Q&A with Alex Michaelides, Author of The Maidens
By Crime HQ
June 9, 2021PLUS: Scroll to the bottom to enter for your chance to win a copy of The Maidens!
Congratulations on an amazing second novel! The Maidens contains some of the key elements that continue to draw readers to The Silent Patient — Greek mythology, therapy, and a psychologist at the center of a murder mystery. What drew you back to these themes while writing The Maidens?
When I first decided to write The Silent Patient, I thought the smart thing to do would be to set the novel in a world I knew well. I knew I needed a detective, but I didn’t know anything about detectives and didn’t want to do all the research. So I thought how well I know psychotherapists and psychiatric units, and decided to make my detective into a psychotherapist.
Likewise, in The Maidens, Marianna is a group therapist, as I know a fair bit about group therapy. I think that when groups work well, they can be incredibly healing. I had two different bouts of group therapy: a successful and positive one for a couple of years and then another one for about a year or so. The second group was a major reason why I quit my psychotherapy training. I realized that my therapist, the group analyst, was in fact rather narcissistic and sadistic, and prone to bullying the most vulnerable members of the group. Several of his patients seemed unable to leave the group: They had been with him in this group for twenty years. The group was stagnant and toxic.
And I began to see that groups are a perfect way to intimidate and unconsciously dominate vulnerable people. We make our particular group into our parent. So if we are trying to protect our father, or protect ourselves from certain knowledge about our father, or simply are obedient good little children who are programmed to obey, we will have a very submissive relationship to the group. So I think groups are fascinating, but highly dangerous and prone to abuse.
That abuse was something else I wanted to explore in The Maidens: how toxic patriarchy can dominate and destroy these young women’s lives. For me the whole point of the novel is really simply this: It’s about what happens when we mistake abuse for love at a very young age, and how this mistake colors the rest of our life and affects the way we see ourselves and other people. And that fascinates me as a subject.
Tell us about your process in creating the plot for The Maidens.
Well, as you pointed out, I also draw on Greek mythology once again. I think growing up in Cyprus, immersed in Greek mythology and Greek tragedies, inevitably provided me with a world in which to dwell creatively as a writer. I’m extremely grateful for my upbringing and my education, my heritage, I suppose — it’s definitely enriched me as a writer. I’m always thinking about the myths — they are timeless and violent, magical and powerful; stories about passion and heartbreak and love and loss. I feel closest to Euripides; he’d have to be on my list of writers who have majorly influenced me. And in The Maidens I’m looking at the myth of Iphigenia, who was sacrificed by her infanticidal father, Agamemnon, at the start the Trojan War. Except in Euripides’ version of the myth, she sacrifices herself to please her father — which is a much more complicated and perverse relationship. And something about that — about why we sacrifice ourselves for others, in order to win their “love” — captured my imagination. I looked for a way of writing about that story in a fresh way, and the plot grew from there.
The Maidens takes place at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, a setting which proves to be both beautiful and ominous. Why did you decide to set your novel there?
To be honest, I simply went back to my main influence as a thriller writer — Agatha Christie. I asked myself what Christie would do. That’s really the only question I ever ask, in terms of writing a novel. And I thought, well, she would begin with choosing another iconic enclosed location, in which she always sets her stories (a small island, a country house, an airplane, a train, a boat — I could go on and on). The reason I set The Silent Patient inside a psychiatric institute is because I knew that Christie had never done that, although it was a perfect location for a murder mystery. So with that in mind, it occurred to me that she had never done anything set at college in a university, like Oxford or Cambridge.
I also love Dorothy L. Sayers, and Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane have given me so much pleasure over the years. I particularly love Gaudy Night, where they investigate a series of bizarre happenings at an Oxford College. And I thought I would like to try and write something a bit like that — hence The Maidens. Cambridge is also one of my favorite places, and being a student there was one of the happiest periods of my life. It’s incredibly beautiful, and provides a great contrast to a series of murders.
