21 Books Like One of Us Is Lying
So, you know how One of Us Is Lying totally hooked us with its blend of mystery, drama, and all those juicy secrets?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been itching for something similar to dive into.
Well, you’re in luck!
I’ve rounded up some books that have that same addictive vibe.
Whether it’s high-stakes drama, unreliable narrators, or just that need to unravel a twisted mystery, these books have got you covered.
Let’s get into it!
Books Like One of Us Is Lying
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
Yep, another one by Karen M. McManus, because she just gets how to write a gripping mystery. Two Can Keep a Secret follows Ellery, who moves to a small town with a dark history—her aunt disappeared there years ago, and more recently, a homecoming queen was murdered.
As Ellery digs into the town’s secrets, she realizes that someone is determined to keep the past buried, no matter the cost. The small-town setting, coupled with a string of unsolved mysteries, makes this book just as compelling as One of Us Is Lying.
Sadie by Courtney Summers
Now, Sadie is a bit different because it’s half mystery, half podcast-style narrative, but it’s so good that I had to include it. The book follows Sadie, a girl on a mission to find her sister’s killer, interwoven with transcripts of a true-crime podcast covering Sadie’s disappearance.
The dual narrative keeps the tension high and makes you feel like you’re piecing the story together right alongside the characters. It’s gritty, raw, and emotional, with a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
If you love a bit of Southern charm mixed with your mysteries, Little White Lies is perfect. The story revolves around Sawyer, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who’s thrust into the world of high society after her grandmother offers her a deal she can’t refuse.
But, of course, all that glitters isn’t gold, and soon Sawyer finds herself embroiled in a web of secrets, lies, and scandal. The mix of humor, drama, and mystery gives this book a unique flavor that stands out from the rest.
One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
Okay, I know this is kind of cheating, but if you haven’t read One of Us Is Next yet, what are you waiting for? It’s the sequel to One of Us Is Lying, and it’s just as good—if not better!
This time, we’re back at Bayview High, where a new game of truth or dare is wreaking havoc. But this isn’t your typical game—these dares are dangerous, and the secrets are deadly.
It’s got all the drama, tension, and twists you loved in the first book, with a new cast of characters who are just as compelling.
The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown
Last but definitely not least, The Truth About Keeping Secrets is a beautifully written, darkly atmospheric mystery that you won’t be able to put down. The story follows Sydney, whose father, a therapist, dies in a car accident that she suspects wasn’t an accident at all.
As Sydney delves into the lives of her father’s clients and her own complicated feelings of grief, she starts to uncover secrets that someone is desperate to keep hidden. The book’s exploration of grief, mental health, and relationships adds depth to the mystery, making it a hauntingly good read.
One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus
Let’s kick this off with another book from Karen M. McManus because she’s the queen of YA thrillers. One of Us Is Back is the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series.
This time, we return to Bayview once more, and just when you think the mystery has finally settled, a new game begins. The stakes are even higher, and the tension is palpable as old secrets resurface and new ones emerge.
If you’ve been following the series, this is a must-read to see how it all wraps up.
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
I promise this is the last Karen McManus recommendation (for now), but The Cousins deserves a spot on this list. The story follows three cousins who are summoned to their estranged grandmother’s island, despite having no contact with her for years.
As they uncover the truth about their family’s dark past, they realize that their inheritance isn’t just about money—it’s about uncovering dangerous secrets. It’s got that same suspenseful vibe with a family mystery twist.
The Twin by Natasha Preston
Natasha Preston is another author who knows how to craft a suspenseful story. The Twin revolves around Ivy and Iris, identical twins who were separated when their parents divorced.
After their mother dies, Iris moves in with Ivy and their father, but Ivy quickly realizes that her sister might not be as sweet and innocent as she seems. The tension between the twins and the creeping sense of dread make this book a thrilling ride that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Okay, this one is an absolute must if you loved One of Us Is Lying. The story follows Pip, a high school student who takes on a five-year-old murder case for her senior project.
She believes the original suspect was wrongly accused, and as she digs deeper, she finds that there’s a lot more to the story than meets the eye. Pip’s determination and the way the mystery unravels will totally remind you of the tension and twists in One of Us Is Lying.
Plus, it’s got that same “whodunit” vibe with a modern twist.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
We Were Liars is a bit different in terms of style, but trust me, the mystery and the big reveal will give you that same shocked feeling you had at the end of One of Us Is Lying.
The story centers around a wealthy family that spends summers on their private island. Cadence, the main character, is trying to piece together what happened during a particular summer after she suffers a traumatic accident.
