The Maid by was such an enjoyable read. 25-year-old Molly Gray is a hardworking maid at the prestigious Regency Grand Hotel. Molly was raised by her late Gran and enjoys a life of routine and order. She struggles with social skills and people often ridicule or take advantage of her. Molly’s ordered life is soon in disarray when the wealth Mr Black is found dead in his suite. The Maid is a quirky mystery that kept me guessing right up until the end. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my digital copy.

I recently got sent Book #2 The Mystery Guest and so I figured it was about time that I got around and read the first book The Maid. It was amazing, such a great read as I felt myself instantly wanting more and I connected with Molly the Maid. Growing up in a family where the autism gene is quite strong, I got used to my mum and siblings being on the spectrum and I know I have a few traits myself. I think because Molly herself is a neurodivergent character, I was able to connect with the story more. I also did at times get frustrated with the detective as they should have seen or noticed something different and unique about Molly from the beginning instead of dragging her name through the mud. Molly's Nana was a maid and now Molly has been working for years as a maid and it's a job she is great at. The downside though is Molly is naive and taken advantage of so when one of the guests Mr. Black is found dead Molly discovers his body. She finds herself in the lead for prime suspect in his murder which of course she is innocent. I was so glad that Mr. Preston and his daughter Charlotte were able to help Molly and the fact that Juan did the right thing as I was so nervous that he wouldn't turn up and do the right thing for Molly, I was on the edge of my seat in that chapter. If you love closed-door mysteries and cozy novels, then you will love The Maid with its disability representation included. It also reminded me a little of the TV show Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. I am now excited to get stuck into Book #2 so readers stay tuned for my review of The Mystery Guest as I cross my fingers and toes and hope it is just as great as this first book - The Maid by Nita Prose.

There was a lot of hype surrounding this book and I see why, though it’s more of a slow burn cosy mystery than a thriller. Molly is a maid who finds the dead body of a regular client at the hotel and so begins a whirlwind in her life around relationships and the ongoing police investigation.
Molly is heartbreakingly innocent, and I loved the prim and proper writing featured on Molly’s behalf, and the themes of family and trust and respect throughout this whole story.

this is one of the greatest thrillers I have read! I totally understand the hype now. I loved the dark comedy placed throughout, and the portrayal of a neurodivergent character at the centre of the novel.

Murder mystery in a 5-star hotel, starring a neurodivergent maid.

At 25, Molly has in recent months lost her mother figure, her Gran. She lives alone in the apartment they shared, and so lives for the social interactions and circumscribed duties of being a maid in the 5-star Regency Grand Hotel. Molly speaks with long archaic words. She is a bit OCD about cleaning and acceptable etiquette. She doesn't read social cues. She probably holds herself awkwardly. It seems Molly has below average IQ. The hotel staff especially the check-in staff, AKA 'the penguins' in their black skirts and white shirts, mock her. Molly would never stand up for herself. That is part of her charm and the sadness that one feels for her.

The reasons for Molly's odd behaviour and talking style are not explained, but if she is meant to be on the autism spectrum disorder (or ASD) then she seems to have at least adequate – if not very good – social skills, which infers making good eye contact (a contra-indication of ASD). It doesn't take an expert to know that Molly shows some traits as befits the narrative and other traits for say, comic effect. Sometimes the author paints Molly as a child, overly trusting and unaware of people's jibes, and at other times as an idiot savant. You can't have both in order for believability.

Then, the mystery happens. Molly is doing her maid duties on a normal day at the Regency Grand Hotel, when strange things start happening in Room 401. Room 401 is the executive suite that property tycoon, Mr Charles Black, one of the richest men in the UK, and Giselle is his second – trophy – wife occupy when they're in town. There is much exiting from rooms, either into the hotel or into the bathroom, messes, pills and aggression rather than outright violence. Until that is, Molly discovers Mr. Black's body in his bed.

I was hoping that the book would rise above the police making Molly Gray their primary – their only – suspect. But as the blurb says, that hope wasn't realised. However, the author did make the next episodes interesting. Samson and Goliath. Daniel and the Lion. You get the gist. With references to the intelligent 1960s TV series thrown in, 'Columbo'.

The other characters make themselves known, progressively in some cases. There is the too-handsome barman, Rodney Stiles, Juan Manuel, a Mexican kitchen hand, Mr Preston, the hotel doorman, his daughter, Charlotte Preston, Detective Stark, and two 'behemoths' with shaven heads and facial tattoos. Molly has a crush on Rodney, which would be funny if it wasn't tragic. Though unlikely, she is also good friends with Giselle. In her rush to make an arrest Detective Stark stumbles over her own stone feet.

The end is feel-good, perfect for a Netflix series. The good guys are very good. The bad guys are horrid. The detective apologises.

