13 of the Best Devious Thrillers Books like One of Us is Lying

Calling all thrill-seekers and mystery mavens! 🕵️‍♂️📚

If you couldn’t get enough of the heart-pounding suspense in “One of Us is Lying,” we’ve got a reading list that will keep your pulse racing and your detective instincts sharp. Get ready for a literary rollercoaster as we unveil “13 of the Best Thriller Books like One of Us is Lying.” From mind-bending plots to jaw-dropping revelations, these novels are your ticket to a world where every page turns faster than your heartbeat. Buckle up, bookworms, because the suspense is just beginning, and you won’t want to miss a single twist!

Books like One of Us is Lying

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2019)

by Holly Jackson

Meet Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school student who finds herself on a quest for truth in her small town. She takes on an unconventional school project: reopening a murder case that everyone else believes was just a suicide. The victim, Andie Bell, appeared to be the perfect girl, but Pippa isn’t buying it.

Determined and curious, Pippa starts her investigation, diving deep into the past, reevaluating evidence, and talking to those who were close to Andie. However, her pursuit of the truth is met with obstacles and even threats. Undeterred, she continues to unravel the secrets and lies hidden within her tight-knit community.

As Pippa races against the clock, the story takes unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” isn’t just a mystery; it’s a tale of bravery, friendship, and one young girl’s unyielding determination to uncover the real story, even when it means putting her own safety on the line.

Similar to One of Us is Lying, both the novels share thrilling plots with secrets to uncover, and both feature young amateur detectives. Themes of secrets and deception run through both books. While they have these similarities, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” offers a unique narrative style, using prose, interview transcripts, and multimedia elements to immerse you in the mystery.

Truly Devious series (2018)

by Maureen Johnson

The “Truly Devious” series by Maureen Johnson follows the story of Stevie Bell, a brilliant young detective-in-training, who wins a coveted spot at Ellingham Academy, a unique and mysterious school where learning is everything. But Stevie’s true mission at Ellingham is to solve an old and haunting mystery.

Decades ago, the wife and daughter of Ellingham Academy’s founder were kidnapped, and a puzzling ransom note signed by “Truly Devious” was left behind. The case remained unsolved, casting a long shadow over the school’s history.

As Stevie settles into Ellingham’s peculiar environment, she becomes deeply involved in uncovering the truth behind the cold case. The series alternates between Stevie’s present-day investigations and flashbacks to the original Truly Devious case, creating a dual mystery that keeps you engaged.

With determination and wit, Stevie delves into the secrets of Ellingham Academy, gradually uncovering hidden truths. Along the way, she discovers that the past and present are intricately linked, leading to revelations that challenge everything she thought she knew.

Also Read: 11 of the Best Enigmatic Mystery Books like Truly Devious

Two Can Keep a Secret (2019)

by Karen M. McManus

“Two Can Keep a Secret” by Karen M. McManus is an enthralling young adult mystery that follows the story of Ellery Corcoran. She moves to Echo Ridge, her mother’s hometown, hoping for a fresh start in a seemingly charming and peaceful small town.

However, beneath Echo Ridge’s idyllic facade lies a dark history of unsolved disappearances and murders. One of these mysteries hits particularly close to home for Ellery – her own aunt went missing years ago, and now, the town is grappling with the vanishing of a homecoming queen. As Ellery becomes part of the community, she can’t help but be drawn into the town’s eerie past.

Teaming up with Malcolm, a fellow student who’s a true crime enthusiast, Ellery embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets that have haunted Echo Ridge for generations. Their amateur investigation unravels long-concealed truths, exposing a series of unsettling events that have plagued the town for years.

But as Ellery and Malcolm dig deeper into the mysteries, they find themselves entangled in a web of lies, deception, and danger. The book explores the themes of hidden secrets, betrayal, and the sometimes harrowing lengths people will go to protect their darkest truths in a town where appearances can be deceiving.

This Lie Will Kill You (2018)

by Chelsea Pitcher

“This Lie Will Kill You” is a gripping novel that centers on a group of high school students who receive mysterious invitations to a house party. Little do they know that this seemingly innocent gathering will turn into a nightmare. Each of these teenagers is hiding a dark secret, and as the night progresses, tensions mount, and their secrets start to unravel.

