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

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.

The link between these two Karen M. McManus thrillers isn’t just superficial—it’s a masterclass in sequel writing. 'One of Us Is Next' expands the Bayview universe while honoring the original’s DNA. Simon’s death in 'One of Us Is Lying' left a power vacuum, and this new threat exploits that. The sequel’s antagonist mirrors Simon’s methods but escalates them, using his abandoned app infrastructure to launch a deadly game. Key characters from the first book, especially Maeve, become mentors to the new trio, creating a generational handoff of trauma and resilience.

The parallels are intentional but not repetitive. Where Simon exposed secrets, this new villain demands actions—dares with bodily consequences. The first book’s unresolved tensions, like Bronwyn’s guilt or Nate’s reputation, subtly influence character dynamics in the sequel. Even the setting reflects continuity; Bayview High’s toxic culture wasn’t fixed by one tragedy. The sequel digs deeper into how systems fail teenagers, making the connection between the two stories feel inevitable rather than forced.

For fans, the Easter eggs are delicious—small references to Simon’s journal, cameos from minor characters, and recurring locations like the detention room. Thematically, both books explore accountability, but the sequel questions whether justice is possible in a world where trauma keeps cycling. It’s not just a continuation; it’s a escalation that makes both stories richer.

Reading these books feels like peeling an onion—each layer connects but stings more. 'One of Us Is Next' isn’t a standalone; it’s a direct response to the fallout from 'One of Us Is Lying'. The sequel’s villain explicitly references Simon’s game, treating it like an inspiration rather than a cautionary tale. Phoebe, the new protagonist, even attends therapy sessions discussing the original incident, showing how deeply it scarred the community.

The structural links are clever. Both books use multiple POVs, but the sequel adds more psychological depth. Knox’s arc, for example, deals with survivor’s guilt from the first book’s events. The pacing mirrors the original—red herrings, timed reveals—but the stakes feel personal rather than public. Instead of viral gossip, the danger is intimate: targeted dares that could kill. It’s a progression from reputation destruction to physical survival, making the connection between the two stories both logical and terrifying.