Book Review: The Maidens: A Novel by Alex Michaelides-Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of The Maidens: A Novel by Alex Michaelides.

Title: The Maidens: A Novel

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

Author: Alex Michaelides

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publication Date: June 15, 2021

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages
Meet the Author: Alex Michaelides
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

"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.

My Thoughts

I read The Silent Patient and loved it. One of the best books I read in 2019. It was such a different thriller from all the others I read before. I could not put it down. I was very excited when they announced Alex Michaelides was coming up with a new book. 

The Maidens, of course, very different from The Silent Patient, but something about the author's writing, that is still the same, so good, it makes immerse yourself in the story, and the characters, whether you want it or not. I like how I thought I had it all figured out, though, I was not even close. 

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Louise Brealey and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, did a fantastic job, and that was one other reason why I liked the book a lot.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the free Advanced Audiobook Copy in Exchange for an honest review. 

Wendy