One of Us Is Lying Summary, Characters and Themes

One of Us is Lying is a gripping young-adult thriller by Karen M. McManus that dives deep into the mystery of a high school student’s death. When Simon Kelleher, the creator of a notorious gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances during detention, four of his classmates become the prime suspects. 

As the story unfolds through their alternating perspectives, they must confront their own secrets and navigate the complex social dynamics of high school. 

Summary

In the opening of the novel, we meet four Bayview High students—Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper—who find themselves in detention with Simon Kelleher, the infamous creator of a school gossip app. Each of them insists the phones they were caught with aren’t theirs, but their teacher, Mr. Avery, dismisses their protests. 

During their punishment, a car accident outside grabs everyone’s attention. In the chaos, Simon suddenly collapses after drinking a cup of water. Nate quickly realizes Simon is having a severe allergic reaction, but crucially, his EpiPen is nowhere to be found. 

Despite their efforts, help arrives too late, and Simon dies.

The aftermath is immediate and intense: Simon’s final, unpublished post reveals dark secrets about each of the four students—Bronwyn’s academic dishonesty, Cooper’s steroid use, Nate’s drug dealing, and Addy’s infidelity. 

With their secrets out, they all become prime suspects in what now looks like a carefully planned murder.

As the story progresses, we delve into the personal lives of these four teenagers. Addy is under immense pressure from her mother to prioritize her appearance and secure a man to take care of her. 

Nate, on the other hand, has been left to fend for himself after his mother’s disappearance and his father’s descent into alcoholism. Bronwyn is burdened by the expectations of her successful parents while trying to protect her younger sister, who is recovering from cancer. 

Cooper struggles with the weight of his father’s expectations, as he tries to build a career in baseball.

Relationships between the suspects shift in unexpected ways. Bronwyn and Nate grow closer, while Addy is abandoned by her friends after her boyfriend, Jake, breaks up with her in a fit of rage. 

Meanwhile, Cooper grapples with his own secret romantic life as a series of mysterious Tumblr posts, supposedly from Simon’s killer, start to appear.

In the second part, “Hide-and-Seek,” tensions rise as the investigation intensifies. Cooper notes the hypocrisy of their peers, who judge Addy despite engaging in similar behavior. 

Addy’s sister helps her rediscover herself after her breakup, and Nate challenges Bronwyn’s remorse over cheating, suggesting she cares more about appearances than the actual act. Meanwhile, Bronwyn is hiding the fact that she once lashed out at Simon after he wrote about her sister, Maeve.

As the group gets closer, they discover disturbing truths. Bronwyn uncovers that Simon orchestrated the car accident on the day of his death, and the group begins to suspect that Simon’s death might have been a twisted act of suicide. 

They learn that Simon, who felt marginalized and bitter, concocted the plan to frame the others as revenge for past slights. 

Janae, Simon’s only friend, eventually reveals that Simon had manipulated Jake, Addy’s ex-boyfriend, into helping him frame her for his murder.

The climax comes when Jake, realizing the truth is about to come out, attacks Addy. In a tense chase through the woods, Cooper intervenes just in time to save her, leading to Jake’s arrest. 

Nate is released from jail but remains distant from Bronwyn, fearing he is not worthy of her. 

However, in a poignant epilogue, he finally musters the courage to reconnect with her, hinting at a hopeful future despite the darkness they’ve endured.

Characters

Bronwyn Rojas

Bronwyn Rojas, often labeled as “the brain,” is a high-achieving, ambitious student who is constantly under pressure to meet the high expectations of her parents. Her defining trait is her intense drive to succeed, which stems from both internal and external pressures.

Bronwyn’s younger sister, Maeve, recently in remission from cancer, has also contributed to Bronwyn’s sense of responsibility. Bronwyn’s involvement in Simon’s death investigation reveals her to be morally complex; she cheated in chemistry to maintain her perfect academic record, a secret that Simon intended to expose.

Despite her initial hesitance, Bronwyn develops a close relationship with Nate, which challenges her preconceived notions about herself and others. Her journey throughout the novel is one of self-discovery, where she grapples with the balance between her ambitions and her emerging empathy for others.

Nate Macauley

Nate Macauley, the “criminal,” is portrayed as a rough-edged character with a troubled past. Coming from a broken home with an alcoholic father and an absentee, drug-addicted mother, Nate has been forced to fend for himself.

His involvement in drug dealing, a desperate measure to support himself, reflects his harsh reality. Nate’s cynicism and tough exterior initially conceal his deeper vulnerabilities and capacity for care, especially as his relationship with Bronwyn develops.

Nate’s sense of unworthiness and fear of being judged or abandoned again are significant aspects of his character. Despite his tough persona, Nate shows a strong moral compass, particularly in how he deals with the pressure of being a murder suspect.

