The Cousins

By: Karen M. McManus

Narrated by: Sarah Skaer, Kate Reinders, David Garelik, Julia Whelan

Number one New York Times best seller • From the best-selling author of One of Us Is Lying comes your next obsession. You'll never feel the same about family again.

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each another, and they've never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they're surprised...and curious.

Their parents are all clear on one point - not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother's good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it's immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious - and dark - their family's past is.

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn't over - and this summer, the cousins will learn everything.

Fans of the hit thriller that started it all can watch the secrets of the Bayview Four be revealed in the One of Us is Lying TV series now streaming on NBC's Peacock!

©2020 Karen M. McManus (P)2020 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Every twist is gasp-inducing... Another McManus novel worth pulling an all-nighter for.” (Kirkus Reviews)

"McManus (One of Us Is Lying) once again crafts a taut, multilayered mystery....[She] weaves past and present to take readers on a well-paced, twisty ride that will hold readers rapt till the last page.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A slow-burn, uneasy beginning ultimately makes way for a frantically paced end peppered with twists that genre fans will happily take in stride.... Fans of McManus' previous offerings and of mysteries steeped in family dramatics will be eager for this." (Booklist)

Great story!

I really enjoyed this book. I definitely will be getting others from Karen McManus !

a great read

it was so amazing! I've loved all of her books but this one was like top notch!

it's okay..

I think this is Korean for a young reader. 18 to 25. Bits and Pieces missing from the plot, while other chapters go on forever.. I listened to this while packing orders and not once did I stop to "really" listen, it was kind of boring.. For me the ending just seemed dull.. The performance was great though! the beginning was much better. mid way through I got bored..

An Entertaining Read Start to Finish

I really enjoyed this book. There were different narrators for each part which was really great!

great listen

didn't figure out the ending which I usually do half way through. definitely recommend one of the best books I listen to.

Another great read by Karen McManus.

This author never disappoints, through the entire book I had no idea why Mildred "knew what they did." Never had an had any idea what the conclusion could be. I've read every book by Karen McManus and I love them all.

10/10

This story is so catching and very easy to fall in love with!!!! The narrative it awesome and the way they say their lines in incredible. I give this a 10/10

odd family ways and habits and untruths

too many narrators for my liking made difficult to follow at times otherwise okay

Another Karen McManus winner

The worst part about finishing a Karen McManus book is that the book is over and now I have to wait for another one.

The second worst part about finishing a Karen McManus book is NEEDING a sequel and not knowing if I’ll get my wish.

THE COUSINS exceeded my unreasonably high expectations.

Milly. Aubrey. Jonah. Three cousins who barely know each other, summoned to an exclusive island off Massachusetts by a grandmother they’ve never met, hope to understand the matriarch who turned their parents away nearly twenty-five years ago.

So many secrets. So many lies. So many reasons to wonder just with their reclusive grandmother Mildred finally wants to meet THE COUSINS. Or does she? She doesn’t seem to remember she invited her grandchildren. Unless sage didn’t invite them.

McManus knows how to throw blindside readers with twists and turns that pop up unexpectedly.

Aloof Milly drew me in with her underlying neediness. Aubrey, so over her good girls finish last persona, made me want to cheer her on. Jonah failed miserably at being an asshole, but he sure tried.

My only criticism about THE COUSINS is that I’m finished reading it and I want MORE.

This 43-year old loved this YA book! (and the ending)

I would normally shy away from YA books because I’m not, um, a YA. However, this story was quite original and seemed to offer up twists very early on. I was already interested but the twists just kept coming. I feel like I got more for my money on this one because because the “oh wows!” I’m always looking for happened fairly frequently.

I did see a lot of negative reviews about the ending but I have no complaints at all. It’s not that I’ve never been disappointed with an ending, but authors have the prerogative to write whatever endings they want. This happened to have had one I thought was interesting and clever. Great mystery, great writing, great characters. The narrators were actually all good, but Julia Whelan and David Garelik were excellent.

I don’t see how anyone could regret buying this book. I’ll “read” every book by this author.