Title- The Maidens
Rating– 4/5
Genre- Suspense/Thriller
POV- Third person, past tense
Trope- “who dunnit?”
Similar Books/Comps– The Silent Patient,
My emotions- Invested, Curious, Nervous
Vibe– Dark & sinister, unsettling, creepy, goosebump-worthy
Characters–
Edward Fosca- A charismatic professor, is adored by students―particularly by a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.
Mariana Andros- a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of her niece is found murdered in Cambridge.
Zoe- Mariana’s niece at college
Plot/Blurb-
Mariana 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.
Prose-
A little choppy at times, but it worked.
Quote-
“Everyone’s entitled to be the hero of their own story. So I must be permitted to be the hero of mine. Even though I’m not. I’m the villain.”
Pacing-
Fast read since you want to find out what happens.
Best part-
The thrilling ride to figure out who did it and what character might be the next victim
Comments while reading-
Page 150- Too many side characters were letting Mariana “investigate” – too convenient and unrealistic
Page 199 – how ridiculously stupid will Mariana continue to be? Stop putting yourself in dangerous situation
Page 236- was the first time slightly bored from monotony. Needing something new/change.
Ask and you will receive. Page 241 made me yell “what?” out loud
Page 246- okay, Alex Michaelides, I see you’re trying to distract me
Page 263 – predictable yet still entertaining
Page 315- Thoroughly confused. But in a good way… I think?
Cassie Swindon 