Title: THE MAIDENS
Author: ALEX MICHAELIDES
ISBN: 9781409151682
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 356
Source: Private Copy
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.
Official Summary
21 May 2026
The Maidens is the second novel by Alex Michaelides, and while it may not quite reach the heights of The Silent Patient, it still delivers a compelling and atmospheric psychological thriller with plenty of twists along the way.
Mariana is still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of her husband when she receives a message from her niece, Zoe, whom she has raised almost like a daughter. Zoe is terrified after the murder of her best friend at Cambridge University, and Mariana immediately rushes to her side.
As the police appear reluctant to take Zoe’s fears seriously, Mariana begins investigating the murder herself. However, when more young women are killed, she becomes convinced that charismatic professor Edward Fosca is responsible, and she is determined to prove his guilt no matter the cost.
True to Michaelides’ style, the novel builds steadily towards a shocking final reveal that completely caught me off guard. I spent most of the book suspecting Fred — his obsession with Mariana and his unsettling behaviour made him seem like the obvious choice. There was something undeniably creepy about him from the start.
What makes the story especially engaging is that Mariana is not only investigating a series of murders, but also battling her own unresolved grief and emotional trauma. She is still haunted by the loss of her husband and burdened by complicated feelings surrounding her father. Because of this, her immediate suspicion of Edward Fosca feels understandable, even if it is occasionally clouded by emotion. At the same time, Edward himself never feels entirely trustworthy, which keeps the tension simmering throughout the novel.
The university setting works brilliantly as a backdrop for the story. The ancient traditions, academic atmosphere, and references to Greek tragedy create a dark, immersive mood that perfectly suits the mystery. Michaelides also weaves poetry and mythology into the narrative, adding an extra layer of elegance and menace to the story.
I was completely engrossed and ended up racing through the book in a single day. The characters were vividly drawn, the mystery layered and engaging, and the final twist genuinely surprising. While this was not quite a five-star read for me, it came very close.
Also by Alex Michaelides
THE SILENT PATIENT
Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.
Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.
Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him….
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel and was the biggest-selling debut in the world in 2019. It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking forty-nine countries. Alex lives in London.
I preferred The Silent Patient, but chatting to my husband he preferred The Maidens – that reminded me that we all experience stories in our own way. I strongly believe you should read the books you want to, no matter what someone else’s opinion may be. Thank you for visiting. Until next time…,. Happy Reading!
