Tuesday, October 29, 2024

'THE DEBUTANTES'....PRETTY LITTLE LYING DEBS COURT DANGER IN NEW ORLEANS....

  The Debutantes by Olivia Worley (2024) 

     Welcome to 'Pretty Little Liars' - New Orleans division. And there's troubles and danger ahead for four of the 'Maids' who make their high society debut at one the city's most prestigious Debutante Balls.

     It's no easy event for the participating Debs, especially the one crowned Queen. Margo, the last one, ended up dead of a drug overdose. (Or did she?)) And newly crowned Lily has her reign interrupted by a costumed Jester who 'Carrie's' the party by spilling fake blood on her. More mystery, anxiety and surprise reveals ensue when Lilly disappears. and the mysterious Jester torments three Maids in her orbit - Vivian, April and Piper.

     Our dynamic trio, each of them with separate ties to Lily, take it upon themselves to get to the bottom of her vanishing, even though it puts each of them at risk at having their own deeply hidden secrets laid out in public.

     For everyone who could never get enough 'Pretty L.L." seasons to satisfy them, this one's a far-fetched but enthralling adrenalin rush from start to finish. And what's even better is author Olivia Worley drenching her thriller in New Orleans lore and atmosphere. Her four vividly portrayed Debutantes aren't just up against common criminality. fueled by raging teen hormones - they find themselves facing no less than Patriarchal evil handed down through centuries of New Orleans history.......a philosophy and mindset that treats women and girls as subservient objects.....and completely disposable should they threaten long honored traditions.

       This all leads to a spectacular, melodramatic and literally overheated finale that cries out for a film or series adaptation. Over-the-top and borderline silly, but for these girls and their adversaries, I wouldn't want it any other way. A pure fun read that keeps you captivated until you're sure you've uncovered every last pretty little secret......

         4 stars (****)  Y'all stop in to check out of these Southern Belles having one dangerous Ball.



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