When a member of a secret society known as The Maidens is murdered, a brilliant, but troubled, group therapist finds her obsession with proving the guilt of an untouchable Cambridge University professor spiraling out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her life. - (Baker & Taylor)

"Between the three of them, author Alex Michaelides and narrators Louise Brealey and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith cast a spell that will have listeners glued to this suspenseful novel every chance they get." -- AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner

"The audiobook is narrated primarily by actor Louise Brealey, who has given life to complex female characters in the audio editions of The Girl on the Train and The Silent Patient, Michaelides’ first novel. Here, she does an excellent job of conveying Mariana’s confusion, courage and determination to solve the mystery at any cost. Actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s nuanced performance as the killer reminds us that monsters are made, not born, and that within even the most heinous murderer is a shattered, lonely child." -- Booklist (starred audiobook review)

"Listeners will not be disappointed with this suspenseful and intelligent thriller." -- Booklist (starred review)

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding tale of psychological suspense, weaving together Greek mythology, murder, and obsession, that further cements “Michaelides as a major player in the field” (Publishers Weekly).

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike—particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.

Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

"Stunning... The intelligent, cerebral plot finds contemporary parallels in Euripides's tragedies, Jacobean dramas such as The Duchess of Malfi, and Tennyson's poetry. The devastating ending shows just how little the troubled Mariana knows about the human psyche or herself. Michaelides is on a roll."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A deliciously dark, elegant, utterly compulsive read—with a twist that blew my mind. I loved this even more than I loved The Silent Patient and that's saying something!"
—Lucy Foley, New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List

Booklist Reviews

*Starred Review* Mariana is a psychotherapist in London, who focuses on group work. When her niece Zoey, a student at Cambridge, calls her in distress after her best friend Tara goes missing, Mariana rushes to Zoey's side. Tara is soon found dead and Mariana is plunged into what seems to be a real-life Greek tragedy, dark and eerily similar to the centuries-old ones the students have been studying. Brealey provides the majority of the narration as the perfect, evenly keeled Marianna, and Holdbrick-Smith reads sporadic chapters from an unidentified male point of view. There is a striking and stunning contrast between these voices that will capture the listener's attention every time the narration shifts. Accents amplify the impact of this audiobook—if listeners pay close attention to Holdbrick-Smith's, they may find subtle clues and hints. Greece and Ancient Greek quotes play a large role in the story, and Brealey's steady and correct reading of these terms and phrases gives them more impact. The rich English academia setting, the grand success of Michaelides' debut, The Silent Patient, and the TV adaptation in the works will have this title in high demand. Listeners will not be disappointed with this suspenseful and intelligent thriller. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.