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A compelling, propulsive YA graphic novel mystery from acclaimed Eisner Award–winning author of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Mariko Tamaki, and Eisner-nominated illustrator Nicole Goux.
At Wilberton Academy, few students are more revered than the members of the elite Wilberton Theatrical Society—a.k.a. the WTS—and no one represents that exclusive club better than Elizabeth Woodward. Breathtakingly beautiful, beloved by all, and a talented thespian, it's no surprise she's starring as Juliet in the WTS's performance of Shakespeare's classic tragedy. But when she's found dead the morning after opening night, the whole school is thrown into chaos.
Transfer student Abby Kita was one of the last people to see Elizabeth alive, and when local authorities deem the it-girl's death a suicide, Abby's not convinced. She's sure there's more to Wilburton and the WTS than meets the eye. As she gets tangled in prep school intrigues, Abby quickly realizes that Elizabeth was keeping secrets. Was one of those secrets worth killing for?
Told in comics, letters, diary entries, and news articles, This Place Kills Me is a page-turning whodunnit from award-winning writer Mariko Tamaki and acclaimed illustrator Nicole Goux that will have readers on the edge of their seats and begging for an encore.
"Twisty and captivating, this offers an incisive look at how power structures at institutions are enforced at the expense of vulnerable young girls. Heavy black inks emphasize light and shadow, giving illustrations a noir-like feel, while pink accents both soften weighty emotional sequences and intensify high-energy reveals." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"[S]tunning two-toned gray and pink illustrations that cue a 1980s setting...this collaboration between Tamaki and Goux isn't just a clever and heartbreaking mystery but a deeper examination of bullying, homophobia, and belonging. The central puzzle is certain to leave readers breathlessly enthralled...Truly exceptional; a standout." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
This information about This Place Kills Me was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Mariko Tamaki is a writer known for her graphic novels This One Summer, a Caldecott Honor and Printz Honor winner cocreated with her cousin Jillian Tamaki; Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, a Harvey, Ignatz, Eisner, and Printz Honor winner; and other notable works.
Name Pronunciation
Mariko Tamaki: muh-REE-ko tuh-MAH-kee
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