Two Can Keep a Secret

Twins Ellery and Ezra move to Echo Ridge, Vermont to live with their grandmother while their mother is in rehab. The small town has a dark history, with an unsolved homecoming queen murder from twenty years ago and another homecoming queen who disappeared five years later. Ellery, a true crime enthusiast, becomes invested in uncovering Echo Ridge's mysteries, particularly since her own aunt was the first victim. As a new school year begins, threatening messages appear around town targeting the current homecoming court, suggesting history may repeat itself. Malcolm Kelly, whose older brother was the primary suspect in one of the previous cases, finds himself drawn into the investigation alongside Ellery. The teens must navigate both typical high school dynamics and mounting danger as they search for connections between past and present events. The novel explores themes of family secrets, small-town dynamics, and the weight of history on younger generations. Through multiple perspectives, it examines how tragedy can shape both individuals and entire communities.

Readers found this YA mystery engaging but less compelling than McManus's debut "One of Us is Lying." Many praised the atmospheric small-town setting, complex family relationships, and multiple plot twists that kept them guessing. Readers liked: - Fast pacing and short chapters - Multiple credible suspects - The dual narration between Ellery and Malcolm - The integration of true crime elements Readers disliked: - Character development felt shallow compared to other McManus books - Some found the ending rushed and unsatisfying - Several plot threads left unresolved - Romance subplot felt forced Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (127,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (900+ ratings) One reader noted: "The mystery kept me turning pages, but I never connected with the characters like I wanted to." Another wrote: "The atmosphere and setup were perfect for a thriller, but the payoff didn't match the buildup."

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus Five high school students enter detention, one dies, and the survivors become murder suspects in a story that weaves secrets, lies, and revenge.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson A true-crime enthusiast investigates an unsolved kidnapping at her new boarding school while a present-day murder suggests history repeats itself.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson A high school student reopens a closed murder case for her final project and uncovers dangerous secrets in her small town.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes A teenager inherits billions from a stranger and must live in his mansion with his nephews while solving elaborate puzzles to understand why she was chosen.

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas Five years after five cheerleaders died in separate incidents, a sister of one of the victims discovers evidence that connects their deaths.

🔍 Author Karen M. McManus wrote this book while working full-time as a marketing and communications professional, typically writing in the early morning hours before work. 📚 The book's title is taken from a line in the Pretty Little Liars theme song: "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead." 🎡 Echo Ridge, the fictional town where the story takes place, was partially inspired by various small New England towns the author visited during her childhood. 🌟 Like the main character Ellery, Karen M. McManus is a true crime enthusiast and draws inspiration from real cold cases when crafting her mysteries. 🏆 The book debuted at #10 on the New York Times bestseller list for Young Adult Hardcover books in January 2019, marking McManus's second consecutive NYT bestseller after "One of Us Is Lying."