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"A charmingly eccentric hotel maid discovers a guest murdered in his bed, turning her once orderly world upside down--and inspiring a motley crew of unexpected allies to band together to solve the mystery--in this utterly original debut. Molly Dunn is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and interprets people literally. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by. Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has had to navigate life's complexities all by herself. No matter--she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection. But Molly's orderly life is turned on its head the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself very dead in his bed. Before she knows what's happening, Molly's odd demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect and she finds herself in a web of subtext and nuance she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, a medley of friends she didn't realize she had refuses to let her be charged with murder--but will they be able to discover the real killer before it's too late? A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different--and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart"--… (more)
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Young Molly Gray, a naïve and socially awkward maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, is recovering from the death of her beloved Gran, who raised her after her mother’s departure. Without Gran to help her understand social cues, Molly’s
Does Molly know something that could help solve this puzzling locked-room mystery and keep her from going to prison for a crime she didn’t commit?
A few years back a contemporary romance novel garnered all kinds of attention, maybe even getting a few award nominations, within that category, and drew people to the genre who ordinarily snubbed romances. By the time I got around to reading the book, I realized that the big push and crossover buzz was due to the main character’s spectrum like behaviors. I was frankly surprised to learn the story had followed a typical romance novel formula. That’s it. It was an ordinary contemporary romance, no real groundbreaking literary masterpiece, which based on all that hype one might have expected a Pulitzer nomination was forthcoming. The only thing separating it from countless other romance novels just like it was that the MC had a form of autism.
The same thing can be said about this book. Molly’s character obviously falls onto the spectrum scale, but if you strip her unique challenges away from the novel, it turns out, this is your basic, standard, run of the mill, locked room/cozy mystery.
Once again, those who ordinarily scoff at the legitimacy of cozy mysteries are effusively gushing over this one, but for those us who regularly read cozies, this mystery is not all that impressive. It’s not bad, okay, but it’s not anything I haven’t seen in a thousand other cozy mysteries or locked-room setups.
There were also some other troubling inconsistencies in the book and parts of it that just didn’t sit right. Molly’s spectrum challenges seem to erase these issues which would ordinarily get a cozy mystery ripped to shreds by our more discerning readers.
I guess I sound cross, but when people lecture me, patronize me or even shame me because I read romance novels or cozy mysteries, then suddenly deem them acceptable just so long as it comes with a cause or social issue attached to it, it irritates me to no end.
While I applaud giving those on the spectrum a voice in books, television and movies, on the other hand, I wonder if maybe they aren’t being exploited instead? Molly’s depiction made me uncomfortable and I’m not sure it was altogether accurate- though I’m not an expert by any means. It is just that at times it felt as though the reader was expected to laugh at her expense and it just didn’t feel right to me.
I’m sorry- I know I’m an outlier here, and once again, I’m probably taking it more seriously than I should, but you don’t have to agree or take my word for it- lots of people have absolutely adored this book- so you should definitely check it out for yourself.
2 stars
In fact, I was very put off by how Molly appeared in this novel: she seemed more as a caricature of someone with features in the autistic range and less of a genuinely disadvantaged person trapped in a sticky murder investigation. There shouldn't have been anything funny about folks coping with life in such a situation. What was particularly strange, she evolved into a clever individual who chose carefully what to reveal. Sometimes I had the sense Molly was deliberately manipulating the investigators so as to protect someone she cared about and felt was in danger of being wrongly accused. Obviously, this story didn't work for me and I wonder, what did I miss, when so may reviews invoked 4- and five-stars?
I enjoyed this book and found it a fast read, despite the fact that Molly often slips into reverie in order to provide necessary backstory. The mystery is, I felt, secondary to the characterization, which is fine by me, though hardcore mystery readers may desire greater complexity. I have mixed feelings about how Molly's neurodivergence is portrayed (she has characteristics of autism, though it's never named as such), but that's something that each reader will have a different opinion on, I am sure. I can see this making for good book club discussion. Readers who enjoyed Convenience Store Woman and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine may find Molly to be a similar protagonist in many ways.
