One of Us is Lying
Bronwyn, Cooper, Nate, Addison, and Simon all attend detention in Mr. Avery's "technology free" classroom. As it turns out, they're all there because someone framed them, and then one of them dies.When Simon's death becomes a major investigation, the Bayview Four are singled out as number one suspects. It turns out Simon was very close to publishing damning secrets about all of them on his gossip app-- giving them all motive to keep that from happening.
As pressure mounts, they feel isolated from everyone except each other. Can they figure out who is behind all of this-- or is one of them lying??
This book was billed as The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars-- and well, that's some BIG expectations to live up to. I definitely didn't get any Breakfast Club vibes. Sure, they were in detention, and yeah, they were all into different things, but they were not that quirky fun group of kids who united despite their outward differences.
That's why I hate those comparisons-- because this book was good!! It didn't need giant expectations to try to live up to. It was a book about 4 high school kids getting framed for murder-- and as the reader, you can't trust anybody. They all narrate chapters and I was trying to be so cautious not to place my trust in any of them. Everyone seemed innocent, but SOMEONE killed Simon, and they were the only people in the room.
What I liked about this book: The nail-biting mystery. I didn't know who the baddie was and I suspected EVERYBODY.
What I thought was MEH: I didn't connect to any of the characters in any real way. I wasn't rooting for anyone, and I didn't have any that I didn't like. They were all super steady and nice-- I was wishing that there was a wild-card type thrown in. It made it harder to make any real guesses at the mystery, which is a good thing, but as a reader, I like to CONNECT with characters.
I was super excited to find an engaging YA mystery that kept me fully interested right until the last page. It's not a genre that has a ton of great mysteries, so I get happy when I come across one that is well done and keeps me guessing.
OVERALL: I definitely recommend this fun and twisty YA Mystery. It's not a book where the characters are memorable, but the mystery will keep you guessing-- and isn't that the whole point?
Date Published: 5/30/2017
How I got this book: Thanks to Random House Children's and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this book
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Add it to your To-Read List!!
My Rating: 4/5
Character: Cooper ClayBook: Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert
- So many things in this book for Cooper to relate to. Cooper's life is basically this book in a very toned down way.
This definitely sounds like something up my alley! I hate when comp titles (especially Breakfast Club, because it gets thrown around way too much) mislead you. Great you were able to enjoy the book anyways :)
ReplyDeleteYeah-- the comp titles are usually ALWAYS a let down. This one didn't live up to the comps, but it was still a decent mystery. I hope you like it!
DeleteI LOVVVVEEEE thrillers, and yes, while it’s kind of a risk comparing it to PLL and The Breakfast Club, I think it’ll kind of pay off? Hopefully? Glad you liked this one for the most part!! Can’t wait to pick it up soon :D Great review!!
ReplyDeleteI love thrillers too!! I've been on quite the mission to find good ones and I think this qualifies!!
DeleteGreat review! This one sounds really interesting. I am a character-focused reader so I'm a little wary that you didn't feel a connection to the characters, but I don't read a lot of mystery, so I'm sure I'd still be swept away by it. I'm glad you enjoyed this one a lot regardless, though.
ReplyDelete~ Lefty @ The Left-Handed Book Lover
Yeah-- the character part of this book wasn't the greatest. I really like to connect with characters too. It's sort of one of my deal-breakers when I don't. BUT-- this book somehow gets beyond that. I guess I just HAD to know what happened to Simon regardless if I was caring about any of the other people!
DeleteI love the sound of the mystery! I really like when I find a book that keeps me guessing. And ugh! I hate the comparisons! They're so unnecessary!
ReplyDeleteSO UNNECESSARY!! But this one was okay despite the stupid comps.
DeleteThis book WAS good! I just finished it and loved it! I think the best part for me was the sense that you couldn't trust any of them- I liked that and it kept me on my toes. lol and I did kinda suspect everybody! I did like Addy towards the end when she wasn't a doormat anymore.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on hating comparisons like that but this one still sounds fun and I know I would enjoy guessing. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my tbr for ages. I love twists so have high hopes that I will love this book.
ReplyDelete