I just love Molly the Maid (Molly is authentically Molly and we need more of that in this world) and thought this was a good continuation of the series. I think it is the perfect finale to Molly's story and I hope this is the last book, with a happily ever after and everything wrapped up. I liked finding out about Gran through her diary and how everything was all connected. It was cool to bring back the egg from the earlier installments. This whole series is a good mix of a little mystery and a lot of heart. Highly recommend Molly's universe!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC - review live now on GoodReads and TheStoryGraph

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Molly Grey anymore. She truly is a good egg and I enjoyed reading her story. This one provides some insight into Gran’s history. I loved getting to hear her background. It sheds some light on the influence she had over Molly. Overall, a great read!

Thank you to NetGallet and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you love the Molly the Maid series, then you will love this third installment. A show called Hidden Treasures descends onto the regency Grand hotel. The staff are permitted to bring their items to be appraised, and Molly brings her Grans beloved fabrege egg and it’s worth millions! Just as Molly thinks her financial troubles will be gone, the egg is stolen and her life threatened. This is interesting because we are reading about this heist but every chapter in between is about Gran’s story of her childhood and young adult hood presented as diary entries. Her diary entries become very important toward the end of the book. The verbiage and language used are very old school and not necessarily something that is accurate to either time period but adds to the charm of the book. If there is a fourth book, I would love to see it about Juan’s family either visiting the hotel or Juan and Molly visiting them in Mexico.

Everything in Molly Gray’s life is going just right. She’s about to be married to her love Juan Manuel, and she takes great pride in her role as Head Maid and Special Events Manager at the fancy Regency Grand Hotel. The hotel’s latest special event is a taping of a popular Antiques Roadshow-eque tv show, and the employees can bring in their treasures to be appraised too. Molly brings in an old trinket that her Gran left her, and it’s the shock of a lifetime when the egg Juan Manuel affectionately calls the “Golden Huevo” turns out to be a priceless Faberge egg. When the treasure is stolen from under their noses right after fetching a $10 million bid at auction, it’s up to Molly and company to solve the mystery.

I enjoyed this latest (and last) installment in the Molly the Maid series but felt it lacked a little of the charm that made the earlier books so special. I absolutely adored Molly when I met her in The Maid, quirky and literal with grown-up Amelia Bedelia vibes. Although Molly and her world have grown over the course of the series, I felt like the Molly I knew and loved was a bit missing in The Maid’s Secret, reduced to repeating her Gran’s trite pearls of wisdom.

Speaking of Gran, the dual timeline focuses heavily on her riches-to-rags backstory. While I did end up enjoying her story and how it tied into the egg plot, I honestly wanted less Gran and more Molly. I found myself skimming Gran’s chapters (especially the early ones, where young Flora bears zero resemblance to the wise, gentle Gran we’ve gotten to know before) to get back to Molly and the gang. And maybe it was just me, but the vibe of Gran’s chapters feels slightly off too, like they’re taking place in the Victorian era rather than the 1950s.

All that said, the two timelines come together perfectly, and the series ends on a perfect happily-ever-after note with Molly and Juan Manuel getting married at the Regency Grand. If you’ve been with Molly from the beginning like I have, you won’t want to miss this heartwarming conclusion that’s as sweet as Juan’s marzipanimals!

Protect Molly at all costs!! I love this series so much it is a hot cup of tea and a cozy sweater. I loved this story and appreciated learning so much more about Gran and her life. Just a precious series with a light cozy mystery. Hope these books keep coming!

Molly is one of my favorite fictional characters of any series that I have read. Her quirky banter and big heart make her easy to love. I loved reading the connection between Molly, her Gran and Gran-Dad.

Book Review: The Maid’s Secret
A review of Nita Prose’s latest installment in The Maid series, with Molly the Maid back for her best mystery yet!
By Mandy Crow

Since we’ve highlighted every one of Nita Prose’s books in The Maid Series—The Maid, The Mystery Guest and the Christmas-themed novella, The Mistletoe Mystery—it’s clear we’re big fans here at The Bookery. Prose’s next installment, The Maid’s Secret, releases in just a few days on April 8, and, well, it might be our favorite book in the series!

In The Maid’s Secret, Molly and her beloved fiancè, Juan, are happily planning their wedding, which is just a few weeks away at the beginning of the novel, and working at the Regency Grand, where Molly serves as head maid and head of special events, and Juan is busy as the head pastry chef in the kitchen. The book opens as the hotel staff—including all our familiar favorites such as Mr. Snow, Angela and Cheryl, who’s back to her old greedy ways—is preparing for a big event. The hosts of a popular TV show “Hidden Treasures” (think PBS’ “Antique Roadshow”) are on hand for a taping that could change someone’s life forever.

