Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Every secret is revealed in gripping, mature series finale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As ONE OF US IS BACK begins, two years have passed since the Bayview Four (Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper) were framed for a murder they didn't commit -- and it's been six months since the end of a deadly game of Truth or Dare. The Four have now become the Bayview Crew with the addition of five new members: Maeve and her boyfriend, Luis; Knox; Phoebe; and Cooper's boyfriend, Kris. The Crew is ready to put the past behind them and enjoy their summer. But when Addy's former boyfriend, Jake (who was sent to jail for trying to strangle her), is released, he wastes no time becoming a menacing presence in the Crew's lives. And as if Jake weren't enough to worry about, a billboard and flyers have appeared around town with the words: "TIME FOR A NEW GAME, BAYVIEW." There's no doubt the message is meant for the Crew after one of them is drugged and kidnapped. When she's found, the word "PRACTICE" has been written on her arm. Then someone the Crew knows is found murdered with MAKES written on his arm. Is it Jake looking for revenge, or is a long-buried secret being brutally revealed?
Is It Any Good?
This series finale is jam-packed with multiple head-spinning plot twists, shocking revelations, new romances, and a never-saw-that-coming ending. Fans of the series are sure to be delighted with One of Us Is Back, but readers who haven't read the first two books could be overwhelmed by the number of characters and storylines. While there's a page at the beginning of the novel that lists 16 characters from the book, the descriptions are very brief (ex. "member of the Bayview Crew, Bronwyn's sister"), so it can still be difficult to keep track of everyone and see how their stories fit together. Still, the thoughtfully developed characters, high stakes, and big thrills are engrossing and make this a highly satisfying series ender.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the teamwork shown by the Bayview Crew in One of Us Is Back. How important is friendship in their ability to work together as a team?
Has someone ever bullied you or treated you badly and then apologized for their actions? Did you accept their apology?
What makes a great mystery series? Is it the characters or the stories?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : July 25, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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