3.5✨
I was excited when I started reading this book ~ psych thriller combined with Greek tragedies? Heck, yeah!
..and while I do appreciate the slow-paced story, the red herrings thrown left and right and the 'straight from the murderer's journal' account in some chapters, the whole story just somewhat, disappoints in the 'mess my head up' category I usually enjoy in psych thrillers. I really did expect to have at least one of the red herrings be an actual 'sensible' clue to give a more appropriate background to why the killer was the killer (and not anybody else). Y'know? the right under your nose burried under a lot of red herring type of clue that all makes sense (or not) at the end.
Yet, it just ends with a large heap of red herrings turned to plot holes. Like when it was made to believe that the loss of Seb was focal to the narrative of the MC and yet when the killer was revealed, t'was just, the heck happened? He just died like that? He didn't even faked his death? It was just like that and he's now filed in the 'good riddance' category?
Imagine being thrown with clues left and right, only to have the story reveal that the killer was somewhat a proxy murderer ~ continuing the plan of the would be original killer as a retaliation and a mark of the beginnings of an inevitable psychological disintegration brought about by the loss of the predatory influence to which the proxy was subjected to.
It is a nice book for a beginner whodunit mystery. A bit disappointing if you're really after the psychological aspect of the psych thriller category. Kinda felt that all the references to 'daddy issues', abuse, and even the innuendo of the original culprit having DID had been lost in the narrative.
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Popular Highlights in this book
We are born being watched – our parents’ expressions, what we see reflected in the mirror of their eyes, determines how we see ourselves.Highlighted by 355 Kindle readers- ‘It doesn’t take much to save a childhood.’ A little kindness, some understanding or validation: someone to recognise and acknowledge a child’s reality – and save his sanity.Highlighted by 263 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher
The Maidens contains some of the key elements that continue to draw readers to The Silent Patient — Greek mythology, therapy, and a psychologist at the center of a murder mystery. What drew you back to these themes while writing The Maidens?
When I first decided to write The Silent Patient, I thought the smart thing to do would be to set the novel in a world I knew well. I knew I needed a detective, but I didn’t know anything about detectives. So I thought how well I know psychotherapists and psychiatric units, and decided to make my detective into a psychotherapist. Likewise, in The Maidens, Mariana is a group therapist, as I know a fair bit about group therapy.
How did your writing process change with your second book?
The actual writing of the book during lockdown gave me a way to escape from my apartment — in my mind, at least. Every day, I was able to journey to Cambridge in my head, and try to live there. And in a way, lockdown was good for me creatively; it enabled me to focus. There’s nothing like being locked up in your apartment to concentrate your mind.
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Thanks to Celadon for the advanced readers copy!THE MAIDENS is/was one of my most anticipated reads (The Silent Patient is def in my top 5 books. EVER.) In terms of allusions to mythology, references to Tennyson and the Cambridge feel, this book knocked it out of the park.In terms of having a big reveal or shocking twist- it was kinda a let down.This one is definitely a slow burn. Not a boring one per se, but this where you feel comfortable and not at all guilty for using a book mark (book marks ARE NOT for quitters, haterz). The pacing isn't heart pounding, but it is suspenseful.The setting of Oxford/Cambridge is one of my favorites! I am also obsessed with the TV shows Endeavor/Morse/Lewis and this book put me right into that unique and quintessential English setting. Visiting Oxbridge (okay, I know I used that wrong) is definitely on my bucket list.Give me a good serial killer story and I'm hooked. The wannabe forensic psychoanalytic in me <i>loves</i> reading about gruesome motives etc. THE MAIDENS goes above and beyond with that for me. Another reason why I loved THE SILENT PATIENT so much, was that it was also super psychological.Right away, we are thrown into the conflict of the story. We aren't waiting for chapters for something to happen, if I remember correctly, the call from Zoey comes in chapter 2 or 3? The backstory's of each character is slowly revealed throughout the book.Speaking of characters, we have come to probably the most important part: the characters.Marina- girl, why in the world did you pray to the goddess of the underworld? Is there something I'm missing? I mean what did you expect?!Professor Fosca- for someone who claims their innocence so profoundly, you sure do seem suspicious.Ruth- when I read the chapter she was in I kept thinking 'wasn't there a Ruth character in TSP?' I'll let you work out the rest.In conclusion, THE MAIDENS is a dark and conceptual tale rooted in Greek mythology. It's a fascinating tale of obsession, love and powerful influence.mash ups: The Secret History, The Silent Patient and Endeavor.
