There's so much to love about this book! Dark Academia with twisted characters and a story that will keep you guessing. The Maidens is so atmospheric and is filled with delights for those who read the author's debut book. Michaelides is easily becoming an auto-read author. The audiobook edition was narrated excellently and really kept the story moving. I highly recommend it for this book.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This is one of those books where you're just sure you know who the killer is... Except you REALLY have no clue how off base you are! Mariana's visit to Cambridge to visit her niece, Zoe, has her stuck in the middle of a murder spree. And with a groupee cult known as The Maidens and their leader Professor Fosca, there are all kinds of mysterious things happening on campus! I loved this book for the clever twists and the academic setting of Cambridge, which allows this story to be more than just your garden variety mystery. You will question what you know as much as Mariana does, making this an awesome read.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to Alex Michaelides for granting access to this advanced listening copy of The Maidens. My book club unanimously chose The Maidens as our book to read for August, much because of its obvious dark academia vibes, but also because we all loved The Silent Patient and were so eager to see what Michaelides pulled out of his sleeve for this sophomore release. As I had the privilege of having listened to this audio production of the novel, I was interested to see how much that experience influenced my understanding and enjoyment of the novel. Many of our members totally missed the beauty of the Greek poetry scattered throughout the book because, they admitted, they don't read Greek and therefore just glanced at the letters before moving on to the next paragraph, page, or chapter without much thought. They also missed the tone of the dual narrators and didn't immediately realize that there were chapters written from a male POV until they'd read pretty far into the book. I enjoyed getting to point out all these subtle little things they missed in their reading because they didn't also listen to the audio; and then I made them listen to those parts because they shouldn't have missed it!!

This pains to me write this as I looked forward to reading/listening to this book for so long. I got through the audiobook over a weekend and perhaps listening to it allowed for my mind to wander but this book was not my cup of tea at all. I felt like it dragged on, with lots of loose ends and visible plot holes. The entire concept was far-fetched and unbelievable. Our main character was unlikable and almost absurd in her aloofness. In the end, I was quite dissatisfied with this book. It would be unfair to compare this book to The Silent Patient so I will leave it at its measly 2/5 stars.

This novel got me thinking after I finished it. I was stunned at the twist. But I also hated that it made no sense. Despite this, I enjoyed reading The Maidens as a whole.

After reading this book, I have no doubt the author is a talented writer.. Michaelides is able to write in a way that’s unpretentious, which really kept me hooked to this story. I like how he incorporates Greek myths/stories and psychology into his novels. I learn so much and these elements really add depth to the mysteries. The short chapters and suspenseful scenes in The Maidens added to the thrill and kept me reading until the very end.

However, there were certain things in this novel that I would improve. One was that while Mariana was a well-rounded protagonist, the rest of the characters came off one-dimensional. We don’t really know much about them, and the multiple men in this book were all creepy, for some reason. It was weird how we had four characters make a pass at Mariana throughout the novel.

There were many plot developments in the novel that I found too far-fetched. An example was how Mariana conducted her investigation. It was hard to believe she was able to break so many rules without getting kicked out of Cambridge University. There’s also the main suspect Edward Fosca. We’re told multiple times that he’s charismatic but his interactions with Mariana and public demeanor suggest otherwise. In this case, the author was telling instead of showing.

I also thought there were so many red herrings that they started to feel contrived. For example, we know the murderer grew up in a farm and by coincidence, we have several characters share the same circumstance. The chapters from the murderer’s point of view was also dull and in the end, they didn’t even feel relevant in the end.

Lastly, my biggest gripe with the novel was the twist that revealed the murderer’s identity and motive. It was shocking, but the explanation was so convoluted. I felt readers who read that far deserved more explanation, and we didn’t get that. There were also plot holes, which is a major pet peeve in any mystery. I would be really interested to know if Michaelides outlines his novel or just writes as he goes. I think this story could have benefited from an outline. But then again, things are easier said than done.

I was instantly intrigued by the synopsis of this book. I read the Silent Patient and really enjoyed it so i wanted to go with anther book by this author. This book did take me awhile to understand, but I did like how unique it was. The book well written and I loved the story, but there were however some twists that I would have like to have seen done a different way. Leaving me with an average of 3 stars on this book.