What makes matters worse is the revelation that an anonymous host has orchestrated this party, and they seem to know everything about the teens’ hidden pasts. The night takes a sinister turn as the group is forced to confront their deepest fears and confront each other while trying to survive a series of twisted challenges.

As the clock ticks down, the group must work together to uncover the truth behind the party and identify the enigmatic host before it’s too late. It’s a heart-pounding race against time as they struggle to prevent their darkest secrets from being exposed and to ensure that no one pays the ultimate price.

The Cheerleaders (2018)

by Kara Thomas

“The Cheerleaders” is a gripping novel that revolves around a haunting mystery. It all starts with the deaths of five cheerleaders from the same high school. Four of them died in a tragic car accident, and one was brutally murdered. These events shook their small town to its core.

The story follows Monica, the younger sister of one of the deceased cheerleaders. She can’t shake off the feeling that there’s something more to these tragedies than meets the eye. As Monica begins to dig deeper into her sister’s life and the events leading up to the deaths, she stumbles upon a web of secrets and unanswered questions.

With each revelation, Monica becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth. However, in her quest for answers, she risks exposing dark secrets that some in the town are desperate to keep hidden.

The book dives into the complexities of friendship, the consequences of deception, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. Lesser-known themes include the examination of societal pressure on women and the haunting legacy of the past on the present.

All Your Twisted Secrets (2020)

by Diana Urban

What do the queen bee, star athlete, valedictorian, stoner, loner, and music geek all have in common?

The story kicks off when six very different teenagers receive mysterious invitations to a scholarship dinner held at a remote location.

What they anticipate as an evening of celebration turns into a terrifying ordeal as they find themselves trapped in a room with a bomb counting down and a syringe filled with deadly poison. The only way to escape is by making an agonizing choice: they must select one among them to die, or they all will perish.

As the tension mounts, the group must grapple with their inner demons, hidden agendas, and complicated relationships. The clock is ticking, and they’re forced to confront their own past actions and secrets if they hope to make it out alive. Throughout the night, the story peels back the layers of each character’s history and the events leading up to this fateful and harrowing night.

The book explores themes of morality, survival, and the dark secrets that bind these characters together.

We Were Liars (2014)

by E. Lockhart

‘We Were Liars’ is a haunting and unforgettable read that will leave readers breathless with its twists and turns. The story centres around the Sinclair family, a wealthy and privileged clan that spends summers on their private island off the coast of Massachusetts.

The narrator, Cadence Sinclair Eastman, is the eldest grandchild of the Sinclair family, and the protagonist of the story.

Cadence, along with her two cousins, Johnny and Mirren, and a family friend named Gat, form a tight-knit group known as the “Liars.” They spend their summers on Beechwood Island, swimming, playing games, and trying to cope with the expectations and pressures of their privileged upbringing.

However, two years before the start of the novel, Cadence suffers a mysterious accident on the island and loses her memory of that summer. She is left with chronic migraines and amnesia, and the events surrounding her accident are shrouded in secrecy. The Sinclair family refuses to discuss what happened, and Cadence’s mother warns her not to return to the island.

When Cadence finally returns to Beechwood Island two years later, she is determined to piece together the truth of what happened that fateful summer. She reunites with Johnny, Mirren, and Gat, and together they embark on a journey to uncover the dark secrets and lies that have haunted their family for years.

As Cadence’s memories gradually resurface, she begins to question the truth of her family’s perfection and the motives of those around her. The novel explores themes of family, privilege, love, and the consequences of keeping secrets.

The Cousins (2020)

by Karen M. McManus

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each other, and they’ve never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they’re surprised… and curious.

Their parents are all clear on one point—not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother’s good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it’s immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious—and dark—their family’s past is.

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn’t over—and this summer, the cousins will have to learn everything.

The book focuses on themes of privilege, expectations, and the consequences of keeping and revealing family mysteries. Lesser-known themes include the complexities of sibling relationships and the blurred lines between right and wrong in the pursuit of familial truths.

Sadie (2018)

by Courtney Summers

This novel is told through two interwoven narratives: one from the perspective of Sadie, a determined and troubled teenager, and the other from a podcast host named West McCray, who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about Sadie’s disappearance.

It depicts Sadie as a fierce and broken protagonist who embarks on a mission to avenge her younger sister’s murder. As Sadie’s journey unfolds, the author deftly examines the harsh realities faced by vulnerable girls and the often-overlooked lives of those on the fringes of society.