Researching the book gave me the pleasant opportunity to return to Cambridge frequently over the past three years. I would often stay in a hotel there for five days and take a little notebook with me, and follow my characters around the city. I made sure I did everything Mariana did at the time she was meant to do it — I would go to the Eagle at nine o’clock like she did, and sit there alone, have a drink and take notes, and think about the chapter I had to write. Doing this alone added to a sense of loneliness and melancholy and nostalgia for my own youth. All of which I tried to put into Mariana and into the novel.
How did your writing process change with your second book?
The actual writing of the book during lockdown gave me a way to escape from my apartment — in my mind, at least. Every day, I was able to journey to Cambridge in my head, and try to live there. And in a way, lockdown was good for me creatively; it enabled me to focus. There’s nothing like being locked up in your apartment to concentrate your mind.
I felt a lot of pressure, most of it self-inflicted, after the success of The Silent Patient. When I wrote my first novel, I had no pressure at all — I wrote it just for myself, in complete isolation. There was no audience — I didn’t even have an agent. But now imagining my editors, or agent, or publishers reading it, well, it does affect you. All I can do is write the best kind of detective story that I know how, and hope other people like it.
The way I write is this: I get up, have coffee, go to the gym, and then I come back and meditate for an hour or more until I feel ready and psychologically able to write. Otherwise I’m intimidated, even dominated by the negative voices in my head, telling me I’m talentless and won’t succeed. Even after the success of The Silent Patient, I still have those voices — they are louder if anything — and it’s only through this process of meditation that I can get into a place of concentration and awareness, where I am able to somehow either transcend that negative thought, or dive deep underneath it. But to get there every day is an absolute battle.
And yet it’s not just about writing, it’s about life itself. Meditation and being present, being aware, being in this very second, I believe is the absolute secret to a happy life. So this is very important to me. And I owe any success I’ve had as writer to this. I couldn’t even imagine trying to write a single word without having meditated first.
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I am so grateful for your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Would love this to read this summer
Very intriguing especially the reference to Agatha Christie!
I’m really looking forward to this one. It sounds amazing!
I loved The Silent Patient so I’m really excited for this one! I studied Classics at university and I can’t wait to see how that ethos is woven into the story.
Loved the last book, can’t wait to read this one
The silent patient was amazing. I read a sneak peek of this and it was soooo goo! Can’t wait to read it
Sounds like the Best One yet!
looks like a great read!
sounds intriguing
Loved the Q/A. Silent Patient was such a great book. It still remains on top 5 favorite books. Would love to receive another gem from Alex M.
I would love to read The Maidens.
Very interesting process
This looks fascinating…history + mystery, set in the UK. Perfect!
Greek mythology and murder sounds like my kinda read.
Love *anything* with a Greek mythology spin!
my lady friend and I both are looking forward to what’s ahead
I’m so excited to read this book! Like everyone else, I loved The Silent Patient but I’m even more excited for The Maidens!
Sounds enticing…would love to read
Loved The Silent Patient! I can’t wait to read The Maidens.
Enjoyed the Q&A.
So excited to read this!!
Loved The Silent Patient! I can’t wait to read The Maidens.
I love your writing & this sounds just as wonderful as the Silent Patient .
I would love to read The Maidens!
I can’t wait to read this book!
Sounds wonderful! I think Alex and I share a lot of influences. I’d love to have a copy of The Maidens. Thanks!!
Looks like another amazing read ! Fingers crossed
Excited for The Maidens! It was interesting to learn about Alex Michaelides experiences and methods writing his books too! Love it:)
Sounds intriguing and captivating. Thanks.
Very interested as it sounds riveting and unique.
Sounds like a great read.
Looking forward to reading the new book. Thanks for the Q&A, and the opportunity!
I enjoyed “The Silent Patient”! This, also, should be good!
informative interview
Looking forward to this book!
