This Place Kills Me: A Graphic Novel

by Mariko Tamaki, Nicole Goux (Illustrator)

Overview

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

Multiple starred reviews! "Certain to leave readers breathlessly enthralled." (Kirkus starred review)

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419768460
Publisher:	Abrams Fanfare
Publication date:	08/19/2025
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Mariko Tamaki is a Canadian writer living in California. She is a writer of prose, comics, TV and film. Nicole Goux (she/her) is an Eisner Award nominated illustrator and cartoonist from Los Angeles. She’s the artist of DC’s Shadow of the Batgirl and cocreator of Fuck Off Squad (Silver Sprocket Bicycle Club), and Forest Hills Bootleg Society (Simon and Schuster: Atheneaum). She has been published by DC, Dark Horse, IDW, and Oni. Her most recent comic, Pet Peeves, was released by Avery Hill Publishing in May 2023. Her work often explores the themes of coming of age, interpersonal drama, and learning how to be a human.

Editorial Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Stunning 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."— Kirkus Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW***
"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***
"­Stunning ­illustrations ­coupled with a thrilling plot make this a standout title that belongs in all YA ­graphic novel sections."— School Library Journal

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Tamaki’s story and dialogue skillfully weave together a suspenseful mystery plot with deeper explorations of bullying, power dynamics and identity. However, it’s Nicole Goux’s artwork that makes the story really shine...This is a graphic novel that can be enjoyed on lots of different levels, providing suspense and satisfaction on every one."
 — BookPage

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Tamaki and Goux’s exceptional storytelling will appeal to teen and adult readers alike. And the verve of this stellar script, alongside the striking stylishness of the art, will ensure that This Place Kills Me attracts readers and fans well beyond typical YA and mystery readers."
 — Quill & Quire

"The considerable talents of Tamaki’s storytelling and Goux’s emotive art brilliantly come together in this tragic graphic novel mystery."— Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"It’s the dexterous artwork that steals the show, rendering each scene with dynamic energy and rich characterization that will thrill teen mystery fans."— Booklist

"Tamaki channels the casual homophobia, Moral Majority didacticism, and anti-drug propaganda of the 1980s in this tense whodunit that is meticulously illustrated and atmospherically colored in a pink, slate blue, and black palette. Teens will enjoy the dark mystery while catching a glimpse into the era..."— Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 2025-05-16
A new student unearths a tangled web of secrets after a popular girl is found dead.

In this stand-alone graphic novel, Abby Kita is trying to adjust to life at Wilberton, an all-girls boarding school. Her roommate, Claire, barely acknowledges her, and Abby spends most days trying to ignore the unkind whispers of her classmates. The members of the Wilberton Theater Society stage a successful run ofRomeo and Juliet—then the body of Elizabeth Woodward, who played Juliet, is found after a raucous cast party. Rumors run rampant, and Abby’s tragic past seems to be coming back to haunt her as the other girls begin to speculate about her involvement in Elizabeth’s death. Abby gradually builds a tenuous friendship with Claire. Together, can they find out not only the truth but its connection to a dark, shocking secret buried in Wilberton’s history? With its stunning two-toned gray and pink illustrations that cue a 1980s setting through images such as a Walkman, phone booth, and clunky desktop computer, 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, turning pages as quickly as possible to get to the shocking truth behind Elizabeth’s demise. Abby presents Japanese American, and most other characters read white.

Truly exceptional; a standout.(Graphic mystery. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews