Looking for a list of YA mystery/thriller books? Look no further. This ultimate list of YA thrillers includes books like One of Us is Lying, as well as other great options in the genre. Whether you’re a fan of Karen M. McManus’ work or looking for something new, this list has got you covered. Plus, check out some great deals on audiobooks and bookish goodies.
1. Please Don’t Tell
Joy is haunted by the memory of killing Adam Gordon, who she believes deserved it for what he did to her twin sister, Grace. However, Joy’s secret is threatened when she receives a note warning her that she will be exposed.
The pressure to reveal more secrets about her town is mounting, and Joy is forced to make a difficult decision to uncover the identity of the person behind the threats. As the demands become more extreme, Joy is left with no choice but to confront her past and the consequences of her actions.
2. Broken Things
Brynn and Mia were accused of killing their best friend, Summer, due to their obsession with a book called The Way into Lovelorn. However, they claim to be innocent.
On the anniversary of Summer’s death, the two friends reunite and are forced to confront their past. They must come to terms with the monstrous events that occurred and find a way to move forward from the tragedy.
3. Get Even
Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot are members of the Don’t Get Mad secret society, where they seek revenge on school bullies, mean girls, and tyrannical teachers.
Despite their differences, they share this common bond. However, their secret society is no longer as secret as they thought, as they discover when their latest target is found dead with a “DGM” card in his hands. Now, someone is seeking revenge on them. The group must figure out who is targeting them before it’s too late.
4. People Like Us
Kay Donovan’s past may have been checkered, but she has successfully reinvented herself as the popular star of her private school’s soccer team. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a dead girl in the campus lake.
The deceased girl’s coded scavenger hunt/revenge blog begins to unravel not only Kay’s life but also the lives of her friends. Despite being backed into a corner, Kay remains determined to do whatever it takes to survive. This gripping tale of survival and redemption is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers.
5. That Weekend
Claire wakes up alone and covered in blood on a hiking trail with no memory of the last forty-eight hours. Her two best friends are missing, and everyone wants answers.
Claire remembers Friday night, but nothing else. She believes the answers are somewhere in her memory, but she knows everyone has their secrets, including her missing friends. Claire is aware that she may not like what she remembers, but she is determined to uncover the truth.
6. The Lying Game
In “The Lying Game,” Sutton Mercer is murdered and her twin sister, Emma, takes her place to find out what happened. The show and book series were beloved by fans, but unfortunately, the show was cancelled.
Despite accidentally spoiling the ending for herself, the author still wants to re-read the series. Can Emma keep up the charade and find out who killed her sister while the murderer is watching?
7. All Eyes on Her
Tabby’s reputation has been the talk of the town after the mysterious death of her partner, Mark. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, rumors have been circulating that she may have played a role in his demise.
The community’s perception of her has been heavily influenced by hearsay and speculation, creating a cloud of suspicion around her. The events leading up to Mark’s death remain unclear, and with no one willing to speak up on Tabby’s behalf, all eyes are on her.
8. Clique Bait
Chloe’s plan for revenge involves infiltrating the popular clique at school, and she’s doing it with finesse. She’s erased all traces of her connection to her former friend Monica and is now befriending each member of the clique to uncover their deepest secrets.
However, things get complicated when Chloe falls in love with one of the clique’s members. Now, she must choose between betraying her oldest friend or her new beau. Chloe’s cunning plan may work, but at what cost? Will she be able to handle the consequences of her actions?
9. You Owe Me a Murder
Kim never thought she would be involved in a murder plot until her ex-boyfriend broke up with her for another girl. On a class trip to London, she is forced to spend time with her ex and his new girlfriend.
However, she meets Nicki on the plane and confides in her about her situation. Nicki jokes about swapping murders, but Kim thinks it’s just a joke. Until her ex-boyfriend mysteriously dies.
Now, Kim is faced with a difficult decision: commit a murder or take the fall for one. The situation is complicated by the fact that Nicki seems to have some sort of hold over her. Kim must decide whether to trust Nicki or risk everything by going to the authorities.
10. Vanishing Girls
Dara’s disappearance on her birthday seems like a prank to Nick, but the disappearance of Madeline Snow makes him question if the two events are related. Before the accident that left Dara scarred and their relationship strained, the sisters were inseparable.
11. They Wish They Were Us
Jill, a senior at Gold Coast High School and a member of the Players secret society, is determined to have the best year ever. However, her plans are derailed when she starts receiving messages claiming that Graham, the boy who confessed to killing her best friend Shaila, is innocent.
Jill decides to investigate and uncover the truth about what really happened to Shaila. But her quest for justice may put her relationships and future in danger. The story of “They Wish They Were Us” explores the dark side of secret societies and the lengths people will go to protect their own.
12. The Good Girls
Emma Baines was known as a good girl, but her murder has brought to light some long-buried secrets. Three of her classmates are among the top suspects, and as time runs out to find the killer, the truth about these “good girls” may be revealed.
13. Last Seen Leaving
Flynn’s girlfriend January has gone missing and the police are investigating. Flynn’s friends have provided conflicting accounts of the events leading up to her disappearance. As Flynn searches for the truth about January’s whereabouts, he must also confront his own secrets.
14. Last Girl Lied To
Fiona is convinced that her friend Trixie, who disappeared after walking into the ocean, is still alive. Fiona follows a trail of clues that leads her to Trixie’s friend with benefits, Beau, and Jasper, who turned Fiona down.
As she gets closer to them, Fiona discovers that Trixie may not have been the person she thought she was, and that she may have wanted to disappear all along. Despite the evidence pointing towards Trixie’s death, Fiona remains determined to uncover the truth about her friend’s disappearance.
15. Everything You Want Me To Be
Hattie was a good student, daughter, and girlfriend, but she yearned for something more. Tragically, her pursuit of excitement led to her untimely death, leaving her community devastated.
The investigation into her murder revealed a secret online relationship, and as the truth emerged, the town’s darkest secrets were exposed. This cautionary tale highlights the dangers of seeking fulfillment outside of our established roles and the consequences that can ensue.
16. Good Girls Lie
The Goode School, located in Marchburg, Virginia, is a prestigious prep school known as Silent Ivy. It caters exclusively to the daughters of the wealthy and influential, accepting only the best and brightest. However, the arrival of a stranger has brought about a change in the school’s environment.
In a world where appearance is everything, students who at least pretend to follow the rules are generally allowed to get away with secret societies and bad behavior. But when a popular student is found dead, things take a dark turn.
17. Far From You
Sophie’s sobriety is put to the test when her best friend Mina is murdered in what the authorities believe was a drug deal gone wrong. However, Sophie knows that Mina’s death was not an accident and is determined to find the killer.
After being forced back into rehab, Sophie sets out to track down the person responsible before they can harm her or anyone else. Despite the danger, Sophie remains resolute in her pursuit of justice.
18. The Initial Insult
Tress Knows has been living a life of isolation and rejection ever since her family disappeared seven years ago. Once a respected member of the Montor community, Tress is now shunned by the townsfolk and forced to live with her grandfather at the “White Trash Zoo.”
Meanwhile, Felicity, another former member of the Montor community, has managed to maintain her social status by keeping a dark secret hidden from everyone, including herself.
She was with the Montors on the night they disappeared, but she has managed to make everyone forget about it. However, whenever she sees Tress, she experiences a panic attack.
Tress has a plan to uncover the truth about what happened to her family. At a Halloween party, she intends to confront Felicity and force her to reveal what she knows. As the partygoers drink and revel above them, Tress will slowly seal Felicity into a coal chute until she gets the answers she seeks or exacts her revenge.
The situation is tense and dangerous, with a panther on the loose and Tress determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. As the night wears on, the truth will be revealed, and the consequences will be severe.
19. The Cousins
Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are three cousins who are summoned by their wealthy grandmother to work at her island resort for the summer. Although they barely know each other, their parents insist that they must go.
However, upon arriving on the island, they quickly realize that their grandmother’s plans for them are not what they expected. The cousins soon discover that their family has many dark secrets, and they are forced to confront them. While the book received mixed reviews, some readers preferred Two Can Keep a Secret over this novel.
20. Genuine Fraud
Genuine Fraud is a captivating novel that tells the story of Imogen and Jule, two young women with very different backgrounds who form an intense friendship. Imogen is a runaway heiress who is also a cook and a cheat, while Jule is a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete.
