Book Blurb:
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 Review: 4 stars
The Maidens was high on my list of thrillers to read in 2021 as I really enjoyed the author’s 2019 debut The Silent Patient.
This story follows Mariana Andros, a group therapist struggling with the recent loss of her husband. Her only remaining family is her niece Zoe, and when she calls Mariana to come to Cambridge after the brutal murder of her close friend, Mariana immediately goes. After doing some of her own investigating into the death, Mariana begins to suspect Edward Fosca, a popular professor on campus, who leads a study group of beautiful girls called The Maidens.
There was a small but intriguing cast of characters, each with their own secrets and stories. As the story progresses, their actions made me continually dissect if they’re being suspicious or if I was just convincing myself that they were. Part of the fun of thrillers is being kept on your toes until the end. Michaelides worked the pieces of his story together in a way that kept me guessing and consistently engaged. The author wants you to think that you know who did it and why, but then does a full 180 at the eleventh hour. After The Silent Patient’s ending, I shouldn’t have been as shocked as I was for this novel’s twist!
Interestingly, but also somewhat bothersome, were the few, rare mentions of cellphones. It had the allure that this book could have taken place in any time period. Some readers may like this so they can make the book their own, but like a clear cut time period. Perhaps, in some way, the absensce of a time period subconsciously added to the overall mystery.
Suspense and thriller readers will definitely enjoy this unusaul Greek tragendy. Note: if you were a fan of The Silent Patient, I recommend giving this a go – especially because Theo Faber makes an interesting cameo appearance.
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