That Girl Won't Die

by Jumata Emill

When a new student arrives at an elite Black boarding school, bearing a striking resemblance to its previous Queen Bee—a girl who mysteriously died last year—she’s thrown into a deadly cat and mouse game of lies, wealth, and murder in this juicy thriller for fans of Gossip Girl.

Kennedy Churchwell has decided that her senior year at Prentiss Everton Academy is going to be her best. She’s finally dating the boy she’s been in love with most her life, and, after the accidental death of her classmate and former best friend Whitney Templeton last semester, she’s taken her rightful place at the top of her school’s social pyramid. Whitney and Kennedy used to be close. Now, Kennedy has her boyfriend, her friends…and a few of her secrets, too.

But when a new student shows up on move-in day, bearing a striking resemblance to Whitney herself, all of Kennedy’s best-laid plans go out the window.

Tessa Edmond is the new girl on campus. A scholarship student, she was already anticipating feeling out of place amongst the children of America’s wealthiest Black families. The very last thing she needs is the Academy’s notoriously-vicious Queen Bee, Kennedy Churchwell, looking at her like she’s seen a ghost…yet that’s exactly what happens when she arrives at school.

Kennedy doesn’t trust Tessa. What she doesn’t yet know? She’s right to be suspicious of the new girl.

Tessa isn't who she's pretending to be. And she’s come to Prentiss Everton for one reason only.

To find out who killed Whitney Templeton.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

400 pages, Library Binding

Expected publication January 2, 2079

About the author

Jumata Emill is a journalist who has covered crime and local politics in Mississippi and parts of Louisiana. He earned his BA in mass communications from Southern University and A&M College. When he’s not writing about murderous teens, he’s watching and obsessively tweeting about every franchise of the Real Housewives. Jumata lives in Houston, Texas.

Reviews

[MJ]

A black gossip girl murder mystery! Yes please! This story was fast paced and intriguing. I had several theories and all of them were wrong! This was my first book by this author but won't be my last.

Thank you Random house publishing and Netgalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Nìk]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

Baby. BABYYYY!

I knew I was in for some mess when Tessa showed up, but I did NOT know these girls were about to have me questioning everybody and their mama.

This is giving Blair Waldorf vs. Georgina Sparks meets Mona vs. Allison, except make it Black, bougie, and boarding school messy.

Kennedy is a cutthroat queen bee. The kind of girl I would tell absolutely NOTHING to because you already know that information is getting weaponized the second you get out of line. She’d have the whole quad believing your Birkin was fake before lunch. 😭

One of my favorite things about this book is how nobody feels completely innocent. Everyone has a motive. Everyone has something to hide. I kept changing my mind about the whodunit because every time I thought I had it figured out, Jumata came through and SNATCHED MY WIG.

I thought I KNEW.

I DID NOT KNOW.

It’s not as dark as I Don’t Wish You Well but the mystery is captivating! This ain’t no fluffy YA thriller.

The catty dialogue was also EVERYTHING. These girls were throwing shade like the Black mean girls from the ’90s. Not the cute, mildly shady ones either. I mean the kind of girls who would tell you your mama is about to go bankrupt or that you need to get on Ozempic before you can sit with them. 😭

This was basically Nene Leakes and Porsha at boarding school. Everybody was reading everybody down in euros and yen. These people were operating OUTSIDE MY TAX BRACKET.

Jumata, I need you to link up with Shonda Rhimes immediately. I need this on my screen! Somebody needs to make this collaboration happen because WHEWWWW.

[Azvelyn]

3.5 ⭐️ | NetGalley eARC

Whew… talk about MESSY young people drama! 😂 But honestly, a lot of the mess wasn’t even their fault. So much of it stemmed from the adults, their lies, and the secrets they were keeping.

I was watching these characters like, y’all cannot be serious right now! 😩 There were definitely enough secrets, drama, and twists to keep me turning the pages. It didn’t completely blow me away, but I was invested in the mess and needed to see how everything was going to play out!

[Moniqua Sexton]

That girl won’t die

Jumata is a skilled writer and story teller. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

So we start off with Whitney being dead, and Kennedy and Chauncey are now conveniently together. 😒 Kennedy’s obsession with Chauncey is why she ended up being embarrassed in the first place. And she should’ve known something was up when he kept pushing her off him when they were studying. I am not at all certain how Avery was able to sit there and watch them, and I get why he hates Kennedy, but it’s not her fault that she didn’t know. He hated her because he was in love with Chauncey and she was with him. That ain’t her fault!!! Chauncey couldn’t have had the same agreement that he had with Whitney, with Kennedy because she was in love with him, and he and Whitney were both seeing other people.