Really looking forward to reading this!
Holy shit this sounds like a great read!!! I can’t wait till it’s in my house, on my table!! LOVE psychological suspense!!
Loved the teists and turns in Silent Patient.
Looking forward to this book!
Meditation & another great summer read to add to my list’
Interesting subject. Therapy can be so good or so bad. Enjoyed the interview and thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a fascinating read
Can’t wait
Would LOVE to win!!! I loved The Silent Patient!!
I would love to win this book!
I’d love to read this! I’ve heard great things!
So exciting! Thank you for the chance! 🙂
Sounds fascinating!
Can’t wait to read his second novel.
I loved your first book and am really looking forward to reading The Maidens!
Looking forward to reading this mystery. The Silent Patient was amazing. I have suggested it to all of my friends. Would love to win this book.
This sounds like a really fun book!
My visit to Greece was magical and I know this book will remind me of your beautiful country.
He sounds like my kind of reader!
This sounds like the perfect book for me to read this summer.
I would love to win and read!
sounds fascinating. better than the formulaic agate
Happy publication! Can’t wait to read your latest!
I loved The Silent Patient! Can’t wait to read this one!
I loved the Silent Patient, have read the first couple of chapters of The Maidens, and have seen Michael on a publisher website/Zoom. I am so excited to read the rest of this book! Congratulations!
Amusing your muse, Mr. Michaelides, is the creator of the love-drama.
This book looks really good!
Thanks for the giveaway chance. Stay safe and healthy.
As a psychology and history need, I loved The Silent Patient and am looking forward to Maidens with its focus on Greek Mythology.
*nerd
I really should turn off my autocorrect– or remember to proof my post before hitting send
I just finished The Silent Patient & highly recommend it to everyone. I would love to read this book too. Thanks for the opportunity.🤞
Sounds intriguing. I want to read it.
I liked The Silent Patient, so I’m looking forward to reading this one.
looks like a great read!!!!
Well, this would be a great change from my Joh n Grisham’s books. Let’s see if it will convince me to add this Author on my John Grisham list.
LOVED “The Silent Patient” (Netflix needs to sponsor the movie) and will be reading “The Maidens”!!
Complicated and fascinating inspiration for this novel!
“The Maidens” seems like a fascinating book. Looking forward to reading it.
“The Maidens” is definitely a book I look forward to reading.
This book sounds amazing! Cannot wait to read it.
Can’t wait to read.
This book is all the talk today. Am hearing it’s a winner.
I thought The Silent Patient was fantastic!!! I’m really looking forward to reading The Maidens!
I recently listened to Stephen Fry’s two mythology books..This book would be the perfect addition.
Well, this certainly is not a John Grisham story!
Maybe this is why we study Greece so much in school. So we can enjoy a book such as this.
Since the pandemic made many of us house-bound, we have become avid readers. This book appears to hold a lot of the content that we would love to explore.
Would love reading this one….sounds so intriguing.
What a brilliant idea to base it on a Greek myth, mixed up with group therapy and the toxic environment it can become…well done!
I loved THE SILENT PATIENT and am looking forward to reading this novel.
Looks like a great read
I’ve seen so much about this book…can’t wait to read!
After hearing such glowing reviews of this book and having enjoyed the authors previous book, I can’t wait to read this one.
Looks awesome!
I’m in for the win…
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait
I concur on transcending the negative thought
Loved the Silent Patient! Looking forward to this book.
Suspense and Greek Mythology! I can’t wait!
I would LOVE to win a finished copy! I loved THE SILENT PATIENT.
What will the brilliant Alex have up his sleeve next?
I would love to read this book. The Silent Patient is a great book.
This book sounds so good!
Loved The Silent Patient. Can’t wait to read The Maidens!
Wonderful opportunity. Thanks!
What an interesting book!
Sounds as interesting as his first book.
Sounds like a wonderfully intriguing read.
