Pages: 356
Published: 25th July 2023
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Content warnings: Injury detail, drink spiking, references to sexual assault
Ever since Simon died in detention, life hasn’t been easy for the Bayview Crew. First the Bayview Four had to prove they weren’t killers. Then a new generation had to outwit a vengeful copycat. Now, it’s beginning again.
At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: Time for a new game, Bayview. But when a member of the crew disappears, it’s clear this ‘game’ just got serious – and no one understands the rules.
Everyone’s a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things are starting to get deadly.
The thing is, Simon was right about secrets – they all come out, eventually. And Bayview has a lot it’s still hiding.
After two explosive outings in Bayview, this final book of the trilogy ensures that the fireworks and dramatic twists continue right up to the end. To mark the occasion, after being introduced to two sets of protagonists, here they all come together as part of a mystery-solving ensemble to unmask the orchestrators of one last deadly game in their beleaguered town.
The tension is present throughout thanks to the steady supply of fast paced action, aided by a few red herrings that are thrown in for good measure. Although the large cast list is occasionally a problem, a thrilling plotline does not detract from some strong character development, and this solid combination allows events to build towards a very satisfying conclusion to the series.
In the first two books combined there were seven different first person narrators and all of them are members of the murder club here, but the story here is only told by three of them – Addy, Nate, and Phoebe – which is just as well as otherwise it would have been much harder to follow. In addition, there are some flashback chapters from the memories of Simon Kelleher, whose legacy still looms large over Bayview.
It was perhaps reasonable to wonder if this series had any more to give, especially after a somewhat underwhelming second instalment. However, the author delivers here with a fresh and intelligently thought out plot that expands well on some of the less touched upon concepts of the previous books, with characters like the deplorable Jake Riordan coming to the fore and the development of Nate’s relationship with his parents followed through to the end.
Indeed, there are so many plot strands in action here that it is an achievement in itself that they are all satisfactorily resolved. Amid all the more normal teenage activities, the stakes are high for all of the characters and the incidents that take place provoke genuine fear and tension. On more than one occasion, members of the murder club find themselves in mortal danger and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The story is so full of these moments when they are following a lead or someone goes missing, where the urgency levels suddenly peak like lines on a sonograph, and the pace – already relatively fast – goes up by a few more notches. This culminates towards the end where those behind it all are unmasked, and although the author uses twists that have occurred before in her other books, the reveal here is suitably surprising and just about nuanced enough that it works.
When you take a moment to assess, the whole backstory between Simon and Jake is extremely well woven into the narrative and acts as the basis for so much of what happens in the present. There are major complexities there in the relationship he has with his father and that between his parents, which adds an extra layer to his character, even when he remains impossible to like in any way.
Staying with the theme of difficult family relations, Phoebe’s numerous internal conflicts make her perspective easily the most fascinating of all. She finds herself caught in the middle of everything, torn between being an active member of the murder club, protecting her brother Noah, confronting her feelings for Knox, and her decision to attend Jake’s interview at the beginning. She skates close to the edge at times, but her good intentions are never in doubt.
Nate also comes a long way in this book, to complete what is a heartening character arc across the series. He is still impulsive and unable to offer a cool head in a crisis, but it is great to see him build a rapport with his father here and have some kind of good fortune, while his romance with Bronwyn is unbreakable. Speaking of Bronwyn, she plays more of a supporting role along with fellow Bayview Four member Chase, but both of them still have great moments.
The most standout character of all though is Addy, whose trajectory from the beginning of the first book has been wonderful to behold. While she spends a lot of time on edge, which is understandable with Jake being freed, she is considerate and down to earth and just a really good friend. All these qualities shine through in every chapter narrated by her.
One or two aspects might be a little far-fetched, but if there are any problems to point out, it is the high number of characters. Some of them receive very little development and we do not get to see where they fit in with the dynamic of the murder club. For example, we are told that Maeve and Luis are dating yet their relationship is never really established – in fact you could argue that the mere existence of Luis was rather unnecessary.
Bayview is well realised as a town where weird things happen and future prospects not exactly high, with the local police also far from thorough in their investigations. The concept of using three different, twisted games across the whole series is an original and successful one, and the author also does a good job of weaving the setting into it each time, not to mention linking everything back to Simon.
Overall, this is a dynamic and thrillingly intense end to a great series. The connection to the main characters here is stronger than ever and there are multiple twists and mysteries that keep you on tenterhooks, with a dramatic ending to match. Not all of the murder club get their time in the spotlight, but the ones at the centre of the action receive the excellent conclusion they deserve.
After loving One Of Us Is Lying but having mixed feelings on One Of Us Is Next, I had rather mixed feelings coming into this one. But it was great! I really enjoyed this fast-paced, action-packed final instalment.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stephen Reads Books 