“You know what's funny? I used to think secrets were the worst thing in the world. But they're not. It's the lies people tell to cover them up.”
— Bronwyn reflects on the nature of secrets and deception after the murder investigation begins.
Archivist's Choice
One of Us Is Lying
Karen M. McManus (2017)
Genre
Thriller / Mystery / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
360 min
Key Themes
See below
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Five high school stereotypes walk into detention, but only four walk out alive, leaving a murdered gossip blogger and a web of secrets that could incriminate any of them.
Synopsis
Five high school students—Bronwyn, the brain; Addy, the beauty; Nate, the criminal; Cooper, the athlete; and Simon, the outcast—enter detention. Only four leave alive. Simon, who created a gossip app, dies from a severe allergic reaction, and investigators determine it was not an accident. The four remaining students become suspects when they learn Simon planned to expose their deepest secrets the next day. Each has a secret that could motivate murder: Bronwyn cheated to boost her grades, Addy cheated on her boyfriend, Nate deals drugs, and Cooper hides his true sexual orientation. As their individual secrets come out, they form an unexpected alliance to find the real killer.
They face intense media scrutiny and police investigation, and Nate is arrested. Addy, after a painful breakup and a new sense of independence, leads the effort to piece together clues. She realizes Simon planned his own death as a suicide, intending to frame Nate. She uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving her ex-boyfriend, Jake, who manipulated Simon into framing Nate out of jealousy. The group confronts Jake, who tries to silence Addy, but they expose his involvement to the authorities. Jake is arrested, and the remaining four find justice for Simon while forming new relationships and accepting themselves.
Reading time
360 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Mysterious, Intriguing, Dramatic
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy fast-paced YA thrillers with a 'whodunit' mystery, character development, and a touch of romance, reminiscent of 'The Breakfast Club' with a darker twist.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike high school drama, predictable romance tropes, or mysteries that rely heavily on character secrets rather than complex detective work.
Plot Summary
Detention and a Sudden Death
On a Monday afternoon, five Bayview High students—Bronwyn Rojas (the 'brain'), Addy Prentiss (the 'beauty'), Nate Macauley (the 'criminal'), Cooper Clay (the 'athlete'), and Simon Kelleher (the 'outcast')—are sent to detention. Mr. Avery, the teacher watching them, leaves the room briefly. While he is gone, Simon, who has a severe peanut allergy, drinks water and collapses from an anaphylactic reaction. An EpiPen is missing from the nurse's office, and Simon's emergency one is not in his backpack. Simon dies at the hospital. The police quickly decide his death was not accidental because his water contained peanut oil and the classroom door was locked from the inside. This makes the four remaining students the main suspects.
Secrets Revealed and Suspects Identified
The investigation grows more intense when it is revealed that Simon was about to publish damaging secrets about Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper on his gossip app, 'About That'. Bronwyn's secret was that she cheated on a chemistry test for a higher grade; Addy's was an affair with Jake Riordan's best friend, TJ; Nate's was that he was still dealing drugs and had broken his probation; and Cooper's was that he was secretly gay and used a fake online profile to talk to other men. These revelations give each of the 'Bayview Four' strong reasons to want Simon silenced, making them the main suspects in his death and drawing much media attention.
Growing Suspicions and Unexpected Alliances
As the police investigation continues, led by Detective Wheeler, the four suspects feel more isolated from their peers and face public judgment. They first suspect each other, but the shared experience of being accused and constant media attention starts to create an unexpected alliance among them. Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper begin to meet secretly, sharing information and trying to figure out what happened. Nate and Bronwyn start a romantic relationship, while Addy, after Jake dumps her, begins to find her independence and forms an unexpected friendship with Janae, Simon's best friend.
The First Arrest: Nate Macauley
The police investigation changes direction when Nate Macauley's backpack is found to contain an EpiPen. Nate says it was planted, but this discovery, along with his criminal record and exposed secret, leads the police to arrest him for Simon's death. This shocks the group, but Bronwyn especially refuses to believe Nate is guilty. His arrest makes the remaining three suspects feel a greater need to find the real killer, believing Nate is being framed. They realize they must find the truth not just for themselves, but to clear Nate's name.
Addy's Breakthrough and Jake's Manipulation
After Nate's arrest, Addy's relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Jake Riordan, becomes more strained. Jake, who was upset by Simon exposing Addy's affair, seems supportive but also strangely controlling. Addy, feeling more independent and suspicious, remembers a conversation Simon had about Jake's past. She recalls Simon saying that Jake once framed a kid in middle school for vandalizing the principal's office. This memory, combined with Janae's inconsistent behavior and Simon's careful planning, sparks a new idea in Addy's mind. She starts to rethink Jake's character and his possible involvement.
