Book Series Guide
Alex Michaelides

Author guide

Alex Michaelides Books in Order

Alex Michaelides is a British-Cypriot novelist born and raised in Cyprus. He studied English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, and screenwriting at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. His fiction draws on psychological suspense, murder mystery, Greek mythology, and classical tragedy. His debut novel, The Silent Patient, became an international bestseller, followed by The Maidens and The Fury.

psychological thrillermysterycrime fiction

Catalog record updated .

Alex Michaelides's Newest Book

Cover of The Fury

The Fury

novel · First published 2024

This is a tale of murder. Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it? Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to escape the English weather and spend Easter on her idyllic private Greek island. I tell you this because you may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time ― it caused a real stir in the tabloids, if you remember. It had all the necessary ingredients for a press sensation: a celebrity; a private island cut off by the wind…and a murder. We found ourselves trapped there overnight. Our old friendships concealed hatred and a desire for revenge. What followed was a game of cat and mouse ― a battle of wits, full of twists and turns, building to an unforgettable climax. The night ended in violence and death, as one of us was found murdered. But who am I? My name is Elliot Chase, and I’m going to tell you a story unlike any you’ve ever heard.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

Cover of The Silent Patient

The Silent Patient

It is Michaelides's debut novel and the earliest of his three standalone thrillers.

Outside the series

Bibliography by category

Novels (3)
  1. The Silent Patient

    novel · 2019

    Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband…

  2. The Maidens

    novel · 2021

    "Alex Michaelides’s long-awaited next novel, 'The Maidens,' is finally here...the premise is enticing and the elements irresistible." —The New York Times "A deliciously dark, elegant, utterly compulsive read—with a twist that blew my…

  3. The Fury

    novel · 2024

    This is a tale of murder. Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it? Lana Farrar is a reclusive ex–movie star and one of the most famous women in the world. Every year, she invites her closest friends to…

Frequently asked questions about Alex Michaelides

Who is Alex Michaelides?

Alex Michaelides is a British-Cypriot novelist and screenwriter best known for psychological thrillers. He studied English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, and screenwriting at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

Sources: alexmichaelides.com (opens in a new tab)afi.com (opens in a new tab)

Where was Alex Michaelides born and raised?

He was born and raised in Cyprus, growing up in Nicosia until he was eighteen. His family background includes an English mother and a Greek-Cypriot father.

Source: alexmichaelides.com (opens in a new tab)

What did Alex Michaelides do before becoming a novelist?

Before becoming a novelist, Michaelides pursued acting, worked in a pub and as a film-production runner, and then became a screenwriter. He also worked at a secure psychiatric community for teenagers while studying therapy.

Source: alexmichaelides.com (opens in a new tab)

What influenced Alex Michaelides as a writer?

Agatha Christie was an early and lasting influence, inspiring his love of mysteries and twists. Greek mythology and ancient tragedy, which were central to his upbringing in Cyprus, also strongly shaped his imagination.

Sources: alexmichaelides.com (opens in a new tab)publishersweekly.com (opens in a new tab)

What awards or recognition has Alex Michaelides received?

The Silent Patient won Goodreads’ 2019 Choice Award for Readers’ Favorite Mystery & Thriller. It also debuted at number one on The New York Times bestseller list.

Sources: goodreads.com (opens in a new tab)afi.com (opens in a new tab)