The Maidens

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death, mental illness, ableism, gender discrimination, and graphic violence.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How does this novel compare to others that involve elements of murder, mystery, and dark academia? For instance, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, M. L. Rio’s If We Were Villains, or Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House?

2. Have you read any of Alex Michaelides’s other works, such as The Silent Patient or The Fury? If so, how does this novel compare with his other thrillers? If not, did his writing style and pacing capture your attention enough to read his other novels?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Did you predict any of the novel’s plot twists? Which ones did you predict, and which surprised you? In general, do you need to be surprised in order to enjoy a thriller?

2. What is your opinion of groups like “the maidens”? Do you think the existence of groups like this can ever be healthy?