I was excited for the newest novel from this author but I was underwhelmed. The tie to The Silent Patient was neat but the story development and plot twist didn’t capture me.

🌟 "A monster with a knife was among them, unseen, prowling the streets, apparently able to strike and then melt away invisibly into the darkness." 🌟

Thrillers that feature therapists as main characters are my special kind of catnip. Is it a little bit self-insert-y, considering I’m a therapist myself? Probably. But that’s neither here nor there. The thing is, though I gravitate to books with this trope, it’s very rare for me to find one that hits the mark and perfectly executes what it’s trying to accomplish. And unfortunately, I can’t say that The Maidens is one of those select few. I know that this is going to be the perfect, atmospheric thriller for some readers out there, and I’m a little bit jealous I’m not one of them. But, alas. There were just too many issues for me to really enjoy myself.

Let me start off with what I enjoyed. The atmosphere was great. If you’re looking for those dark academia vibes, you’ll defiantly find it here. I loved the dichotomy of having both the pristine, illustrious college with the dark, somewhat seedy underbelly of the city. I also loved how short the chapters were. I felt like I was flying through the book, even though the beginning portion felt slow and unnecessarily drawn-out. Even though I felt at times it was a bit on-the-nose, I did enjoy the aspects of Greek mythology that were weaved into the story. It made me feel especially clever when I was able to pick up on how the mythology played into the plot.

Now. What didn’t I like? There was nothing realistic about the setup of this book. There’s no way in hell a group therapist is going to have access to a murder investigation the way Mariana did. I don’t care who she knows. That’s solidly outside of her wheelhouse. And all throughout the novel she makes questionable choices, to the point that I felt like my eyebrow was raised in pure skepticism the whole time I was reading. I didn’t find Fosca and his monologs to be compelling; certainly not enough to have a cult-like following. And the ending? I didn’t think it was possible for an ending to be both deeply predictable and also coming out of left field, yet here we are!

Unfortunately, The Maidens by Alex Michaelides was a real miss for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for sending me this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I had high hopes for this title after loving The Silent Patient. I started with the written book, and transitioned to the audiobook. The book is both well written as far as prose goes, and well narrated, but the ending was so disappointing. It was definitely unexpected, but not in a satisfying way. The references to Greek mythology felt more stuffed on top of the plot than integrated, and the who-done-it felt incongruous for the character development - there was not a single hint that person was capable. It has, however, brought a revival of interest to The Silent Patient to our bookstore, and Alex Michaelides will continue to be an auto-buy author for me.

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain.

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.

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.

The only thing I can say about this book is that it's boring. Nothing pulled me in. The characters were whiney. (I honestly hated how the main character was written, I understand she is going through a lot but she was insufferable). There were moments where the author tried to shock me that just fell flat. I can't even say it was a good idea as it felt like so many other thrillers out there.

I have not read the authors first book so I am not sure if the writing is normal for them, but it was just average.

I wish there was something nice I could say about this but it just wasn't great.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great for fans of thrillers, classics, and mythology!

The Maidens is set on the campus of Cambridge University, which becomes the backdrop for a series of brutal murders. Stepping back on campus proves difficult for Mariana, for it is where she and her late husband met, but she must console her niece, who was close friends with the deceased. She soon finds herself swept up in finding the murderer when cryptic clues surrounding goddess Persephone begin pointing to the charming Greek Tragedy Professor, Edward Fosca and his collection of favourite female students.

Alex Michaelides has an amazing literary style that makes the experience so enjoyable. I enjoyed reading The Maidens in the same way that I enjoyed reading Paula Hawkins' Into The Water. I found the ending predictable; however, it was a beautiful and thrilling journey.

An incredibly beautiful narration that brought the words to life.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC listen.

The audiobook was great. I loved the different narrators throughout. The plot twist at the end was not expected.

It is hard not to compare to the the Silent Patient since that was my introduction to the author. The book is well-written and equally enjoyable. It was a bit slow for me at the start, but I enjoyed it and I found the nod to some of the characters in the Silent Patient a nice touch. Appreciative of the ARC, I was thrilled to get it considering the anticipation around this book.