And that someone, as it turns out, is Molly.

Molly brings a knick knack of her Gran’s for appraisal only to discover it really is a valuable Faberge egg. Of course, the egg is stolen, setting off a mystery that delves into not only Molly’s past but also her Gran’s and Mr. Preston’s. Finally, readers get a chance to hear Gran’s story, told in her own words through diary entries written for Molly, and learn more about Molly’s elusive mother, Maggie.

One of the things I’ve personally loved about Prose’s The Maid series is Molly. She’s likely on the autism spectrum, and it’s interesting to see how she interprets and reacts to things. Of all of the novels in the series, Molly feels the most well developed in this installment. Maybe it’s my current place in life, but I felt like I connected more with Molly in this book, and she began to feel a little less like a character and more like a person I knew and understood slightly better.

But the real power of this novel is the flashbacks that reveal Flora Gray’s, Molly’s gran, story. We learn that Gran wasn’t always the thrifty, commonsense maid who worked for everything she had, but a privileged young woman of means. We learn where so many of Gran’s catchphrases came from, like “A tissue for your issue,” and get to see the series and its characters from a whole new point of view. Gran’s history is recounted through diary entries that are beautifully written and infuse the novel with Gran’s warmth and love.

While I love all of the novels in Nita Prose’s series, The Maid’s Secret is my favorite. Molly is such an interesting character, but she’s always appeared a little two-dimensional to me, and Prose achieved a new depth and perspective in her portrayal in this book. The plot is tightly paced, maybe a little better than in other novels in the series, and the mystery is captivating. I actually stayed up late to finish the book “on a school night,” because I wanted to see if the pieces all fit together the way I thought they would.

The Bookery Rating: 📙📙📙📙📙
The Maid’s Secret is the best installment in Nita Prose’s The Maid series yet!

I love Molly. Every single book I read about "Molly the Maid" always leaves me hoping that there will be another book added to the series.

In this story, you not only spend time with Molly, Juan, Angela, and Molly's grand-dad, you also get to know more about her beloved Gran, Flora. You learn about her past and her love story with John (Gran-dad). At first I wondered where this was all going, but as it went along, I got more involved and interested in Gran's storyline.

As it is with all of the Molly the Maid books, there is some mystery at the center. This one was no different. I like the ease of the storyline, the sweetness of Juan, and the frankness of Molly. Heck, I even like Cheryl and what you can expect from her.

Highly recommend this book and all of the books in the "Molly the Maid" series. Sometimes you just need a book to make you feel good, and this is definitely one of them!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for this ARC.

Rating: 3.75

Molly brings a box of trinkets that belonged to her ‘Gran’ to an appraisal show filming at the Regency Grand. To her absolute shock, she’s in possession of an item worth millions of dollars. She becomes a modern-day rags to riches story and, to her chagrin, her life changes. They decide to auction the item. Then, in a room full of people, it’s stolen. Molly and her ‘found family’ has to figure out how it was stolen and by who.

While this is going on, we are treated to Flora’s (Molly’s grandmother) life story that has been alluded to in the previous books.

Admittedly, in the beginning, it didn’t draw me in like the previous two novels. I didn’t really understand why we needed to read about Flora’s past. However, as the story progresses, we see how the past intertwines with the present in a surprising way.

I enjoyed reading this last installment of the ‘Molly the Maid’ series. There’s a heist, a mystery, secrets from the past, and a wedding. Oh, there’s also a surprise appearance from someone that I didn’t see coming.

The Maid’s Secret is a wonderful last installment in Molly the Maid’s story. The author closed the gaps in the series by filling the Gray family secrets finally!

While this book could be read as a stand alone, but it’s best read in order. In this, we are given the backstory on gram’s riches to rags family history through her own words in a diary she left for Molly.
As Molly and Fiancé Juan Manuel are planning their wedding, the Regency Grand Hotel hosts an Antiques type reality show in its grand ballroom. Mr. Snow allows the staff the opportunity to get their own items appraised for the event. Molly brings several of her gran’s trinkets, including the beautiful golden egg. However, when Molly learns the egg is actually an authentic Faberge egg and worth millions, her whole life is turned upside down.

While the plot begins in the usual quirky fashion, readers are immediately thrust out of Molly’s world and thrown into the past through reading Gran’s diary.

Thankfully, the beloved Maid series closes with a heartwarming ending and I satisfied with it.

4.5 stars rounded up

This is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint! I love Molly the Maid and especially loved hearing more to Gran’s story. The ending was a bit messy and a bit too connected but overall I just loved this cozy little read.

