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 read—with 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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Readers say *The Maidens* is a dark, twisty thriller set in Cambridge's secretive academic world, enriched with Greek mythology and dark academia vibe...
Woof, there is SO MUCH TO UNPACK with this one. Unlike the Silent Patient, The Maidens threw out so many red herrings and twists and turns that it absolutely left me on the edge of my seat. Once I was convinced one character was the murderer, Alex Michaelides threw one red herring after another at me and I think that is what precisely made this book a binge-able one for me.
I recently took a break from reading more thriller based books, mainly because I needed the break mentally (I tend to obsessively consume the thrillers and all the potential theories behind them to the point of not doing anything productive for 2 days at a time until I finish the book to see if my questions were all answered and my outlandish theories were confirmed or denied)
I liked how Mariana was an incredible realistic character that wasn’t stereotypically likable (I still was rooting for her, don’t worry!) whose flaws and quirks where at the forefront. At times, I felt like I wanted to shake her like I would any real life friend in a situation like hers and help her and save her, which I think only adds to the suspense behind the book.
The big plot twist was NOT what I was expecting and, currently, I have no idea how I actually feel about. I can’t tell if I’m a fan of the big reveal or if I think it’s genius. I’ll have to get back to all of y’all on that one. But, I truly loved the quick,
natural, and organic connection this book made to The Silent Patient and how the two main characters’ journeys intertwined. It was a cool callback for sure! (As I, similarly, consumed the Silent Patient at an almost unhealthy rate.)
Was this one as good as The Silent Patient, in my opinion? Not quite. But this journey I took with The Maidens was a WILD AF ride and definitely worth checking out.
What’s it about?
When Mariana’s niece Zoe calls her from Cambridge to tell her that her friend has been murdered, Mariana leaves London to be at her side. Mariana becomes convinced that Zoe’s brilliant professor, Edward Fosca, is the murderer. Now how does she prove it?
What did it make me think about?
What a beautiful place Cambridge must be- and so steeped in history.
Should I read it?
I thoroughly enjoyed this one- so many suspects thrown in along the way that it was hard to choose who did it. Not always the most plausible of characters- but who cares when the plot keeps moving forward. Cambridge as the setting was just a plus.
Quote-
“Edward Fosca was a murderer.
This was a fact. This wasn’t something Mariana knew just on an intellectual level, as an idea. Her body knew it. She felt it in her bones, along her blood, and deep within every cell.”
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!
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