You've probably seen the yellow-and-black cover everywhere. Maybe it’s sitting on your kid's nightstand, or you’ve noticed them binging the Peacock series. Karen M. McManus basically reinvented the "Breakfast Club" trope with a murderous twist, and it worked. It worked really well. But as a parent, you're likely wondering if this "whodunnit" is more Pretty Little Liars or more Euphoria.
It’s tricky.
This one of us is lying parents guide is meant to cut through the marketing fluff. We’re talking about a story where five students walk into detention and only four walk out alive. The one who dies? Simon, the creator of the school’s notorious gossip app. He was about to post life-ruining secrets about the other four. Now, they’re all suspects. It’s a compelling hook, but the "Why" and "How" of the story involve some heavy themes that might catch some families off guard.
The Reality of the Content: What’s Actually Inside?
Let's be real: YA (Young Adult) literature has gotten a lot edgier since we were kids. In One of Us Is Lying, the "edge" isn't just for shock value, but it is pervasive.
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The biggest thing you need to know is the language. It’s frequent. You’ll find "sh*t," "a**," "hell," and various other profanities peppered throughout the dialogue. It feels like how high schoolers actually talk when teachers aren't around, which adds realism but might be a dealbreaker if you're strict about vocabulary.
Then there’s the substance use. It’s not a "drug book," but it doesn't shy away from the reality of suburban teen life. Characters use alcohol at parties. One character, Nate, is actually a small-time drug dealer—mostly selling prescription meds—which is a major plot point regarding his "bad boy" reputation and legal troubles. It’s portrayed as a consequence of his broken home life rather than something "cool," but the depiction is frank.
Romance and Sexuality
If you're worried about graphic scenes, you can breathe a little easier. While there is definitely romance and sexual tension, McManus keeps the "on-page" descriptions relatively PG-13.
- Physicality: There is kissing, heavy making out, and references to characters having had sex in the past.
- Themes: One of the central "secrets" involves a character’s sexual orientation and the fear of being "outed" before they are ready. This is handled with a lot of empathy and highlights the toxicity of gossip culture.
- Complexity: The relationships are messy. They involve cheating, betrayal, and massive breaches of trust. It’s a great jumping-off point for a conversation about what a "healthy" relationship actually looks like versus a "thriller" relationship.
Violence and the Central Mystery
Since the book starts with a death, you'd expect some gore. Surprisingly, it’s not a "slasher." Simon dies from a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) after drinking water contaminated with peanut oil.
The horror here is psychological.
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The characters are essentially being hunted by the police and the media. There’s a constant sense of dread. There are mentions of depression and a very dark "revenge" plot that forms the backbone of the mystery. Without spoiling the ending, the motivation behind the crime is deeply disturbing and involves a total lack of regard for human life. It’s a cold, calculated kind of violence rather than a bloody one.
Is it Age-Appropriate?
Most librarians and educators tag this for ages 14 and up. Honestly, that feels right. A mature 12 or 13-year-old who reads a lot of mystery could probably handle it, but the themes of cyberbullying and suicidal ideation are heavy.
Simon’s gossip app, About That, is basically a digital guillotine. For a teen today, the idea of their darkest secrets being broadcast to the entire school isn't just a "plot point"—it's a genuine, living nightmare. If your child is currently struggling with school social dynamics or mental health, this book might hit a bit too close to home.
On the flip side, the book does a fantastic job of deconstructing stereotypes. The "jock," the "princess," the "brain," and the "criminal" all turn out to be much deeper than their labels. It's a lesson in empathy that most teens actually appreciate.
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Comparing the Book to the TV Show
If you're using this one of us is lying parents guide because your teen wants to watch the show on Peacock, keep in mind that the TV adaptation dials everything up.
- The Tone: The show is darker and more "cinematic."
- The Changes: They changed several plot points and character arcs to make it more dramatic for television.
- The Visuals: Seeing a character go into anaphylactic shock on screen is much more visceral than reading about it. The "party scenes" also feel more intense when you're watching them.
Generally, if they’ve read the book, the show won't be a huge shock, but it definitely pushes the TV-14 rating to its absolute limit.
Actionable Steps for Parents
Don't just hand the book over and walk away. This story is a goldmine for "stealth parenting"—you know, those conversations where you're actually teaching them something without them realizing it.
- Talk about the "Secret": Ask them, "Why was everyone so afraid of Simon?" Use it to talk about digital footprints and how once something is online, it never truly goes away.
- Discuss Nate’s Situation: Nate is the "criminal," but he's also a victim of his circumstances. It’s a good way to talk about how we judge people based on their family background.
- The "Outing" Plotline: If your teen is open to it, discuss the character who was afraid of being outed. It’s a vital conversation about privacy, consent, and being an ally.
- Check the Mental Health Pulse: Because the ending involves some very dark themes regarding self-harm and "incel" culture (in a roundabout way), make sure your teen understands that these are extreme fictional scenarios, but that real help is available if they ever feel overwhelmed by school pressure.
Basically, One of Us Is Lying is a high-stakes version of the drama that happens in every high school hallway in America. It's a "safe" way to explore "unsafe" topics. If your teen is 14+, they've likely seen worse on TikTok, but the book at least gives those themes some much-needed context and consequence.
Next Steps for You
Check the first twenty pages. If the tone feels okay to you, let them dive in. If you're still on the fence, try reading it alongside them. It's a fast read—you'll probably finish it in a weekend—and it'll give you a common language to talk about the more difficult parts of being a teenager in 2026.
Avoid the "Peacock" series until they've finished the book; the book's internal monologues provide much better context for the characters' questionable choices than the show does.