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The best dark academia books

The best YA murder mysteries

Young Adult murder mysteries to read at any age

A list of the best YA books ever, from Malorie Blackman's Noughts & Crosses to Melvin Burgess' Junk

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The 10 greatest YA books ever written

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Extracts

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

The Cousins

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with The Cousins - you won't be able to put it down! Now in mustard yellow with a matching sprayed edge! Stock may vary. 
 
Secrets. Lies. Inheritance. Family first - always. Right? 
 
The Story family are the envy of their neighbours: owners of the largest property on their East Coast island, they are rich, beautiful and glamorous. Until it all falls apart. The four children are suddenly dropped by their mom with a single sentence: 
 
You know what you did. 
 
They never hear from her again. 
 
Years later, when 18-year-old cousins Aubrey, Milly and Jonah Story receive a mysterious invitation to spend the summer at their grandmother's resort, they have no choice but to follow their curiosity and meet the woman who's been such an enigma their entire lives. 
 
This summer, the teenagers are determined to discover the truth at the heart of their family. But some secrets are better left alone . . . 
 
'A twisty, enthralling thriller.' Daily Mail

Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.

McManus keeps the juicy subplots ticking over and drip-feeds reveals as clinically as an IV tube.

Every twist is gasp-inducing.... Another McManus novel worth pulling an all-nighter for.

McManus (One of Us Is Lying) once again crafts a taut, multilayered mystery. . .. [She] weaves past and present to take readers on a well-paced, twisty ride that will hold readers rapt till the last page.

A slow-burn, uneasy beginning ultimately makes way for a frantically paced end peppered with twists that genre fans will happily take in stride. . . . Fans of McManus' previous offerings and of mysteries steeped in family dramatics will be eager for this.

Karen M. McManus is a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult thrillers. Her work includes the One of Us Is Lying series, which was turned into a television show on Peacock and Netflix, as well as the standalone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You’ll Be the Death of Me, Nothing More to Tell and Such Charming Liars. Karen's critically acclaimed, award-winning books have been translated into forty-two languages and have sold more than seven million copies worldwide. To learn more, visit www.karenmcmanus.com or @writerkmc on Twitter and Instagram.

You'll Be the Death of Me

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, returns with You'll be the Death of Me - prepared to remain on the edge of your seat! Now in bright purple with a matching sprayed edge! Stocks may vary. 
 
Skipping school is fun . . . until someone gets murdered. 
 
Ivy, Mateo and Cal used to be close - best friends back in middle school. So, when Cal pulls into campus late for class and runs into the others, they decide to ditch school. Just like old times. 
 
But they’re not the only ones skipping school that day. When the trio spot classmate Brian ‘Boney’ Mahoney acting suspiciously downtown, they follow him into an empty building, and walk straight into a murder scene. 
 
Now that their day of freedom has turned deadly, it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out . . . 
 
'A master of the teen thriller delivers again' Kirkus

Nothing More to Tell

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with Nothing More to Tell - you won't be able to put it down! Now in bright green with a matching sprayed edge! Stock may vary. 
 
True crime can leave a false trail. 
 
Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she's sure that the three kids who found Mr. Larkin's body know more than they're telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He's definitely hiding something. 
 
When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds. 
 
Four years ago someone got away with murder. Now it's time to uncover the truth . . . 
 
'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic' - Observer

This thrilling novel hits all the right spots, with red herrings and twists galore. Perspective shifts between Brynn and Tripp (with a couple of flashback breaks) tell a character-driven story with family drama, plenty of buried secrets, and lovely romantic vibes.

McManus...brings that signature blend of high-stakes high-school drama and murderous twists readers won't see coming.

Fans of McManus' previous five novels are in for a treat with this one

Such Charming Liars

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with a brand-new murder-mystery – you won’t be able to resist Such Charming Liars. Now in bright pink with a matching sprayed edge and an exclusive bonus short story inside! 
 
When mother-daughter con artists set out on their final heist before cleaning up their act, it's not long before the job turns deadly and they have a lifeless body to contend with . . . 
 
For all of Kat’s life, it’s been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce. 
 
Now Jamie is a con artist trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland’s family. 
 
Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer’s crosshairs. They can’t trust anyone except each other. 
 
Or can they? If there’s one thing both of them know, it’s how to be such charming liars . . . 
 
