One of Us is Next, by Karen M. McManus, is the second book of a trilogy, following One of Us is Lying and preceding Two Can Keep a Secret. One of Us is Next is a fictional teen mystery that takes place in a Californian city called Bayview in present times. The novel revolves around three main characters: Maeve Rojas, Knox Myers, and Phoebe Lawton.
In One of Us is Lying, the first book of the trilogy, readers are introduced to the Bayview Four: Bronwyn Rojas (Maeve’s sister), Nate Macauley, Cooper Clay, and Addy Prentiss. The four are accused of murdering Simon Kelleher, their classmate and the founder of “About That”, a gossip website that is known throughout Bayview High School to reveal the students’ deepest, darkest secrets. When the mystery of Simon’s death is revealed, all seems to be well in Bayview, until the next year.
In One of Us is Next, Bayview High has become infested with Simon Kelleher copycats, all trying to achieve the notoriety that “About That” gave Simon. However, none of these websites tend to last more than a few weeks. That is, until a website called “Truth or Dare” pops up. When the owner of the game asks you the simple “truth or dare” question, you have twenty-four hours to choose your pick and follow through, or else one of your deepest, darkest secrets will be revealed to the entire school. The game soon turns lethal when a student at Bayview High falls to his death at a construction site that the high schoolers usually find themselves trespassing. The three victims of the game (Maeve, Knox, and Phoebe) must take it into their own hands to find the person running the game and save any more lives that could be harmed in the meantime.
“Holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”
The story of One of Us is Next portrays the importance of forgiving others even if they have wronged you. Even though the main characters of the story, Maeve, Knox, and Phoebe were wronged, they learned how to forgive. In the end, forgiveness allowed the bunch to move on and enjoy their lives.
One of Us is Next is definitely recommended for those who have read the first book of the series. The answer to the mystery was shocking, as it was much more concealed throughout the story and there were hardly any foreshadowing clues to hint who the culprit was. This is great because it allows readers to piece together the given clues for themselves and ultimately find out the answer at the same time as the other characters. The book was also great because the runner of “Truth or Dare” wasn’t obvious, but it also wasn’t someone random who no one could expect. In addition, the presence of gossip and high school-level maturity allows some lightheartedness and less dramatic conflict to make way into the plot. Overall, this book was an exciting page turner that checked nearly all of the marks of a great mystery and teen drama. If you enjoy cracking the code or witnessing the teenage life unfold, this book is perfect for you.
Check out One of Us is Next from the Newport Beach Public Library!
FAQs
There are 34 neighborhoods in Newport Beach. Crystal Cove has a median listing home price of $29.2M, making it the most expensive neighborhood.
Why is Newport Beach so expensive? ›
What factors contribute to the high cost of living in Newport Beach? Newport Beach's cost of living is impacted by factors such as its desirable coastal location, high-income demographics, and limited housing inventory, which contribute to the market's hotness.
Is Newport Beach a wealthy community? ›
As mentioned, there is a high concentration of wealthy individuals and families in the Newport Beach area. Though some of these families include two adults who bring in similar incomes, many either come from old money, or one spouse makes the majority of the money.
Where is the best place to live in Newport Beach? ›
6 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Newport Beach
- Corona del Mar: Coastal Elegance. ...
- Balboa Island: Quaint Tranquility. ...
- Newport Coast: Exclusive Opulence. ...
- Eastbluff: Family-Friendly Bliss. ...
- Lido Isle: Nautical Paradise. ...
- Dover Shores: Waterfront Bliss. ...
- Unlock the Charm of Newport Beach Living with Mint Real Estate.
According to the Zoopla estimate, Royal Oak Hill is the most expensive area around Newport. The average price for property in Royal Oak Hill stood at £848,658 in November 2020.
What is the most famous house in Newport Beach? ›
The Lovell Beach House is located on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California. The building was completed in 1926 and is now recognized as one of the most important works by architect Rudolf Schindler, second only to the Schindler House, built four years earlier for his family as a show house and studio.
What salary do you need to live in Newport Beach? ›
What is a livable salary in Newport Beach? The median household income in a city certainly helps gauge the cost of living. The median household income in Newport Beach is $142,463, which is 55% more than that of the state. The median income for an individual is $81,123, which is 80% more than that of the state.
What is the racial makeup of Newport Beach? ›
Download Table Data
| Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
|---|
| White | 67,972 | 79.82% |
| Two or more races | 7,447 | 8.74% |
| Asian | 6,818 | 8.01% |
| Other race | 1,813 | 2.13% |
3 more rowsThe mild climate and beautiful beaches draw millions of visitors to Newport Beach each year. With an abundance of water activities to offer, our waters are home to one of the largest pleasure-boat harbors in the world.
Where do billionaires live in Orange County? ›
Newport Beach – The Richest City in Orange County.
San Jose/Silicon Valley
“Silicon Valley continues to attract millionaires,” said Seamus Nally, CEO, TurboTenant. “This area is known for being a major tech hub in the U.S., but many people have moved away from it in the past few years due to remote work options, combined with the high cost of living in the area.
Where do rich people hang out in Orange County? ›
Men of Orange County: Get Together With the Guys at these 3...
- 1.Cubano Room. The entrance to Cubano Room. COURTESY OF BRANDS. ...
- 2.Gulfstream. Gulfstream's buzzing patio. GULFSTREAM PHOTOS COURTESY OF HILLSTONE RESTAURANT GROUP. ...
- 3.Mastro's Ocean Club. The seafood tower at Mastro's Ocean Club. COURTESY OF BRANDS.
Retirement in Newport Beach is similar to being on vacation. This city offers stunning ocean views, a beautiful harbor, and a range of waterfront activities. Many retirees living in Newport Beach enjoy kayaking, whale and dolphin watching, fishing, or yachting in Newport Harbor or Balboa Island.
What is the crime rate in Newport Beach CA? ›
Newport Beach Annual Crimes
| Violent | Property |
|---|
| Number of Crimes | 159 | 1,756 |
| Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents) | 1.89 | 20.91 |
Newport Coast is an affluent community south of Newport Beach. Perched high above the Pacific Ocean on the Newport Coast, stands Pelican Hills, one of the country's preeminent golf destinations.
What is the most expensive beach area in California? ›
Malibu, California
“Malibu is renowned for its affluent neighborhoods, celebrity residents and exclusive beachfront properties, resulting in sky-high housing prices and a high cost of living,” said Mehdi Khachani, co-founder and CEO at Miami Beach-based JMK Property Management.
What is the most popular mansion in Newport? ›
The cottage known as The Breakers is the most famous mansion in Newport. Many people also believe that it is the best Newport mansion to visit. The Breakers is an opulent showpiece built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. He used a not-insignificant chunk of the family fortune to build the compound 1893.
Who owns the most expensive house in Laguna Beach? ›
In 2018, New York-based hedge fund manager Joseph Edelman paid $70 million for an acre of oceanfront property with a 18,000-square-foot main residence in Laguna Beach, making it the most expensive home ever sold in Orange County, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.
