The Maidens

By: Alex Michaelides

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Louise Brealey

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

We all keep secrets. Even from ourselves.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MAIDENS.

The Maidens are Cambridge University's most exclusive society, whose members are selected by the charismatic professor of Greek tragedy, Edward Fosca.

A SECRETIVE SET OF THE BRIGHTEST, MOST CAPTIVATING STUDENTS.

When one of the Maidens is murdered, grieving young therapist Mariana Andros is drawn back to the idyllic campus where she was once herself a student.

THE GROUP FROM WHICH EACH VICTIM WILL BE CHOSEN.

Because beneath the university's ancient traditions and beauty is a web of secrets, jealousy and lies. And when the killer threatens the person she loves most, Mariana will give anything to stop them - even her own life...

From the #1 global bestselling author of The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding tale of psychological suspense, weaving together Greek mythology, murder, and obsession...

©2021 Alex Michaelides (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"A thrilling, heart-in-throat ride." (Stephen Fry)

"An absolute jaw-dropper." (Lucy Foley)

"Elegant, sinister, stylish." (Chris Whitaker)

its addicting but has major flaws

spoilery revient.... I really enjoyed reading this book but it left a bitter sweet taste. many story lines were started and not tied up... the only explication I find is that its setting up a thirst book. but there was too much setting up that you thing its has something to do with the plot and nope... nothing at all... so I have a whole origin story of à caracters that really have no major rôle in the current plot. also why is everyone hitting on the main caracter.. like any man she speaks too wanna date her... unrealistic. also why she got her self involved in there murders and ignored her group thérapie patients is beyond me... quite unproffessional since she has no real reason or connection to the victims

Brilliant, flawed psychothriller

Almost all aspects one looks for in crime fiction are ticked deftly by Michaelidis - he really delivers well. Unfortunately the book is marred, as the genre often is, by the balancing device he chooses to give us enough clues while hiding his clever denouement: the hapless bumbling protagonist who keeps missing the obvious in one situation after another. It detracts a bit from the agnorisis she has at the end, though overall the book leaves one well satisfied. The performance of Brealey is fine, but a little unremarkable and perhaps gives Marianna too much of an anodyne persona in the reader’a mind.

I loved the Easter eggs

I adore this author. the plot is always stunning. and I love the reference to the silent patient

gripping

the plots twists come thick and fast. A very well written book that was hugely enjoyable.

It is not bad at all but somewhat predictable

"Silent Patient" was totally mind-blowing. This one is not but very decent read anyway

Was good

Very cool! But the final pieces of the puzzle feels rushed. Will recommend though

A story heard before

The story itself makes you feel as if you've heard it a thousand times before. I figured out the plot in the first couple of chapters. The performance it extremely dull, it might have been better with a bigger variety of voices.
Alex's previous book had a phenomal twist at the end, true thriller. Unfortunately this book did not live up to the hype.

Not in the same class as the first book

The first book was inspired and it took my breath away. This book is not too bad but boring when compared with the silent patient, although the cross-over is highly appreciated.

The twist at the end which I had been waiting for is far-fetched because far less could have been done to achieve the goal

But I love the psychoanalysis bits throughout the book so two stars from me

Would not recommend

As many other readers, I enjoyed The Silent witness and recommended it to loads of people. This book is not it, very drawn out, the characters are simply not interesting, the author somewhat struggles with writing the female protagonist. I guessed the killer and many of you will too.
Hope that the third book will be miles better, I’ll give it a chance