PRAISE FOR SUCH CHARMING LIARS 
 
‘The queen of mystery is back’ – COSMOPOLITAN 
 
‘Hairpin twists and exploding bombshells catapult the tale to an electrifying close’ – KIRKUS REVIEWS 
 
‘An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery’ – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 
 
PRAISE FOR ONE OF US IS LYING 
 
‘An exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat’ – GUARDIAN 
 
‘Utterly irresistible’ – HEAT 
 
‘Easily the YA thriller of the year’ – ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
Karen M. McManus, Sunday Times Bestseller, August 2023.

An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery

The narrative slips into high gear, executing hairpin twists and exploding bombshells that catapult the tale to an electrifying close

Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic

One of Us Is Lying

The international bestselling YA thriller by acclaimed author Karen M. McManus - now available in a bold new cover look complete with a blood red background and matching sprayed edges. 
 
Five students walk into detention. Only four come out alive. 
 
Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. 
 
Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing in the baseball diamond. 
 
Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime. 
 
Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life. 
 
And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won't ever talk about any of them again. 
 
He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it's no accident. All of them are suspects. 
 
Everyone has secrets, right? 
 
What really matters is how far you'll go to protect them. 
 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' -THE GUARDIAN 
 
'A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down' - THE SUN 
 
'Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
But the story doesn't end here, it continues with One of Us Is Next. . .

Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat

A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down

Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible

Book One of the international bestselling One of Us Is Lying trilogy - now available in a bold new cover look complete with a blood red background and matching sprayed edges. 
 
Five students walk into detention. Only four come out alive. 
 
Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. 
 
Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing in the baseball diamond. 
 
Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime. 
 
Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life. 
 
And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won't ever talk about any of them again. 
 
He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it's no accident. All of them are suspects. 
 
Everyone has secrets, right? 
 
What really matters is how far you'll go to protect them. 
 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' -THE GUARDIAN 
 
'A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down' - THE SUN 
 
'Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
But the story doesn't end here, it continues with One of Us Is Next. . .

One of Us Is Next

Book Two of the international bestselling One of Us Is Lying trilogy - now available in a bold new cover look complete with a midnight blue background and matching sprayed edges. 
 
Welcome back to Bayview High . . . 
 
It is a year after the action of One of Us Is Lying, and someone has started playing a game of Truth or Dare. 
 
But this is no ordinary Truth or Dare. This game is lethal. Choosing the truth may reveal your darkest secrets, but accepting the dare could be dangerous, even deadly. 
 
The teenagers of Bayview must work together once again to find the culprit, before it's too late . . . 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Next: 
'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.' - THE OBSERVER 
 
'McManus keeps the juicy subplots ticking over and drip-feeds reveals as clinically as an IV tube.' - THE GUARDIAN 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Lying: 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - THE GUARDIAN 
 
'A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down' - THE SUN 
 
'Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
Discover the thrilling end to the One of Us Is Lying trilogy with One of Us Is Back. . .

'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.'

'McManus keeps the juicy subplots ticking over and drip-feeds reveals as clinically as an IV tube.'

Book Two of the international bestselling One of Us Is Lying trilogy - now available in a bold new cover look complete with a midnight blue background and matching sprayed edges. 
 
Welcome back to Bayview High . . . 
 
It is a year after the action of One of Us Is Lying, and someone has started playing a game of Truth or Dare. 
 
But this is no ordinary Truth or Dare. This game is lethal. Choosing the truth may reveal your darkest secrets, but accepting the dare could be dangerous, even deadly. 
 
The teenagers of Bayview must work together once again to find the culprit, before it's too late . . . 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Next: 
'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.' - THE OBSERVER 
 
'McManus keeps the juicy subplots ticking over and drip-feeds reveals as clinically as an IV tube.' - THE GUARDIAN 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Lying: 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - THE GUARDIAN 
 
'A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down' - THE SUN 
 
'Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
Discover the thrilling end to the One Of Us Is Lying trilogy with One Of Us Is Back. . .

One of Us Is Back

From international bestseller Karen M. McManus comes the explosive conclusion to the acclaimed One of Us Is Lying trilogy - now available in a bold new cover look complete with a inky black background and matching sprayed edges. 
 
Life hasn't been easy for the teenagers of Bayview. First they had to prove they weren't killers. Then outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it's beginning again. 
 
At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: 
 
Time for a new game, Bayview. . . 
 
But when a student disappears, it's clear this 'game' has deadly consequences - and no-one knows the rules. 
 
