Karen M. McManus brings her wildly popular Bayview saga to a thrilling close in One of Us Is Back, the third and final installment of the One of Us Is Lying series. Known for her knack for weaving suspense, teenage drama, and social commentary, McManus delivers a finale that ties together years of secrets, betrayals, and heartbreak in the small town that made her a household name among YA mystery fans.
It’s been almost two years since Simon Kelleher’s death the event that started it all. The Bayview Four have moved on, but the shadow of what happened in that detention room still lingers. When a mysterious billboard flashes a chilling message “Time for a new game, Bayview” the group realizes that someone wants to reopen the wounds of the past. Then one of their own disappears, and the stakes turn deadly once again.
All the familiar faces return in this book: Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper from the original story, as well as Maeve, Phoebe, Knox, and others introduced in One of Us Is Next. What makes One of Us Is Back so satisfying is how McManus seamlessly blends both generations of Bayview’s teens into one cohesive and fast-paced mystery. The alternating points of view keep the tension tight and the story unpredictable, giving every character a chance to shine.
The plot begins with unsettling signs that something sinister is stirring. A hacked billboard. Old villains resurfacing. Strange disappearances. Before long, the Bayview Crew realizes that this “new game” isn’t just another prank. It’s personal. Someone wants revenge and they know exactly how to hit where it hurts.
McManus has always excelled at character development, and this book is her most emotional yet. Nate and Bronwyn’s relationship, fan favorites from the start, takes a tender, heartfelt turn that will melt readers’ hearts. Addy, still haunted by trauma, faces her fears head-on, while Phoebe and Knox’s connection adds a subtle note of hope and healing. Even the antagonists from earlier books get their moments of depth and introspection, bringing the series full circle.
The mystery itself is layered and full of red herrings. The pacing is brisk, with chapters ending on cliffhangers that make it impossible to stop reading. Just when you think you’ve figured out who’s behind the chaos, McManus flips the narrative in a way that feels both shocking and logical. The twists feel earned, not forced, and the final reveal ties up loose ends that have been lingering since book one.
Beyond the mystery, One of Us Is Back explores themes of redemption, friendship, and the heavy weight of secrets. It’s a story about learning from the past without being defined by it, about the way trauma can bind people together even as it threatens to tear them apart. McManus also uses this final book to comment on the culture of voyeurism and blame that started with Simon’s gossip app showing how easily truth can be twisted when everyone has something to hide.
For longtime fans of the series, this book feels like both a homecoming and a farewell. There’s nostalgia in returning to Bayview, but also a deep sense of satisfaction in watching these characters grow into stronger, more self-aware versions of themselves. The emotional beats hit hard, especially in the final chapters, which balance heartbreak with hope in classic McManus style.
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and surprisingly heartfelt, One of Us Is Back proves that McManus knows exactly how to end a series on a high note. It’s the perfect blend of mystery, emotion, and closure, delivering everything fans could have hoped for and maybe a little more.
If you’ve followed the Bayview Crew from the beginning, this finale is a must-read. And if you haven’t started yet, now’s the perfect time to dive into one of the most addictive YA mystery series of the decade.
