This was an enjoyable mystery book! I enjoyed the mystery in this book and characters, there we also a couple of interesting twists. One of the part where I struggled with this book was the amount of character especially since we follow POVs for four different characters. Definitely recommend giving this one a try!

The Debutantes by Olivia Worley is a captivating blend of mystery, suspense, and drama set against the opulent backdrop of New Orleans high society. The novel opens with the glamorous yet ominous Les Masques Ball, an event that promises to be the highlight of the social season but is clouded by the memory of Margot Landry’s tragic death the year before. The story quickly takes an unexpected turn when debutante Lily LeBlanc, this year's "Queen," vanishes after sending a cryptic message to three of her court members.

Worley skillfully weaves a web of intrigue and secrets, centering on three seemingly unrelated girls—Vivian, Piper, and April—who are thrust together by a dark mystery. As they investigate Lily’s disappearance and uncover the hidden truths of the debutante world, they must face the chilling possibility that Margot’s death wasn’t an accident. The tension mounts as the girls realize they may be next in line to face the dangers lurking behind the masquerade masks.

The story is rich with atmospheric detail, particularly in its portrayal of New Orleans, which adds a layer of allure to the suspense. The plot moves at a quick pace, keeping readers on edge as the twists and turns unfold. The relationships between the debutantes are complex, with friendship, rivalry, and betrayal at the heart of the narrative. The Debutantes is a compelling and darkly engaging read, perfect for fans of thrillers that delve into the secrets of the privileged elite.

This YA read was fun and entertaining, but did not pull me into the story like I thought it would from the description and title. There are some good storylines and twists that can be enjoyed.

The Debutantes was such a fun and fantastic ride. i enjoyed every second of it, including the twist.

Many thanks to the publisher for the copy, all opinions are my own.

I genuinely really enjoyed this one - it is a quirky, fun, whodunnit style mystery that never falls victim to having high school aged characters as the protagonists making it feel in any way juvenile. I loved the pacing and the characters and the reveals in the end were just entirely fun. Definitely a great add for your new year reading piles.

This was a wonderfully twisty thriller, and the cast of characters combined with the New Orleans setting made it easy to devour in a sitting!

Books like these really make you wonder if things like this really exist… secret societies, old men-young women, secret meetings where masks are worn. Kidnappings and murders. Coverups. This was such thrill ride of a book. The only thing I did not like about it is everybody spoke in the first person and sometimes it was hard to determine who was who, or who “I” was. Other than that, a very interesting and different book to wind down 2024 for me.

This book has a gripping plot with twists and turns. and is set against the backdrop of New Orleans Mardi Gras. I enjoyed the way the story delved into dark secrets and cult elements. Some of the multiple pov were a bit similar, making it hard to distinguish between characters. Still a compelling read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I appreciate the authors research into New Orleans rich history and culture, as someone from New Orleans. But sometimes too much is too much. I think this is a solid read and thrilling for its target audience. Unfortunately i might be a tad bit too old for this ya nov.

I love a YA thriller, and the Mardi Gras setting adds a great element. The Debutantes by Olivia Worley is a great read for fans of Karen M. McManus and the like.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I thought this was a fun entertaining read. I liked the New Orleans setting and thought this setting was interesting and compelling. The characters didn't really stand out to me and I found it kind of hard to keep track of each different POV. Overall it was enjoyable.

I started to physically read this book and it moved too slow. I got it on audio from my library. There are a lot of characters and it is slow paced. I did enjoy the twist at the end and the setting of New Orleans.

I didn’t get to finish the entire novel, however I did enjoy what I read of it!
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

Last year, a debutante overdosed in her car in what was written off as a tragic accident. This year when the next debutante mysteriously vanishes, her friends begin asking questions. As the girls work to unravel the mystery of Lily's whereabouts, they begin to uncover bits of information that shed light on her predecessor's tragic demise. As the pieces fall together they realize the circles they run in may be more dangerous than they seem.

I absolutely adored the setting of this book. I'm from New Orleans, and really bought into the vibe and dynamic of the krewe, club, debutantes, parade, all of it! I thought the mystery was exciting, twisty, and puzzling without being convoluted. I also thought this did a great job with the topics it explored while still staying true to its YA reader recommendation (meaning not getting too explicit).

Unfortunately, I think the mystery took just a bit too long to unravel. There were times that I didn't fully buy into the choices that the characters made and so the book lagged here and there for me. I also really wanted more resolution, but enjoyed the ending we got. This is just a frequent issue I have with thrillers and mysteries.

I would recommend this book for readers 16+ looking to get into mysteries and thrillers who are enthusiastic about Louisiana culture.

A YA thriller, with four (yes, count them, for) POVs, this drew me in and kept me guessing. I loved the New Orleans setting most of all.

This book was so much fun! I loved the small cast of characters, I loved that the author touched on thie history and sexism behind the concept of debutantes, and I loved that I really didn't know how the story was going to end.

The book alternates POV's between the three main debutantes, girls who have next to nothing in common, at least on the surface. But as the mystery deepends, we learn more about their secrets until the end when everything comes to light.

Such a fun book. Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Les Masques Ball is the event of the season in New Orleans, but last year wild child Margot Landry was found dead after her reign as queen of the ball. This year’s queen, Lily LeBlanc is the complete opposite, and everything is going smoothly until the ball is hijacked by a mysterious figure in a Jester costume. Three debutantes with little in common to investigate Margot’s death and the dark things brewing under the surface of their world. They’ll have to uncover the monsters before another debutante ends up dead.

This was a perfectly fine, YA thriller. Twists and turns. Good characterization. I didn’t love it, but it was entertaining, and if you’re into the genre, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Set against the background of the elite Les Masques Ball in New Orleans, The Debutantes tells the story of three debs trying to survive and find out what happened to their queen. When a man dressed up as a Jester starts following them, they know that they are just as in trouble.

I loved the NOLA setting and debutante storyline but I didn't feel like the girls were distinctive enough to tell them apart.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

This was my second read of Olivia Worley. She's definitely an author I will continue reading as her books are enjoyable and keep my attention. The Debutantes did not let me down in this way. I enjoyed the book from the start and wanted to keep reading.

While I enjoyed the overall story, it didn't wow me. There are a lot of characters and moving parts, and I guessed pretty much all of the twists.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a quick easy read.

This was an exciting thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed the debutantes and how that high society was woven into the mysteries throughout, I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I look forward to reading anything else by her. Overall, I highly recommend this book.