Simon was right about secrets - they all come out in the end. 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Lying: 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT 
 
'A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down' - THE SUN 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' -THE GUARDIAN 
 
'Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Next: 
'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.' - THE OBSERVER 
 
'McManus keeps the juicy subplots ticking over and drip-feeds reveals as clinically as an IV tube.' - THE GUARDIAN 
Are you obsessed with Karen M. McManus? You won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars - OUT NOW IN HARDBACK WITH STUNNING PINK SPRAYED EDGES!

From international bestseller Karen M. McManus comes the explosive conclusion to the acclaimed One of Us Is Lying trilogy - now available in a bold new cover look complete with a inky black background and matching sprayed edges. 
 
Life hasn't been easy for the teenagers of Bayview. First they had to prove they weren't killers. Then outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it's beginning again. 
 
At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: 
 
Time for a new game, Bayview. . . 
 
But when a student disappears, it's clear this 'game' has deadly consequences - and no-one knows the rules. 
 
Simon was right about secrets - they all come out in the end.Praise for One of Us Is Lying: 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT 
 
'A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down' - THE SUN 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' -THE GUARDIAN 
 
'Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 
 
Praise for One of Us Is Next: 
'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.' - THE OBSERVER 
 
'McManus keeps the juicy subplots ticking over and drip-feeds reveals as clinically as an IV tube.' - THE GUARDIAN 
 
Are you obsessed with Karen M. McManus? You won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars - OUT NOW IN HARDBACK WITH STUNNING PINK SPRAYED EDGES!

Karen M. McManus Boxset

Discover the first four titles of the international bestselling teenage crime series in this paperback box set. 
 
'It's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic' - The Observer 
 
Secrets. Lies. Murder. The Karen M. McManus boxset has it all: 
 
ONE OF US IS LYING 
Five students go to detention. Only four leave alive. 
 
ONE OF US IS NEXT 
Truth or dare turns deadly. Who would you believe? 
 
TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET 
Two dead homecoming queens. Who's next? 
 
THE COUSINS 
Secrets. Lies. Inheritance. Family first always. Right? 
 
 
Praise for the One of Us Is Lying series: 
 
A fantastic murder mystery, packed with cryptic clues and countless plot twists. I could not put this book down - Sun 
 
Easily the YA thriller of the year - Entertainment Weekly 
 
Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible - Heat 
 
'Twisty plotting, breakneck pacing and intriguing characterisation add up to an exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - Guardian

A boxset of four titles from the internationally bestselling author of ONE OF US IS LYING. 
 
 
ONE OF US IS LYING 
Five students go to detention. Only four leave alive. 
 
ONE OF US IS NEXT 
Truth or dare turns deadly. Who would you believe? 
 
TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET 
Two dead homecoming queens. Who's next? 
 
THE COUSINS 
Secrets. Lies. Inheritance. Family first always. Right? 
 
 
'It's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic' - Guardian

Adapted and shortened version for people learning English

Penguin Readers Level 6: One Of Us Is Lying (ELT Graded Reader)

This is an adapted, shortened version of the original story. 
 
This ELT Graded Reader is made for people learning English as an additional language. The short, simple text is also perfect for anyone looking for an easier read. 
 
A geek, a jock, a criminal, a princess. A murder.Everyone has secrets. How far would you go to protect yours? In this story, five students at Bayview High must stay late at school ... but only four of them leave alive. Bronwyn, Cooper, Nate and Addy all become suspects in a murder. Who do you believe? 
 
Our Penguin Readers books include: 
<ul><li>Simple text (CEFR-levelled)</li><li>Pictures to help you understand the story</li><li>Fun exercises to help you learn and practise English</li></ul> 
With the print book, you can get even more help online:<ul><li>Read the book online</li><li>Listen to the book being read out loud</li><li>Get lesson plans for teachers</li><li>Find answers to check your understanding</li></ul>Note: online resources not available with the eBook.

A geek, a jock, a criminal, a princess. A murder. 
 
In this story, everyone has secrets. How far would you go to protect yours? In this sotry, five students at Bayview High must stay late at school ... but only four of them leave alive. Bronwyn, Cooper, Nate and Addy all become suspects in a murder. Who do you believe? 
Our Penguin Readers books include:• Simple text (CEFR-levelled)• Pictures to help you understand the story• Fun exercises to help you learn and practise English 
 
With the print book, you can get even more help online:• Read the book online• Listen to the book being read out loud• Get lesson plans for teachers• Find answers to check your understandingNote: online resources not available with the eBook.

