**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** "Alex Michaelides’s long-awaited next novel, 'The Maidens,' is finally here...the premise is enticing and the elements irresistible." —The New York Times "A deliciously dark, elegant, utterly compulsive read—with a twist that blew my mind. I loved this even more than I loved The Silent Patient and that's saying something!" —Lucy Foley, New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding tale of psychological suspense, weaving together Greek mythology, murder, and obsession, that further cements “Michaelides as a major player in the field” (Publishers Weekly). 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.
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About the author
Alex Michaelides
Author
Alex Michaelides is a bestselling author and screenwriter whose literary career has been marked by a seamless blend of psychological insight, narrative suspense, and cinematic flair, earning him international acclaim as one of the most compelling contemporary voices in crime fiction. Born in 1977 in Cyprus to a Greek father and an English mother, Michaelides grew up immersed in a multicultural environment that shaped both his identity and his storytelling sensibilities; the island’s history and mythological backdrop would later permeate his work in subtle but resonant ways. After completing his early education in Cyprus, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he pursued English literature at Cambridge University, an experience that honed his appreciation for classical texts and the psychological dimensions of character. Eager to combine his literary foundation with a visual medium, he studied screenwriting at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, where he learned the mechanics of pacing, structure, and dialogue that would become trademarks of his novels. Before finding his breakthrough as a novelist, Michaelides worked in film, contributing as a screenwriter to projects such as The Devil You Know (2013) and collaborating on scripts that, while modest in recognition, gave him invaluable experience in the dynamics of storytelling for a mass audience. His immersion in therapy and psychology, including a period working at a secure psychiatric unit for teenagers, profoundly influenced his creative path, exposing him to the complexities of mental health, trauma, and human behavior—insights that later informed the authenticity and depth of his fictional characters. In 2019, Michaelides published his debut novel, The Silent Patient, a psychological thriller centered on a woman who stops speaking after a violent crime and the psychotherapist determined to uncover her truth; the book became an instant sensation, topping The New York Times bestseller list, selling millions of copies worldwide, and earning translation into over fifty languages. Praised for its shocking twist, elegant prose, and masterful control of suspense, The Silent Patient established Michaelides as a new force in crime fiction and has been optioned for a film adaptation, further cementing his crossover appeal between literature and cinema. Building on this success, he released his second novel, The Maidens, in 2021, a dark academic thriller set against the backdrop of Cambridge University that wove together classical mythology, psychoanalysis, and murder mystery; the book achieved bestseller status in both the UK and the US, demonstrating his ability to sustain reader interest with layered plots and atmospheric settings. In 2024, Michaelides published The Fury, a high-stakes tale of betrayal and revenge on a private Greek island, which once again showcased his affinity for combining the mythic landscapes of his heritage with the psychological intensity of modern suspense narratives. Throughout his career, Michaelides has been celebrated not only for his ability to craft intricate, tightly plotted thrillers but also for his exploration of silence, trauma, obsession, and the fragility of identity—themes that resonate with audiences far beyond genre fiction. Today, he continues to write from London, where he balances his literary pursuits with ongoing work in film, admired by readers and critics alike for his capacity to merge the timeless allure of Greek tragedy with the immediacy of psychological thrillers, making him one of the most distinctive and influential authors of his generation.
The Maidens
by Alex Michaelides
Books Like The Maidens
If you're looking for books similar to The Maidens, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Silent Patient
Alex Michaelides
A psychological thriller about a psychotherapist investigating a woman who murdered her husband and stopped speaking. The novel explores themes of obsession, psychological manipulation, and hidden secrets. It features complex characters and unexpected plot twists similar to 'The Maidens'. The book delves deep into psychological motivations and mental health dynamics.
The Secret History
Donna Tartt
A dark academic novel set in an elite college where a group of classics students become entangled in a murder. The book explores themes of obsession, Greek mythology, and hidden secrets. It shares similar academic setting and psychological complexity with 'The Maidens'. The narrative delves into the dark side of intellectual pursuits.
Rebecca
Daphne du Maurier
A psychological suspense novel about a young woman haunted by her husband's previous wife. The book explores themes of obsession and psychological manipulation. It shares the atmospheric and psychologically complex narrative of 'The Maidens'. The novel delves into hidden secrets and psychological tension.
In the Woods
Tana French
A psychological crime novel about a detective investigating a murder that connects to his own traumatic childhood experience. The story blends psychological depth with a complex murder mystery. It features intricate character development and a haunting narrative style similar to 'The Maidens'. The book explores psychological trauma and its long-lasting effects.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Stieg Larsson
A complex mystery involving a journalist and a brilliant hacker investigating a decades-old disappearance. The novel features intricate plot development and psychological depth. It shares the investigative theme and psychological complexity of 'The Maidens'. The book explores dark secrets and systemic corruption.
The Magpie Murders
Anthony Horowitz
A meta-mystery novel about a publisher investigating a mysterious manuscript. The book features intricate plot development and literary references. It shares the academic and mystery elements of 'The Maidens'. The novel explores storytelling and hidden narratives.
Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn
A psychological thriller about a journalist returning to her hometown to investigate a series of murders. The novel explores deep psychological trauma and family dysfunction. It shares the dark, introspective narrative style of 'The Maidens'. The book delves into complex psychological motivations.
Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty
A psychological mystery about secrets and lies among a group of women. The novel explores complex interpersonal dynamics and hidden truths. It shares the psychological depth and character-driven narrative of 'The Maidens'. The book examines social dynamics and psychological complexity.
The Whisper Man
Alex North
A psychological thriller about a father and son confronting a serial killer's legacy. The novel features psychological complexity and dark atmospheric elements. It shares the suspenseful and psychologically intricate narrative of 'The Maidens'. The book explores trauma and psychological inheritance.
Dark Places
Gillian Flynn
A psychological thriller about a woman investigating her family's brutal murder from years ago. The novel features complex psychological exploration and unexpected plot twists. It shares the dark, obsessive narrative style of 'The Maidens'. The book examines trauma, family secrets, and psychological manipulation.
The Woman in the Window
A.J. Finn
A psychological thriller about an agoraphobic woman who believes she witnessed a crime. The novel features unreliable narration and psychological complexity. It shares the suspenseful and psychologically intricate style of 'The Maidens'. The book explores perception and psychological uncertainty.
The Thirteenth Tale
Diane Setterfield
A gothic mystery about a biographer uncovering a famous author's hidden past. The novel features intricate storytelling and psychological complexity. It shares the atmospheric and mysterious tone of 'The Maidens'. The book explores themes of identity and hidden family secrets.
The Hunting Party
Lucy Foley
A psychological thriller about a group of friends at a remote hunting lodge where a murder occurs. The novel features complex character dynamics and hidden secrets. It shares the atmospheric and psychologically intense style of 'The Maidens'. The book explores group dynamics and psychological tension.
The Lake
Natasha Preston
A young adult thriller about a summer camp with dark secrets. The novel explores themes of hidden dangers and psychological tension. It shares the suspenseful and mysterious tone of 'The Maidens'. The book delves into psychological manipulation and hidden motivations.
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