Everyone and their poodle read Alex Michaelides’s debut novel, The Silent Patient, including yours truly. His follow up attempt is also chock full of Greek tragedy references, which I happen to love. Oddly enough, I remember learning about Greek mythology in fifth grade and being fascinated by the ancient Greek explanations and insights. Anywho, The Maidens is the second novel from Mr. Michaelides and it’s quite enjoyable for something so dark! However, I have some thoughts…more on that in a minute.

Here’s a brief summary from Amazon:

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.

Snag a copy here: https://amzn.to/3X5RHUC

The Maidens

Here’s where I confuse myself with this book…I was excited to get in the bed every night and read it. And yet….I did not care for a single character. Not a one. Also? I felt as though readers are led to believe one of the characters is going to be a key player and then he or she fizzles out except for a random appearance about 3/4 of the way through the book. It’s such an obvious red herring that it’s almost not a red herring, if that makes sense.

Another thing I found a little off putting is the gratuitous Easter eggs referencing The Silent Patient. Not going to lie, the first Easter egg was exciting. But by the end I was like, “enough is enough.”

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I have no idea why. Maybe it’s the Cambridge setting? I do tend to love books set at Cambridge. The bottom line is that I recommend it if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers (or “domestic thrillers as they’re sometimes called).

The Maidens was not a book club selection. I read it on my own, which is not nearly as fun because I need someone to discuss these characters with me! Send me a message or leave a comment with your thoughts if you’ve read it.