The Dark Academia Thriller from the author of TikTok sensation The Silent Patient

Book blurb

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.

My thoughts

Our theme for this month’s book club was a book with an academic setting and The Maidens by Alex Michaelides fit the bill perfectly. This is a dark story set in Cambridge which is so well portrayed by the author that it is no surprise to find he had read English Literature at Trinity.

When Zoe calls her aunt Mariana in fear of her friend Tara’s life when a body is found in Cambridge, where they are both studying, Mariana agrees to come up from London to help and support her niece.

Mariana, a group therapist, gets drawn into playing detective and is very concerned over a professor who has surrounded himself with a number of his female students who are known as The Maidens. Could this man be killing these young women? Mariana is certain he is but can she prove it?

This certainty even with the lack of proof only seems to make her more determined to the point of obsession.

Who did kill Tara and why? The police initially believe it’s Conrad, a friend of Tara, however when a second very similar and obviously linked murder takes place whilst Conrad is in custody it is clear he is innocent. Is Mariana correct in her belief?

Through the story we are presented with a voice who appears to be the murderer describing his life as a child which is deeply disturbing and abusive. Not graphic but very dark.

With a host of characters and some twists to the story we find out what happened and who the murder is. The main character, Mariana, is not my favourite I found Fred, Clarissa and Inspector Singh more endearing but few characters were sufficiently well fleshed out to fully engage me.

This is a good read for the most part with some small details that need the reader to suspend their belief, the killer is well hidden though not necessarily a complete surprise. Overall it was enjoyable.

Books I’ve read by Alex Michaelides: The Silent Patient

The Virtual Crime Book Club

The Virtual Crime Book Club is hosted by Rebecca Bradley, author of the D I Hannah Robbins and D I Claudia Nunn series as well as standalone novels.

Rebecca is a great host and often gets the authors to come along and chat with us. You can find out more on Rebecca’s website.

Warning!

You can watch the meetings on YouTube. Be aware they may contain spoilers so, if you’re planning to read the book, it may be better not to watch them until you’ve done so.

Well worth checking out –

The wonderful author and blogger Professor Margot Kinberg has introduced The Maiden in her Spotlight vlog which highlights it beautifully.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

National Portrait Gallery (NPG) – brief bio and more portraits

The Poetry Trust – Alfred Tennyson

Tennyson wrote two poems, along with his more (and less) famous works, with the same name as the lead character, Mariana, of Michaelides The Maidens.

Mariana | Marina in the South

Information

Published: Orion Publishing | 26 May 2022 | 368 pp

Buy: Amazon | Hive | Bookshop.org (affiliate link) | Your local bookshop | Your local library

Author

Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an MA in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an MA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. 

He wrote the film The Devil You Know starring Rosamund Pike, and co-wrote The Brits are Coming.

The Silent Patient is first novel, and was inspired by a post graduate course in psychotherapy, and working part-time at a secure psychiatric unit. The Silent Patient was the biggest selling debut in the world in 2019. It spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking 50 countries.

Alex lives in London.

               @AlexMichaelides

Books

The Silent Patient | The Maidens | The Fury