Virgos - Michaelides A. (9789669937483)

A mesmerizing literary thriller that weaves together Greek mythology, psychology and murder...

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Mariana is sure of this. A charismatic, handsome professor teaches a course on Greek tragedy at Cambridge. His colleagues and students adore him - especially the students from the secret society "Virgins", who are ready to do anything for their mentor. Guided by the mystical teachings of the professor, the girls organize occult games and ritual ceremonies. And soon one of them is found dead with her throat cut and her eyes gouged out...

Mariana Andros is a talented psychotherapist with post-traumatic depression due to the death of her husband. She sees clearly: Edward Fosca is a narcissistic sociopath who skillfully manipulates people. There is something sinister in his obsession with the cult of Persephone*, who, according to myth, descended into the kingdom of the dead. And the death of the student is the literal embodiment of the maiden goddess’s journey to the afterlife. Edward Fosca is a killer. It remains to prove this...

* Persephone is the goddess of fertility and the kingdom of the dead in Greek mythology. According to legend, she is forced to spend a third of the year underground, with her husband Hades, and two-thirds on earth, with her mother Demeter. The myth symbolizes the change of seasons.

“A delightfully dark, elegant, utterly compelling read - with a twist at the end that just blew me away. I liked this novel even more than The Silent Patient - and that’s saying a lot!” — Lucy Foley
"This novel is page turner of the highest order." — David Baldacci
“Simply brilliant. A thrilling read with your heart beating in your throat." — Stephen Fry
"Michaelides is the main player on this field." — Publishers Weekly
“Elegant, sinister, stylish and gripping, this novel answers the question of how to live up to its predecessor, one of the best thrillers of the last decade. The answer is: you just need to write something better.” — Chris Whitaker