The Maidens

When I received my ARC of The Maidens, I thought it was brilliant marketing, perfectly targeted to me with classical myth and Cambridge life in a thriller. (The book’s actually all over bookstagram, but those are all still things I automatically like!)

The mystery begins when Mariana’s niece Zoe calls her from college about the disappearance of her Cambridge classmate and friend, Tara. By the time Mariana arrives to look after Zoe, the disappearance has been identified as murder, almost a ritualistic murder (it’s a bit gory). Zoe reports that Tara’s last words were a warning about Professor Fosca, who has an impressive academic reputation, an airtight alibi for the night of the murder, and a creepy harem of students who call themselves The Maidens.  Naturally, Mariana gets drawn into investigating.

Of course, I wanted to see what would happen, but mostly I enjoyed the setting and feel of this novel so much. I went to a generic, perfectly-fine state school for my undergrad EXCEPT one summer when I read classics at Cambridge, which remains the highlight of all my education. Obviously the quality of the lectures was impressive, I still pick up classics books and recognize names of my lecturers. But I also lived in St Catz and had lectures in beautiful halls, small discussions in upscale living rooms tucked in all the old buildings, and ate in a beautiful dining hall, and just constantly felt like This is all for me? For every day? the whole time I was studying there. So of course I loved all the Cambridge scenes.

As a Cambridge grad with psych training, Mariana is uniquely suited for an investigation. I enjoyed following her through twists and turns as one person after another looked guilty at first.

This whole novel plays with academic characters so well. I wasn’t sure if Fred was an eccentric academic without a lot of social skills, or if he was evil. I knew Fosca was in love with his own brilliance, but was he also evil? Some of the Maidens are spoilt, entitled princesses, but were they actually evil or lying to cover up evil? Were certain bedders and porters up to something shady, or just messing with the academic nobs?

I found the ending a bit unsatisfying, but don’t click for why unless you want The Maidens spoilers. I  know I’m in the minority here — social media is just full of readers in love with this book. And I mostly enjoyed reading gothic, mythic Cambridge.

The Maidens will be released by Celadon Books on June 15, 2021. I received a copy from the publisher to review, all opinions are my own.