Molly Gray is the Head Maid and Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel and has a good group of friends and coworkers in addition to an amazing fiance, Juan Manuel. When the hotel hosts a taping of the hit show Hidden Treasures where they appraise people's items, Molly decides to bring some of her Gran's items.

When one item is called out as a rare item worth millions, Molly becomes instantly famous as the show airs and they prepare for a live auction. But when the item disappears - the story becomes "whodunnit" instead of 'rags to riches'. While Molly learns more about her Gran's family past and secret through reading her diary, they are also trying to figure out who is responsible for the heist.

I completely loved this story as a reader of all the previous novels and novellas, but this could be read as a standalone as well. Thank you to #netgalley and #randomhouse for providing me an e-book version of the novel.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Molly the Maid is back! I’ve enjoyed this series and was excited to have the opportunity to review The Maid’s Secret.
The story is lighthearted and takes a deeper look into Molly’s family. I wish there were more “Molly-isms” as I felt there weren’t as many as previous novels.
Worth picking up and continuing the series.
3/5
Favorite Character: Mr. Preston/Granddad

The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
4⭐️/5

Thank you to the Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for my review copy and to @prhaudio for the audiobook #PRHaudiopartner . I definitely recommend picking this one up if you’ve been craving more time with Molly and Gran. It’s an absolute delight - complete with a surprise antique appraisal, a reality TV crew, and an unexpected heist that shakes up life at the Regency Grand.

We’re back! Back at the Regency Grand Hotel, and this time, it’s all about character depth and emotional resolution - and a priceless antique that turns Molly into an overnight media sensation. While Molly still shines, this book belongs to Gran. Told through diary entries that unravel her rich-to-rags story, we get a version of Gran that’s far more complex, vulnerable, and surprising than the wise elder figure we’ve come to know.

This feels like a true conclusion to the series, one that focuses less on mystery and more on emotional payoff. Prose’s writing here is lovely and tender, and she handles legacy, memory, and personal growth with a gentle touch. It’s saccharine, yes, but in a way that feels earned rather than indulgent.

That said, I did miss Molly driving the plot. Her quirky perspective and the day-to-day drama of the Regency Grand were some of the elements that made the first books sing. While she’s still present here, especially in her interactions with Juan Manuel and some surprise guests, I found myself yearning for a bit more of her voice at the forefront.

My rating wavered for a bit, but the final chapters brought everything together beautifully. I found myself cheering for Molly, tearing up at just the right moments, and feeling that familiar ache of saying goodbye to a story you've grown to love.

Fans of the series are likely to be charmed by this final installment. It offers a cozy, heartfelt farewell that honors its characters with care.

Read if:
1. You’ve followed Molly through dust-ups, dramas, and a holiday novella and are ready to see her story come full circle.
2. You wish there was more drama on Antiques Roadshow
3. You like your mysteries sweet, your characters earnest, and your endings tied with a neat little bow.
4. You gravitate towards books like: Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Authenticity Project, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, or The Collected Regrets of Clover

This is another heartwarming story about Molly the Maid. What an endearing character. I have loved every book in this series. This one is no exception. Once again Molly finds herself in a sticky situation. She does not fully understand what is happening but she just wants her life to go back to normal. In this book, Molly is planning a wedding while she also becomes a social media sensation. It would be hard not to fall for this character. If you like mysteries with a heartwarming character then this is a book and series for you. I would highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you to #NetGalley, @NitaProse, and #BallantineBooks for a copy of this book.
#TheMaidsSecret

I have loved all the Molly stories ... but i think I might be losing interest now. I adore her quirky qualities and her precious love. But i just.... I need to move on from sweet molly. Im getting bored.

The Maid's Secret by Nina Prose is a captivating follow-up to The Maid, continuing the story of Molly Gray. In this novel, Molly gets entangled in a new mystery at the Regency Grand Hotel, facing moral dilemmas and uncovering hidden truths.

The strength of the book lies in its deep character development, especially Molly's complex persona, and its atmospheric setting. The suspenseful plot keeps readers engaged, though the pacing can feel slow at times, and some twists are predictable.

Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of character-driven mysteries, offering emotional depth alongside intrigue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

Molly the Maid will always hold a special place in my heart and with this continuation, we got even more of her story. Well I guess we finally got her grandmothers story. Molly is so quirky but extremely lovable. I can’t get enough of her or of all the characters in these books. I’ll read anything about these characters at the Regency Grand.

Seriously, I would read these books- “Molly the Maid takes a Walk”, “Molly the Maid Brushes Her Teeth”. Needless to say I am a big fan of this series! The thoughts that go through her head! The way she thinks that’s kind of old fashioned and kind of on the spectrum. She’s just a charming little peach and this tale of possible wealth is exciting and thoughtful for her happily ever after. More please!