One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus Summary
Overview of One of Us Is Back
The chilling finale to the global bestselling trilogy that spent five years on the NYT list. In Bayview, deadly secrets resurface as McManus delivers her most twisted mystery yet. What happens when the past you buried comes back to haunt you?
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Key takeaways
The Shadows of Bayview High Return
In the sun-drenched living room of Bronwyn's home, Addy Prentiss watches her ex-boyfriend Jake Riordan deliver a carefully orchestrated speech from juvenile detention. Despite his pressed blue shirt and rehearsed remorse, she recognizes the predatory glint in his eyes - the same look he had when he controlled her every move, isolated her from friends, and eventually tried to kill her in the school gymnasium. "He's not sorry," Addy observes, unconsciously touching the faint scar on her neck. "Given the chance, he wouldn't have done anything differently except avoid getting caught." Her words prove prophetic when days later, Jake secures a new trial and returns to Bayview on bail. The news sends shockwaves through the community, especially among the Murder Club - Addy, Bronwyn, Nate, Cooper, and Maeve - who know firsthand what Jake is capable of. Though they secure a restraining order, Jake's shadow extends beyond legal boundaries. Just as the community begins processing Jake's return, mysterious billboards appear around town bearing ominous messages: "Time for a New Game, Bayview" and "There's Only One Rule." These warnings evoke memories of Simon Kelleher's deadly "About That" app and Jared Jackson's "Truth or Dare" game - both of which left death in their wake. The strategic placement of these billboards near the school, mall, and Murder Club members' homes suggests someone intimately familiar with their past is watching.
A Deadly Message Begins to Form
Buried Secrets Come to Light
Jake's Original Sin
Breaking the Cycle of Revenge
The Price of Truth
Finding Hope After Trauma
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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