Jake might have been sentenced, but to the small town of Bayview’s horror he is soon back on their streets. Sure he has an ankle bracelet and there are restraining orders in place, but Addy Prentiss for one doesn’t trust him to behave.

The summer break has everyone back in town. Nate is finally getting on with his father with his girlfriend Bronwyn’s help. Addy is looking forward to her sister’s baby to arrive, and a trip to Peru. Cooper and his boyfriend Kriss are planning a trip to meet Kriss’ parents in Europe and Phoebe is still hiding her secret to protect her 13 year old brother Owen. But they are all keen to put everything behind them for the summer. They all know it might be their last one together before everyone leaves Bayview for good.

Sun, parties, alcohol and fun are on the agenda. At least until a Billboard gives a strange message. At first they believe it’s a new advertising campaign. But then one of them vanishes from a party. Hairs are up on the back of their necks as they relive all that has happened to them and their copycat killers. Is it really happening all over again?

With Maeve’s tech savvy, Addy’s determination not to let Jake derail her again, and Nate, Cooper and Bronwyn working alongside, they begin to pile clues together. They know they can’t trust the Bayview Police Force, and will have to sort things out for themselves.

It’s clear that Jake has no remorse for what he’s done, except that he didn’t finish the job, but how can he be stirring things up again with a ankle monitor clocking his every move? Then he vanishes too….

Will the Bayview Four and their friends ever be able to finally relax?

Secrets and Revenge are Karen Mcmanus’ currency, and there is plenty more dished out in this 3rd book in this trilogy. Red herrings send the characters in wrong directions as they try to blame those who have already done them wrong – but who just confuse them even more.

You definitely have to read the 1st two books in this series, for at least the 1st third of One of Us is Back seems to be rehashing the past characters and plots before finally settling into a new story. Even with all this back story, not reading the 1st two books before picking up this one, will be confusing.

I did enjoy getting to know Nate better and also the flashbacks of six years ago from Simon and Jake – which set up the plot for this book. I was guessing until the end and was surprised at each reveal.

The first book in this series One of Us is Lying, remains my favourite.

Author – Karen McManus

Age – 14+

(2023, Penguin, Series, Trilogy, Kidnap, Game, Red Herrings, Mystery, Family, Friendships, Secrets. Revenge, Fear, Summer holidays, Flashbacks, Crime)