What worked: the pace was good. After a soggy 20 percent where Molly is falsely charged, some ingenuity was shown in gaining evidence to exonerate Molly. The good guys showed true heart. Molly is likable and engaging. The crimes are convoluted enough to retain interest. A satisfying ending.

What didn't work: making Molly childlike, dumb and lacking gumption. Showing Mexican illegal immigrant, Juan Manuel, as also dumb and helpless. The characters, including Giselle and Detective Stark, are uni-dimensional, maintaining racial or neurodivergent stereotypes. You have neurotypical, white folk come to save Molly and Juan. The surprise "twist" which isn't a twist, just the author withholding info relevant to the murder. It makes certain protagonists less likable or trustworthy.

I will definitely read Nita Prose again. #TheMaid #NetGalley. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review also appears in www.Netgalley.com and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5124000100 and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/2022/11/

There was a lot of hype around this book’s release but having now read it, I can say I don’t think it was warranted. Vaunted as an “original” cozy murder mystery, really the only original thing the author has done is use a person with autism as a main character in an uncomfortable way.

Molly the maid is almost completely “innocent”, and as we read we are seeing the world of the hotel through her eyes – but we are also interpreting it very differently. I was really not impressed by the fact that Molly was oblivious to the goings-on as a major plot point, it felt exploitative. I could also confess to a level of incredulity - I was as skeptical as the detective who didn’t believe Molly couldn’t tell the difference between dust and cocaine.

At heart this is an Agatha Christie country house murder mystery wannabe, and it just didn’t pull it off. Although easy to read and not a bad murder book, it was not a fun reading experience watching Molly be used and abused the entire time, knowing that she is being taken advantage of because of her autism.

I saw this book often compared to Eleanor Oliphant and I agree with this comparison. I really enjoyed this book and the story was extremely well written.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I felt uncomfortable with how the main character was portrayed. There were some funny bits but overall I was disappointed.

That said, I know lots of people have enjoyed this one

Oh how I wanted to love this book, but it was sadly a DNF for me.

I’ve seen a lot of hype for this title and I tried so hard to finish it! Sometimes certain books don’t quite resonate and as much as I tried, I could get to the end.

A novel perhaps trying to be in the same ballpark 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' but in this case a 'cozy mystery'. Molly is a 'touch of the rain man' likeable (although rather inconsistent as a character), misunderstood maid at a hotel, and then discovers the dead Mr Black. It didn't really work for me, and it is a long way from the Eleanor Oliphants of the literary world! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy.

“I don’t cut corners, I shine them.”

My short review: The Maid is a cosy Clue-like murder mystery made for audio.

The longer version: Our protagonist, Molly is a maid at the Regency Grand, a prestigious NYC hotel. The book follows her in the days after she finds the infamous Mr Black dead in his bed.

Firstly, Prose's writing style is definitely unique and quite short and succinct, which worked great in audio format. Molly is an interesting rule-following protagonist. She is still reeling from the death of her grandmother months earlier and the book features many flashbacks and anecdotes. I found these often tender moments helped shaped Molly's character, as she was very complex. There were times I wanted to hug her and other times I wanted to shake her, but in the end, this complexity just made for a more interesting read.

Molly is also surrounded by an eclectic mix of supporting characters. The narrator, Lauren Ambrose, did a stellar job using different voices for each cast member, which just added another level to the story. Honestly, I couldn't recommend this audiobook more. You will be constantly engaged and captivated by the narrator and the murder mystery storyline, as secrets are slowly revealed. Bonus points for the surprising ending as well.

This book was a cozy mystery. I found myself really enjoying it, however, I wish the characters traits and personality wasn't described as special. An enjoyable 4/5 star that I think is going to make an excellent movie.

Molly the Maid takes great pride in her work at a prestigious hotel. Due to her old fashioned mannerisms, she does not have a lot of friends and has lived alone since the death of her Grandmother. When she discovers a rich client dead on his bed, she is arrested and made a scapegoat for some dodgy dealings that are going on behind the scenes of the hotel, involving some of the nefarious staff. Molly realises she is not alone after all but along the way still manages to hold on to some secrets.

I fell in love with the voice of Molly Gray in The Maid. She has the most charming and unique personality and it shone brightly.

Molly is twenty-five and has lived alone since her Nan died nearly a year ago. Molly has difficulty with social situations and misses her Nan and her Nan’s advice terribly. She is employed as a maid at the Grand Regency Hotel where her job brings her utter joy and she delights in returning rooms to a state of perfection. She loves cleaning, loves her maid’s trolley and her uniform immensely.

I found Molly an endearing character, her mannerisms are quirky and unique. Molly’s somewhat naive and because of this she is often taken advantage of and it saddened me to see how people like Molly are targeted for manipulation. Molly also deals with people calling her names behind her back, laughing at her but not with her.

As a maid you’re privy to see many interesting things in guest’s rooms and on one occasion you may find a dead body in a bed as Molly did.