Alex knows how to write a suspense novel that makes you question every character. His twist endings can't be match. The two narrators definitely knew how to make you feel for their character or cringe with worry.

I was excited to read another Michaelides thriller. However, this one felt a mixture of hit-and-miss to me. I felt needlessly twisted around at times, and it was hard to sustain caring for any one character throughout. It's still clever enough to keep me reading to the end; and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick-read thriller.

I also read this book but truly, it was just as exciting listening to it. Do not try to multi task or you may miss a clue!

I started this book with great anticipation and the thrills just kept coming. I enjoyed Alex Michaelides' THE SILENT PATIENT so much, there was never a doubt I'd love this story too. Michaelidies is definitely an author to follow.

Mariana Andros has been through some severe trauma in her recent past. Her husband drowned while they were on a romantic vacation. There is so much mystery revolving around Mariana's past, her marriage and her fortune that you should pay very close attention for clues. As she tries to rebuild her life and career, Mariana's close ties to her niece, Zoe, pull her into an investigation of several murders involving a group of young women calling themselves THE MAIDENS. As a group therapist and an alumnus, Mariana feels she can contribute, even though she is warned off by the police and her circle of friends and family. The story takes some very unique turns, at times I had to go back to make sure I knew what was going on, but this just makes the last few chapters a very real surprise. This is definitely a book you will not want to set down for any length of time.

I did liked Alex Michaelides debut novel, The Silent Patient I can not say the same about this title. The characters seem very two dimensional - it was very hard to feel for any of them and there were way too many of them. Mariana Andros, the protagonist and a group psychotherapist, is not believable. She puts herself in positions that any smart person would not. The storyline felt convoluted and disjointed. I did not feel any suspense in the story. The plot was a slow go - not an enjoyable read for me.

Excellent, as expected. A highly recommended first purchase in all forms for public fiction collections.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook of The Maidens, and it was a great pleasure, the narration was superb at all times.

As my second AM book, I knew a plot twist was coming and I wanted to guess it from the beginning, I read a few reviews of people talking about how they knew who the murdered was from the start, and I’m here like HOW???? I failed terribly lol 🤣

Mariana Andros, our MC, has a heavy past weighing her down, but that doesn’t stop her journey to Cambridge after her niece informs her of the murder of a girlfriend. What starts as a trip to console her niece transforms into a full investigation of the men she suspects, Edward Fosca, a lauded professor, who likes to keep the company of a group of select female students, called The Maidens.

The premise of the book is as solid as it gets, but I got a bit lost in the shuffle of the greek mythology and trying to keep up with all the characters. I was hoping for a fast paced read, something that would consume the reader.

PS: if you’ve read The Silent Patient, there’s an easter egg waiting for you in this book 👀

Holy moly what an incredible psychological thriller/detective story/murder mystery that had me enthralled from the start! The Maidens was full of “red herrings” and I honestly suspected everyone immediately, because the author made everyone seems so suspicious and they all seemingly had something to hide.
Our story centers around Mariana, who is a group psychotherapist who seems to have trouble setting boundaries for her patients. One of her patients, Henry, seems obsessive and has been stalking her.
Mariana is a grieving widow, having recently lost her beloved husband, Sebastian in a tragic drowning accident. However, a call for help from her niece , Zoe, brings a sense a purpose back to Mariana and she rushes to Cambridge University.
Zoe’s dear friend has been murdered and while Mariana tries to be supportive, she suspects a popular professor with his secret society of female students of being connected to the crime. Zoe seems to know a lot more than she will admit and soon Mariana is doing her own investigating and getting herself into some possibly dangerous situations.
I found myself really feeling for Mariana. She was obviously still really damaged from the loss of her husband and seemed to be in a dreamlike state in parts of the story. She really wanted to do the right thing by way of Zoe and you were really rooting for her even when her choices weren’t the smartest!
I never would have guessed the killer or where the ending was heading and that’s the way I love thrillers to end! I hope that there is more to come with this story; as pieces of the Silent Patient are entertwined with this one; a third book would be awesome!
Many thanks to Netgalley and MacMillian Audio for the ARC of The Maidens!