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The Debutante
This edition was previously published under the ISBN 9780007215409
Cate, an exile from New York, is sent to help value the contents of a once-grand house on the south-west coast of England. Cataloguing its contents, she uncovers details of two of the most famous debutantes of their generation. The tale that unfolds is one of dark, addictive love, leading Cate to face up to secrets of her own.
Cate, an exile from New York, is sent to help value the contents of a once-grand house on the south-west coast of England. Cataloguing its contents, she uncovers details of two of the most famous debutantes of their generation. The tale that unfolds is one of dark, addictive love, leading Cate to face up to secrets of her own.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
282 people are currently reading
2348 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Tessaro
14 books950 followersBorn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kathleen attended the University of Pittsburgh before entering the drama program of Carnegie Mellon University. In the middle of her sophomore year, she went to study in London for three months and stayed for the next twenty-three years. She began writing at the suggestion of a friend and was an early member of the Wimpole Street Writer’s Workshop. Her debut novel, Elegance, became a bestseller in hardback and paperback. All of Kathleen's novels (Elegance, Innocence, The Flirt, The Debutante, The Perfume Collector, and Rare Objects) have been translated into many languages and sold all over the world. She returned to Pittsburgh in 2009, where she now lives with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
August 15, 2017
An easy read, like most of other reviews I preferred this historical part of the story and would have like more of that. The modern day characters were in comparison pretty boring.
May 10, 2017
A shameful secret: I am prone to violent literary crushes.
Every once in a while - every two-three years, perhaps? - I put Respectful Reading aside to hunt down and read every last Murakami novel, every Chabon novel, every (horribile dictu!) John Green novel, every Mohsin Hamid novel. (There also are near-crushes: Sarah Waters had the potential, and we nearly hit it off, but no.) It always has to be a living writer, never what would be called ambitious literature in GR circles (I blame my usual very controlled reading diet), and it always follows the same trajectory: wide-eyed first contact, junkiedom, then getting tired of seeing the same elements (cue Haruki Murakami Bingo) and never approaching the writer again. This happened to me after Norwegian Wood, Telegraph Avenue, a novel by John Green I am too embarrassed to name - and hasn't happened with Mohsin Hamid yet.
And I feel the next crush coming. Yes, Tessaro plays in a different league - Waters rather than Chabon, feelings rather than abstractions, chick lit/women's writing - but I find her books addictive. She's very observant. Her writing is good, strong, corporoso, demanding just the right amount of attention. The two books I've read are, on the average, uncute. There is alcohol, bad sex, guilt - The Debutante is all about guilt, appearances and secrets - and probably, as with all writers mentioned above, an array of favourite elements (male homosexuality/ bisexuality seems to be a theme), but I'm not thinking about it yet, I have four other books to read on my binge (Rare Objects and The Perfume Collector look really promising).
Every once in a while - every two-three years, perhaps? - I put Respectful Reading aside to hunt down and read every last Murakami novel, every Chabon novel, every (horribile dictu!) John Green novel, every Mohsin Hamid novel. (There also are near-crushes: Sarah Waters had the potential, and we nearly hit it off, but no.) It always has to be a living writer, never what would be called ambitious literature in GR circles (I blame my usual very controlled reading diet), and it always follows the same trajectory: wide-eyed first contact, junkiedom, then getting tired of seeing the same elements (cue Haruki Murakami Bingo) and never approaching the writer again. This happened to me after Norwegian Wood, Telegraph Avenue, a novel by John Green I am too embarrassed to name - and hasn't happened with Mohsin Hamid yet.
And I feel the next crush coming. Yes, Tessaro plays in a different league - Waters rather than Chabon, feelings rather than abstractions, chick lit/women's writing - but I find her books addictive. She's very observant. Her writing is good, strong, corporoso, demanding just the right amount of attention. The two books I've read are, on the average, uncute. There is alcohol, bad sex, guilt - The Debutante is all about guilt, appearances and secrets - and probably, as with all writers mentioned above, an array of favourite elements (male homosexuality/ bisexuality seems to be a theme), but I'm not thinking about it yet, I have four other books to read on my binge (Rare Objects and The Perfume Collector look really promising).
