Exclusive: Karen McManus reveals follow-up to One of Us Is Lying

Karen McManus’ YA phenomenon One of Us Is Lying just landed on the New York Times best-seller list for the 46th week. And while that book is still gaining steam, EW can exclusively announce what’s coming next for fans: Two Can Keep a Secret.

A stand-alone novel in the vein of McManus’ breakout 2017 thriller, Two Can Keep a Secret is a murder mystery set in Echo Ridge, a small New England town that’s hiding secrets. Seventeen-year-old Ellery’s aunt went missing there as a teenager, and recently, a popular homecoming queen was killed in a widely publicized murder. When Ellery and her twin brother, Ezra, move to Echo Ridge to live with a grandmother they barely know, things quickly take a dark turn. Another girl goes missing, and it becomes clear that mysterious threats are deadly serious. Ellery soon learns that everyone in Echo Ridge is hiding something, and some secrets have dangerous consequences.

“We were so excited about the success of One of Us Is Lying and to see how that book resonated with readers,” Krista Marino, senior executive editor of Delacorte Press, said in a statement. “Two Can Keep a Secret further showcases Karen’s incredible talent for crafting thrilling mysteries with unexpected twists and compelling and relatable teen characters.”

One of Us Is Lying was one of EW’s best YA books of 2017, and is currently in development as a TV series at E! The book has also been sold in 37 foreign territories; Delacorte Press confirmed to EW that the first printing of Two Can Keep a Secret will be a significant 250,000 copies.

Two Can Keep a Secret will publish on Jan. 8, 2019. For more information about the book, click here, and check out the exclusive cover below.