The Truth Unveiled: Simon's Suicide and Jake's Frame-Up
Addy, with Bronwyn and Cooper's help, confronts Janae, Simon's 'best friend'. Janae, feeling guilty, confesses the truth: Simon was depressed and planned his own death as a 'revenge fantasy' against the Bayview Four and a way to become famous. He planted the peanut oil and removed the EpiPen, planning for one of them to be blamed. Janae reveals that Jake Riordan, Addy's ex-boyfriend, found out about Simon's plan. Instead of stopping it, Jake saw a chance to get revenge on Addy for her affair and on Nate for past problems. Jake secretly added an extra EpiPen to Nate's backpack and changed Simon's 'About That' posts to make sure Nate got the blame. He used Janae to help him hide his actions.
Confronting Jake and Securing Justice
With Janae's confession, Addy, Bronwyn, and Cooper plan to expose Jake. They arrange to meet Jake in a secluded area, hoping to get him to confess or at least implicate himself, while secretly recording him. The confrontation turns into a physical fight when Jake realizes they know the truth. He tries to destroy the evidence and attack Addy. Cooper steps in, protecting Addy, and in the confusion, the police, whom Bronwyn had called, arrive. Jake is arrested, and the evidence against him, including the recording and Janae's testimony, confirms his guilt in framing Nate and manipulating Simon's death.
Aftermath and New Beginnings
After Jake's arrest and the full story of Simon's planned suicide and Jake's frame-up comes out, Nate is released from jail. The Bayview Four, now close due to their shared experience, begin to heal and move forward. Bronwyn and Nate continue their relationship, now more open and honest. Addy, having found her independence and strength, decides to attend a local college and follow her own interests, free from Jake's influence. Cooper comes out publicly and accepts his true identity, finding happiness with his boyfriend, Kris. The 'About That' app is shut down, and the students of Bayview High learn a hard lesson about the dangers of gossip and the value of truth.
Principal Figures
Bronwyn Rojas
The Protagonist
From a rigid, rule-following perfectionist, Bronwyn evolves into a more compassionate and resilient individual, willing to break rules for justice and love.
Addy Prentiss
The Protagonist
Addy transforms from a submissive girlfriend into an independent, strong-willed woman who finds her own voice and identity.
Nate Macauley
The Protagonist
Nate learns to trust others and allows himself to be vulnerable, moving past his 'criminal' persona to reveal a more complex and caring individual.
Cooper Clay
The Protagonist
Cooper embraces his true sexual identity, moving from closeted fear to open acceptance and happiness.
Simon Kelleher
The Antagonist/Victim
Simon's arc is tragic and self-destructive, revealing a complex individual driven by resentment and a desire for control and recognition, even in death.
Jake Riordan
The Antagonist
Jake's true manipulative and vindictive nature is gradually revealed, culminating in his exposure and arrest.
Janae Orton
The Supporting
Janae moves from being a complicit accessory to Simon's and Jake's plans to finding the courage to confess the truth.
Maeve Rojas
The Supporting
Maeve supports her sister and grows in confidence, using her intelligence for good.
Kris
The Supporting
Kris's character remains consistent as a supportive partner, helping Cooper find the courage to be himself.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Discovery
Each of the 'Bayview Four' must face their public images when Simon's death reveals their deepest secrets. Bronwyn deals with her perfect image, Addy becomes independent from Jake, Nate confronts his 'criminal' label, and Cooper finds the courage to be open about his sexual identity. The crisis makes them rethink who they are, separate from what society expects.
“It's easy to dismiss us as a bunch of clichés. The brain, the beauty, the criminal, the athlete. But we're more than that.”
The Dangers of Gossip and Social Media
The novel looks at the destructive nature of gossip, especially through Simon's 'About That' app. The app thrives on exposing secrets and spreading rumors, creating a bad environment at Bayview High. Simon's death itself is planned to be a shocking event, meant to get maximum attention. The story shows how easily reputations can be ruined and lives affected by unverified information and the public's desire for drama.
“Gossip is a powerful weapon, and Simon Kelleher was a master of it.”
Justice vs. Revenge
Simon's detailed suicide plan comes from a desire for revenge against those he felt wronged him, aiming to frame them for his death. Jake's manipulation of the situation also comes from revenge against Addy and Nate. The 'Bayview Four', however, want justice—to clear their names and show the real truth, even when it is uncomfortable. This theme explores the difference between seeking punishment and seeking truth.
“Secrets have a way of coming out. No matter how hard you try to keep them buried.”
