Alex Michaelides tale, The Maidens, is a complex tale of murder encouraged by the abuse of one's formative years. On the surface it appears it's about a group of young college woman, all beautiful and privileged, of course. When one of these women is found murdered in a most rage-impacted manner, it is discovered she belongs to a group called The Maidens, named so after some Greek mythology characters basically defining death. I'm not a mythology student to be sure and at times it was a lot to keep up with.
But more than The Maidens, it's about a group therapist, Mariana, recently widowed who ends up at the college as a support for her niece who's friend has been murdered. While there, she comes into contact with several men that appear to have more going on under the surface and she is determined to keep her niece safe and find out who is committing these murders. In an interesting twist, a couple of characters from Michaelides first novel, The Silent Patient, have cameo appearances.
There wasn't much interaction with the physical characters, The Maidens. More time was spent on describing their place in Greek Mythology. I think that was a miss. This book seemed far more centered on childhood abuse, early loss in life, and coming to terms with loss.
I'll round up to a 4 but I feel it was a 3.5
But more than The Maidens, it's about a group therapist, Mariana, recently widowed who ends up at the college as a support for her niece who's friend has been murdered. While there, she comes into contact with several men that appear to have more going on under the surface and she is determined to keep her niece safe and find out who is committing these murders. In an interesting twist, a couple of characters from Michaelides first novel, The Silent Patient, have cameo appearances.
There wasn't much interaction with the physical characters, The Maidens. More time was spent on describing their place in Greek Mythology. I think that was a miss. This book seemed far more centered on childhood abuse, early loss in life, and coming to terms with loss.
I'll round up to a 4 but I feel it was a 3.5