In comes Tessa/Kira with Whitney’s exact face, unsettling everyone. Talk about making a grand entrance. Immediately the Royals don’t trust her, and with good reason, but she also shouldn’t trust them. Kennedy, Garnet, and Fallon were just a group of mean rich girls. I liked the dynamic between Tessa/Kira and Damon, but if I were here, I would’ve been cautious, thinking that he only like me because I looked like Whitney, and he had no shot with Whitney but had one with me. (Also want to mention, “Great Value Whitney” took me clean out!! 😂😂😂😂). I spent a great deal trying to figure out who Tessa/Kira was and how she played into all of this with Whitney and who hired her to investigaste. Tessa/Kira never should’ve trusted Maxine. She’s was conniving, and I mean, look at what she was doing to get to the truth, whole time the killer was right under her nose.

I knew that Chauncey had to be sleeping with Darrien immediately when Darrien winked at Chauncey. Kennedy made the comment about all the boys liking Chauncey, whole time, Chauncey was also liking the boys. When everything came out at the presentation, Chauncey really had no reason to be mad. He was lying to her and leading her on, and I wonder how long and far he would’ve gone had the truth not come out. How long was he going to keep up that charade?

Tessa/Kira’s parents showing should’ve sent off even greater alarm bells because how did they just show up on campus? How didn’t she put that together? When Damon died, I immediately knew it was her father because of how he reacted. I didn’t understand why Damon reacted that way when he saw her mother, but later, it made a whole lot of sense. Those little girls describing the car and the sound it made took me back to when Tesa/Kira’s mom said that her dad put some oil in the car and that’s how they got there.

Kennedy showing up to Tessa/Kira’s house and Tessa/Kira trying to save her but Kennedy kept running her mouth pissed me off, but then there was the police and the wire and I was like, okay but still. He could’ve pulled the trigger.

I liked the ending though, when Tessa/Kira found the last written testament of Julius. No matter how high and mighty Maxine was, and no matter how hard she tried to not give Tessa/Kira what she was owed, it still turned out how it should’ve from the beginning.

This was an awesome read, and I can’t wait to read more by Jumata.

[Nicole Austin]

That Girl Won’t Die by Jumata Emill



Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“That Girl Won’t Die” by Jumata Emill shows that the only thing more dangerous than being the queen bee at an elite boarding school is looking exactly like the girl who died before you got there.

This story takes place at Prentiss Everton Academy, a prestigious boarding school for America's Black elite where generations of wealthy families have sent their children. The social hierarchy is basically a religion, and Whitney Templeton was the undisputed queen.

Until she mysteriously drowned. Now Kennedy Churchwell has stepped into Whitney's old position. She's popular, powerful, and finally dating Whitney's ex, Chauncey. Basically, Kennedy has everything she wants and is ready for the perfect senior year.

Then Tessa Edmond arrives. And Tessa looks exactly like Whitney.

Naturally, Tessa's arrival sends the school into complete chaos. Kennedy and the other “Royals” immediately become suspicious, and they have every reason to be. Tessa isn't actually at Prentiss Everton by coincidence. She's there because she wants answers about Whitney's death, and she's convinced someone at the school knows more than they're saying.

And let me tell you, everyone is hiding something.

That was probably my favorite part of this book. Nobody feels completely innocent. Everyone has motives. Everyone has secrets.

Every time I thought I had something figured out, another secret would come out and I'd be back at square one. I had suspicions about basically everyone, and while a couple of my guesses were right, there were plenty of twists that genuinely caught me off guard.

Kennedy in particular is a fascinating character because she is absolutely ruthless. She's ambitious, controlling, and determined to stay on top, and there were definitely moments when I wanted to reach through the book and shake her but I also couldn’t stop wanting to learn what she would do next.

Tessa is equally compelling because she's not just standing around waiting for someone else to solve the mystery. She's determined to find out the truth, even when she probably should be questioning whether certain people are safe to trust. And the mystery surrounding who she really is and how she connects to Whitney kept me hooked.

I also really appreciated the way the book explores the pressures surrounding wealth, reputation, family expectations, Blackness, and queerness. The characters aren't simply rich kids behaving badly for entertainment. A lot of the drama is tied to adults, family secrets, expectations, and the lengths people will go to protect their reputations and their assets.