Once a murder investigation begins Molly finds herself as a person of interest to the police.

I loved the way Molly evolved over the course of the story and I found the murder mystery plot intriguing. The cast of supporting characters were wonderfully orchestrated - did you notice what theme their names had in common?

This is a ripper of a debut for Nita Prose and I look forward to watching the movie adaption once it’s released.

Nita Prose’s debut novel The Main is a delightful cosy mystery. Molly the maid is a lovely character who espouses the wisdoms given to her Gran, who had just recently died. Molly loves cleaning and enjoys working as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. Molly’s needs may be simple but her life becomes incredibly complicated when she finds one of the Hotel guest dead in his suite. While a cosy, relaxing read there becomes moments nearing the end when excitement emerges and the story accelerates at a quicker pace.
I really enjoyed this as a gentle read that you can relax into.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for a copy to read and review.

A delightful murder mystery with a new twist. I found Molly the maid a lovely character, with perhaps ADD characteristics. Molly has the bad luck of finding a guest dead when she attends the room to clean.
But the fact that the maid is invisible makes this an intriguing book.

There’s been a whole heap of hype around this cosy mystery involving Molly the Maid.

Unfortunately, for me, The Maid didn’t live up to the hype. It had all the makings of an interesting plot, but I found the mystery at the heart of the story quite disappointing. The whodunnit & characters often lacked the subtlety & deft hand needed to craft a truly compelling mystery. The deceptions were fairly easy to spot & the big twist just didn’t quite hit for me, though I enjoyed the character development it delivered.

Our protagonist, Molly the Maid was charming and sweet & I can see why she’s well loved by book lovers. However, I was left feeling uncomfortable about Molly’s portrayal. I felt her neurodiversity appeared very stereotyped and perhaps lacked the nuance I’ve seen in a few own voices books with neurodiverse characters. I was very glad to have had the chance for a discussion about this with the my fellow readers and really appreciated hearing the differing perspectives & opinions. The Maid is certainly a book that will generate discussion!

“As for order, it is my express wish to live as ordered a life as possible. But the world is filled with random chaos that often bedevils my attempts at arrangement.”

These two sentences pretty much sums up Molly’s life. Molly is a maid and is meticulous about cleaning and order. She’s a stickler for truth and routine. However, Molly is also unable to interpret social situations or other people’s intentions at times.

With her Gran no longer around to guide her, Molly navigates a complicated world where people are not as genuine or sincere as they seem. So when she gets caught up in a murder at her workplace, things get very confusing and disruptive for poor Molly.

This was a well-written book told from Molly’s perspective. I’m usually not a fan of cosy murder mysteries but this was one that made me smile. I enjoyed the different characters and their contributions to the story. I found characters such as Mr Preston and Juan to be so likeable; they touched my heart with their kindness towards Molly.

The book started off a little slow by carefully setting the scene and painting a picture for the reader of who Molly really is; how she acts and thinks. Partway in the book though, the writing really picks up and I simply couldn’t put it down. I read the last half of the book within a day. The writing is very easy to read and the story flows; occasionally jumping from Molly's memory to the present seamlessly. The book finishes with the Epilogue, sharing a slight jaw-dropping moment that comes out of nowhere to surprise the reader.

This was a delightful read, and Molly as the main character really captivated me.

Moly the Maid wasn’t your everyday ‘standard’ person. She took things quite literally, and she often missed facial expressions and social cues. But Molly didn’t miss small things, especially when she cleaned. That was why she was the best maid the Regency Grand Hotel ever had. When a rich and famous hotel guest was found murdered in one of the rooms Molly cleaned, her life was turned upside down as it put a spotlight on her previously invisible presence. She suddenly had to use her unusual wit to figure out what was happening around her.

My experience reading this was like watching a calming, heartwarming, multi-layered film. While reading the words, I could see three layers of storytelling playing at the same time. Upfront and centre, we had Molly telling her story based on how she viewed the world. However, we as readers could see the ‘actual’ story playing in the background, including things that Molly had missed due to her lack of understanding in people’s double meanings and cunning intentions. The third layer was the mystery elements - this was still a whodunnit story after all!

I had so much fun following Molly, while watching the events playing out in the background, while trying to guess who was the actual murderer at the same time.

I hope this is going to be made into a series, because I still want to see what happens to Molly. I feel like she hasn’t finished telling her story yet.

What an honour to read this exceptionally well composed novel! I found myself engrossed in Molly’s life as a maid, a job that completes her life, following the loss of her gran.
The characters, the emotions and the storyline all compliment each other perfectly!
Molly’s uniform transports her to a place where she feels appreciated and her self worth shines through!
A fantastic feel good read with a touch of mystery, sure to keep you entertained!

Congratulations and appreciation to Harper Collins, NetGalley and the hugely talented Nita Prose for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.