Goodreads 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 Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The people you love and you feel safe with, can sometimes be the ones that will tear your heart apart. Mariana with her many losses will not see what is coming right at her. Mariana receives a call from her niece Zoe, because one of her friends was found dead. Mariana decides to investigate the murder and un-masquerade professor Edward Fosca, who Mariana believes is the murderer. Prof. Fosca is fascinated with Greek Tragedy. The maidens who are a group of elite privileged girls are the ones that are being murdered and who also have a very close relationship with Prof. Fosca.

As you read the story you will think that the murders can either be caused by a Greek goddess just like Mariana believed is how her husband was killed, you start wondering that it’s Prof. Fosca or Mariana’s new found friend, Fred. Alex will keep your mind spinning trying to make it so obvious that it must be Prof. Fosca, but what lurks in the dark will you leave you stunned. You will find out that Mariana herself was living a Greek Tragedy one that she didn’t even suspect. Sometimes you just don’t know even those closest to you.

I loved the story, but it definitely wasn’t as good as The Silent Patient. The story keeps you guessing until the very end. Your heart will shatter for Mariana when the sinister secrets unravel. I loved that Alex included Theo Faber the criminal psychotherapist in his first book The Silent Patient in this book. To have both stories run at the same time is brilliant. Mariana told Theo about the available position at the Grove. If you are looking to read a good murder mystery filled with Greek Tragedy at Cambridge University, then look no further.

Author Biography

Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel and was the biggest-selling debut in the world in 2019. It spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking forty-nine countries. Alex lives in London.