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 6: One of Us is Next (ELT Graded Reader)

This ELT Graded Reader is made for people learning English as an additional language. The short, simple text is also perfect for anyone looking for an easier read. 
The students at Bayview High are only just forgetting the events of "One Of Us Is Lying" when a strange “Truth or Dare” game begins. But when someone dies, friends Maeve, Phoebe, and Knox know that they must find out what’s really happening at their school.Our Penguin Readers books include: 
<ul><li>Simple text (CEFR-levelled)</li><li>Pictures to help you understand the story</li><li>Fun exercises to help you learn and practise English</li></ul> 
With the print book, you can get even more help online: 
<ul><li>Read the book online</li><li>Listen to the book being read out loud</li><li>Get lesson plans for teachers</li><li>Find answers to check your understanding</li></ul>Note: online resources not available with the eBook.

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
One of Us is Next, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text. 
 
The students at Bayview High are only just forgetting the events of "One Of Us Is Lying" when a strange “Truth or Dare” game begins. But when someone dies, friends Maeve, Phoebe, and Knox know that they must find out what’s really happening at their school.

Dying To Be Us

THE OUTSTANDING DEBUT ADULT THRILLER FROM THE MULTIMILLION-COPY-BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ONE OF US IS LYING. Addictive, twist-packed and perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley. 
 
* * * * * 
 
Six old friends. One deadly secret. 
A past that won’t stay buried. 
 
Twelve years ago, they were known as the Fayerweather Friends. 
<ul><li>Jeremiah Brody – The Guy Next Door</li><li>Genevieve Frost – The It Girl</li><li>Pax Patel – The Handsome Heir</li><li>Becca Yun – The Drama Queen</li><li>Aly Wright – The Scholarship Student</li><li>Finn McDougal – The Creator</li></ul>At college they starred in a cult-favourite TV show which followed their lives on campus. Everyone knew who they were. Everyone wanted to be them. 
 
Until one of them died in shocking circumstances. 
 
Now as adults, they barely see each other, and they certainly don’t talk about that night. 
 
But someone has been waiting for the right moment. Someone who has evidence that could bring them all down. 
 
And they are not going to stop until the shocking truth comes out…

With juicy twists and fascinating, nuanced characters, Dying to be Us is an unpredictable and propulsive read. Clever, fun, and completely unputdownable!

Wildly fun and utterly entertaining, Dying to be Us is Karen M. McManus at her best. I raced through this expertly crafted thriller, desperate for answers, and when I got them, I was blown away.

Six old friends. One deadly secret. A past that won’t stay buried. 
 
Twelve years ago, they were known as the Fayerweather Friends. 
<ul><li>Jeremiah Brody – The Guy Next Door</li><li>Genevieve Frost – The It Girl</li><li>Pax Patel – The Handsome Heir</li><li>Becca Yun – The Drama Queen</li><li>Aly Wright – The Scholarship Student</li><li>Finn McDougal – The Creator</li></ul>At college they starred in a cult-favourite TV show which followed their lives on campus. Everyone knew who they were. Everyone wanted to be them. 
 
Until one of them died in shocking circumstances. 
 
Now as adults, they barely see each other, and they certainly don’t talk about that night. 
 
But someone has been waiting for the right moment. Someone who has evidence that could bring them all down. 
 
And they are not going to stop until the shocking truth comes out…

Karen M. McManus

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with Two Can Keep a Secret - you won't be able to put it down! Now in turquoise with a matching sprayed edge! Stock may vary. 
 
A perfect town is hiding secrets. Secrets that somebody would kill to keep hidden. 
 
Ellery's never been to Echo Ridge, but she's heard all about it. It's where her aunt went missing at age sixteen, never to return. Where a Homecoming Queen's murder five years ago made national news. And now she has to live there with her estranged grandmother, after her mom lands in rehab. 
 
Malcolm grew up in the shadow of the Homecoming Queen's death. His older brother was the prime suspect and left Echo Ridge in disgrace. But now he's back - just as mysterious threats appear around town, hinting that a killer will strike again. 
 
Then another girl disappears. 
 
As Ellery and Malcolm race to unravel what happened, they realize every secret has layers in Echo Ridge. 
 
'When it comes to YA suspense, Karen McManus is in a league of her own.' Entertainment Weekly

Karen M. McManus

Books by Karen M. McManus

Series by Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Lying

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The best dark academia books

Young Adult murder mysteries to read at any age

The 10 greatest YA books ever written

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

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