This Place Kills Me: A Graphic Novel

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.

Author: Mariko Tamaki
Publisher: Abrams Fanfare
Published: 08/19/2025
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.91lbs
Size: 9.22h x 6.33w x 1.24d
ISBN: 9781419768460
Audience: Young Adult


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2025
Publishers Weekly 05/19/2025
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2025
School Library Journal 07/01/2025 pg. 81
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 50
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2025 pg. 78
BookPage 09/01/2025

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.