One of Us Is Lying

Trust & Deception: Each of the four main suspects — Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper — is keeping a secret. How do these secrets influence their interactions with each other, and how does the gradual unveiling of those secrets impact your trust in each character as a reader?

Social Hierarchy: The novel heavily features high school social labels (the Brain, the Beauty, the Bad Boy, the Jock). To what degree do these stereotypes define or restrict the characters? Do any of them find a way to escape their labels by the story's end?

Justice vs. the Law: The students take action themselves instead of solely depending on the police investigation. What does the novel imply about the reliability of the justice system, particularly for teenagers? Do you believe their actions were warranted?

Motive & Moral Responsibility: Simon is depicted as both a victim and a villain. Can you feel sympathy for him? How does the novel challenge the notion of who deserves justice?

Friendship Under Pressure: The "Bayview Four" form an unexpected bond through shared suspicion and danger. What insights does One of Us Is Lying provide about how adversity can either strengthen or weaken relationships?

Media & Reputation: Simon's app, About That, publicly reveals students' secrets. How does the novel examine the effects of social media and online gossip on teenagers' lives, mental health, and sense of identity?

Genre Expectations: One of Us Is Lying is frequently likened to The Breakfast Club mixed with a murder mystery. How does the author utilize the conventions of the mystery genre (red herrings, unreliable narrators, plot twists) to keep the reader engaged? Were you caught off guard by the reveal?

Trust & Deception: Each of the four main suspects — Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper — is hiding a secret. How do their secrets influence their interactions with each other and the investigation into Simon's death? Is it possible to trust someone who has something to conceal?

Social Hierarchies: Simon's app, About That, thrives on revealing the private lives of students. What does this suggest about the social dynamics at Bayview High? How do gossip and social standing affect who gets believed and who becomes a suspect?

Identity & Reinvention: Throughout the novel, several characters experience significant growth and challenge the labels assigned to them (the brain, the criminal, the princess, the athlete). To what degree can people escape the roles society imposes on them?

Justice vs. the Law: By the novel's conclusion, the characters prioritize personal loyalty over legal duties. Do you believe they made the right choices? When, if ever, is it acceptable to pursue personal justice?

Perspective & Reliability: The story unfolds through four different first-person perspectives. How does this change in viewpoint affect your feelings toward each character? Did your impression of any character shift as you learned their story?

Bullying & Power: Simon wielded information as a weapon to control and harm others. How does the novel depict the lasting impact of bullying? Do you think Simon deserves sympathy, condemnation, or a mix of both?