From the author of the global #1 bestselling debut The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding literary thriller which weaves together Greek mythology, psychology, and murder... Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A charismatic Greek Tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike. Particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated when one of The Maidens, a friend of Mariana's niece Zoe, is found murdered. Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?When another body is found, Mariana's obsession with proving Fosca's guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything - including her own life. One of the most highly anticipated books of the year, THE MAIDENS is sure to become your new obsession...* * * * *Praise for Alex Michaelides and his #1 global bestseller THE SILENT PATIENT:'Absolutely brilliant' STEPHEN FRY'Excellent' JOANNE HARRIS'Terrific' THE TIMES, Crime Book of the Month'Smart, sophisticated suspense' LEE CHILD'Compelling' OBSERVER'An absolute jaw-dropper' LUCY FOLEY'Hugely impressive' STEVE CAVANAGH'Totally original' DAVID BALDACCI'The pace and finesse of a master' BBC CULTURE'Genuinely chilling' SHARON BOLTON'Unforgettable' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'Impossible to put down' MARK EDWARDS'Shocking, mind-blowing' BLAKE CROUCH'Highly recommended' C. J. TUDOR'The definition of a page turner' JOHN MARRS
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“This voice's smooth, intense quality is perfect for conveying Mariana's growing obsession and the thriller genre's tension. Her serious tone fits the protagonist's intellectual yet troubled nature.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“Clarice offers a bold, expressive delivery that effectively builds suspense, aligning with Mariana's anxious and determined search for answers. The British accent provides a sophisticated edge.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“Nayva's mature and mysterious edge, combined with a serious, low tone, captures Mariana's complex and enigmatic character, suitable for a deep narrative dive into her psyche.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Modulated
“The haunting and intense tone of Veda Sky would brilliantly underscore Mariana's anxiety and the dark undercurrents of the story, drawing listeners into the mystery.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“With a measured and somewhat distant British RP accent, Global Artist could portray Mariana's intellectual detachment and the serious, reflective aspects of her character as she unravels the plot.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
Edward Fosca
antagonist
A charismatic and adored Greek Tragedy professor at Cambridge, who is secretly a murderer. His voice should be smooth, authoritative, and subtly manipulative.
1
Bob Velvet - Smooth, Deep and Relaxed
Editor’s Pick
Bob Velvet - Smooth, Deep and Relaxed
Editor’s PickElevenLabsprofessional
ElevenLabsprofessional
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Bob Velvet's smooth, deep, and relaxed British voice perfectly embodies Edward Fosca's charismatic yet subtly manipulative nature, making him sound both alluring and dangerous.”
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Chris Atlas offers a calm, clear, and warm British tone that can convey Fosca's academic authority while hinting at a darker, hidden side. His measured delivery suits the professor's controlled demeanor.”
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“The commanding and intense male voice of The Prototype v2, with its raspy, mature tone, could lend a chilling gravitas to Fosca, revealing his true, sinister character beneath the smooth exterior.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +57 more
“Matt Dillon's neutral male voice, described as conversational and deep, could subtly portray Fosca's deceptive charm, making his sinister actions more shocking against a seemingly approachable backdrop.”
Male · Young · Medium · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · +56 more
“Gus, with his relatively deep and calm tone, could provide a measured and understated portrayal of Fosca, allowing the character's menace to slowly unfold rather than being overtly dramatic.”
Mariana's niece, a student at Cambridge and friend of one of the murdered Maidens. Her voice should be youthful, perhaps a bit vulnerable or distressed.
1
Clara - Meditative, Whispery and Breathy
Editor’s Pick
Clara - Meditative, Whispery and Breathy
Editor’s PickElevenLabsprofessional
ElevenLabsprofessional
British · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Whispery
“Clara's calm, feminine, whisper-close British voice is ideal for Zoe's youthful, vulnerable, and potentially distressed state, creating an intimate sense of her anxiety.”
British · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Whispery
“Blondie's soft, breathy female voice with a British accent perfectly captures Zoe's youthful vulnerability and the anxious, gentle aspects of her personality.”
British · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Classy
“Kim, a young female British voice, offers a crisp yet warm tone that can convey Zoe's youthfulness and conversational style, while still allowing for moments of distress.”
Female · Young · Character-Voice · Advertisement · Expressive · Confident · +3 more
“Rarity's expressive and energetic British voice, while sophisticated, could be modulated to highlight Zoe's youthful enthusiasm that turns to vulnerability and distress as the plot unfolds.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Soft · Warm · Intimate · +3 more
“Alle's soft and warm young female voice with an intimate, friendly, and relaxed tone would suit Zoe's conversational nature, making her initial innocence and later distress more impactful.”