Dark academia mystery that kept me turning the pages
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books for my alc/arc of this book.
One sentence review: This atmospheric mystery/thriller is one that kept me turning the pages with its tale of a murdered college student who was part of a secret literary society, The Maidens, at Cambridge University.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides is a slow burn mystery/thriller where atmosphere really takes front and center. The story immerses you in the feel of Cambridge University. With many references to Greek Mythology and Tennyson, the book is at heart a pretty classic mystery, just one that has a very literary feel to it. I'm going to leave the plot synopsis to the one sentence review above because, as is true with most thrillers, you are better going in not knowing a whole lot.
My thoughts:
- The story is told from two points of view, the heroine of the story, Mariana, and a second voice who is presumably our villain.
- The narrative really centers on Mariana. I really would have loved to know more about The Maidens.
- While at heart a dark academia mystery, I think this book arguably earns its psychological thriller moniker because of its ending. It certainly had me wondering, what just happened?
- I finished this book a couple of days ago and honestly am still processing it. I can't tell you if I really liked it, but I can tell you that the book kept me mesmerized and turning the pages.
- I have many additional thoughts but as they are spoilery, I will keep them to myself.
Overall I think this is an entertaining read. If you like dark academia and mysteries, I think this would be a good choice. If your like you thrillers to be action packed, this one might not be the book for you. This is definitely a slow burn.
NARRATION: I thought the narrators did an excellent job. Their performances help to build the atmosphere of the book and I really felt like the characters were telling their own personal stories.
One sentence review: This atmospheric mystery/thriller is one that kept me turning the pages with its tale of a murdered college student who was part of a secret literary society, The Maidens, at Cambridge University.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides is a slow burn mystery/thriller where atmosphere really takes front and center. The story immerses you in the feel of Cambridge University. With many references to Greek Mythology and Tennyson, the book is at heart a pretty classic mystery, just one that has a very literary feel to it. I'm going to leave the plot synopsis to the one sentence review above because, as is true with most thrillers, you are better going in not knowing a whole lot.
My thoughts:
- The story is told from two points of view, the heroine of the story, Mariana, and a second voice who is presumably our villain.
- The narrative really centers on Mariana. I really would have loved to know more about The Maidens.
- While at heart a dark academia mystery, I think this book arguably earns its psychological thriller moniker because of its ending. It certainly had me wondering, what just happened?
- I finished this book a couple of days ago and honestly am still processing it. I can't tell you if I really liked it, but I can tell you that the book kept me mesmerized and turning the pages.
- I have many additional thoughts but as they are spoilery, I will keep them to myself.
Overall I think this is an entertaining read. If you like dark academia and mysteries, I think this would be a good choice. If your like you thrillers to be action packed, this one might not be the book for you. This is definitely a slow burn.
NARRATION: I thought the narrators did an excellent job. Their performances help to build the atmosphere of the book and I really felt like the characters were telling their own personal stories.