September 13, 2017
Overall I enjoyed this book. I'm a sucker for chick lit books set in England. However, at the end of it, I wanted more. I wanted more closure to the historical story than what I ultimately got.
May 23, 2011
Kathleen Tessaro is highly underrated in the literature genre; especially in the sub-genre arena for chick-lit/women's fiction. All of her novels have a depth most authors fail to capture, with unforgettable plots that are emotionally impacting. The Debutante is Tessaro's latest novel.
Jack is a handsome, though humble antique cataloguing expert sent to the empty Endsleigh House, an estate at its liveliest throughout the 1920s-1930s -- and the home of the famous debutante Blythe sisters. Accompanying him is the beautiful and cryptic Cate, an artist who has recently moved to England to escape her painful past in New York. As if the history of the Blythe sisters isn't intriguing enough (the younger Blythe sister mysteriously disappeared and was never heard from again), Cate's interest is further piqued when she finds a secretive, locked room at Endsleigh. After stumbling upon a hidden shoe-box within that contains an old photograph, a Tiffany bracelet, a badge, and a beautiful pair of dancing shoes, Cate embarks on a mission to uncover new information behind the disappearance of Baby Blythe, learning more about herself in the process.
Each chapter in The Debutante is preceded by an intimate letter written by Baby Blythe to her older sister and sometimes, her lover. As the novel progresses, the mystery behind Baby Blythe's disappearance is slowly unveiled. Meanwhile, we are relishing in the sweet and innocent chemistry between Jack and Cate as they make discoveries not only about Endsleigh, but themselves, as each has their own tumultuous past.
Tessaro really has a talent for bringing her characters to life and making them painfully human and easy to relate to. The Debutante as a whole is incredibly moving, touching and emotional. Jack and Cate are supremely intense and deep; not at all ridiculous, shallow or melodramatic, making for a beautiful reading experience. If I had to use one adjective that describes my feelings after reading The Debutante, I would say it made me feel wholesome.
Tessaro's writing style is exquisite and her vocabulary range is very wide and magnificently descriptive; as you read this novel, you'll be sucked into Jack and Cate's world, and of course the world of Endsleigh itself.
Read more book reviews at http://dreamworldbooks.com.
Jack is a handsome, though humble antique cataloguing expert sent to the empty Endsleigh House, an estate at its liveliest throughout the 1920s-1930s -- and the home of the famous debutante Blythe sisters. Accompanying him is the beautiful and cryptic Cate, an artist who has recently moved to England to escape her painful past in New York. As if the history of the Blythe sisters isn't intriguing enough (the younger Blythe sister mysteriously disappeared and was never heard from again), Cate's interest is further piqued when she finds a secretive, locked room at Endsleigh. After stumbling upon a hidden shoe-box within that contains an old photograph, a Tiffany bracelet, a badge, and a beautiful pair of dancing shoes, Cate embarks on a mission to uncover new information behind the disappearance of Baby Blythe, learning more about herself in the process.
Each chapter in The Debutante is preceded by an intimate letter written by Baby Blythe to her older sister and sometimes, her lover. As the novel progresses, the mystery behind Baby Blythe's disappearance is slowly unveiled. Meanwhile, we are relishing in the sweet and innocent chemistry between Jack and Cate as they make discoveries not only about Endsleigh, but themselves, as each has their own tumultuous past.
Tessaro really has a talent for bringing her characters to life and making them painfully human and easy to relate to. The Debutante as a whole is incredibly moving, touching and emotional. Jack and Cate are supremely intense and deep; not at all ridiculous, shallow or melodramatic, making for a beautiful reading experience. If I had to use one adjective that describes my feelings after reading The Debutante, I would say it made me feel wholesome.
Tessaro's writing style is exquisite and her vocabulary range is very wide and magnificently descriptive; as you read this novel, you'll be sucked into Jack and Cate's world, and of course the world of Endsleigh itself.
Read more book reviews at http://dreamworldbooks.com.