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Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 17, 2023
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 15, 2021
Thanks to Celadon for the advanced readers copy!
THE MAIDENS is/was one of my most anticipated reads (The Silent Patient is def in my top 5 books. EVER.) In terms of allusions to mythology, references to Tennyson and the Cambridge feel, this book knocked it out of the park.
In terms of having a big reveal or shocking twist- it was kinda a let down.
This one is definitely a slow burn. Not a boring one per se, but this where you feel comfortable and not at all guilty for using a book mark (book marks ARE NOT for quitters, haterz). The pacing isn't heart pounding, but it is suspenseful.
The setting of Oxford/Cambridge is one of my favorites! I am also obsessed with the TV shows Endeavor/Morse/Lewis and this book put me right into that unique and quintessential English setting. Visiting Oxbridge (okay, I know I used that wrong) is definitely on my bucket list.
Give me a good serial killer story and I'm hooked. The wannabe forensic psychoanalytic in me <i>loves</i> reading about gruesome motives etc. THE MAIDENS goes above and beyond with that for me. Another reason why I loved THE SILENT PATIENT so much, was that it was also super psychological.
Right away, we are thrown into the conflict of the story. We aren't waiting for chapters for something to happen, if I remember correctly, the call from Zoey comes in chapter 2 or 3? The backstory's of each character is slowly revealed throughout the book.
Speaking of characters, we have come to probably the most important part: the characters.
Marina- girl, why in the world did you pray to the goddess of the underworld? Is there something I'm missing? I mean what did you expect?!
Professor Fosca- for someone who claims their innocence so profoundly, you sure do seem suspicious.
Ruth- when I read the chapter she was in I kept thinking 'wasn't there a Ruth character in TSP?' I'll let you work out the rest.
In conclusion, THE MAIDENS is a dark and conceptual tale rooted in Greek mythology. It's a fascinating tale of obsession, love and powerful influence.
mash ups: The Secret History, The Silent Patient and Endeavor.
THE MAIDENS is/was one of my most anticipated reads (The Silent Patient is def in my top 5 books. EVER.) In terms of allusions to mythology, references to Tennyson and the Cambridge feel, this book knocked it out of the park.
In terms of having a big reveal or shocking twist- it was kinda a let down.
This one is definitely a slow burn. Not a boring one per se, but this where you feel comfortable and not at all guilty for using a book mark (book marks ARE NOT for quitters, haterz). The pacing isn't heart pounding, but it is suspenseful.
The setting of Oxford/Cambridge is one of my favorites! I am also obsessed with the TV shows Endeavor/Morse/Lewis and this book put me right into that unique and quintessential English setting. Visiting Oxbridge (okay, I know I used that wrong) is definitely on my bucket list.
Give me a good serial killer story and I'm hooked. The wannabe forensic psychoanalytic in me <i>loves</i> reading about gruesome motives etc. THE MAIDENS goes above and beyond with that for me. Another reason why I loved THE SILENT PATIENT so much, was that it was also super psychological.
Right away, we are thrown into the conflict of the story. We aren't waiting for chapters for something to happen, if I remember correctly, the call from Zoey comes in chapter 2 or 3? The backstory's of each character is slowly revealed throughout the book.
Speaking of characters, we have come to probably the most important part: the characters.
Marina- girl, why in the world did you pray to the goddess of the underworld? Is there something I'm missing? I mean what did you expect?!
Professor Fosca- for someone who claims their innocence so profoundly, you sure do seem suspicious.
Ruth- when I read the chapter she was in I kept thinking 'wasn't there a Ruth character in TSP?' I'll let you work out the rest.
In conclusion, THE MAIDENS is a dark and conceptual tale rooted in Greek mythology. It's a fascinating tale of obsession, love and powerful influence.
mash ups: The Secret History, The Silent Patient and Endeavor.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
The Cookster @ Reviewer ranking #31
Very disappointing. A run of the mill mystery hiding behind an intellectual façade.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 9, 2021
R. White
It’s just not very good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 12, 2021Hilary Scannell
Absurd and perfunctory
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 14, 2021book lover
Was glad it came to an end
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 17, 2021
