Dark academia books to read, including The Secret History, Ninth House and The Cloisters.

Reading lists

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

One of Us Is Lying

Collector's Edition

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

Karen M. McManus is a #1 New York Times and international 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.

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!

Nothing More to Tell

From the internationally bestselling author of Netflix's hottest new show, One of Us is Lying, comes a new, page-turning thriller . . . 
 
 
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

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

From the internationally bestselling author of Netflix's hottest new show, One of Us is Lying, comes a new, page-turning thriller . . . 
 
 
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

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

TikTok made me buy it

You'll Be the Death of Me

From the international bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying comes a brand-new addictive thriller. 
 
Ivy, Mateo and Cal used to be close - best friends back in middle school. 
 
Now all they have in common is a bad day. So for old time's sake they skip school together - one last time. 
 
But when the trio spot Brian 'Boney' Mahoney ditching class too, they follow him - right into a murder scene. 
 
They all have a connection to the victim. And they're ALL hiding something. 
 
When their day of freedom turns deadly, it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out . . . 
 
It's Ferris Bueller's Day Off with murder, perfect for fans of One Of Us Is Lying and A Good Girl's Guide To Murder. This explosive new thriller is impossible to put down.

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 Ivy and Mateo, 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. 
 
Brian's not the only one keeping secrets, and when their day of freedom turns deadly it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out.

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 6: One Of Us Is Lying (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. It is an adapted version of the original story. 
 
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.

Karen M. McManus is a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult thrillers. Her books include the One of Us Is Lying series, which has been turned into a television show on Netflix, as well as the standalone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You'll Be the Death of Me, and Nothing More to Tell. Karen's critically acclaimed, award-winning work has been translated into more than forty-two languages.

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.

The Cousins

An explosive YA thriller from international bestselling author of One of Us is Lying. 
 
The Storys are the envy of their neighbours: owners of the largest property on their East Coast island, they are rich, beautiful, and close. Until it all falls apart. The four children are suddenly dropped by their mother 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 entire family is built on secrets, right? It's the Story legacy. 
 
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" -The 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.

The Storys are the envy of their neighbours: owners of the largest property on their East Coast island, they are rich, beautiful, and close. Until it all falls apart. The four children are suddenly dropped by their mother with a single sentence: 
 
You know what you did. 
 
An explosive YA thriller from international bestselling author of One of Us is Lying. 
 
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 entire family is built on secrets, right? It's the Story legacy. 
 
This summer, the teenagers are determined to discover the truth at the heart of their family. But some secrets are better left alone.

Two Can Keep a Secret

The follow up YA thriller from the author of the international bestseller One of Us is Lying. 
 
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 mother 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 realise every secret has layers in Echo Ridge. 
 
 'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT

When it comes to YA suspense, Karen M. McManus is in a league of her own

It's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic

You won't be able to put [it] down

Karen M. McManus is a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of young adult thrillers. Her books include the One of Us Is Lying series, which has been turned into a television show on Netflix, as well as the standalone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You'll Be the Death of Me, and Nothing More to Tell. Karen's critically acclaimed, award-winning work has been translated into forty-two languages.

The follow up YA thriller from the author of the international bestseller One of Us is Lying. 
 
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 mother 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 realise every secret has layers in Echo Ridge. 
 
'Tightly plotted and brilliantly written, with sharp, believable characters, this whodunit is utterly irresistible' - HEAT

Karen M. McManus

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

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.

Karen M. McManus

Praise for Such Charming Liars

An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery

Ingenious

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

An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery

Ingenious

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

An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery

Ingenious

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

Books by Karen M. McManus

Series by Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Lying

Articles featuring Karen M. McManus

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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