The Maidens
8 hrs. 47 min.
Language
Russian
Author
Alex Michaelides
Author
Alex Michaelides
Narrator
Darya Belousova
Narrator
Darya Belousova
Description
A mesmerizing literary thriller that weaves together Greek mythology, psychology, and murder… Edward Fosca is the killer. Mariana is certain of it. The charismatic handsome professor teaches a course on Greek tragedy in Cambridge. He’s adored by colleagues and students—especially by the female students of the secret society “The Virgins,” who would do anything for their mentor. Guided by the professor’s mystical teachings, the girls stage occult games and ritual rites. And soon one of them is found dead—with a slit throat and eyes gouged out…
Mariana Andros is a talented psychotherapist, suffering from post-traumatic depression after the death of her husband. She sees clearly: Edward Fosca is a narcissistic sociopath who expertly manipulates people. Something sinister lies in his obsession with the cult of Persephone*, who, according to the myth, descended into the kingdom of the dead. And the death of the student is the literal embodiment of the virgin-goddess’s journey into the underworld. Edward Fosca is the killer. Now all that’s left is to prove it…
*Persephone is the goddess of fertility and the kingdom of the dead in Greek mythology. According to legend, she is forced to spend one third of the year underground with her husband Hades, and two thirds on earth with her mother Demeter. The myth symbolizes the changing of the seasons.
“Delightfully dark, elegant, extremely compelling reading—with an unexpected twist at the end, one that truly stunned me. I liked this novel even more than ‘The Silent Patient’—and that says a lot!” — Lucy Foley
“This novel is a top-tier page-turner.” — David Baldacci
“Simply brilliant. Gripping reading when your heart is pounding somewhere in your throat.” — Stephen Fry
“Michaëlides is the main player in this field.” — Publishers Weekly
“Elegant, ominous, stylish, and engrossing—this novel answers the question of how to live up to your predecessor, one of the best thrillers of the last decade. The answer: you just have to write something even better.” — Chris Whittaker
Mariana Andros is a talented psychotherapist, suffering from post-traumatic depression after the death of her husband. She sees clearly: Edward Fosca is a narcissistic sociopath who expertly manipulates people. Something sinister lies in his obsession with the cult of Persephone*, who, according to the myth, descended into the kingdom of the dead. And the death of the student is the literal embodiment of the virgin-goddess’s journey into the underworld. Edward Fosca is the killer. Now all that’s left is to prove it…
*Persephone is the goddess of fertility and the kingdom of the dead in Greek mythology. According to legend, she is forced to spend one third of the year underground with her husband Hades, and two thirds on earth with her mother Demeter. The myth symbolizes the changing of the seasons.
“Delightfully dark, elegant, extremely compelling reading—with an unexpected twist at the end, one that truly stunned me. I liked this novel even more than ‘The Silent Patient’—and that says a lot!” — Lucy Foley
“This novel is a top-tier page-turner.” — David Baldacci
“Simply brilliant. Gripping reading when your heart is pounding somewhere in your throat.” — Stephen Fry
“Michaëlides is the main player in this field.” — Publishers Weekly
“Elegant, ominous, stylish, and engrossing—this novel answers the question of how to live up to your predecessor, one of the best thrillers of the last decade. The answer: you just have to write something even better.” — Chris Whittaker
