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That Girl Won't Die
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jan 79When 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.
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.
400 pages, Library Binding
Expected publication January 2, 2079
About the author
Jumata Emill
4 books316 followersJumata 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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2026
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.
Thank you Random house publishing and Netgalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews