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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368 pages

Average rating: 6.79

941 RATINGS

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48 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

HappyPsyche
Jan 21, 2025
7/10 stars
Ha'd me guessing! Great easy read! Relaxing flow
Anonymous
Jan 12, 2025
8/10 stars
Ughhh I thought I had learned my lesson with the first book so I was reading this one super thoroughly but I didn’t have enough evidence to guess the twist!
With that said, there were some plot points that repeated The Silent Patient, even a line I noticed said by the supervisor to Mariana: “where’s your difficulty?”
It was cool that Theo and Mariana met, confirming the “universe” of the books.
I’m excited to read his next work!
mhalgren
Dec 17, 2024
8/10 stars
i wish the cult was actually a cult
stackedlibrarian
Dec 11, 2024
8/10 stars
3.5
Ellen2001
Nov 14, 2024
7/10 stars
Overall good book but ending was disappointing

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