Psychological thriller for lovers of literature

Not only is this a murder mystery, it is a psychological thriller! The author references Tennyson, but also Sophocles and Euripides. The novel is set in Cambridge, in the fictional St. Christopher's College, so the references are not out of place. For me they enhanced my interest in the story! ( )

Wow! There are so many red herrings in this book that I didn’t figure it out until near the end and, even then, I was surprised.
Mariana is a group psychotherapist who lost her husband, Sebastian, recently and is still reeling from that loss. Her niece, Zoe, is a student at Cambridge University, where Mariana and Sebastian met. Zoe calls her one night to tell her that her best friend had been murdered and that she thinks their Greek Tragedy professor (Edward Fosca) killed her.

Mariana arrives at the University and subsequently becomes involved in the investigation and then starts her own investigation after realizing that the professor very well may be a murderer. He has a secret group of female students called The Maidens and Tara was in the group. When another Maiden is found dead, Mariana continues to focus her suspicions on Professor Fosca.

I loved the references to The Silent Patient (the author’s debut novel) but it is not necessary to have read it before this book. Nor is it necessary to know Greek Mythology as it is explained in the book. The only thing I did not like was the deaths (separate) of a family dog and a sheep.

Overall, though, the book was well-written and the characters were likeable. ( )

Enjoyable and addictive; hard to put down. Found the ending to be a bit awkward and far-fetched. ( )

I received a complimentary audio version of this book from Macmillan and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

This novel continues the psychological suspense and mystery that has become a hallmark of Alex Michaelides. This is not a sequel to The Patient but does include a few characters who contribute to the flow and familiarity of the twisted story. The story is narrated by Mariana with interjections from the killer's point of view, providing some insight into the mind of a psychopath.

Marianna Andros is a 36-year-old group psychotherapist still grieving the loss of her husband, Sebastian, who drowned a year ago while diving on vacation in Greece. She receives a call from her niece, Zoe, who is attending Cambridge University. Zoe calls for help regarding her friend and classmate, Tara, who has gone missing. Mariana discovers that Tara was brutally murdered and is urged by Zoe to assist with the investigation against her own personal reservations. Initially, the police focused on Tara's boyfriend, Conrad, who found her body and has openly expressed his discomfort with the private group, "The Maidens".

While at Cambridge University, Mariana is reunited with a former classmate, Julian Ashcroft, who shares information with her about Zoe. Similarly, she also learns more about her niece from a school cleaner, Elsie and a former professor, Clarissa. The information she gathers provides new insight into her niece. While feeling overwhelmed and confused, Mariana is approached by an over eager 29-year-old PhD student, Fred, who expresses obvious interest in Mariana and desire to help. The controversy regarding the murder only escalates when another body is found who happens to be another student and member of "The Maidens", an elite group of students under the direction of Professor Edward Fosca who teaches Greek Tragedy. Coincidently, the murders seem to be overshadowed by mysterious Greek mythology themed postcards late found with the victims' possessions.

The second murder victim, Veronica, confirms the suspicions that the murderer is somehow connected to the Maidens when another postcard is found and then another victim, Serena is found. Now, suspicions seem to be focused on Professor Fosca who seems to be privy to the secret society of the Maidens group.

Mariana makes a trip home to consult with her supervisor Ruth and forensic psychotherapist, Theo. She begins to reflect on her own childhood in a new light which only creates more questions. Why? Why does he kill? Why kill by slicing the throat? Bodies appear to have been stabbed postmortem and staged as if to tell a story. Will they be able to apprehend the killer before he strikes again? ( )

That was an amazing read. ( )