54 pages • 1 hour read
Karen M. McManusOne of Us Is Back
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus follows the Bayview Crew, now expanded to nine members, as they return home for the summer, only to learn that Jake Riordan, a convicted felon and former friend, has been released from juvenile detention due to a trial error. As unsettling events occur, the group seeks to resolve the lingering mystery tied to Simon Kelleher's death from over two years ago. The novel explores themes such as seeking and offering redemption, privilege and entitlement as hindrances to justice, and the peril of keeping secrets. This book addresses death by suicide and intimate partner violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus delivers an engaging mystery with well-developed characters and unexpected twists that keep readers hooked until the last page. Fans praise its complex storytelling and continuation of beloved characters' arcs. However, some critique it for pacing issues and predictability in certain plot elements. Ideal for young adult mystery enthusiasts.
Who Should Read One of Us Is Back?
Fans of Karen M. McManus' previous works, particularly One of Us Is Lying, will appreciate the suspense and complex character dynamics in One of Us Is Back. Readers who enjoy intricate, high-stakes teen dramas akin to Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard and We Were Liars by E. Lockhart will find this book equally compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
HL780L