I really enjoyed “The Maid’s Secret”. This is the latest title in the Molly the Maid series. In this title, you get to know more of who Gran was. There are highs and lows and I honestly couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what happened next.

As the third book in this series, this was my least favorite. Molly gets embroiled in the theft of her egg when she brings it into the hotel for a filming of an appraisal show. The book swings back and forth between Molly in the present and Gran in the past. Gran(Flora) tells of her upbringing in a diary. She tells of going from riches to rags. Her side of the story seemed to overtake the book and become the more important part and the least interesting. There were no big surprises or twists. I suppose it was supposed to show the changes of a young rich, haughty girl to becoming the wise caring grandmother, but somehow it never did quite showed how that could have made her a better person. When we do see Molly, she has somehow now become everyone's heroine. That leap also seems to be too much. Molly in the previous books is quirky and a bit divergent. In this book, she has lost some of that characteristic. I am not sure if it was from the aspect of writing from two different characters and switching back and forth. The theft of the egg is tied up so neatly and unsurprisingly that it is a bit diappointingly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books, a division of Random House Publishing, for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m a big fan of the Molly the Maid mysteries, and while I’m sad that the series ends with this book, it is done in such a way that it doesn’t bring about sadness. Rather, you feel happy that Molly and all her friends get a happy ending.

In this volume of the series, Molly brings a few of her grandmother’s trinkets to the hotel for appraisal from the hosts of a television series. Think PBS’s Antiques Roadshow or American Pickers. One of the things she brings in but doesn’t think much of is a decorative egg that she and her gran used to call their Faberge. Turns out that it actually is THE Faberge egg prototype.

This revelation creates a dual timeline in the story, with Molly’s point of view and flashbacks to her gran, who writes down her origin story, knowing she has little time left on this earth. I love this sort of story, and while I usually favor one timeline over another, both timelines are equally good. Molly learns more about her gran, and gran reveals her mysterious past.

The actual mystery doesn’t begin until about 40% into the story, which wasn’t a problem for me, as I’ve grown to love these characters. And even though I figured out the ending almost right away, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone that likes cozy mysteries!

Another enjoyable read in this series. I’m continuously impressed with this author’s ability to deepen this unique main character into one twist after the other. Needless to say, I’m hooked so keep them coming!

2.75 stars rounded up. I LOVED the first and second book in this series and while I was endeared enough to Molly to overlook some of the flaws in the Christmas novella, this one wasn’t quite what I hoped for as an end to the series. The new characters fell flat for me or even annoyed me (looking at you, Speedy) and some of the old tropes got a bit tired. I did like the ending and still felt this was worth reading just to know how things ended up for Molly and a few other supporting characters. I also appreciated the mirror that is held up to the reader at the beginning — the way that everyone fawns over Molly to the point of infantilizing her is a grim reminder of the way many neurodivergent people are made to feel; onlookers oohing and awwing over the “cute” or funny things disabled people do is not in any way empowering or kind, even with good intentions.

I’ll miss Molly and look forward to seeing what Nita Prose does next!

Thank you so much to the author, Ballantine Books and Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

How am I just now meeting Molly the maid?! In this sweet cozy mystery, we learn slowly the history and life of Molly’s Gran, including about some antique heirlooms that have been sitting in Molly’s house. Little does she know she holds something of utmost value, a long-lost little golden egg! When it goes missing, Molly and friends begin trying to put the pieces together to get to the bottom of this mysterious golden egg. Along the way there are so many beautiful life lessons and experiences shared with Molly via Gran’s diary. Reading the journal entries made me fall in love with Gran and also with Molly and her quirks. This was such a beautiful, fun and sentimental read, I loved it. I must go back and read more of Molly the maid!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing group for this beautiful ARC read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc and to PRH Audio for the ALC.

Oh man..if this is the last book in the "Molly the Maid" series, I am going to honestly be a little bit sad. I love Molly...I think she is such a spunky and funny character. This was a really beautiful story and I also enjoyed learning more about her Gran's past. This is a really feel good and emotional story. And that is another reason I am going to be sad if this is the last Molly the Maid book. With that being said, I would be willing to check out more books by Nita Prose in the future, as she is a wonderful and inventive writer!

If you enjoy audiobooks, be sure to check out the audiobook version which is once again narrated by the fabulous Lauren Ambrose. I absolutely adore how she brings Molly and the other characters in this universe to life!

Nita Prose....please give us more Molly books!

Well, folks, Molly Gray is back, and this time, she’s juggling a wedding, a reality TV crew, an art heist, and—plot twist—an inheritance straight out of a Victorian melodrama. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. But does it add up to a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat mystery? Not exactly.

