The Maidens: A Novel by Alex Michaelides
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Web ID: 14462504Captivating read
I have read this and the fury and I liked this one more. I instantly felt like I was in the weeds with the main character. The writing was fast and easy to follow. For crime / mysteries it’s a great read
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Loved it
Wow. Another great read from the author. It kept me jumping from suspect to suspect. Everyone seemed guilty, and I never expected the final outcome. Loved the small connections to The Silent Patient and despite the similar writing style and plot theme, this book stood on it’s own. Loved every minute.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great book
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides, the bestselling author of The Silent Patient, is a gripping psychological thriller that combines dark academia with a twisted murder mystery. Michaelides once again demonstrates his talent for crafting a tense, suspenseful atmosphere, drawing readers into a world of intellectual elitism and hidden darkness. The setting of Cambridge plays a pivotal role in the novel, with its ancient architecture, storied traditions, and ivy-clad walls providing the perfect backdrop for the mystery. The atmosphere is one of foreboding, as the idyllic beauty of the university contrasts sharply with the sinister events that unfold. However, while the plot is engaging, the pace can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling slower as the novel delves into Mariana’s emotional and psychological state. The ending, while surprising, may feel a bit contrived for some readers, as it relies on a few too many coincidences and revelations that stretch plausibility. In conclusion, *The Maidens* is a dark, atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological mysteries and suspenseful narratives. Michaelides' skillful use of setting, strong character development, and intricate plotting make this an absorbing read, even if the twists in the final act may feel a bit far-fetched. The novel explores themes of grief, obsession, and the power dynamics at play in both relationships and academia, making it a thought-provoking and thrilling read for those who enjoy layered mysteries with psychological depth.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Meh
This book reads like a movie; it very much feels like it is set up to been seen, not felt or thought. I love some good foreshadowing and I even enjoy red herrings quite a bit, so I did like that this book had both of those aspects. However, I did not like the end. I don’t enjoy left field plot twists because it then feel like, why did I even try to figure this out with the character(s) along the way? Like I said, would have been better as movie instead of a book and even then, meh. It tries a bit too hard to scoop up readers who loved things like The Secret History and dark academia, but instead of focusing on the classical vibes, this was saturated with therapy terminology and let that be its driving force. It was just meh, not for me.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Not everything is what it seems!
At first I wasn’t sure how I felt going into the book knowing the murderer. However it’s not always what you initially think. His books always keep you on edge. When you think you know what’s going on you don’t!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Another great twist by Alex Michaelides
Another great book with a twist! Mariana reminisces about her late husband and their memories as she tries to hang onto him a little longer. She’s a group therapist and has one patient she and the group struggle with, Henry. Henry has anger issues and was overcoming the extreme childhood abuse inflicted by his father until he began college. Then college overwhelmed him. Marina has a niece, Zoe, who’s attending Cambridge and calls Mariana when her friend Tara goes missing. As Mariana is traveling on a train to meet Zoe, she encounters Fred, a young man who kindly insists that they will meet again. After Mariana arrives at the college, she’s pulled into a belief that a professor is a murderer and she wants to prove it and goes to great lengths to do so as young women are murdered. The story alternates with the background of an abused victim and eventually the reader learns who it is. Another great book with a twist from Alex Michaelides, 5 stars!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Not The SP, but I like Michealides' style!
Upon discovering this book I was very excited. Michaelides wove words so intriguing and exciting in The Silent Patient that I thought he could do no wrong. Reviews like this fed my enthusiasm: | 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 | Psychological suspect? Mythology? Murder? Sold. Sold. And SOLD. Only, that's where my excitement ended. The twist, although lead all the way through valleys and mountains was a twist that I called half of very early on. I found the short chapters nice, but I typically prefer fast chapters. I wanted more mythology and could have definitely loved the characters more. I absolutely adore the crossover with SP and hope that Michaelides continues this trend in the future. I do appreciate the psychological aspect in this novel. I will return for this author's third book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Good read
I read The Silent Patient and liked it a lot. So I figured this book would almost be as good as that. It was a good book, a murder takes place on an English campus. Mariana goes to comfort her niece. Then gets drawn into the mystery. Or should I say murders? All signs did point to Professor Fosca, at least I thought. Then I thought well maybe it could have been Edward. He seemed to pop up at certain times. I don’t mind books that tap into history or let’s say Greek mythology. However I get bored and lost a bit when it dives deep into it. I want excitement, blood pumping in my veins because I might know who was he killer. The story line was good, characters were great. The mind games and the who done it, was good as well. Something this author is good at. You’re on the edge of your seat, figuring out the puzzle and boom, you’re slapped with another puzzle. I will say, never thought that the killer was who they were. That part was well done!!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com