November 25, 2013
I think I would have liked this book better if it had concentrated more on the Blythe sisters. I found their story more interesting than I did Cate's or Jack's. If this book had just been about Cate and Jack I don't think I could have continued reading. What made me keep reading was the mystery surrounding the Blythe sisters, mainly, Baby Blythe. They had more depth to them. Cate and Jack just fell flat for me.
September 5, 2019
Like the other Tessaro books I've read, this is a story within a story. Jack is an antique dealer who goes to estates to value the furniture and other items for the owners, Katie is an artist who is escaping a bad relationship and who accompanies Jack as a favor to her aunt.
Instead of an ordinary job, this house turns out to have belonged to Irene Blythe, one of two famous debutante sisters. Their lives were both public, yet shrouded with mystery, especially when the younger sister, Diana aka “Baby”, went missing during WWI. She just disappeared, and there were rumors that she'd run off to America, and rumors that she'd been murdered.
Katie becomes obsessed with them, and with finding out the truth of what happened. The story alternates between Katie and Jack, and Baby's story (told mostly in letters to her sister). One really cool thing about this book is that the author, in real life, was given a box with stuff inside, and told that at the point in the story where Katie found a box, the author could open HER box. And whatever she found inside, those were the items she had to use in the story. I liked the tweak that not even the author knew what was coming there!
While I did enjoy this book, it wasn't quite as good as the other two I've read so far by the author. Also some of the plot seemed to coincidental to be believable. The ending also sort of just...drifted around. I like a conclusion in my books! It's a solid read just a bit of a letdown after the others.
Instead of an ordinary job, this house turns out to have belonged to Irene Blythe, one of two famous debutante sisters. Their lives were both public, yet shrouded with mystery, especially when the younger sister, Diana aka “Baby”, went missing during WWI. She just disappeared, and there were rumors that she'd run off to America, and rumors that she'd been murdered.
Katie becomes obsessed with them, and with finding out the truth of what happened. The story alternates between Katie and Jack, and Baby's story (told mostly in letters to her sister). One really cool thing about this book is that the author, in real life, was given a box with stuff inside, and told that at the point in the story where Katie found a box, the author could open HER box. And whatever she found inside, those were the items she had to use in the story. I liked the tweak that not even the author knew what was coming there!
While I did enjoy this book, it wasn't quite as good as the other two I've read so far by the author. Also some of the plot seemed to coincidental to be believable. The ending also sort of just...drifted around. I like a conclusion in my books! It's a solid read just a bit of a letdown after the others.
July 23, 2012
This book would have been wonderful f it had just been the tale of the sisters. I found myself phasing out during the, at times vulgar and disgusting, aspects of the "main" story. I hated the modern day characters, and unlike other readers, still didn't care at the end.
October 7, 2010
This book was delicious. It had a bitter bite here or there (due to my somewhat prudish nature when it comes to certain words) but overall.. such a delicious story.
This is the recipe for a delicious story.
One part modern romance.
One part mysterious débutante.
One part old, sad home.
One part insanity.
Mix all those up together, put a beautiful pink cover on the book and you have the makings of a fun, interesting, sad, heart-warming, intriguing story.
What I loved most about The Débutante by Kathleen Tussaro is the insight we're given into the Sisters Blythe, insight that Cate herself is not given as she follows the small leads she has from snooping around. There are short breaks in the story and these breaks are filled with letters written from one sister to the other - and oh, the drama. Letter writing is a form of communication which is so fascinating - for the stories it told and the stories.. it didn't tell (but can be carefully gleaned from between the lines).
I just shivered, the story was that perfect.
Now, the bitter bite. I can handle some words, but there were some pretty foul words in this story that marred it's beauty, otherwise. Those words were like a nasty jolt to me, as I was dreamily absorbed in reading when they came about. That might be just because I'm a bit of a prude.. but honestly, I think the book would have been much better without them included.
This is the recipe for a delicious story.
One part modern romance.
One part mysterious débutante.
One part old, sad home.
One part insanity.
Mix all those up together, put a beautiful pink cover on the book and you have the makings of a fun, interesting, sad, heart-warming, intriguing story.
