Karen M. McManus

Karen M. McManus (born 1969) is an American author of young adult fiction.^[1] She is most known for her first novel, One of Us Is Lying, which spent more than five years on The New York Times Best Seller list,^[2] as well as its sequels One of Us Is Next and One of Us Is Back, and the stand-alone novel Two Can Keep a Secret.

Karen M. McManus
Born	1969 (age 55–56)
Language	English
Nationality	American
Education	College of the Holy Cross (BA) Northeastern University (MA)
Genre	Young adult, mystery
Years active	2017–present
Notable works	One of Us Is Lying (2017) One of Us Is Next (2020) Nothing More To Tell (2022)
Website
www.karenmcmanus.com

Early life and education

McManus discovered an interest for writing when she was eight years old and was assigned to write a story in school.^[3] She attended the College of the Holy Cross, earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature, then attended Northeastern University, where she received a Master of Arts (M.A.) in journalism.

One of Us is Lying trilogy (2017–2023)

The One of Us is Lying series consists of three novels: One of Us is Lying (2017),^[4] One of Us Is Next (2020),^[4] and One of Us Is Back (2023).

One of Us Is Lying was optioned as a pilot by NBC, and the television adaption premiered on Peacock in October 2021.^[5][6][7]

Standalone novels

Two Can Keep a Secret (2019)

Two Can Keep a Secret was McManus’ first standalone novel outside of the One of Us Is Lying trilogy. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review and named it one of the best books of 2019.^[8]

The Cousins (2020)

The Cousins, McManus's second standalone novel and fourth novel overall, was a #1 New York Times bestseller^[9] and an Edgar Award nominee.^[10]

Other standalone novels include You'll Be the Death of Me (2021), Nothing More to Tell (2022), and Such Charming Liars (2024)

Personal life

McManus lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.^[1]

She rereads The Secret History by Donna Tartt every year.^[3]

Works

One of Us Is Lying trilogy

1. One of Us Is Lying (Delacorte Press, 2017)^{[11][4][12][13]}
2. One of Us Is Next (Delacorte Press, 2020)^[14][15]
3. One of Us Is Back (Delacorte Press, 2023)

Standalone novels

• Two Can Keep a Secret (Delacorte Press, 2019)^[8][16][17]
• The Cousins (Delacorte Press, 2020)^[18][19]
• You'll Be the Death of Me (November 2021)^[20]
• Nothing More To Tell (Random House, 30 August 2022)^[21]
• Such Charming Liars (Random House, 30 July 2024)^[22]
• Marple: Twelve New Stories (contributor to continuation collection authorised for Miss Marple (2022))^[23]