Publishers Weekly
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Emill’s intense, dual-POV mystery debut recounts the murder of a Mississippi high school’s first Black homecoming queen. The family of haughty, privileged teen Tinsley McArthur has held the title of homecoming queen for the past three generations, causing her to feel entitled to the crown. But Nova Albright, who’s kind and popular, is almost guaranteed to earn the coveted role instead. After Tinsley tries bribing Nova into dropping out of the running and Nova refuses, a drunken Tinsley is recorded claiming “I should have killed her.” When newly crowned Nova’s violently murdered corpse is found on the same night as the recording, everyone believes Tinsley is to blame. Desperate to clear her name, Tinsley endeavors to find out who the real killer is. Meanwhile, Nova’s best friend and the police chief’s daughter, Duchess Simmons, is conducting her own investigation. Emill unblinkingly explores themes of prejudice and privilege through the lens of Duchess, a queer Black girl navigating these issues; Tinsley, a white girl who benefits from structural racism; and Nova, a Black girl mired in generations of secrets. This chilling narrative adeptly portrays the struggle with balancing competing loyalties, personal safety, and pursuit of justice while operating within oppressive systems. Ages 12–up. Agent: Alec Shane, Writers House. (Jan.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Social commentary set against the backdrop of the murder of a Mississippi town’s first Black homecoming queen. Nova Albright is gorgeous, charitable, and a shoo-in for homecoming queen. She’s also the target of Tinsley McArthur’s vitriol, as the title of queen has been in Tinsley’s White family for generations. When Nova ultimately wins, Tinsley unleashes a drunken tirade and threatens to kill her in a rant that one of Tinsley’s best friends records on her phone. The next morning, Nova is found dead in the Sacred Hearts Slave Cemetery, a neighborhood site she spent her spare time maintaining. All signs point to Tinsley as the culprit, but the investigation isn’t progressing fast enough for Duchess Simmons, a Black girl who is Nova’s best friend and the daughter of the town’s police chief. As Duchess takes matters into her own hands in an attempt to get to the bottom of Nova’s demise, Tinsley believes that the only way she can clear her name is by finding the actual murderer. But both girls quickly realize they’re in over their heads as they unearth truths about race, family secrets, and trauma during their investigations. The twisty, tragic plot at this story’s center is shocking and effective overall but too often becomes encumbered by heavy-handed commentary and dialogue that doesn’t sound like natural teenage speech. A murder mystery with much to say about modern-day segregation, policing, and personal biases. (Mystery. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.