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The Maidens: A Novel

**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**

"Alex Michaelides’s long-awaited next novel, 'The Maidens,' is finally here...the premise is enticing and the elements irresistible."
—The New York Times

"A deliciously dark, elegant, utterly compulsive readwith a twist that blew my mind. I loved this even more than I loved The Silent Patient and that's saying something!"
Lucy Foley, New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding tale of psychological suspense, weaving together Greek mythology, murder, and obsession, that further cements “Michaelides as a major player in the field” (Publishers Weekly).


Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike—particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.

Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.

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Published May 24, 2022

368 pages

Average rating: 6.77

1,056 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

sneed
Jun 18, 2025
2/10 stars
I almost gave this book 2 ⭐️ but the ending pissed me off. i also disliked the silent patient, picked this up by accident, and they are extremely similar. if you like the silent patient you’ll probably like this :/

update: after discussion with my friend, she agreed that this author does not write women well and in fact we got icky misogynistic vibes from the writing :)
KaraBrown
Oct 15, 2024
8/10 stars
This was very good. I loved the psychoanalysis and Greek mythology references. I didn’t see the twist coming.
AbbeyLileTaylor
Aug 29, 2023
10/10 stars
There is nothing -NOTHING- I like better than a mystery set on a college campus. Then throw in a Secret Society?? SOLD. "The Maidens," written by Alex Michaelides, could have been titled, "Hey, Abbey! Come Read This Book...You're Gonna Love It!"

That title might be a touch too long and lacking in commercial appeal, but, all that say...it's my jam.

"The Maidens" is set on the Cambridge campus, and centers around Greek mythology, Mariana (our fearless and broken protagonist), her niece, Zoe (student at said troubled university), and the overly charming & sketchy professor, Edward Fosca. Particular students are being brutally stabbed to death in the woods and they are all in the *cough* Girl Only *cough* secret society led by the handsome and mysteries Fosca.

I am usually quick to solve a mystery story. I can pick out the "bad guy" and even give his reasons for murder most of the time. And I did again... ... ...but I did NOT see the twist coming. Just...not even a little. Thinking back on some key passages, I feel like Michaelides was dropping a few light clues to mislead his audience - that I totally bought hook, line, & sinker!

Fantastic Read! Only way I could have loved it more was if I could have read it for the first time on a rainy October day. But, I mean, you can only ask so much of a book. *wink*

A HUGE Thank You to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this amazing audiobook. 5 Stars!
Anonymous
May 18, 2025
6/10 stars
I really enjoyed the Silent Patient and gave this a shot, bookclubbing with a friend. This man knows a few specific things and by thunder he's sticking to em: psychotherapy, daddy issues, affairs, Greece and England. The conclusion is not nearly as compelling as the Silent Patient. I wouldn't say skip it. Still a fun read especially with the brief crossover, but it also just made me realize how much I enjoyed Theo as a character and how little I enjoyed Mariana.
BriannaBond
Mar 17, 2025
2.85 stars

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