Karen M. McManus wrote "One of Us Is Lying" primarily because her main inspiration was the classic film, "The Breakfast Club."
The Core Inspiration: "The Breakfast Club"
McManus was deeply drawn to the dynamics presented in "The Breakfast Club." She found a particular appeal in the way the characters, initially strangers with seemingly disparate lives, developed profound connections over time.
- Bonding Among Diverse Characters: A key aspect that resonated with her was the strong bond that formed between the characters as they spent time together.
- Discovery of Similarities: McManus particularly appreciated how the film depicted the characters realizing they were not as different from one another as they initially thought, despite their varied backgrounds and high school stereotypes. This theme of finding common ground and shared humanity amidst perceived differences served as a foundational concept for her novel.
This fascination with how diverse individuals can come together and discover unexpected commonalities directly influenced the narrative and character development in "One of Us Is Lying."