Trust and Betrayal
The story is full of themes of trust and betrayal. The 'Bayview Four' initially do not trust each other, knowing any of them could be the killer. They also deal with the betrayal of their secrets coming out. Later, Janae's betrayal of Simon's trust (by confessing) and Jake's ultimate betrayal of everyone through his manipulation are central to the plot. The group's forming trust is important for them to find the truth.
“We're all walking around with secrets. Some are bigger than others. Some are more dangerous.”
The Pressure of Expectations
Each main character faces much pressure from outside expectations. Bronwyn feels pressure to keep her perfect academic record for Yale, Addy feels pressure to be the ideal girlfriend and homecoming queen, Cooper feels pressure to maintain his image as a straight baseball star, and Nate constantly fights the low expectations tied to his 'criminal' label. Simon himself feels the pressure of being an outcast, which leads to his extreme actions.
“It's terrifying, isn't it? That we're all just one bad decision away from ruining our lives.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The 'About That' App
A gossip app that serves as both a plot catalyst and a symbol of social media's power.
Simon Kelleher's 'About That' app is the central mechanism for revealing the secrets of the 'Bayview Four', providing their motives for wanting Simon dead. It acts as a constant threat and a source of public scrutiny for the characters. Symbolically, it represents the destructive nature of unchecked gossip and the pervasive influence of social media in high school culture, where anonymous posts can wield immense power and ruin reputations. Its existence drives much of the initial conflict and character development.
First-Person Multiple Perspectives
The story is told through the alternating viewpoints of the four main suspects.
The novel is narrated from the alternating first-person perspectives of Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper. This device allows the reader to delve into each character's thoughts, fears, and secrets, building empathy and suspicion simultaneously. It highlights their individual struggles and growth, while also contributing to the mystery by showing how each character perceives the unfolding events and each other. This technique keeps the reader guessing about who might be guilty and allows for a deeper exploration of their inner lives.
Red Herrings
Misleading clues and suspects designed to divert the reader's attention.
The narrative is replete with red herrings, particularly in the early stages of the investigation. Each of the 'Bayview Four' has a plausible motive and a secret that could implicate them, leading the reader to suspect each character at different points. Nate's criminal record and the planted EpiPen, for example, strongly point to his guilt. These diversions are crucial for maintaining suspense and making the eventual twist—Simon's suicide and Jake's frame-up—more impactful and surprising.
The Locked Room Mystery
The classic setup of a crime committed in an enclosed space with limited suspects.
The initial setup of Simon's death in detention, with the door locked from the inside and only four other people present, creates a classic 'locked room mystery'. This device immediately narrows the pool of suspects to the 'Bayview Four', intensifying the focus on them and their individual motives. It creates a sense of claustrophobia and inescapable suspicion, forcing the characters and the reader to look inward at the limited possibilities within that confined setting.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“I'm not a nice person. I'm a survivor.”
— Addy confronts her past and her transformation after the events of the murder.
“Sometimes people are layered like that. There's something else underneath what they show you.”
— Nate observes the complexity of people's personalities during the investigation.
“The truth doesn't always set you free. Sometimes it just breaks your heart.”
— Bronwyn grapples with the painful revelations that come to light.
“We're all liars here. The question is, what are we lying about?”
— Cooper points out that everyone has secrets as they try to uncover the murderer.
“You can't outrun your past. It's always there, waiting to catch up.”
— Nate reflects on how past actions and secrets resurface during the investigation.
“High school is a game. You just have to figure out how to play it.”
— Simon's perspective on the social dynamics at Bayview High, revealed through his app.
“Sometimes the people you think you know best are the ones who surprise you the most.”
— Addy realizes how little she knew about those around her after Simon's death.
“Fear makes people do stupid things. It makes them lie, and cheat, and hurt the people they love.”
— Bronwyn explains how fear drives the characters' actions throughout the story.
“You don't get to decide what breaks me. Only I do.”
— Addy asserts her strength and independence during her personal journey.
“The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.”
— Nate reflects on self-deception and the characters' internal struggles.
“We all have our secrets. But some secrets are worth killing for.”
— A chilling realization as the murder motive becomes clearer.
“Love isn't always enough to save someone. Sometimes it's the thing that destroys them.”
— Bronwyn contemplates the complex role of love in the characters' lives.
“The truth is like a puzzle. You have to put all the pieces together to see the whole picture.”
— Cooper describes the process of uncovering what really happened to Simon.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The novel follows four high school students—Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper—who become suspects when Simon, a classmate and creator of a gossip app, dies during detention. As investigators reveal Simon planned to expose their secrets the next day, the four must uncover the truth while dealing with their own hidden pasts and the possibility that one of them might be the killer.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