The narrative structure, alternating between Sadie’s perspective and the podcast format, adds depth and suspense to the story. What makes ‘Sadie’ particularly compelling is its exploration of the impact of trauma and the resilience of the human spirit. The book tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity, shedding light on the systemic failures that perpetuate cycles of abuse and violence.

They All Had a Reason (2012)

by Michele Leathers

‘They All Had a Reason’ explores the lives of six individuals who are connected by a tragic event.

Sixteen-year-old Charlotte is convinced her life would be perfect if she could only get past the one obstacle holding her back: A girl named Bellany Silverfield, who seems to have it all — beauty, popularity, power and the boy of Charlotte’s dreams. But when Bellany is murdered, Charlotte’s life doesn’t get any better. In fact, it gets much worse. Charlotte worries that circumstantial evidence and rumors of motive will make her a prime suspect. She’s forced to question the loyalty of her closest friends and to place her trust in a boy she barely knows. But one of these people is definitely lying to her.

The novel tackles difficult topics such as gun violence, mental health, and the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, with a deft hand.

People Like Us (2018)

by Dana Mele

Set in an elite boarding school, ‘People Like Us’ follows Kay Donovan, a popular senior and captain of the lacrosse team, who finds herself embroiled in a deadly game of revenge.

When a fellow student is found dead, Kay becomes the prime suspect, and she begins to receive threatening messages from an anonymous source who seems to know all of her secrets. As Kay races to uncover the truth behind the murder and clear her name, she realizes that the people she thought she knew may not be who they seem.

The characters of the novel are complex and flawed, with realistic motivations and hidden agendas that add depth to the story.

Similar to One of Us is Lying the book explores themes of identity, friendship and power.

Seven Ways We Lie (2016)

by Riley Redgate

The story is set in a high school and revolves around seven main characters, each representing one of the deadly sins. The narrative unfolds as a scandal involving a teacher shakes the foundations of the students’ lives, and each of the seven characters grapples with their own personal struggles.

The novel employs multiple perspectives, with each chapter focusing on a different character. The characters include Olivia, Juniper, Matt, Lucas, Valentine, Claire, and Kat. As the story progresses, the characters’ lives become increasingly intertwined, and their secrets and desires come to the surface.

The plot explores themes of identity, friendship, and the consequences of one’s actions. Additionally it dives into the complexities of relationships and the challenges of navigating adolescence. The novel offers a character-driven exploration of the impact of secrets, lies, and the search for authenticity in the lives of these seven interconnected individuals.

We’ll Never Be Apart (2015)

by Emiko Jean

‘We’ll Never Be Apart’ explores the dangerous and often blurry line between love and obsession. The story is told from the perspective of Alice, a teenage girl who is institutionalized after a fire that claims the life of her boyfriend, Jason. Alice is haunted by the events leading up to the fire, and the narrative explores her relationships with those around her, including her sister Cellie, and the mysterious circumstances that led to Jason’s death. As Alice grapples with her memories and emotions, the novel unfolds with psychological twists and suspense, keeping readers engaged in the mystery surrounding the tragedy and Alice’s quest for the truth.

The novel delves into the complex nature of human relationships and the lengths that people will go to in the name of love. The beautiful storytelling and haunting characters make this book a must-read for fans of dark, psychological fiction.

Conclusion to Books like One of Us is Lying

And that concludes the list for books like One of Us is Lying!

Brace yourselves, thriller enthusiasts! With this curated list of the Best Books like One of Us is Lying, your adrenaline-fueled reading escapades are far from over. As we bid adieu to this suspense-filled journey, let these gripping narratives continue to haunt your dreams and keep you on the edge of your seat. Each book on this list is a nail-biting adventure waiting to unfold, ensuring that your thirst for heart-pounding plots and unexpected twists remains quenched. So, dive into the chilling unknown, unravel mysteries, and let the echoes of these page-turners linger long after you’ve closed the final chapter. Your next literary obsession awaits, detective hat optional!

However, if you want more books like One of Us is Lying beyond the list above, you should consider-

1. Killing November by Adriana Mather
2. 14 Ways to Die by Vincent Ralph
3. The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
4. The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
5. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
6. A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
7. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
8. The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
9. Time Bomb by Joelle Charbonneau
10. Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig
11. Who Killed Christopher Goodman: Based on a True Crime by Allan Wolf