11 Mystery Books Like One Of Us Is Lying

This blog post contains affiliate links, no extra cost to you, thank you for your support!

11 Books Like One Of Us Is Lying

Books like One of Us Is Lying are filled with suspense, mystery and thriller. Following the footsteps of Agatha Christie, McManus’s books will definitely leave you at the edge of your seat. 

One of Us Is Lying book series is a duology, with its sequel titled One of Us is Next. 

Released in early 2017, McManus’ debut novel One of Us is Lying still gained the attention of BookTok and has since been adapted to a Netflix series too! 

More Thriller Book Recommendations:

11 Books Like One Of Us Is Lying

Fans of YA Thrillers, here are 11 books similar to One of Us is Lying for fans of YA Thrillers:

1. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

books like one of us is lying

The first book of the Truly Devious trilogy is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie. 

Featuring a female protagonist, Stevie Bell is a true crime enthusiast and aspiring detective. 

Plenty of readers adore this YA mystery novel for its suspense and well-written plot towards the unsolved kidnapping and murder mystery of Stevie’s school – Ellingham Academy.  

Readers felt the ominous and unsettling atmosphere the author had set throughout the book, keeping readers on their toes for the verge of something big that would happen. 

What makes the book even more worth reading is how the author carefully placed clues throughout the book to allow readers to ‘interact’ with the story. 

There are some elements of romance but it wasn’t a significant part of the book. Some readers felt that there was little to no build-up in this aspect. 

Overall, this is a solid mystery book with characters of diverse ethnicity that is a guaranteed page-turner and re-read. 

Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, drugs, kidnapping, murder and sexism

This book is for you if you like:

  • Mysteries set within an academy
  • POC and LGBTQ representation
  • A group of friends solving a mystery
  • Dual timeline narrative

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Mystery with no romance
  • Cliff hangers
  • Book mystery series and prefer standalones

2. A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson

books like one of us is lying

Protagonist Pippa “Pips” Fitz-Amobi decides to re-investigate the disappearance and murder case of Andie Bell, who was presumed dead by Sal Singh, for her Capstone project. 

Though the case was closed five years ago, Pippa suspects there’s a killer on the loose and denies that Sal Singh was the murderer. 

Partnered with Sal’s younger brother Ravi as her side-kick, they go on a search to prove Sal’s innocence and to reveal the true killer. 

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder is written in two styles – Pip documenting her new finds in her project logbook and the narration of what’s happening, creating a realistic element throughout the story. 

Readers enjoyed the switch-up as it allowed them to investigate alongside the main characters.

If you liked reading One of Us Is Lying, don’t miss out on this heart-thumping mystery book!

Trigger Warnings: SA, drug, kidnapping and murder.

This book is for you if you like:

  • Mysteries set within at school
  • POC representation
  • Storytelling using logbook entries

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • A modern mystery with Gen Z lingo
  • You prefer standalone mysteries

3. Girl In The Window by Penny Joelson

books like one of us is lying

What do readers say?

What makes this book stand out to readers is how it’s written in own voices, a term or label used when the author shares the same identity as the main character who belongs to an underrepresented or marginalized group.

This is important to describe an authentic representation of a marginalized group, creating greater awareness around specific issues. 

Written as a tribute to all those suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) or commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the author spent a lot of time researching and collecting stories from teenagers with this disease

14 year old Kasia represents all young teens with chronic illnesses. Hence why Kasia is housebound, seeing the world from her bedroom window. 

One day, she witnesses what looked like a kidnapping in the street and a girl in the window of the opposite house. Frantic, she calls the police to report what she saw only to find out there is no girl. The story picks up from there.

Trigger Warnings: Child trafficking and chronic illness 

This book is for you if you like:

  • Books with own voices
  • Books with chronic Illness representation
  • Books with coming-of-age themes
  • Mystery standalones

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • A mystery that does not have a group of friends trying to solve it
  • You prefer book series instead of standalones

4. Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

books like one of us is lying

Grown mainly highlights the realities of grooming, abuse and manipulation by celebrities.

Written in a dual timeline between past and present, Enchanted Jones is a normal 17-year-old high school girl with a beautiful singing voice who one day catches the attention of famous R&B artist Korey Fields at an audition. 

Without thinking twice, Enchanted trusts him to achieve stardom. One day, Enchanted wakes up to find Korey Fields dead in his own blood and she has no memory of the previous night. 

Readers loved how versatile the perspectives in the book were and recommended this book to everyone and anyone who is interested in exploring systemic racial inequality and the injustices Women of Colour (WOC) face. 

This is a heavy read but the author threads the sensitive topics without sensationalizing it or giving too many gory details, since it is a YA fiction meant to educate the audience on the dangers of a manipulative relationship.

Trigger Warnings: Sexual abuse, bullying, grooming and manipulation by celebrities 

This book is for you if you like:

  • Books with WOC representation
  • Books with celebrity/stardom elements
  • Mystery standalones

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Dark and emotional reads on SA and grooming

5. All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

books like one of us is lying

This book is similar to One of Us is Lying because it is also a locked-room mystery

This readalike checks all the ingredients that make it a great mystery read: a closed room, a long list of aspects and secrets worth keeping. 

The story follows six teenagers as they realize they’re locked in the room upon arriving at the scholarship dinner hosted by the Mayor. 