The novel takes readers on an exciting journey filled with bad romances, murders, and disguises. The story is full of twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Genuine Fraud is a must-read for anyone who loves a thrilling and unpredictable story.
21. Influence
The lives of Delilah, Jasmine, Fiona, and Scarlet are all intertwined in the hot and unpredictable world of California. Delilah’s viral video has given her immense popularity, but her move to LA may bring unexpected changes. Jasmine’s past in the spotlight is tainted by rumors of her true character, which could lead to her downfall.
Fiona’s ability to entertain the crowd is overshadowed by her personal struggles, which could ruin her reputation. Scarlet and Jack’s perfect relationship may not be what it seems, leading to the potential downfall of their fanbase. In this world, one misstep could lead to someone getting burned.
22. The Amateurs
Seneca Frazier and Brett are two true crime enthusiasts who are determined to solve the mystery of Helena Kelly’s disappearance. They meet through the Case Not Closed message board and decide to work together during spring break. However, when they meet Helena’s sister Aerin, they realize that she is not interested in their help.
Despite the obstacles, Seneca and Brett continue to pursue the case. They conduct interviews, search for clues, and try to piece together what happened to Helena. But their efforts are not without danger, as the killer is still watching and determined to keep the case cold.
As amateurs, Seneca and Brett face many challenges in their investigation. They must navigate the complexities of the case and the emotions of those involved. But their passion for true crime and their determination to find the truth keep them going.
23. Burn for Burn
Jar Island is a quaint New England coastal town, but behind the picturesque facade, three girls are plotting their revenge. Kat is tired of being bullied by her supposed best friend, while Lillia is determined to put a stop to one of her male friends’ inappropriate behavior towards her younger sister.
Mary is seeking retribution against the boy who caused her a traumatic experience in the past. Together, these girls are a force to be reckoned with. By banding together, they are capable of achieving anything.
24. Dead Girls Don’t Lie
Jaycee and Rachel were once best friends until Rachel shut her out. When Rachel is found dead in her home, the police attribute it to gang problems. However, Jaycee believes that Rachel’s death is related to the night they spent at the old house.
The first clue to the truth is a text from Rachel, which sets Jaycee on a quest for answers. With the reluctant help of Eduardo, a friend of Rachel’s and the only person Jaycee can trust, they begin to unravel the mystery behind Rachel’s death.
25. The Heiresses
The Saybrook family is renowned for their successful jewelry business and their impeccable reputation. However, tragedy strikes when Poppy, a beloved member of the family, takes her own life. This event is followed by an ominous message threatening the lives of the remaining four cousins.
The Saybrook family curse is a well-known secret, and the heiresses must uncover the truth before it’s too late. The pressure is on for the Saybrook family to solve the mystery and protect their legacy.
26. The Ivies
The Ivies are a group of five girls at Cafflin Academy who will stop at nothing to get into the Ivy League universities. They use disruptive tactics to improve their own chances of admission while decreasing the chances of their peers. The cutthroat competition of college admissions is taken to a new level in this group, where even deadly measures are not off the table.
27. The Best Lies
As Remy investigates the death of her boyfriend, Jack, and the involvement of her best friend, Elise, she realizes that the truth may be buried deep within her memories.
Remy must navigate through a web of lies and deceit to uncover the truth and save her friendship. The investigation reveals that sometimes the best lies are the ones we tell ourselves to protect the ones we love.
28. They All Fall Down
The list at Vienna High has always been a source of excitement for students, with the top ten hottest girls and guys being the talk of the school. However, this year the list has taken a deadly turn.
Those who make the list are being targeted and their lives are ending in mysterious ways. Kenzie, who was thrilled to make the list at number five, is now determined to uncover the deadly secret before it’s too late. The question remains, who is behind the deadly attacks and why are they targeting the students on the list?
Summary
“Books like One of Us is Lying” are becoming increasingly popular in the young adult genre. These books often feature a group of high school students who are thrust into a dangerous situation, forcing them to work together to solve a mystery or crime. Some popular titles in this genre include “Truly Devious” by Maureen Johnson, “The Cheerleaders” by Kara Thomas, and “Two Can Keep a Secret” by Karen M. McManus. These books offer a thrilling and suspenseful reading experience for those who enjoy a good mystery.