We all keep secrets. Even from ourselves.

'A thrilling, heart-in-throat ride' STEPHEN FRY
'An absolute jaw-dropper' LUCY FOLEY
'Elegant, sinister, stylish' CHRIS WHITAKER
'Grips from start to finish' HARRIET TYCE

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YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MAIDENS.

The Maidens are Cambridge University's most exclusive society, whose members are selected by the charismatic professor of Greek tragedy, Edward Fosca.

A SECRETIVE SET OF THE BRIGHTEST, MOST CAPTIVATING STUDENTS.

When one of the Maidens is murdered, grieving young therapist Mariana Andros is drawn back to the idyllic campus where she was once herself a student.

THE GROUP FROM WHICH EACH VICTIM WILL BE CHOSEN.

Because beneath the university's ancient traditions and beauty is a web of secrets, jealousy and lies. And when the killer threatens the person she loves most, Mariana will give anything to stop them - even her own life...

From the #1 global bestselling author of The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding tale of psychological suspense, weaving together Greek mythology, murder, and obsession...

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'There's definitely a flavour of The Secret History to Alex Michaelides's second novel ... The Maidens is a compelling read, and delivers its Hellenic thrills in style.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'A book which screams 'make me into a TV series' ... his writing, especially his characterisation, possesses a unique sparkle and more promise than most other writers.' DAILY MAIL

'Nothing short of genius.' WOMAN & HOME

'How do you go about following one of the biggest thrillers of the past decade? You write something even better.' CHRIS WHITAKER, bestselling author of WE BEGIN AT THE END

'Grips from intriguing start to horrifying finish ... A brilliant achievement.'
HARRIET TYCE

'A page-turner of the first order'
DAVID BALDACCI

'The greatest campus novel since The Secret History by Donna Tartt ... with a climatic twist that you will NEVER see coming.'
TONY PARSONS

'A stunning psychological thriller ... Michaelides is on a roll.'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

From the author of the global #1 bestselling debut The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding literary thriller which weaves together Greek mythology, psychology, and murder...

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A 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 when one of The Maidens, a friend of Mariana's niece Zoe, is found murdered.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, 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.

One of the most highly anticipated books of the year, THE MAIDENS is sure to become your new obsession...

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Praise for Alex Michaelides and his #1 global bestseller THE SILENT PATIENT:

'Absolutely brilliant' STEPHEN FRY

'Excellent' JOANNE HARRIS

'Terrific' THE TIMES, Crime Book of the Month

'Smart, sophisticated suspense' LEE CHILD

'Compelling' OBSERVER

'An absolute jaw-dropper' LUCY FOLEY

'Hugely impressive' STEVE CAVANAGH

'Totally original' DAVID BALDACCI

'The pace and finesse of a master' BBC CULTURE

'Genuinely chilling' SHARON BOLTON

'Unforgettable' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

'Impossible to put down' MARK EDWARDS

'Shocking, mind-blowing' BLAKE CROUCH

'Highly recommended' C. J. TUDOR

'The definition of a page turner' JOHN MARRS

When Alex Michaelides' first psychological thriller, The Silent Patient, debuted in 2019, it skyrocketed to the top of best-seller lists. His follow-up is just as twisty-and involves another suspicious killing.