What I loved most about The Débutante by Kathleen Tussaro is the insight we're given into the Sisters Blythe, insight that Cate herself is not given as she follows the small leads she has from snooping around. There are short breaks in the story and these breaks are filled with letters written from one sister to the other - and oh, the drama. Letter writing is a form of communication which is so fascinating - for the stories it told and the stories.. it didn't tell (but can be carefully gleaned from between the lines).
I just shivered, the story was that perfect.
Now, the bitter bite. I can handle some words, but there were some pretty foul words in this story that marred it's beauty, otherwise. Those words were like a nasty jolt to me, as I was dreamily absorbed in reading when they came about. That might be just because I'm a bit of a prude.. but honestly, I think the book would have been much better without them included.
July 13, 2011
I thought this book would be a sunnier beach read than it turned out to be. At first, I had a hard time caring about the characters, who are all wealthy, extremely self-absorbed, and kind of prone to obsessive behavior. It's kind of like Sex In The City but since the characters are mostly grieving over some kind of loss or betrayal, it has a much darker quality to it.
The story moves back and forth between modern London and 1930's London. The Modern London part features a widowed man and a young woman who are working together to assess and liquidate the furnishings of the home of a pair of famous debutante sisters from the 1930's. The woman finds a shoebox of stuff hidden in a locked room and becomes obsessed with finding out the meaning of the contents. This story is punctuated by old letters written from one sister to the other which tell the reader what really happened as the woman is working on piecing together her clues.
At first I didn't care, and then I found that I really, really did. I would have preferred if everyone found love and lived happily ever after, but that is not the case for all of them, and that kind of made me sad. But probably other people don't need the characters to wind up happily paired off as I do.
The story moves back and forth between modern London and 1930's London. The Modern London part features a widowed man and a young woman who are working together to assess and liquidate the furnishings of the home of a pair of famous debutante sisters from the 1930's. The woman finds a shoebox of stuff hidden in a locked room and becomes obsessed with finding out the meaning of the contents. This story is punctuated by old letters written from one sister to the other which tell the reader what really happened as the woman is working on piecing together her clues.
At first I didn't care, and then I found that I really, really did. I would have preferred if everyone found love and lived happily ever after, but that is not the case for all of them, and that kind of made me sad. But probably other people don't need the characters to wind up happily paired off as I do.
July 11, 2018
There’s so much potential in the set up of this story, an old house, antiques, ladies famous for being famous, ladies behaving badly, but it wasn’t well executed in any of the storylines. Not one of them worked out and I was disappointed by the ending. I could have guessed what the big secret was somewhere around the first 100 pages so even the big mystery was a bit of a let down. Oh well. Quick read so it wasn’t a ton of wasted time.
July 27, 2021
**Updated Review” I still love it.
**Updated Review** I’m rereading some of Kathleen Tessaro’s books. I read this when it first came out, about 4 years ago. I think I liked this even more the second time around. So much story and everything pulled together in such a neat, fascinating ending. I think this is a book I will probably always enjoy. I just really enjoy her stories, writing and the worlds she creates.
**Updated Review** I’m rereading some of Kathleen Tessaro’s books. I read this when it first came out, about 4 years ago. I think I liked this even more the second time around. So much story and everything pulled together in such a neat, fascinating ending. I think this is a book I will probably always enjoy. I just really enjoy her stories, writing and the worlds she creates.
October 9, 2014
Four chapters into it, just couldn't bring myself to read anymore.
November 23, 2019
Far better than the last Tessaro I tried, not nearly as good as Elegance. I was quite dismissive of it at the beginning until it introduced its unexpected darkness about a quarter or so of the way in. Then I hummed quite nicely with its mix of role playing fantasy, soothingly lovely light and perfectly inarticulate pain. A great book to read for half an hour before bed as you unintentionally fall asleep bit by bit. Forgettable in specifics, but memorable for general atmosphere and mood, which I think it would be satisfied with.
April 6, 2021
The first Kathleen Tessaro novel I read was ‘The Perfume Collector’ and I was blown away by it! This novel, although extremely well put together, was not as much of a page turner for me. I did enjoy getting to know the characters and the fact that they all had their own story lines. I just wished that some of those story lines met at the end of the story. I feel little less satisfied about this book, because we never discovered where Baby really went and if she was in fact the lady in the care home. Never the less I did enjoy this book and will be reading more of her work in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2019
Beautiful and poignant
July 15, 2019
I found this book not only an interesting read but also a insightful. One interesting quote...in forgiving the other person you are left with the most difficult part of all... Forgiving yourself. You are angry at yourself for being vulnerable. For not being able to protect yourself.
September 3, 2013
After reading The Perfume Collector I wanted to read more by this author. This was a little disappointing... too many confusing subplots... One story is told through letters and I got mixed up on what character was writing and receiving.... ok read....
A gifted artist, Cate has come to London from New York to escape her recent past. Working for her aunt's auction house, she is sent down to Devon to value the contents of Endsleigh House, the once gracious but now crumbling estate of a former socialite. There, hidden in the back of a dusty bookshelf, Cate discovers an old shoebox. Inside is a strange assortment of objects: an exquisite pair of dancing shoes circa 1930; a diamond brooch; a photograph of a young sailor; a dance card; and a pearl and emerald Tiffanys bracelet.
Intrigued by her find, Cate sets out to solve the mystery of the box, becoming immersed in the story of its owner, Baby Blythe. Bright, beautiful, and reckless, Baby was the most famous debutante of her generation . . . and the most dangerous. As the clues begin to reveal a shocking tale of destructive, addictive love, Cate finds herself being drawn deeper into Baby's tragic life story--a story that will force Cate to face some dark truths about her own.
A gifted artist, Cate has come to London from New York to escape her recent past. Working for her aunt's auction house, she is sent down to Devon to value the contents of Endsleigh House, the once gracious but now crumbling estate of a former socialite. There, hidden in the back of a dusty bookshelf, Cate discovers an old shoebox. Inside is a strange assortment of objects: an exquisite pair of dancing shoes circa 1930; a diamond brooch; a photograph of a young sailor; a dance card; and a pearl and emerald Tiffanys bracelet.
Intrigued by her find, Cate sets out to solve the mystery of the box, becoming immersed in the story of its owner, Baby Blythe. Bright, beautiful, and reckless, Baby was the most famous debutante of her generation . . . and the most dangerous. As the clues begin to reveal a shocking tale of destructive, addictive love, Cate finds herself being drawn deeper into Baby's tragic life story--a story that will force Cate to face some dark truths about her own.
February 14, 2015
Yet another badly written best seller.
If the story revealed by the items in the shoebox were to be handled any other way, it would have been a rewarding read.
Nothing remotely likeable about Cate or Jack (get over yourselves, peeps, you've got everything going for you!), too little about the really interesting characters in 1930s England, profanities handed out like loose change early on to get the reader into the mood... of what; eroticism?
And then there was the cigarette (and why does it have to be a 'crafty fag'?) in a first floor room whose smell reached all the way down to the man in the garden. Yeah. Right.
Oh. And the cool crisp linen dress that does not crease after a car journey from London to Devon. Again.
If the story revealed by the items in the shoebox were to be handled any other way, it would have been a rewarding read.
Nothing remotely likeable about Cate or Jack (get over yourselves, peeps, you've got everything going for you!), too little about the really interesting characters in 1930s England, profanities handed out like loose change early on to get the reader into the mood... of what; eroticism?
And then there was the cigarette (and why does it have to be a 'crafty fag'?) in a first floor room whose smell reached all the way down to the man in the garden. Yeah. Right.
Oh. And the cool crisp linen dress that does not crease after a car journey from London to Devon. Again.
January 30, 2018
There is a reason that Tessaro is one of my favorite authors and this book reminds me why. This is a great little mystery and a quick read. I love how the letters were interspliced within the story and I was 90% happy with the ending. (Spoiler: I always want more! What happened to the son!). One question I still had left.....within the shoebox, Kate found a key... What did it open? I though maybe the portable desk... but we didn’t find out for sure. I almost felt like the title could have been The Mistress- as that seemed like the underlying theme of the story; and o like how the theme was treated different ways in the story. I loved the Authors Note at the end- Tessaros thoughts really tied it all together for me. I loved it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
Picked this in a book club Christmas gift exchange. It’s a good story there is some side stories you don’t think are involved but they all come together in the end.
