The Maidens Summary
Alex Michaelides

The Maidens Overview

Alex Michaelides's novel, The Maidens, takes place mainly on the campus of Cambridge University where someone is killing female students. Though psychologist Mariana Andros is still reeling with grief a year after the death of her husband Sebastian, she rushes to Cambridge to be with her niece Zoe who was friends with the first victim. Immediately, Mariana suspects Professor Edward Fosca of the murders. Eventually, however, she discovers that the killer is Zoe, who is carrying out Sebastian's complicated plan to eliminate Mariana. By doing away with Mariana, Sebastian and Zoe would be left with Mariana's significant estate. They would be free to commit to their love for each other. The novel's main themes are self-image, the need to classify others, and good versus evil.