The Debutantes

(Hardback)

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Jessica Goodman meets The Agathas in this taut, twisty YA thriller set in the glittering world of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where secrets--and bodies--never stay buried. For the New Orleans elite, the Les Masques Ball is sure to be the social event of the season-if they can avoid another dead Queen. When debutante Margot Landry was found dead the morning after her reign at last year's ball, it was a tragedy, but not a shocking one. Margot was a wild child with a self-destructive streak, nothing like this year's Queen, Lily LeBlanc. With a perfectly poised debutante on the throne, everything is going according to plan.until the ball is hijacked by a mysterious figure in a Jester costume. That night, Lily sends a text to three of the Maids on her royal court-her best friend, Vivian; her boyfriend's sister, Piper; and April, her former frenemy-asking them all to meet the next morning. But Lily never shows up. On the surface, these three debutantes don't have anything in common except their exclusive private school and their ties to Les Masques. But soon, they realize why Lily brought them together: something dark is lurking beneath the glamorous surface of the debutante world, and it might be the reason she disappeared. And the further the girls dig, the more they begin to suspect that Margot's death may not have been an accident-and that Lily may be next. When the Jester starts threatening to expose their own secrets, this unlikely trio must team up to uncover the monsters behind the Mardi Gras masks-before they're left with another dead debutante.

Reviews

Praise for The Debutantes:

"The Debutantes is the perfect blend of deep south secrets, old money, and coverups. A true masterclass in misdirection with an ending you'll never see coming. Once you've picked up Worley's nail-biting sophomore novel, you won't be able to put it down."--Megan Lally, New York Times Bestselling author of That's Not My Name

"Set against the glittery backdrop of the New Orleans Carnival season, Worley's The Debutantes is a compulsively readable thriller that kept me up far too late. Worley hooks readers in with her twisty, perfectly paced plot, then doesn't shy away from touching on heavy topics like privilege, class, and female friendship. A fantastic sophomore effort."
--Liz Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas, The Night in Question, and The Lucky Ones

"A fascinating peek into the world of New Orleans debutante culture and the girls born into it. With a range of personalities, the girls we follow find themselves in a dark web of danger surrounding the mystery of a missing debutante. Compulsive and page-turning, this will keep you up late, biting your nails over the fates of these girls caught in a patriarchal stranglehold in the depths of upper-class New Orleans. What's been happening for generations is still being done, but the girls are fighting back!" --Wendy Heard, author of She's Too Pretty To Burn

"The Debutantes is a gripping read featuring a trio of dynamic, relatable, and witty girls who dive into the twisted traditions of their glittering home of New Orleans, leading them to unexpected discoveries -- and friendships -- along the way. With a poignant touch on what it really means to be a queen and the nuances embedded in mother-daughter relationships, this heart-pounding thriller is perfect for fans of The Agathas and The Legacies." - Mackenzie Reed, author of The Rose Wood Hunt

Praise for People to Follow:

"Part dizzyingly fast-paced thriller, part wickedly incisive social commentary, there's never a dull moment in this well-characterized debut. Hole up, unplug, and keep the lights on." -Booklist

"[With] lightning-quick pacing and savvy twists, and through four shifting perspectives, Worley notably considers social media fame's impact on both the content creator and their following." -Publishers Weekly

"Mysteries unravel and secrets spill in this Gen Z thriller." -Kirkus Reviews

"Agatha Christie meets TikTok... a wicked, juicy page-turner." -Alexa Donne, author of The Ivies and Pretty Dead Queens

"A classic whodunnit for the TikTok era [with] a jaw dropping twist that will shock even diehard Christie fans. Meticulously plotted and flawlessly executed." -Dana Mele, author of People Like Us and Summer's Edge

"Voicey, vibrant, and utterly addictive...with the intensity of a locked-room thriller and the juicy drama of reality TV, this page-turner is as propulsive as it is timely." -Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of All Eyes on Her and Last Girl Lied To

"A bold, thrilling, darkly delicious examination of influencer culture and its pitfalls...Worley is an author to follow." - Katie Zhao, author of How We Fall Apart

"An intricately woven whodunit that kept me guessing till the very end. Twisty, sordid, thrilling-- I loved it!" --Goldy Moldavsky, New York Times bestselling author of The Mary Shelley Club

Author Bio

Olivia Worley is an author born and raised in New Orleans. A graduate of Northwestern University, she now lives in New York City, where she spends her time writing thrillers, overanalyzing episodes of The Bachelor, and hoping someone will romanticize her for reading on the subway.