Would love to read and discuss with our book club.
Thanks for the opportunity – hope to win this!
Looking forward to the new book!
sounds like a fun one
Looing forward to it.
As far as my interests go, this is right up my alley. I’d find it a fascinating read.
Can’t wait to read!
I never stop looking for another great book to read and I would love to add this one to my library.
This is really popular with the members of my book club, and I would love to read it!
very thought provoking I have not read the Silent Patient – this book sounds very intriguing and just what I need to stimulate my summer reading btw – I also love Agatha Christie books
This book looks very intriguing. I am anxious to read it.
I am intrigued and am looking forward to reading this book.
A British psychological murder mystery…what could be better! Just love it!
I loved The Silent Patient and look forward to reading this new book.
I am in need of a page-turner!
I can’t wait to get to this book from my TBR!
This has been on my “to-read” list since I first heard about it. I’ve been in the process of moving for the last month, so I haven’t had a chance to get to a bookstore to get it. If I won a copy, it would save me a trip! Fingers crossed.
Would love to read The Maidens! Thanks for the chance!
Loved The Silent Patient. Being Greek mythology is something that I love.
This book sounds really good!
As a fan of Greek mythology, I think this sounds like a very interesting book.
This will be a great read.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Harriet Vane and Lord Peter! Looking forward to your new book.
Thank you for your intertwined life and imagination. You encourage understanding of relationship between classic mythology & reality
Thank you for the combination of myth & reality. You encourage study & understanding of past and present.
This sounds like a great book. Would love to read it!
Can’t wait! Loved the Silent Patient
Every book lover i know is talking about this book and it’s been on my TBR list since it was first announced! Thank you for the giveaway and the chance to win!
his sounds great
I just got the audiobook, I can’t wait to start listening!
I have not read this author before. But that is what new experiences are for: to broaden our horizons.
I want this book! Yes!
I loved the Silent Patient, would love to read his next book.
Greatly appreciate learning what’s on the mystery market and learning about the authors
Loved The Silent Patient. Really looking forward to reading The Maidens!
Hi, I like how his philosophy of life changed in writing this second book. His morning routine and the idea of being in the present moment!
Many thanks, Cindi
My book club has chosen Alex Michaelides’ new book “The Maidens” for our November 2021 discussion, so I’d love to win the book. I loved “The Silent Patient” and am looking forward to reading this book.
A WINNER. just love great mysteries.
Thanks!
I’ve heard very good things about this novel.
Yes, please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks —
And suddenly, I’m REALLY looking forward to August book club!
Can’t wait for this one
Can’t wait
I loved the Silent Patient and am so curious about this new novel by Alex Michaelides.
The Maidens sounds fascinating! Excited for a twisty, suspenseful thriller. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Got such enjoyment from reading The Silent Patient and am looking forward to devouring The Maidens. Thank you for sharing your gift.
I would love to win this book!
Sounds like a great read.
I really loved your last book and cannot wait to read this one!!
everything Greek has to be a great read
I love any book with a healing theme. This sounds like an excellent Summer read!
Sounds like something that’s just up my alley – will definitely be keeping an eye out!
I have heard so many great things about this book! I would love to read it!!
I love reading mystery/thriller stories. This sounds like one I would enjoy.
Looking forward to reading this.
I really really want to win and read this book.
All of the elements of this book sound amazing.
What a fascinating peek behind the scenes! I would love a chance to have a copy of this book.
So excited! One of my most anticipated reads this year 🤩
Fascinating post. I particularly liked the part about how groups can be helpful or toxic. Would love to win this!
Greek Mythology’s influence is often overlooked – should be an interesting read!
Looking forward to reading this!
This sounds so suspenseful and I would love to read this book.
I can’t wait to read this book!
Interesting concept- would like to read. Thanks for the opportunity
I would like to read this book
I need a new, nteresting book!n
looks like a great read and love mysteries.