And honestly? The adults are responsible for a lot of this mess.

Overall, “That Girl Won’t Die” is a deliciously messy YA thriller packed with wealthy boarding-school drama, murder, and enough twists to keep you guessing. The Prentiss Everton setting was fantastic, and I loved having a story centered around an elite Black community while still delivering all the juicy social drama you'd expect from a good boarding-school thriller.

[Brady]

Thank you Delacorte Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Ok I loved this! Prentiss Everton Academy is one of the last renowned private schools that is for America’s black elite. Some of the richest black families have been attending their for generations, families like Whitney Tempelton’s, she’s the heir to her family’s empire and the queen of her school. Or she was until she drowned at the end of last school year. Now it’s Kennedy Churchwell’s turn to step out of Whitney’s shadow and rule like she was always meant too. She’s the top of the social chain, she finally gets the boy of her dreams (who just so happens to be Whitney’s ex), nothing can go wrong now. Enter Tessa Edmond a new girl at school, the thing with Tessa is she looks almost identical to Whitney. No one knows who she is and how she’s connected to Whitney, as everyone knows Whitney was an only child. But Tessa’s appearance on campus isn’t a coincidence. She is bound and determined to find out what really happened to Whitney. Someone on that campus knows something, and Tessa’s willing to bet it’s Kennedy and her friends. Who is Tessa really? And how is she connected to Whitney? What secrets is Kennedy hiding? And what really happened to Whitney? Another Jumata Emill thriller that hooked me right from the start and I couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed the different mysteries and how they all played out! Lots of twists for this one and I didn’t see them coming! Thrilling and filled with tension! Reminded me of gossip girl but with more murder! Highly recommend!

[Anniee Bee]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.

That Girl Won’t Die is the kind of YA thriller that pulls you into a world of wealth, status, secrets, and complicated friendships and then keeps you questioning who can actually be trusted.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Prentiss Everton Academy and the tension surrounding Tessa’s arrival. The resemblance to a student who died under mysterious circumstances immediately creates an intriguing mystery, and I liked watching the layers of secrets slowly unfold. The characters each seem to have something to hide, which kept me guessing about their motives.
There’s a great mix of teenage drama, social hierarchy, mystery, and darker twists. I especially appreciated seeing a story centered around an elite Black community while still giving us all the messy secrets and drama you expect from a good YA thriller.
A fun, twisty read for anyone who enjoys Gossip Girl vibes with murder, secrets, and plenty of suspicion.

[Elisabeth Cooley]

Prentiss Everton Academy, a prestigious boarding school attended by America's Black elite, and blessedly scandal free... until the most popular girl on campus, Whitney, mysteriously drowns. When a new student shows up bearing an eerie resemblance to the recently departed, it will throw Prentiss Everton into chaos, especially its reigning royals. That Girl Won't Die is a page turning thriller, perfect for fans of gossip girl and dark academia with thrilling twists and turns that have the reader on the edge of their seat until the very last page.

This was a captivating read, and I hope the author does an eventual sequel, or spin off! Fans of thrillers and murder mysteries, look no further you've found your next read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this title.

[Michael Be Reading]

Kennedy is the most popular girl at her elite boarding school, a title she took over after her former best friend Whitney mysteriously died. She expects a perfect senior year, but everything changes when a new student named Tessa arrives. Tessa looks exactly like the late Whitney, which makes Kennedy very nervous and suspicious. It turns out Kennedy is right to worry, because Tessa is secretly hiding her true identity to investigate Whitney's death, and she is determined to find the truth.

This is an absolute banger!!! Jumata Emill can honestly do no wrong. All four of his books are 5⭐ reads. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The characters are always so dynamic and well developed, and the plot always centers the intersectionality of Blackness and Queerness in a way that is meaningful and captivating to both young adults and adults. I had no idea how this story was going to resolve, but when all is revealed I can assure you my jaw was on the floor. I love an elite boarding school setting, and the lengths the ultra wealthy will go to protect their image and their assets. Tessa and Kennedy are both such powerhouse characters, and while I did want to strangle both of them at times, I do love when strong and determined young Black girls take center stage and do what they need to do to get what they want. If you enjoyed Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, then you will love this too! This one does not come out until January, but Emill has 3 other books that are just as good, so go check those out while you wait for this!