July 2, 2022
The Debutante by Kathleen Tessaro is a parallel tale of contemporary drama and historical mystery. Chapters alternate between letters written 1926-1941 by debutante Baby Blythe, and artist Katie "Cate" Albion's quest to find out about Baby Blythe (and eventually resolve the primary crisis in her life).
Fleeing from a disastrous affair in New York City, British born Katie "Cate" returns to London. Putting her successful art career (painting reproductions of old masters) aside, she will help her aunt Rachel in the antiques business. First assignment: accompany Rachel's assistant Jack Coates to catalog and value the entire contents of Endsleigh, an historic estate on the Devon coast.
At first, Jack bristles at being assigned an assistant for the work he does very well solo. Over the few days they work at Endsleigh, he is attracted to Cate - but does not reveal it. Cate is likewise attracted to Jack and hides it. She's totally enraptured by Endsleigh, however. Prowling its halls, she comes upon a locked door, to a room she and Jack have not catalogued. She picks the lock; gasps in wonder at the room's beauty. A small box of mementoes piques her curiosity: size 4 silver dancing shoes; a pearl/diamond/emerald bracelet; a badge with only 'SSG'; a tiny key; a photograph. She breaks a golden rule of antique dealers - pockets it.
The story of debutantes Irene and Diana "Baby" Blythe unfolds through letters written by Baby, primarily to her sister "Wren", later to the love of her life.
Cate checks historical records and quizzes Rachel in her quest to identify the contents of the curious box (of course keeping the fact she stole the box a secret). She learns Irene became Lady Avondale, mistress of Endsleigh until just two months ago. She discovers a mystery: Baby simply disappeared in 1941, no body ever found.
Cate is tormented by recent events in NYC, trying her very best to close her mind whenever the memories repeat. She hates herself for what she had done, especially as she and Jack become closer. He is also tormented, by the shocking facts he learned upon his wife's death two years ago. They're both very private people, loathe to share painful memories, preferring to close themselves off from others.
But then Cate is abruptly forced to confront her NYC past.
Delightful details in the Author's Note: she set out to write the book based on treasures at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum. The scope of historic objects started to overwhelm the mystery plot. A friend suggested scale down to mementoes that would fit in a shoebox - and provided one! The author also describes how the story's closing revelation was inspired by true events.
Fleeing from a disastrous affair in New York City, British born Katie "Cate" returns to London. Putting her successful art career (painting reproductions of old masters) aside, she will help her aunt Rachel in the antiques business. First assignment: accompany Rachel's assistant Jack Coates to catalog and value the entire contents of Endsleigh, an historic estate on the Devon coast.
At first, Jack bristles at being assigned an assistant for the work he does very well solo. Over the few days they work at Endsleigh, he is attracted to Cate - but does not reveal it. Cate is likewise attracted to Jack and hides it. She's totally enraptured by Endsleigh, however. Prowling its halls, she comes upon a locked door, to a room she and Jack have not catalogued. She picks the lock; gasps in wonder at the room's beauty. A small box of mementoes piques her curiosity: size 4 silver dancing shoes; a pearl/diamond/emerald bracelet; a badge with only 'SSG'; a tiny key; a photograph. She breaks a golden rule of antique dealers - pockets it.
The story of debutantes Irene and Diana "Baby" Blythe unfolds through letters written by Baby, primarily to her sister "Wren", later to the love of her life.
Cate checks historical records and quizzes Rachel in her quest to identify the contents of the curious box (of course keeping the fact she stole the box a secret). She learns Irene became Lady Avondale, mistress of Endsleigh until just two months ago. She discovers a mystery: Baby simply disappeared in 1941, no body ever found.
Cate is tormented by recent events in NYC, trying her very best to close her mind whenever the memories repeat. She hates herself for what she had done, especially as she and Jack become closer. He is also tormented, by the shocking facts he learned upon his wife's death two years ago. They're both very private people, loathe to share painful memories, preferring to close themselves off from others.
