The Maidens

Man, I really wanted to like this. Alex Michaelides is the author of The Silent Patient, which was so good. One of the best twists I've read in recent years. Sadly, The Maidens falls flat. Maybe it's some sort of second book curse. 

This one is about a series of murders taking place at Cambridge. The lead is a psychotherapist named Mariana. Her niece's friend is the first one killed, so she goes to help her niece process everything and then turns into an amateur detective, because the niece seems to think one professor is the murderer. 

I feel like Mariana should have been a lot smarter than she was. And there are other instances that feel completely ridiculous, like when the lead investigator reveals that Mariana is suspicious of the professor in question...while he's questioning said professor. 

The twist here is not good. It's gross. Michaelides struggles with writing likeable male characters. Even the one that's a good guy in this book feels manipulative and creepy. I liked one thing about the final reveal but I can't say it without it being a spoiler and I try not to go too spoilery with these mystery thriller reviews. 

This book suffers from being too long-winded in several places and avoiding character development that could have made us care more about pretty much every character in the story. A lot of backstory was needed and just better writing overall. It's a shame because I thought this author had a lot of promise. Maybe his inevitable third will be better. 

The best part of this was the integration of Greek mythology and plays. I wish he'd done more with it. 

The Silent Patient

 
Oh, my gods, you guys. This is an amazing book.

Artist Alicia Berenson is found standing with slashed wrists near her husband's body. He's tied to a chair and has been shot in the face five times. Only her fingerprints are on the gun. She survives her injuries, but refuses to speak. The only clue she gives is a self-portrait she finished during house arrest before her trial which is inscribed with the name Alcestis. 

Years later, Alicia still refuses to speak and languishes in an institution called the Grove. Enter psychotherapist Theo Faber, who's determined to help Alicia. 

The book follows Theo's journey to break Alicia's silence while dealing with his own personal traumas. It's interspersed with entries from Alicia's diary from the days leading up to the murder. 

And it has one of the best twists I've ever read. I adore a good twist. 

I'm excited because his newest book comes out in a few days and, like this one, there are ties to Greece.