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One of Us Is Lying Reading Order.

Quick Answer

Start One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus with "One of Us Is Lying", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the One of Us Is Lying series by Karen M. McManus. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "One of Us Is Lying"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

?Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for One of Us Is Lying conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for One of Us Is Lying. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "One of Us Is Lying" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "One of Us Is Lying" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order3 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

One of Us Is Lying

Pub: 2017

Strange things are afoot at Bayview High School. (Ages 14 to 17)

2

One of Us Is Next

Pub: 2020

Plot details hidden until you finish "One of Us Is Lying".

Alguien es el siguiente es la secuela del exitoso thriller juvenil Alguien está mintiendo. Bayview, no te engañes, lo estabas deseando... Desde la muerte de Simon hace casi un año, en Bayview han surgido decenas de aplicaciones para difundir cotilleos, aunque ninguna está a la altura de la suya. Hasta ahora. «Verdad o Atrevimiento» no es una aplicación, sino un juego. Un juego que desvela tus secretos más oscuros. Si no te atreves, puedes confesar, pero algunas verdades son más difíciles de admitir que otras... ¡y solo tienes 24 horas para pensártelo! Simon ya no está, pero alguien se ha propuesto mantener vivo su legado en Bayview. Y esta vez las normas del juego han cambiado. Verdad o atrevimiento: ¿Listo para elegir?

3

One of Us Is Back

Pub: 2023

Plot details hidden until you finish "One of Us Is Next".

The global phenomenon returns with the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen M. McManus. When someone from the Bayview Four’s past resurfaces, history begins to repeat itself—and the consequences are deadly. The third time’s a charm. It’s been almost two years since Simon died in detention, and the aftermath has been hard to shake. First the Bayview Four had to prove they weren’t killers. Then a new generation outwitted a vengeful copycat. Now the entire Bayview Crew is back home for the summer, and everyone is trying to move on.   Only, this is Bayview, and life is never that simple.   At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: Time for a new game, Bayview. But when a member of the Bayview Crew disappears, it’s clear this “game” is serious—and whoever’s in charge isn’t sharing the rules. Or maybe there aren’t any.   Bronwyn. Cooper. Addy. Nate. Maeve. Phoebe. Knox. Luis. Kris. Everyone’s a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things could start getting deadly.   The thing is, Simon was right about secrets—they all come out eventually. And Bayview has a lot it’s still hiding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the One of Us Is Lying series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read One of Us Is Lying?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "One of Us Is Lying" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Karen M. McManus intended.

Can I read One of Us Is Lying books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the One of Us Is Lying universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.