His eventual refusal to let his relationship with Bronwyn continue when he believes he cannot give her what she deserves is a pivotal moment. Nate’s character arc is about confronting his inner demons and learning to trust others, particularly Bronwyn.

Addy Prentiss

Addy Prentiss, often dubbed “the princess,” initially appears to embody the stereotype of a pretty, popular girl whose worth is tied to her looks and her relationship with her controlling boyfriend, Jake. Addy’s identity crisis begins when her infidelity is exposed, leading to Jake breaking up with her and her subsequent ostracization by her social circle.

This turning point in the novel forces Addy to reevaluate her self-worth and the shallow values she has been taught. These values are primarily influenced by her mother, who has always emphasized appearance and securing a man as the ultimate goals.

With the support of her sister Ashton, Addy undergoes significant character development. She transforms from a dependent and insecure girl into a more independent and self-assured individual.

Her interactions with the other suspects and her unexpected courage in the novel’s climax, where she faces Jake’s violence, reveal her inner strength and resilience.

Cooper Clay

Cooper Clay, the “jock,” is another character who defies his initial stereotype as the perfect athlete. Cooper’s life has been meticulously planned by his father, who is determined to see his son become a professional baseball player.

However, Cooper harbors a secret that he is terrified will destroy his carefully constructed image: he is gay and has been hiding his relationship with a male model, Kris. Cooper’s fear of disappointing his father and the world’s expectations of him is a central conflict in his character arc.

The exposure of his sexuality by Simon’s posts forces Cooper to confront his fears and eventually embrace his true identity. His journey is marked by a growing sense of self-acceptance and courage, particularly when he stands up for himself and others, such as when he physically confronts Jake to save Addy.

Cooper’s story is one of breaking free from societal and familial expectations to live authentically.

Simon Kelleher

Simon Kelleher, the victim whose death drives the plot, is a complex character whose actions reveal a deeply troubled individual. Simon is the creator of “About That,” a gossip app that has made him both feared and loathed among his peers.

His role as the “omniscient narrator” reflects his desire to control the narrative around him. This desire is driven by bitterness and resentment towards those he perceives as having wronged him.

Simon’s plan to orchestrate his own death and frame his classmates reveals his deep-seated anger and desire for recognition, even in a twisted manner. His actions are rooted in a profound sense of alienation and a need to lash out against a world that he feels has ignored or slighted him.

Simon’s character is a commentary on the destructive power of gossip and the dangers of social alienation. He serves as a dark reflection of the insecurities and malice that can fester in the shadows of adolescent life.

Jake Riordan

Jake Riordan, Addy’s controlling boyfriend, represents the toxic masculinity and possessiveness that often go unchallenged in relationships. Jake is initially portrayed as the ideal boyfriend, but his true nature is revealed as the plot unfolds.

His anger and need to control Addy are symptomatic of deeper issues of insecurity and a desire to assert dominance. Jake’s involvement in Simon’s scheme highlights his willingness to manipulate and harm others to maintain his sense of power.

His character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked control and the harm it can cause in relationships. The climax of the novel, where Jake attempts to kill Addy, starkly contrasts his earlier image and serves as a critical turning point for Addy’s character, forcing her to fight for her life and reclaim her autonomy.

Ashton Prentiss

Ashton Prentiss, Addy’s older sister, plays a crucial role in Addy’s development. Unlike their mother, Ashton encourages Addy to think for herself and to value her own opinions and desires over societal expectations or the approval of men.

Ashton has experienced her own struggles with a controlling husband, which gives her the insight and empathy to help Addy navigate her breakup with Jake. She acts as a mentor and a source of strength for Addy, helping her rebuild her self-esteem and sense of identity.

Ashton’s character underscores the importance of supportive relationships and the impact of having a positive role model during times of crisis.

Maeve Rojas

Maeve Rojas, Bronwyn’s younger sister, is a character who, despite her secondary role, adds depth to the story. Maeve has battled leukemia, and her experience with illness has made her both resilient and insightful.

She shares a close bond with Bronwyn, but unlike her sister, Maeve is more willing to take risks and challenge the status quo. Maeve’s involvement in the investigation, particularly her technological savvy, is crucial to uncovering the truth behind Simon’s death.

Her character highlights the importance of sibling relationships and the ways in which personal challenges can shape a person’s outlook and actions. Maeve also represents the theme of overcoming adversity and the strength that comes from facing life’s challenges head-on.

Janae Vargas

Janae Vargas, Simon’s only real friend, is a tragic figure in the novel. She is drawn into Simon’s dark plan out of a sense of loyalty and fear but ultimately regrets her involvement.

