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54 pages 1 hour read

Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Back

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2023

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Symbols & Motifs

Reggie’s Necklace

Reggie Crawley is one of Nate’s former high school classmates and his current roommate. Reggie has a reputation for using hidden cameras to record girls he brings to his bedroom. Nate finds Reggie’s behavior immoral and wants him kicked out of their house, but the other roommates vote to keep Reggie so he can keep paying his share of the rent. However, a few days after the vote, Reggie disappears and is later found dead. Nate is surprised when he learns that Reggie wore a necklace his mother gave to him. The necklace takes on the symbolism of a more compassionate side of Reggie, showing Nate a side to Reggie’s personality Nate hadn’t known was there before Reggie’s death.

When Emma finds Reggie’s necklace in Owen’s backpack, the necklace takes on the symbolism of trouble. Emma and Phoebe have been concerned that Owen shares dark characteristics with Jake Riordan and Jared Jackson, both of whom perpetrated harmful plots against the Bayview Crew. Phoebe and Emma are concerned about Owen because they know that he helped Jared trick Brandon into his death during the truth or dare game. When they find the necklace in Owen’s backpack, it symbolizes proof of their fears.

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