Greek and mystery.. two of my favourite topics! Opa!
I enjoyed reading ‘The New Patient’ so much that I look forward to reading this latest book, ‘The Maidens’. Can’t wait to explore another thriller!
Can’t wait to read!!
I am very intrigued to read Alex Michaelidis’s second book, especially because I wasn’t very happy with The Silent Patient, his first book that I had actually bought (when I don’t normally purchase books) because all the hype surrounding it. I hope his new book, The Maidens, is better, because I’d like to give him another chance.
Thank you for this insightful Q&A with Alex Michaelides about his latest thriller THE MAIDENS. Alex always invests all his effort, integrating his knowledge, skill and experience in order to deliver his novels at his very best! Thank you for the giveaway.
I love reading that meditation is part of his writing routine! I recently started dabbling in it and it really does make you more aware.
I really enjoyed The Silent Patient and am looking forward to The Maidens.
How fascinating. I find something new that I must read every single time that i come to this site. Heading off to buy his first book right now!
Sounds like a great combo of things to make this story! Count me in!
This sounds like an excellent book.
I do love the idea of the setting being in Cambridge as I don’t recall other mysteries having that location. I love Greek mythology and have not read anything recently with that kind of element included. Sounds like an intriguing novel.
Looking forward to reading this one.
Can’t wait to read this one!
I love a good mystery and this book will be.
I really enjoyed The Silent Patient and have been looking forward to reading this as well.
Love a good story and mystery.
Of course I loved The Silent Patient, and I look forward to reading The Maidens. What a remarkable author. I’m glad I read this. He addressed his anxieties and how he copes. I found that comforting. I
Sounds very interesting! Would like to read this book.
Looking forward to reading this one
I would love to read The Maidens!
Would love to read this!
Wow! Looks amazing!
Enjoy the revel of lesser known books
Definitely adding this to my TBR pile.
Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this new book to read!
Sounds intriguing!
thank you, I’d love the opportunity to win this book, and discover a new (to me) author!
Would be a great summer read!
would love to read this, sounds so good
Very interesting subject; count me in.
I just recently finished The Silent Patient. Loved it and could not put it down. Looking forward to getting my hands on this one!
This book sounds so amazing!!
Can’t wait to read!
Sounds like you put your time to a very good use!!
Looking forward to reading this book
Would love to read and review this book!
Anything set in Cambridge is worth a read!
Loved the Silent Patient and am looking forward to reading The Maidens. Hope book 2 is as successful as the first.
I really enjoyed Silent Patient and I’m very eager to read The Maidens!!
I really enjoy your synopses and reviews. I will certainly enjoy reading The Maidens.
Sounds like a great new series! Would love to win.
A new author for me, sounds good!
These books sound really interesting! Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers are favorites of mine. I’ve been to Cyprus and Greece several times and I found Greek mythology fascinating. I look forward to reading the books even if I don’t win them.
This looks so very good…thanks for the chance.
I like how you get ready to write. That is a good way to start any day
I loved that you told me how you came to writing this by experiencing it for yourself. I now feel I must read it. Hope to get the chance
Looking forward to reading your new book. I can’t wait.
Thanks for the chance to win! Another intriguing book to add to my TBR list!
Great book to win. thank you
Looking forward to this great new read.
Good luck to all.
Always looking forward to a great new read!
I hope I win.
This book looks intriguing! I’d love to add it to my summer reads!
a good book for my summer reading
Yes! I have been wanting to read this! Thanks for the chance. =)
Sorry, I had forgot to log in before leaving my comment! But I am a member of this site. =)
I value the blog post. Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Enjoyed The Silent Patient and looking forward to this newest book
I believe this web site has got some rattling good info for everyone.
The interview turned out to be interesting. I read the first novel The Silent Patient in one breath and already really want to buy The Maidens!
Sounds amazing
You never let me down with the articles that you intended to write for me and everyone actually read It’s awesome.