But then Cate is abruptly forced to confront her NYC past.
Delightful details in the Author's Note: she set out to write the book based on treasures at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum. The scope of historic objects started to overwhelm the mystery plot. A friend suggested scale down to mementoes that would fit in a shoebox - and provided one! The author also describes how the story's closing revelation was inspired by true events.
November 11, 2010
I truly love stories that have alternating sub-stories taking place within them. And The Debutante is the perfect example of that. With Cate's tale taking place in the present and Baby's story taking place in the past - I loved how both interwove and came together. When Cate is asked by her aunt to assist Jack in cataloguing the contents of Endsleigh House for an upcoming auction - she didn't expect to find a box full of treasures and a mystery that was just too irresistible to pass.
Although at first I had some trouble getting into the story - I even put it down for a while, when I picked the book back up I was taken by surprise by how wonderful this story really was. I enjoyed reading of Cate and Jack and how they both begin to accept their pasts and eventually heal using one another for support. But I must confess that my favorite parts were the letters between the Blythe sisters. I could not help but find myself captivated by that treasure box myself. I wanted to know what happened to the missing debutante. I loved the mystery elements of the story and more than once I thought I had it figured out before I was thrown for a loop and had to start the guessing game again.
I found Ms. Tessaro's writing enjoyable and her descriptions of London (past and present) were a treat. I especially loved reading of the run-down Endsleigh - as well as the glimpses of its former glory you get from the letters.
This was a bittersweet, charming, and mysterious story that, although it had its ups and downs, in the end I found it very enjoyable.
Although at first I had some trouble getting into the story - I even put it down for a while, when I picked the book back up I was taken by surprise by how wonderful this story really was. I enjoyed reading of Cate and Jack and how they both begin to accept their pasts and eventually heal using one another for support. But I must confess that my favorite parts were the letters between the Blythe sisters. I could not help but find myself captivated by that treasure box myself. I wanted to know what happened to the missing debutante. I loved the mystery elements of the story and more than once I thought I had it figured out before I was thrown for a loop and had to start the guessing game again.
I found Ms. Tessaro's writing enjoyable and her descriptions of London (past and present) were a treat. I especially loved reading of the run-down Endsleigh - as well as the glimpses of its former glory you get from the letters.
This was a bittersweet, charming, and mysterious story that, although it had its ups and downs, in the end I found it very enjoyable.
July 18, 2012
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
The Debutante was the first novel by Kathleen Tessaro that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. It was full of intrigue and mystery that kept me entertained and flipping pages until the very end wondering how the story would unfold.
After a bit of a slow start, I became immersed in this story and loved the rich, but not overwhelming detail. Initially, I wasn’t sure about Kate, but grew to like her and care about her story as much as I was interested in finding out the fate of Baby Blythe. I loved the Blythe sister’s story, which was told mainly through Baby Blythe’s letters interspersed throughout the novel and thought Tessaro’s pacing to reveal both their dark histories, as well as those of the main characters, perfectly timed.
Besides the love interest predictability, I wasn’t sure where much of the rest of the novel was going which kept my interest and I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up and loved the lack of predictability with the rest of the story.
The Debutante had some grit and was a bit heavier than light chick lit, with mystery and history adding another aspect. I’d definitely pick up another of Tessaro’s novels in the future and loved her author’s notes on how she came up with the idea of a shoebox.
The Debutante was the first novel by Kathleen Tessaro that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. It was full of intrigue and mystery that kept me entertained and flipping pages until the very end wondering how the story would unfold.
After a bit of a slow start, I became immersed in this story and loved the rich, but not overwhelming detail. Initially, I wasn’t sure about Kate, but grew to like her and care about her story as much as I was interested in finding out the fate of Baby Blythe. I loved the Blythe sister’s story, which was told mainly through Baby Blythe’s letters interspersed throughout the novel and thought Tessaro’s pacing to reveal both their dark histories, as well as those of the main characters, perfectly timed.