"There is a power in me I never knew was there. I always knew there was power in my hands, to clean, to wipe away dirt, to scour and disinfect. To set things right. But now I know,
This was such a cute book. I loved Molly, I loved how her neurodivergence was a strength, and how much her friends loved her. I did not love how some people took advantage of her, but when Molly inevitably figured it out, I loved hearing her dish out her witty one-liners that left them confused.
Molly's Gran was a wonderful person and a loving guardian to Molly. Her sayings were able to guide Molly through hard times after she was gone, and I loved hearing her voice calming Molly down and guiding her to always do the right thing.
Everyone always underestimated Molly. Even Molly herself. She proved to herself that she wasn't what everyone thought she was; a robot, stupid, or invisible. She is smart, she is intelligent, and she will always do the right thing. This book highlighted that even though someone is different than what is "normal," that doesn't mean they're stupid. Everyone who was using Molly took advantage of her innocence and confused it for unintelligence. Molly is highly intelligent and eloquent. (So eloquent, in fact, that there were times during the book that I forgot it took place in modern times. How Molly speaks can be considered old fashioned and I would get thrown off every time a cell phone was mentioned haha)
But despite how clearly she speaks everyone else continues to misunderstand her, usually because of their assumptions about her. (You know what they say about assuming...)
Molly Gray, abandoned as a baby and raised by her grandmother, might be socially awkward and feeling a bit adrift after her grandmother’s death, but she understands her job as a maid at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel. She sees herself as working in a job
And Molly is VERY good at her job. However, despite her meticulousness, Molly momentarily falters when she discovers one of the hotel’s elitist guests lying on the bed in the room she's come to finish cleaning. And, he's quite dead.
What Molly doesn’t expect is that she will be the one blamed for causing the death of Charles Black.
When the man’s death is ruled as suspicious, how will Molly find her way through the maze of accusations and charges to prove her innocence?
Well-defined, believable characters populate this story of murder and unforeseen circumstances. It is, by turns, charming, quirky, and delightful [despite the murder]. The plot, although a bit predictable, keeps the reader involved in the telling of the tale, and, as the story unfolds, readers will discover a few unexpected surprises.
Having lived with [and taken to heart] her grandmother’s oft-repeated adages, Molly is overly-trusting and, therefore, easily manipulated by others. Her guilelessness keeps her from seeing the pretenses others use to exploit her friendship for their own advantage.
Friendship, loyalty, and responsibility form the true heart of this story, turning Molly’s naiveté and social awkwardness into the discovery of true friends, of caring, and of doing the right thing. Readers are certain to find themselves rooting for the good-hearted young woman at the heart of the story. [And be prepared for a clever denouement that promises to satisfy.]
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley
#TheMaid #NetGalley
Molly is 25, quite naive, incredibly literal (think Detective Monk), definitely socially awkward (more so since her Gran recently died), and had all their money stolen by a man who pretended to be her
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Ballantine Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Molly makes her rounds cleaning at the Regency Grand hotel, enjoying her job and speaking to some of the guests. When she enters the suite of Mr and Mrs Black she discovers Mr. Black is dead
This was more of a cozy mystery, a completely PG 13 rated plot. As a reader you know which characters are bad and who is being used. You will also discover Molly's resourcefulness discerning facts helps with the murder case.
Publication date January 4, 2022 by Random House Publishing - Ballentine. Genre: Mystery, Thrillers and Women's Fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. I was not compensated for the review, all opinions are mine.
This is an intriguing book. The main character and narrator is Molly, a maid at an exclusive hotel. Molly is a perfectionist and a bit strange to others. She lives with her Gran and sees everything in black and white until……… a murder takes place at the hotel and Moly is
Friendship, truth, justice, our perception of those somewhat different, all play a part in the resolution of who killed Mr. Black. Once begun, it is difficult to put this book down. Molly is a character you sympathize with and yet don’t quite understand, just as she doesn’t quite understand the world. She is fascinating just as the book is fascinating.
Book groups will love discussing this book. Readers will be fascinated by Molly. This one is really unput-down-able.
