The Maidens: The Dark Academia Thriller from the author of TikTok sensation The Silent Patient

The setting is Cambridge, a picture postcard city, which houses one of the most sought after universities in the country. Its locations are idyllic with beautifully manicured gardens, open forecourts and buildings with historical spires and turrets abound. Charming until a young and beautiful female student is found murdered.There is no shortage of novels that draw their inspiration from Greek mythology and tragedies that were told hundreds of years ago, but Alex Michaelides makes it integral to the plot and expertly weaves Greek tragedy through the book and in the depiction of its characters.Mariana the main female protagonist in the book, is herself a tragic heroine. Mariana met her adoring husband in Cambridge but her life was turned upside down with the unexpected death of Sebastian in a freak swimming accident. Still coming to terms with the loss of her husband Mariana is dragged back to Cambridge to support her niece Zoe whose friend was murdered with no obvious motive or suspect. As she steps back into the Cambridge Mariana’s unease is heightened when she is faced with hushed conversations, whisperings and a reluctance from the students to talk about what the death of their friend. Even her own niece is hiding something. Mariana, now a Group Therapist is encouraged to subtlety help with the investigation, although reluctant at first, she does agree to stay in support of her niece. After all its just a few days !!!Mariana detects something sinister in the central male character, Edward Fosca, who is a handsome and charismatic professor, of Greek Methodology and Tragedy. Her dislike of Edward intensifies when his god like status becomes apparent with his cult following from a group of female students, known as the Maidens. The adoration is not shaken when Mariana places him as prime suspect and does nothing to hide her suspicions, if anything Mariana finds herself even more isolated, for having dared question the revered Professors reputation and high moral standing. Mariana also finds herself in trouble with the police for her apparent meddling and told to leave Cambridge. However, with the death of 2 more maidens and calling cards with quotes from Greek mythology, Marina decides to stay and solve the murders. In doing so Mariana starts to confront her own demons, feelings of vulnerability and uncertainty and starts to write her own chapters in her book called life.There is no shortage of drama and potential suspects, which just added to the suspense and kept us guessing until the end of the book. I love books where the ending is not obvious. I read the Silent Patient and can now say I am a fan of Alex Michaelides. This was a brilliant book for me, it had the crime, thriller with the backdrop of Greek mythology. Not wanting to show my age, I studied Greek methodology at school - it was a long time ago. I would highly recommend

I love the “vibes” of this book, it was a cosy thriller that I was invested in from the first chapter. The twists in this were great and the characters were very interesting. I don’t think it was the most groundbreaking book I’ve ever read and the main character certainly acted in some questionable ways; the characters weren’t hugely developed and it definitely felt like certain characteristics/plot drivers were a bit of an afterthought, but I was happy to go along for the ride. This book is dark academia in the literal sense that it’s dark and twisted whilst set in a university but the darkness of the plot isn’t fuelled by academia itself. I would say this is more of a mystery/thriller with an academic setting but in that respect, this book definitely delivered.

I have not read The English Patient, so I have no comparison to make. I found the author’s style very pleasant, he writes well, and I liked the academia environment, but the story itself did not “grab me”, I found the main character quite unconvincing as a therapist.I might read The English Patient, as everyone seems to think that it is so much better.

Couldn't stop reading, read it in one day! After I read The Silent Patient, I couldn't believe that it would be as good as that, however The Maidens is also one of the best books I've ever read!

Worth a read. Guessed who’d be involved by the end but it was still enjoyable. Goes well you the silent patient

I think there was a lot of pressure on Michaelides to produce something as scintillating as his exceptional debut, The Silent Patient. I found this second rendition a little less riveting and I didn't find the feminine first person narrative believable but it was an ok read.I think The Silent Patient was always going to be hard to surpass so maybe my expectations were too high. It was pleasant enough though.

I really loved this book! What a twist! Hope there will be another book with Mariana as I felt more could have been explored :)

Rating: 2.0/5Having missed out on Alex Michaelide's debut novel, "The Silent Patient", which received overwhelmingly positive feedback, I was keen to make sure that I got my hands on a copy of his follow-up. Having read the accompanying synopsis my anticipation was only heightened further: A murder mystery set in the world of academia within the appealing environs of Cambridge University. In addition to murder, the plot was said to combine psychology and Greek mythology, as legendary tales from the time of ancient Greece seem to bear an uncanny resemblance to events taking place now. My appetite was suitably whetted ... but unfortunately it wasn't to be too long before severe disappointment set in.Frustratingly, some sections are nicely written and quite prosaic. This, in combination with an appealing backdrop and an engaging premise, could and should have been a recipe for a successful story. Unfortunately, there are just too many elements that simply don't pass muster: The characterisation is simplistic and lacks any depth. Descriptive language tends towards the melodramatic. The dialogue is often stilted, clunky and unnatural. Some of the mechanics used to move the plot forward are convenient to the point of being inane and reminiscent of the kind of thing you might expect to find in a children's adventure story. The frequent references to Greek mythology are, no doubt, intended to give an impression of worthiness and of being profound, but it is little more than a veneer. Ultimately "The Maidens" is a run of the mill mystery hiding behind an intellectual façade.In his notes the author states that this novel is his fond homage to the classic female crime writers: Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Margaret Millar, Margery Allingham, Josephine Tey, P.D. James and Ruth Rendell. A nice gesture perhaps, but those ladies really deserved something better than this.

After reading The Silent Patient, my expectations were quite high, but I must say this book didn't disappoint me. The plot is solid and twisted, the characters are well developed, and the descriptions really bring the setting to life. I enjoyed every single page, and the suspense kept me reading till the end. Great Book.

Love this novel! A must read for those who like well written, intelligent thrillers.

As the first novel, The Silent Patient, this book keeps you hooked up on it from the start. The Author has the ability to transport you completely into the protagonist’ mind. And he makes you completely astonished on the turnouts of the story! Couldn’t stop reading and wish there was the continuation already!!!

Just as good as The Silent Patient!! I enjoyed every bit of it, couldnt put it down until the end. I truly love the work of this author

Interesting book.