Besides the love interest predictability, I wasn’t sure where much of the rest of the novel was going which kept my interest and I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up and loved the lack of predictability with the rest of the story.
The Debutante had some grit and was a bit heavier than light chick lit, with mystery and history adding another aspect. I’d definitely pick up another of Tessaro’s novels in the future and loved her author’s notes on how she came up with the idea of a shoebox.
April 25, 2012
I'm not quite sure what attracted me to this-possibly the "old house being a character in its' own right." However this time, it really wasn't executed terribly well.
One of the sisters who were debutantes many years ago, disappeared without trace. The novel revolves around the two valuers who are sent to catalogue the contents of the house, and one of them (Cate), becomes intrigued by this mystery, and resolves to discover the truth behind her disappearance. It sounds as if there's hould be a lot of food for thought-but most of it fell quite flat, and there were few moments of excitement or relevation. The characters themselves were quite insipid-and frankly, I didn't care terribly about any of them-so on two points-the plot and characters-the novel left much to be desired. Given that these are two of the most important aspects of any novel, then I was clearly going to have my work cut out for me.
One of the sisters who were debutantes many years ago, disappeared without trace. The novel revolves around the two valuers who are sent to catalogue the contents of the house, and one of them (Cate), becomes intrigued by this mystery, and resolves to discover the truth behind her disappearance. It sounds as if there's hould be a lot of food for thought-but most of it fell quite flat, and there were few moments of excitement or relevation. The characters themselves were quite insipid-and frankly, I didn't care terribly about any of them-so on two points-the plot and characters-the novel left much to be desired. Given that these are two of the most important aspects of any novel, then I was clearly going to have my work cut out for me.
March 1, 2013
In the beginning I wasn't sure about this book but I wanted to give it a chance and I'm glad I did. The reason for my hesitation is that though I found her first novel "Elegance" to be charming and funny, her last book "Flirt" seemed a bit forced. I didn't dislike "Flirt" I just didn't care that much about the main characters. Inspite of all that I enjoy her writing overall and took a chance on this one.
The characters are so human, so vulnerable, so stuck. Watching the characters develop, see themselves from a different perspective, allow themselves to put the past behind them and move into their present was an entertaining journey. The mystery that is included as a catalyst for some and backdrop for others was interesting and I'm glad Ms. Tessaro didn't tie up all the loose ends.
The characters are so human, so vulnerable, so stuck. Watching the characters develop, see themselves from a different perspective, allow themselves to put the past behind them and move into their present was an entertaining journey. The mystery that is included as a catalyst for some and backdrop for others was interesting and I'm glad Ms. Tessaro didn't tie up all the loose ends.
January 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this parallel story of three broken people, two in the present and one in the past. Cate has returned from New York after a disastrous affair with an abusive and Mephistophelean lover. She blames herself for having fallen into the affair and sees herself as “damaged goods”. Jack is still recovering from the death of his wife two years before in circumstances that made it all so much worse. He cannot seem to shake the guilt and despair. Together, cataloguing the contents of an old house, they come across the mystery of Baby Blythe who disappeared in 1941. Following some slender clues left by a few mementos, Cate, and then Jack, becomes obsessed with Baby. The book is interspersed with letters from Baby to her sister and later to her lover, which gives her a voice in the story.
October 31, 2010
Albeit the author's best intent, and despite the being a fan of the author's earlier works, this book was disappointing. Her experiment with a mystery with an unbelievable romantic angle that seems more like an unnecessary garnish added as an afterthought made the resolution of both the mystery and protagonist's relationship unsatisfying.
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November 14, 2023Dang it, Shades of Grey! Encouraging dopey erotica is only one of your literary sins. 17% of the way in The Debutante, and well, uh no.
This book might have more going on than two damaged souls with racing pulses and throbbing bits, but....not for me.
This book might have more going on than two damaged souls with racing pulses and throbbing bits, but....not for me.
October 8, 2015
This is the same author as The Perfume Collector. While I didn't love this novel quite as much, I still found it to be a great read. I definitely recommend this book.
February 28, 2019
Could not finish. Choppy. Cant keep stories straight so it was confusing.
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