5 of 5 stars
Thanks to the author, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Brilliantly paced and with a main character to steal hearts, "The Maid" is a rare treat. The novel is told entirely in the voice and from the perspective of Molly, a neurodivergent woman dealing with the death
A devoted, disciplined, and exacting hotel maid, Molly has difficulty interpreting events and the actions and motives of coworkers that are clear to the reader. Molly is gradually lured into association with a crime ring and mixed up in the murder of a guest in the hotel. Slowly but surely, as the reader cheers her on, loveable and sympathetic Molly puts the pieces together with the help of some valuable new friends.
A couple of breathtaking reveals at the end show that Molly was more clever, resourceful, and capable in her own way than anyone could have suspected. As a romantic and funny mystery, "The Maid" had the feel of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" and "The Rosie Project."
Her lesson to us is that “the truth is subjective”. Molly’s truth is not the same as yours or mine because we all experience life differently however “we are all the same in different ways.” This notion of truth works best for Molly. She learns and thus teaches us that “the world is a better place seen through a prism of colors.” Molly puts things in a state of perfection all the while remaining invisible in plain sight. Molly is a wonder and I am so embarrassed for not recognizing that early on.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for giving me a copy of this annoyingly amazing book.
I didn't enjoy this much: I found Molly's portrayal inconsistent - sometimes she was so naive you wondered how she managed to hold down a job, and at other times she was quite cunning. I struggled to believe she would have stolen and
Molly works as a maid
Molly is put at the center of the investigation into what happened. As the twists and turns keep coming, she has to figure out who she can trust and who would want to do her harm.
This story took a bit of time for me to really get into. Nita Prose - through Molly - gives readers a lot of setup into Molly's typical day and how things normally run at the Regency Grand Hotel and while I understand this is the way many mysteries start out, it still took a bit to get to the meat and bones of the story proper.
At the center of everything is Molly. She is the one leading the reader through the story. Everything is told from her perspective. Molly is a likable character, but we're told and shown quite plainly from the start that Molly sees the world in a different way than others and it's something that has often set her apart from her co-workers. Her feeling of isolation was exacerbated by the loss of her grandmother. Molly is kind of adrift and trying her hardest to make ends meet. When she gets embroiled in a murder she knows the stakes are high. I kind of enjoyed seeing people around Molly underestimate her because I was just waiting for the tables to be turned. And turn they do. There are quite a few twists that pop up throughout the story, but one important thing to remember is that just because Molly might look at things differently than you or me, doesn't mean she doesn't understand what she's involved in.
I kind of wish the mystery was a little more tricky I guess. It's easy to spot those involved from the onset. What readers are then watching out for is motivation and seeing how things fit together, while enjoyable, was not as full of that tension as I would like.
I loved the setting being in this fancy hotel with the focus on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the day-to-day operations especially where Molly is concerned. I liked the varied cast of characters. Seeing Molly not changing who she is to better fit in with others, but just maintaining her own sense of self was perfect.
I'm certainly interested to see what's next from Nina Prose. I also wouldn't mind another mysterious adventure featuring Molly the Maid.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Prose starts off by immediately drawing the line between the hotel staff and, well, the rest of the
Do you know someone who has difficulty reading social cues? They misunderstand facial expressions, can’t recognize subtle changes in behavior, or struggle communicating with others. Even if you don’t, you’ll understand how Molly’s unique perspective can lead to misinterpretation and social isolation. If you do know a Molly, you’ll uncomfortably read through her problems wishing that you could save her from being taken advantage of and insulted.
It’s easy to visualize the opulent hotel thanks to Prose’s vivid descriptions. She offers plenty of suspects, most of whom have easily understood motives. Molly had the opportunity, but her motive isn’t clear. Did she do it, or is she getting framed?
As each question is answered, new ones crop up. The answers - and new questions - fit well into the plot. Secrets are revealed that shed light on the characters’ actions and motivations. Characters that seemed one-note at the beginning are beautifully fleshed out as their secrets come to light. Even when it seems the story has been wrapped up, more secrets are revealed. The secrets flow in the plot and do not feel like they were tacked on for shock value.
This is Nita Prose’s debut novel. Wow. I can’t wait until she writes another one. I’m a fan!