The storytelling is beautifully fragmented, which keeps you guessing until the very end. It’s one of those books where you’ll immediately want to reread it to pick up on all the clues you missed.
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
If dark secrets and high school drama are your jam, The Cheerleaders should be next on your list. The book follows Monica, whose sister was one of five cheerleaders who died in a series of tragic events.
Years later, Monica begins to suspect that these deaths weren’t accidents or suicides, as everyone believes, but something more sinister. Kara Thomas nails the suspense and the gradual uncovering of secrets, which will totally remind you of how the layers of deception peel away in One of Us Is Lying.
People Like Us by Dana Mele
Imagine One of Us Is Lying but set in an elite boarding school. People Like Us follows Kay, a popular girl with a dark past, who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when one of her classmates turns up dead.
The twist? The dead girl leaves Kay a scavenger hunt-style game, forcing her to expose her friends’ secrets—or risk being exposed herself. This book is full of twists, and the setting gives it a unique edge that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish.
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
If you’re craving a darker, more intense mystery, Dangerous Girls is where it’s at. The book takes you to Aruba, where a group of friends is enjoying their spring break.
But things take a deadly turn when one of them is murdered, and Anna, the protagonist, becomes the prime suspect. The courtroom drama, media frenzy, and flashbacks to what really happened make this book impossible to put down.
The suspense builds and builds until it reaches a gut-wrenching climax. It’s definitely a book that’ll mess with your head in the best way possible.
This Lie Will Kill You by Chelsea Pitcher
Imagine a game of Clue but with deadly consequences. This Lie Will Kill You follows five teens who are invited to a mysterious dinner party under the guise of winning a scholarship.
But when they arrive, it becomes clear that someone is out for revenge, and the truth about what happened a year ago—the night someone died—starts to come out. The alternating perspectives and the twisted plot make this a fun, fast-paced read that fans of One of Us Is Lying will definitely enjoy.
The Leaving by Tara Altebrando
The Leaving is a psychological thriller that will mess with your mind—in a good way. Six kids go missing, and eleven years later, five of them return with no memory of where they’ve been or what happened to the sixth child.
As they try to piece together their fragmented memories, the mystery deepens, and you’ll be desperate to figure out what really happened. The blend of mystery, psychological tension, and the exploration of memory makes this one a unique and compelling read.
They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman
Set in an elite prep school, They Wish They Were Us is a murder mystery wrapped in the glitz and glamour of high society. Jill, the main character, is still haunted by the murder of her best friend, Shaila, during their freshman year.
Now a senior, Jill starts to suspect that the wrong person might have been convicted of the crime. The book combines the mystery of One of Us Is Lying with a sharp critique of privilege and the pressure to succeed at all costs.
Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
This book is a bit different in that it tackles some heavy, real-world issues, but the mystery is just as gripping. Monday’s Not Coming follows Claudia as she searches for her best friend, Monday, who has disappeared—and no one else seems to notice or care.
As Claudia digs deeper, she uncovers disturbing truths about what happened to Monday. The way the story weaves together the mystery with powerful social commentary makes this book not only a page-turner but also a thought-provoking read.
Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
Broken Things is a chilling mystery about three girls—Mia, Brynn, and Summer—who were obsessed with a fantasy novel and attempted to write their own sequel. When Summer is found murdered, Mia and Brynn are blamed but never convicted.
Years later, they reunite to uncover the truth about what really happened. The book is part murder mystery, part exploration of friendship and the power of stories, with plenty of twists along the way.
The Girl in the Picture by Alexandra Monir
This book combines murder mystery with a touch of romance and the paranormal. When the golden boy of school is found dead, everyone is shocked, especially because his body is found outside the house of the mysterious new girl, Nicole.
As the story unfolds, secrets from the past resurface, and the truth becomes more complex than anyone imagined. The alternating perspectives and flashbacks build up the suspense, making it a perfect read for fans of One of Us Is Lying.
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
If you’re a fan of locked-room mysteries, All Your Twisted Secrets is going to be right up your alley. Six teens are invited to a scholarship dinner, only to find themselves locked in a room with a bomb, a syringe filled with poison, and a note telling them they must choose one person to kill, or they’ll all die.
As the clock ticks down, secrets are revealed, and the group’s bonds are tested to the limit. The intense pressure and the dark secrets make this one an unputdownable read.
I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick
This one is perfect if you love a good mystery with a podcast element. I Killed Zoe Spanos is about Anna, who confesses to killing Zoe Spanos after moving to the Hamptons for the summer.
But as a true-crime podcast begins to investigate the case, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems, and Anna’s confession might not be the whole truth. The dual timelines and the podcast transcripts create a dynamic narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end.