The Maidens (Hardcover)

Mariana Andros, a grieving group therapist and Cambridge alumna, returns to the ivy-clad halls of academia when her niece’s friend is found murdered, and becomes fixated on the magnetic professor at the heart of a secret society known as “The Maidens.” Against a backdrop of ancient ritual and gothic spires, her obsession spirals into a chilling unraveling of myth, murder, and the shadows lurking beneath scholarly facades.

The novel is set in the hallowed halls of Cambridge University, where Mariana Andros, a 36-year-old widow and group therapist, returns to investigate the brutal murder of her niece Zoe's friend, Tara. Tara was a member of "The Maidens," an exclusive group of female students led by the charismatic Professor Edward Fosca. As Mariana delves deeper into the investigation, she becomes increasingly convinced that Fosca is the murderer, despite his alibi and the adoration he receives from his students. The story is interspersed with first-person narratives from the perspective of the killer, adding layers of suspense and complexity to the narrative.

The atmosphere is dark and intense, with a slow-burn suspense that builds as Mariana's obsession with uncovering the truth grows. The gothic setting of Cambridge, with its ancient architecture and secret societies, adds to the novel's eerie and suspenseful mood. The tension escalates as Mariana confronts the enigmatic Professor Fosca and the enigmatic world of "The Maidens," leading to a chilling and unexpected conclusion.