Who Dies First In 'One Of Us Is Lying'?

3 answers2025-06-19 16:58:08
If you've read 'One of Us Is Lying', you know the death that kicks off the whole mystery is Simon Kelleher. He's the creator of Bayview High's infamous gossip app, and his sudden collapse in detention sends shockwaves through the school. What makes his death so gripping is how unexpected it is—one minute he's drinking water, the next he's dead from an allergic reaction. The police rule it as murder almost immediately, turning everyone in that detention room into a suspect. Simon wasn't exactly beloved, given his habit of exposing everyone's secrets, so there's no shortage of people who might have wanted him gone. His death isn't just a plot device; it's the catalyst that makes you question every character's motives from page one.

Is There A TV Adaptation Of 'One Of Us Is Lying'?

3 answers2025-06-19 04:25:19
Yes, 'One of Us Is Lying' got a TV adaptation, and it’s a wild ride. The show captures the book’s murder-mystery vibe but amps up the drama. The cast nails the characters—especially the chaotic energy of the Bayview Four. The plot twists hit harder on screen, with visual clues you might miss in the book. It’s not a scene-by-scene copy, though. Some subplots get expanded, like Addy’s growth from follower to leader, and Nate’s backstory hits differently with actor Mark McKenna’s intensity. The first season covers the first book, but the second season takes creative liberties, blending elements from the sequel 'One of Us Is Next.' If you loved the book’s whodunit tension, the show delivers with slick pacing and a killer soundtrack.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status