Immediately Eerie! Another Thriller from a Talented Author
After author Alex Michaelides's first book (The Silent Patient), readers may have wondered how he could top that suspenseful thriller. However, his second book -THE MAIDENS- will likely establish this author as force to be reckoned with in the psychological thriller genre. In fact, this latest book seems to have picked up the pace at which the scare factor is incorporated into the plot.
It seems that widowed protagonist Mariana has been holding herself together by the fact that she's needed as a group therapist. She is unable to clear out any possessions of deceased husband Sebastian who was her soul mate, but she forces herself to help her group members try and clear out the demons that haunt them each time they meet in her front room. On the day that the book begins, however, the regularly problematic member of this group of nine arrives more agitated than ever. Harry refuses to abide by even the most simplistic group rule of no food or drink may be brought in, and the rest of the group is so incensed that the cup of coffee leads to total chaos.
Unfortunately, Mariana has a boundary issue to establish with Harry that is much more worrisome than a cup of coffee, because he has been prowling around Mariana's residence in London and seems to be trying to watch her. That stalking behavior, combined with Harry's attempt to needle her and disturb her calm therapist exterior within her own home has intensified. By the end of the session when the other patients have left, Mariana is still trying to convince Harry that he must leave.
It is clear that Harry is inappropriately fixated on Mariana when he attempts to give her a cheap plastic ring, like something a child would get as a prize from a gum ball dispenser machine. As she reminds him of her professional relationship, Harry lifts up his shirt to reveal that he is cutting himself. Can this situation become any creepier?
Yes, it can. Just as Mariana gets Harry out the door and decides to calm herself with some wine, before she returns a missed phone call to Zoe, the teenage daughter of Mariana's - you guessed it: deceased - sister. Zoe's best friend in the dormitory has been found dead. This would upset anyone, but Zoe is also a part of a special, secret group of girls referred to as The Maidens by the organizing professor of Greek Tragedy at Cambridge.
This novel's fast pace and numerous twist and turns are sure to appeal to many readers.
It seems that widowed protagonist Mariana has been holding herself together by the fact that she's needed as a group therapist. She is unable to clear out any possessions of deceased husband Sebastian who was her soul mate, but she forces herself to help her group members try and clear out the demons that haunt them each time they meet in her front room. On the day that the book begins, however, the regularly problematic member of this group of nine arrives more agitated than ever. Harry refuses to abide by even the most simplistic group rule of no food or drink may be brought in, and the rest of the group is so incensed that the cup of coffee leads to total chaos.
Unfortunately, Mariana has a boundary issue to establish with Harry that is much more worrisome than a cup of coffee, because he has been prowling around Mariana's residence in London and seems to be trying to watch her. That stalking behavior, combined with Harry's attempt to needle her and disturb her calm therapist exterior within her own home has intensified. By the end of the session when the other patients have left, Mariana is still trying to convince Harry that he must leave.
It is clear that Harry is inappropriately fixated on Mariana when he attempts to give her a cheap plastic ring, like something a child would get as a prize from a gum ball dispenser machine. As she reminds him of her professional relationship, Harry lifts up his shirt to reveal that he is cutting himself. Can this situation become any creepier?
Yes, it can. Just as Mariana gets Harry out the door and decides to calm herself with some wine, before she returns a missed phone call to Zoe, the teenage daughter of Mariana's - you guessed it: deceased - sister. Zoe's best friend in the dormitory has been found dead. This would upset anyone, but Zoe is also a part of a special, secret group of girls referred to as The Maidens by the organizing professor of Greek Tragedy at Cambridge.
This novel's fast pace and numerous twist and turns are sure to appeal to many readers.