Set in dual timeline, readers were able to easily stitch together past and present leading up to the night of action

The story addresses themes of social, academic and emotional struggles of high school students. 

Fans of true crime, this heart pounding book will keep you guessing to the end.

Trigger Warnings: bullying, suicide, alcoholism and school shootings. 

This book is for you if you like:

  • Locked-room mysteries
  • Books with high-school teens solving a mystery
  • Dual timeline mystery reads

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Typical high school mystery setting

6. Get Even by Gretchen McNeil 

books like one of us is lying

First book of the Don’t Get Mad duology, this book was a great start to set things up before bringing them into the fold in the next book to wrap up the mystery. 

Just imagine a secret club called ‘Don’t Get Mad’ short for DGM, formed by four girls that takes revenge on bullies. It’s all fun and games until one of the DGM members dies and now the killer is onto them. 

As the title suggests, Get Even is about getting even and making sure everyone gets what they deserve. 

It’s The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, filled with plenty of mystery, twists and turns, a hint of romance and some back-stabbing. 

If you enjoy books like Karen McManus books, this book is a must-read. 

Trigger Warnings: Murder and bullying

This book is for you if you like:

  • Friend groups solving a mystery
  • Reading Pretty Little Liars
  • Alternating POVs of four friends

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Group of teen girls solving a mystery
  • Cliff hangers
  • Multiple POVs

7. Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

books like one of us is lying

If you’ve watched Black Swan, this is similar in the ballet theme and how competitive and cutthroat it is. Instead of just one main character, there are three girls: Bete, June and Gigi, who fight for the limelight to be the lead dancer. 

But to be the star means sacrifices have to be made. It’s not a matter of what, but who. The book goes on to follow how the drive to be the best turns sinister.

As expected from a crossover between Black Swan and Pretty Little Liars, there is a ton of drama and romance, which had mixed reviews from readers.

The book’s bottom line is how striving for perfection can be literally fatal. It also shows how far young boys and girls would go to get what they want. 

The book has also been adapted into a Netflix series. Check it out! 

Trigger Warnings: Parental pressure, eating disorder, backstabbing

This book is for you if you like:

  • Mental health representation
  • POC representation in the ballet world
  • Shifting between multiple POVs

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Books around ballet themes
  • Shifting between multiple POVs

8. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

books like one of us is lying

Written by the ‘Queen of Crime’, Agatha Christie is listed in the Guinness World Records as the best-selling fiction writer. 

This is one of the books like One of Us Is Lying, whereby the killer in the group has to be identified. 

This story involves ten people who accept an offer to Soldier Island. 

Their profiles have nothing in common other than getting away with a crime they previously committed. 

Eventually, one by one starts dying and their death becomes a mystery.

If you’re in the mood for something heavier, this book is a gem and a refreshing read for any mystery book fanatic. 

Trigger Warnings: Misogyny, needles, gun violence, eating disorders, racism and suicide 

This book is for you if you like:

  • Complex mysteries with multiple characters
  • Books that touch on crime justice

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Too many POVs and characters to focus on

9. White Rabbit by Caleb Roehig

books like one of us is lying

Rufus Holt doesn’t have it easy: a social outcast for being gay, an unsupportive dad and an ex-boyfriend who broke his heart weeks prior. 

Life gets more complicated for him when his mother admits they’re on the brink of losing their home, and his sister, April, calls and begs him for his help. 

Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Rufus finds his sister in a pool of blood with a knife, and next to her corpse lies her boyfriend, Fox Whitney, also dead.

In this book, you’ll find that Rufus forms a relationship with Sebastian, who is still exploring his sexuality.

Trigger Warnings: drug abuse, SA, blood and murder

This book is for you if you like:

  • Plot-driven instead of character-driven books
  • LGBTQ representation

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Mystery books with romance

10. Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards 

If you’re looking for books like Karen McManus’s One Of Us Is Lying, Gone Too Far is the perfect pick and a definite page-turner. 

The story starts with high school student, Piper Woods, finding a notebook filled with secrets of the popular kids. Piper then receives an anonymous text that invites her to make the choice to punish the popular kids. 

The book is super YA-friendly as it is relatable to those navigating through high school. It also highlights how justice isn’t always black and white. 

Give this book a read if you’re looking for an authentic story, you love a little vigilantism, bits of romance and of course, mystery. 

Trigger Warnings: Revenge, bullying and death

This book is for you if you like:

  • High school mystery

This book is not for you if you dislike:

  • Mystery books with romance

11. The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

books like one of us is lying

A more obvious choice – from the same author of One Of Us Is Lying, The Cousins is a standalone mystery book that involves family terror, secrets and lies. 

The Story family is a big name in Massachusetts, for their wealth, influences as well as the mystery and scandals. As the story goes, third generation Storys received a letter from their grandmother, Mildred Story. 

The three protagonists – cousins Jonah, Milly and Aubrie, have never met their grandmother.

Curious, the cousins take this opportunity to learn more about their parents’ past and the feud that happened in the nineties.

Readers uncover that not all families are perfect.

Final Thoughts

And that concludes the list for 11 books like One of Us is Lying! 

Hopefully, these book recommendations offer a little something for everyone, even if you aren’t a huge fan of suspense thrillers. 

Similar Posts