Summary: In today's article, I've compiled 20 books similar to One of Us is Lying that deliver suspense, twists, and plenty of high-stakes drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. My top 3 choices are:
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
- Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
- People Like Us by Dana Mele
Books like One of Us Is Lying are perfect for fans of high school drama packed with mystery and suspense. These stories dive into secrets, betrayals, and hidden motives, keeping readers guessing until the last page. With unforgettable twists and complex characters, they’re ideal for anyone craving a thrilling, can’t-put-it-down read.
TOP 20: best Books Similar to One of Us is Lying
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
- Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
- People Like Us by Dana Mele
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
- Sadie by Courtney Summers
- Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
- One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
- All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
- Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
- I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick
- They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman
- The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
- This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston
- The Lies We Tell by Katie Zhao
- The Missing Season by Gillian French
- Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
- The Ivies by Alexa Donne
- White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
1. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
- Author: Holly Jackson
- About: A teen re-investigates an old murder in her town, uncovering secrets that make her a target.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, with multimedia elements.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; the twists and suspense leave a lasting impression.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A realistic mystery with intense twists.
2. Two Can Keep a Secret
- Author: Karen M. McManus
- About: Twins uncover deadly secrets in a small town with a dark history.
- Style of writing: Dual perspectives, suspenseful.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Strong; eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For fans of small-town mysteries and chilling family secrets.
3. People Like Us
- Author: Dana Mele
- About: A murder at a boarding school drags friends into a revenge-fueled mystery.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric, psychological.
- Length: ~78,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Lasting; questions of guilt and morality linger.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Perfect for those who enjoy morally complex thrillers.
4. We Were Liars
- Author: E. Lockhart
- About: A wealthy family’s secrets unravel during a summer on their private island.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, fragmented, haunting.
- Length: ~41,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Deep; the twist is unforgettable.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A haunting, twisty story about privilege, family, and deception.
5. One of Us Is Next
- Author: Karen M. McManus
- About: A deadly game of truth-or-dare ensnares students at Bayview High.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, multi-perspective.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate; tense and engaging.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A thrilling follow-up with new secrets and high stakes.
6. Truly Devious
- Author: Maureen Johnson
- About: A boarding school student tries to solve a decades-old murder.
- Style of writing: Clever, layered, with flashbacks.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Strong; the mystery builds intrigue.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A mix of old and new mysteries, perfect for puzzle-lovers.
7. Sadie
- Author: Courtney Summers
- About: A girl seeks revenge for her sister’s murder, followed by a podcast investigation.
- Style of writing: Gritty, alternating between narrative and podcast.
- Length: ~87,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Deep; raw and heart-wrenching.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A dark and intense story of revenge and survival.
8. Little Monsters
- Author: Kara Thomas
- About: A girl’s friend goes missing in a small town filled with secrets.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, moody, suspenseful.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Moderate; eerie and unsettling.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A chilling, small-town mystery with complex characters.
9. One of the Girls
- Author: Lucy Clarke
- About: Friends on a Greek island find themselves caught in a web of secrets.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, character-driven.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Moderate; tense and dramatic.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A vacation gone wrong with suspense and high emotions.
10. All Your Twisted Secrets
- Author: Diana Urban
- About: Six students trapped in a room must reveal secrets to survive.
- Style of writing: Tense, confined setting, character-focused.
- Length: ~92,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong; high-stakes and intense.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A psychological thriller with a deadly twist.
11. Dangerous Girls
- Author: Abigail Haas
- About: A girl is accused of murder during a vacation with friends.
- Style of writing: Dark, intense, courtroom drama.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Strong; unsettling and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A suspenseful, twisty tale about friendship and betrayal.
12. I Killed Zoe Spanos
- Author: Kit Frick
- About: A girl confesses to a crime but can't remember the details.
- Style of writing: Dual timeline, eerie.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Lasting; haunting and psychological.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: An atmospheric mystery with shades of Rebecca.
13. They Wish They Were Us
- Author: Jessica Goodman
- About: A murder at an elite high school exposes dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, fast-paced.
- Length: ~78,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate; dark and tense.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A look into privilege and the pressure to succeed.
14. The Cheerleaders
- Author: Kara Thomas
- About: A girl investigates the mysterious deaths of five cheerleaders.
- Style of writing: Dark, atmospheric.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Strong; haunting and reflective.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A chilling mystery about loss and justice.
15. This Is Our Story
- Author: Ashley Elston
- About: A girl investigates a friend's hunting accident to uncover the truth.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, engaging.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Moderate; suspenseful and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping investigation with a strong female lead.
16. The Lies We Tell
- Author: Katie Zhao
- About: A student tries to uncover the truth behind her friend's suspicious death.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, contemporary.
- Length: ~75,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate; intense and reflective.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: An engaging college mystery with social themes.
17. The Missing Season
- Author: Gillian French
- About: A series of disappearances in a small town sparks fear and suspicion.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, eerie.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Moderate; haunting and unsettling.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A slow-burn thriller with an eerie, small-town feel.
18. Monday’s Not Coming
- Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
- About: A girl investigates her best friend’s disappearance, only to uncover disturbing truths.
- Style of writing: Emotional, impactful.
- Length: ~92,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High; heartbreaking and powerful.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: An emotionally charged story with themes of friendship and justice.
19. The Ivies
- Author: Alexa Donne
- About: Students at an elite boarding school will do anything to secure spots in Ivy League colleges—even murder.
- Style of writing: Sharp, fast-paced, with biting social commentary.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate; suspenseful with a satirical look at academic pressure.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A thrilling critique of competitive academic environments with a dark twist.
20. White Rabbit
- Author: Caleb Roehrig
- About: A boy must solve a murder over the course of one night to clear his ex-boyfriend's name.
- Style of writing: Intense, fast-paced, with a gritty, real-time feel.
- Length: ~82,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Strong; gripping and emotionally charged with LGBTQ+ representation.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A compelling, suspenseful mystery with complex characters and relationship dynamics.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a thrilling mystery packed with twists, secrets, and high-stakes drama like One of Us Is Lying, I think these books will keep you hooked. Personally, I’d start with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Two Can Keep a Secret, and People Like Us. These top picks blend suspense, intrigue, and complex social dynamics beautifully. Each one dives into dark secrets and hidden motives, leaving you guessing until the last page. Whether you’re into high school drama, gripping mysteries, or intense psychological tension, these books are a fantastic choice for your reading list.