[Danielle | daniellereadslikealot]

I read this in one sitting which really isn’t a surprise because A. I LOVE a YA thriller set at a boarding school with Gossip Girl vibes and B. Jumata Emil never misses. This was such an intricately woven mystery with so much commentary on racism, classism and complex family dynamics. I really enjoyed getting both Kennedy and Tessa’s POVs. Kennedy was a SUPERB HBIC (she would have made Regina George and Blair Waldorf cry), but I liked that there was a bit more to her than just a rich mean girl. Tessa, for being a fish out of water, absolutely held her own at her new elite school and I LOVED seeing her go head to head with Kennedy. I felt like every time I thought I knew whodunnit, I was completely wrong and the big reveal really truly surprised me and that’s always a treat in a mystery. I think this is tied with I Don’t Wish You Well as my favorite of Emil’s books and I genuinely cannot wait to see what he writes next.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for the digital reader’s copy!

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading)]

I don't wish you well by Jumata Emil is one of my favorite ya mystery books, so I had to read that girl won't die as soon as possible and... It wasn't good.
I'm an adult but I still enjoy many ya books, but there are some that are just too juvenile and that's the case here. I thought it would follow the line of his previous books, which was very dark, but this is lighter(it could be a compliment depending on how you look at it, but I mean it as a downside). There are gossip girl vibes, so if you were interested based on that go for it.
One thing that bothered me a lot is that we didn't have clues weaved in about the murderer, it was impossible to tell early on and that is the best part in reading a mystery thriller for me.
The writing is solid, great pace too. I think it was a case where the book is not a good fit for me, so don't let me dissuade you from trying it because it's a matter of taste.
I would be very interested in an adult book by Jumata though, I'll be here hoping that happens soon.

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte for the ARC.

[Sherri B]

Thank you to NetGalley & Delacorte Press for an advanced copy of That Girl Won't Die by Jumata Amil. Jumata is becoming if not already has become one of my favorite YA authors. His books are relevant, thought provoking, suspenseful and full of shady ass kids! I never feel like he is doing too much in his books. He makes you feel life rooting for a character and in some cases feeling bad for them too. This story is a mix of Gossip Girl(the black version) and We were liar, mixed with a Who Dun It?! It wasn't until the last few chapters that I started to put the pieces together on what happened to Whitney but rest assure you will be surprised! This was a 5 star in my opinion and I couldn't put it down!

[Venise "BookMarkedbyVee" Blow]

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. The cover and title immediately caught my attention and made me curious about the story. I first heard about the book on TikTok.

This type of story is right up my alley, and I really enjoyed the overall pacing and tone of the narration. I have ADD, so some books can have a hard time holding my attention, but that wasn’t an issue here. I stayed interested throughout and enjoyed it enough that I ended up looking into the author’s other books as well.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read, and I would definitely recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

[Julie]

Thank you, Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press, for providing the copy of That Girl Won’t Die by Jumata Emil. I loved how the characters came alive, and I always enjoy learning new slang from the effective dialogue. As usual, this was a stellar read, and I raced through it knowing I would be surprised by the big reveal, and I was! If you’re looking for a well-written book that will keep you engaged with believable characters and an intriguing story, get this book! 5 stars

[Kristy B. (SwaggerWaggon)]

One of my top reads of the year! Such an interesting concept and it was written beautifully. I tore through this hungrily. I loved (or loved to hate) the characters and enjoyed the various twists and turns throughout. I have loved every book by this author that I've ever read and the streak continues. Great work!

[Kyla]

Wow. Wow. Wow.

The twists? Some of them I was able to start piecing together, especially towards the end, but that's not to say I wasn't still gagged when they were revealed! I absolutely enjoyed this book and can't wait to read what comes next. 4.5 stars!!

[Megan Retic]

If Jumata authors the book, I’m going to read it! He has quickly grown to become one of my favorite authors. There’s not many YA novels that hold me the way his do!

[Bianca]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book at the beginning. However I thought that the premise was interesting so I powered through the beginning which felt a bit slow. I do enjoy when a book is told with multiple perspectives so that was a plus for me. When it started to pick up, I couldn't put it down. I read the last half all in one sitting.

Overall I was satisfied with the ending and the revelation of who the killer was. I honestly didn't see it coming! I think the author did a good job of casting suspicion on enough characters that it really kept you guessing until the very end which is difficult to do. I would definitely recommend this book to others!