Janae’s character is marked by loneliness and guilt, as she is torn between her loyalty to Simon and her awareness of the wrongness of his actions. Her increasing distress and eventual confession to Addy are pivotal to the resolution of the plot.

Janae’s character serves as a reminder of the destructive power of toxic friendships and the importance of making ethical choices, even under pressure. Her confession to Addy and the role she plays in revealing Simon’s plan are acts of redemption, though they come at great personal cost.

Themes

The Corrosive Impact of Stereotyping and Gossip

The novel poignantly critiques the effects of stereotyping and gossip, which are pervasive forces in the lives of the characters. Simon Kelleher’s gossip app, About That, is a symbolic representation of how harmful and invasive rumors can be.

Through the app, Simon wields the power to control the narratives of others by categorizing them into simplistic labels like the “brain,” “princess,” “jock,” and “criminal.” These labels not only reduce the characters to one-dimensional stereotypes but also amplify the societal expectations and pressures they face.

The narrative reveals the destructive impact that these stereotypes have on the characters’ lives, trapping them in roles they neither fully embody nor wish to uphold. As the story progresses, the characters struggle to break free from these confining labels, illustrating the broader theme of individuality versus societal expectation.

The novel underscores how gossip, once unleashed, has a life of its own, warping perceptions and leading to damaging consequences.

The Value of Empathy

Empathy emerges as a vital theme in One of Us is Lying, particularly as the characters move from viewing each other as mere stereotypes to understanding one another’s deeper struggles. Initially, Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper are strangers bound only by their shared detention and their subsequent suspicion in Simon’s death.

However, as they are forced to spend time together and learn about each other’s lives, they begin to see beyond the facades. The novel illustrates how empathy bridges gaps between individuals, allowing them to connect on a more profound level.

Addy’s transformation is particularly significant in this regard. Once a “princess” concerned only with her appearance and social standing, she evolves into a more compassionate and self-aware individual, capable of reaching out to others like Janae, who is also grappling with her role in Simon’s demise.

The theme of empathy is further reinforced when the characters defend each other against their classmates and the broader community, signaling a shift from suspicion and isolation to mutual support and understanding.

The Impact of Family Relationships on Adolescents

Family dynamics play a critical role in shaping the identities and actions of the main characters in the novel. Each of the four central characters is deeply influenced by their familial relationships, which in turn affect how they navigate the challenges presented by Simon’s death.

Bronwyn, for instance, feels immense pressure to live up to her parents’ high expectations, which drives her to cheat in chemistry—a secret that Simon was poised to reveal. Her family’s emphasis on academic achievement and success creates a burden that weighs heavily on her, leading to internal conflict.

Nate’s situation is even more dire. With an absent mother and an alcoholic father, he is forced to fend for himself, engaging in illegal activities to survive. His lack of a stable family support system pushes him into a life of crime, reinforcing the theme of how neglect and dysfunction within the family can lead to destructive behavior.

Addy’s relationship with her controlling mother, who values appearance and social status above all else, initially keeps Addy in a subservient role. However, as Addy begins to break free from her mother’s influence, she starts to discover her own identity and strength.

Cooper’s father exerts pressure on him to succeed in baseball, which leads Cooper to hide his true self, particularly his sexual orientation. The novel thus explores how parental expectations and the need for familial approval can constrain adolescents, often leading them to make choices that are not truly reflective of who they are.

The Struggle for Identity and the Complexity of Adolescence

The novel also delves into the characters’ struggles with their identities, which is a core aspect of the adolescent experience. Each character grapples with the gap between who they are expected to be and who they actually are.

For instance, Cooper’s secret about his sexuality and Addy’s journey from being Jake’s submissive girlfriend to an independent individual underscore the broader theme of identity formation. The pressures of adolescence, exacerbated by the need to conform to societal and familial expectations, make this struggle particularly intense.

The characters’ interactions with each other and their internal reflections drive the narrative toward a resolution where they begin to embrace their true selves, shedding the labels that have been imposed upon them.

The Consequences of Deception and Secrets

Deception and the withholding of truth are central to the plot of One of Us is Lying, with each character harboring secrets that could potentially incriminate them. Simon’s role as a puppet master who knows everyone’s darkest secrets speaks to the power dynamics at play—how knowledge of others’ secrets can be used to control and manipulate.

The characters’ attempts to hide their flaws and mistakes reflect a common adolescent fear: the fear of being exposed and judged. As the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that these secrets are not just personal failings but are also symptomatic of broader societal issues, such as the stigma around mental health (as seen with Simon’s depression) and the fear of not fitting in.

The revelation of these secrets, particularly Simon’s own orchestrated suicide, serves as a grim reminder of the destructive consequences of living in a world where appearances are valued over authenticity.