Nita Prose's debut novel The Maid releases today and it's a brilliant read to start off 2022! I was hooked from the opening pages...
Molly works at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel as a maid. "Every day of work is a
Now, the other thing you need to know about Molly is that she struggles with social skills and can't read the nuances of interactions - facial and conversational. Her beloved Gran, now deceased, left her with routines and rules to help navigate a world that Molly doesn't fully 'get'. "The truth is, I often have trouble with social situations; it's as though everyone is playing an elaborate game with complex rules they all know, but I'm always playing for the first time.
Well, first off, you're going to absolutely love Molly - her innocence, her upbeat attitude, her manner of speaking and those rules and sayings that guide her life. And then there's Gran. Even though she is gone, her presence is felt throughout the book. (It made me miss my Gran too!) The supporting cast of players gives us a large number of suspects for the whodunit. You'll have no problem deciding who you like - and who you don't. The reader can see what's happening - but Molly doesn't. Your heart will break for Molly as she misinterprets what's going on.
But. there's a turn in the story - one that I am not going to expound on, but it's absolutely perfect. Suffice it to say that Molly and her Gran read lots of Agatha Christie and watched all of Columbo...…
What more could you want - characters you'll be rooting for, a murder mystery, and some insightful thoughts about love, loss and life. Prose's writing will keep you turning page after page late into the night. Heartily recommended! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Maid.
This is the first book that Nita Prose has written, but not the first time she's been involved in the publishing of a book. From her website: "Currently, I’m vice president and editorial director at Simon & Schuster in Toronto, Canada, where I have the privilege of working with an incredible array of authors and publishing colleagues whom I credit with teaching me, manuscript by manuscript, book by book, the wondrous craft of writing." That experience shines through in The Maid. I'm really looking forward to the next book Prose pens.
We meet Molly nine months after the beloved grandmother who raised her has passed away. Gran, who was a cleaner for a rich family, used the repetition of cleaning to help Molly maintain the control her life that her condition requires. Gran also pushed Molly to exercise her intelligence, pushing her toward enrolling at a community college when her finances allowed.
Molly's naiveté gets her embroiled in illegal goings on at the hotel and we watch as her co-workers take advantage of her. Then a guest is murdered and Molly is accused. All ends well, of course, and by the end of the book we have built a great respect for Molly's depth of character and her moral insights.
The book was a bit long for my taste but otherwise is quite good. There is talk of a series, but I am not sure what that would be. Molly the detective? I hope not.
I received a digital review copy of "The Maid" by by Nita Prose from Ballantine through NetGalley.com.
She is an endearing character obsessed with cleanliness, a rule follower, one who follows etiquette, but very naive.
Molly lived with her grandmother and cleaned rooms at The Regency Grand Hotel.
One day she found a dead body in the room she always cleaned for a
Molly’s eccentric demeanor and lack of knowledge about worldly things has her as the main suspect.
How can that be? She is the most honest person there is, and she was friends with the dead man’s wife.
To add to her distress, she unknowingly is involved in a drug ring...they have her clean the room each morning.
Friends do assist her after she gets arrested for the murder. No one knows about the drug ring.
You will be with the characters as they try to help Molly out of her predicament and find the killer.
You will also be with Molly and want to tell her to stop being so naive and so polite to everyone. She goes overboard with her properness.
THE MAID is a delight to read simply because Molly is someone you want to take under your wing and protect.
An amazing debut that will lift your spirits!! 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this murder mystery with a difference. Molly Grey is a maid at a five star boutique hotel, The Regency Grand, in London. Unable to read social clues, Molly is somewhat of a misfit. Although I can’t fault her reading of the staff she interacts with.
And the anonymity of a hotel maid is a perfect foil for the various happenings—from illegal immigration, to drug running, to murder. Not that Molly necessarily recognizes these instances, although a dead body is pretty hard to miss.
When Molly comes across the body of a guest, her world once more changes. Telling friend from foe can at times be difficult and Molly finds this out first hand. I did not see the shadows at the end.
Awkward, pedantic and yet engaging, Molly is a quiet force. I look forward to hearing more of her life and unlooked for adventures at the Regency Grand Hotel.
A Random - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley