About the Book
One of Us Is Next is the sequel to Karen M. McManus's One of Us Is Lying, returning to Bayview High roughly a year after the events of the first book. The Bayview Four have been cleared, Simon is dead, and the gossip app he ran has spawned a wave of imitators, none of them quite as dangerous. Until now.
The new threat isn't an app. It's a game of Truth or Dare, and whoever is running it has real information. Three students are pulled in: Phoebe, Maeve, and Knox. Each faces a choice, accept a dare or have a truth exposed. The truths are damaging. The dares escalate quickly from embarrassing to genuinely dangerous. The plot follows all three as they try to figure out who's behind the game before someone gets seriously hurt.
This is a standalone-friendly sequel in the sense that it introduces new POV characters and a new central mystery, but readers who haven't read One of Us Is Lying will be missing context about Bayview, Simon's death, and Maeve's history. It's possible to follow along without book one, but the backstory adds weight to what's happening in this installment. McManus keeps the structure familiar, multiple perspectives, escalating stakes, high school social dynamics, which is either a draw or a limitation depending on what you want from it.
Narration & Audio Performance
Maria Liatis handles the multi-POV structure competently. The book rotates between three narrators, Phoebe, Maeve, and Knox, and Liatis differentiates them well enough that the shifts don't require chapter title reminders to track. Her pacing is brisk without being rushed, which suits the thriller format. Dialogue scenes in particular land cleanly.
Character voice differentiation is solid for the two female POVs. Knox's sections are slightly less distinct in tone, which is a minor issue but worth noting if you find male teen voices harder to follow when narrated by a woman. Overall it's a professional, clear performance, nothing that will distract you from the story.
Production quality appears standard for the Delacorte/Penguin Random House YA catalog. No music or sound effects based on available information. If you want a sense of Liatis's style before committing, the Audible sample is worth a few minutes of your time.
The Audible Verdict
One of Us Is Next is a well-paced YA thriller and the narration is serviceable, Liatis handles the rotating POVs without losing the listener. The audio format works fine here, but the narration doesn't add much beyond a competent read-aloud. If you're already an audiobook listener working through the McManus catalog, this is a reasonable use of a free trial credit. If you're deciding between formats, there's no strong reason to prefer audio over print.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
The book's structure is well suited to audio. It's a linear thriller with rotating third-person POV chapters, no charts or visual elements, and a plot that moves quickly enough to sustain attention during commutes or exercise sessions. The chapter breaks are natural listening waypoints.
The multi-narrator structure is the main variable. McManus writes distinct character voices on the page, and Liatis mostly translates that to audio. Listeners who prefer single-POV books may find the switching slightly disruptive at first, but the rhythm becomes familiar within the first hour.
This isn't the kind of book where missing a sentence while distracted will lose you the plot. It's accessible listening, not too dense, not too sparse.
Popular Listener Questions
Do I need to read One of Us Is Lying before this one?
Not strictly, but it helps. The new mystery is self-contained, but several characters and plot references connect directly to the first book. Starting with book one will make the stakes in this sequel land harder.
Is this appropriate for younger teen listeners?
It's written for a YA audience, roughly ages 13 and up. The content includes themes of blackmail, social cruelty, and escalating danger, but nothing that pushes beyond typical YA boundaries.
How many POV characters are there?
Three, Phoebe, Maeve, and Knox. Chapters rotate between their perspectives throughout the book.
Is this author-narrated?
No. Maria Liatis narrates, not Karen M. McManus.
Similar Audiobooks
The first book in the Bayview series and essential context for this one. Also narrated by a single narrator handling multiple POVs.
The third Bayview book, if you're working through the series on Audible, this is the next stop after One of Us Is Next.
Another McManus high school mystery with rotating POVs and a small-town setting. A good listen if you enjoy her plotting style but want something outside the Bayview universe.
The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes's YA puzzle-mystery hits similar notes, secrets, social stakes, escalating danger. Popular audiobook pick for McManus readers.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Holly Jackson's YA thriller follows a teen investigating a cold case. Structurally different but draws the same readership as the Bayview series.
Audiobook Details
| Title | One of Us Is Next |
|---|---|
| Author | Karen M. McManus |
| Narrator | Maria Liatis |
| Genre | Young Adult Thriller |
| Year | 2023 |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
One of Us Is Next is available on Audible and works well enough as a listen. If you have a free trial credit available, this is a reasonable place to use it.
Open on Audible