We start with Molly, our ever-literal maid-turned-Special Events Manager, whose life is on an upswing—engaged, respected at work, and unknowingly hoarding a multi-million-dollar relic in her closet. Because why not? Naturally, the moment she brings it out, it vanishes, kicking off an art heist, media frenzy, and several conveniently timed diary entries that reveal her gran’s shocking past. Spoiler: Gran had a rich-girl-gone-rebel phase, fell for the wrong guy, and—wouldn’t you know it—this all directly ties into Molly’s current predicament. What are the odds!

Look, I didn’t hate it. There were moments of charm, and I do have a soft spot for Molly’s awkward sincerity. But between the excessive hand-holding of the plot, the whiplash of coincidences, and a “twist” you can spot from the lobby, I just wanted more. More depth, more surprise, more… something beyond just another mystery conveniently wrapped in a bow of sentimentality.

I wanted to love this book. I wanted a fun, quirky mystery. Instead, I got a lukewarm mix of sentimental flashbacks, clunky dialogue, and a protagonist who stumbles into answers like a Roomba stuck in a corner.

If you love The Maid series and enjoy a cozy mystery where everything aligns just a little too neatly, you’ll probably have a good time.

When I read the first book in the series I instantly really liked Molly as a main character. She was quirky and different and such a unique choice to spearhead a murder mystery story.

I love seeing how the books have evolved to capture more of her growth and family connections. This book is not a murder mystery, that’s one thing to make clear.

It has a bit of mystery but honestly it’s overshadowed by finally telling Gran’s story. How she was raised and how she came to be a maid. This book alternates between present day Molly and Gran’s diary entries telling the story of her life. I found Gran’s point of view to be a lot more interesting than Molly’s personally.

I think going into this you would expect a murder mystery (at least I did) and if that’s the case you may be disappointed or confused to find something very different from that.

If I separate that expectation, I can confidently say that seeing Molly’s growth and the evolution of her relationships has been a great joy.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. This book comes out April 8, 2025. #NetGalley

Molly has her gran’s old things that she wants to be appraised and a popular show called Hidden Treasures takes one of her things and said it is worth MILLIONS. Then, that item goes missing and the hunt is on for the thief. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2 books prior to this one as well as this one even though this one dragged a little for me in the middle. I enjoyed Gran’s diary inserts. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC copy of The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose! I love love Molly the Maid sooo much.

This book was fun but it wasn’t my favorite in the series! I always enjoy a book with Molly because she’s one of my favorite book characters. It felt like a fun mystery reading about the golden huevo and I enjoyed it a lot!

The Maid's Secret is the third installment in the Molly the Maid series and the third ARC I've received for the same. At the beginning of the story, I was seriously questioning why I requested this to read and review when I admittedly felt a little lukewarm after the second installment. This one was a little slow to drag me in, but surprisingly, it was my favorite of the three.

When "the Bees" come through the Regency Grand as part of their Antiques Roadshow-esque TV show, the hotel's staff are allowed to bring their own possible treasures to be evaluated by the duo. Though her Gran's things have special sentimental value to her, Molly and Juan Manuel weren't sure they'd have anything of monetary value. But of course, as it always goes, the most valuable sometimes don't look it from the outside. But when Molly's life turns upside down after the evaluation of her item turning her into an overnight sensation, just as it was given, the item was stolen.

What I really liked about this novel (that I usually really do NOT like) was the shifting back and forth of viewpoints. We learn more about Molly's Gran through letters she wrote to Molly about her life and how everything happening in the present is interconnected. At the end of it, I cared more about the Gran chapters than what was happening in the present because it was just so touching.

The whole story really wrapped the series up with a bow. I'm assuming this is the final installment(???) but even if it's not, I don't think I'd read the next one because this just ended so nicely for me. I actually shed a few tears because I felt so connected to Molly's Gran and all that she went through to get Molly to the success and healthy life that she lives in the story. If you've read the first two of the books in this series and are on the fence about reading the third, I really urge you to do it. It's special and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing for a free advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Of the series, I believe this one is my favorite. I love the world of the Grand Regency and our adorable characters; but one thing I always am sad about is how little of Gran we were able to get. I love that this book told us a bit of her story and how she ended up where she did. I enjoyed getting a peek into the origins of her phrases and mannerisms. It was also a delight to read the love story.

However, I did find the mystery aspect a bit lacking. I will forgive it though because of all the little connections we learned and were able to piece together.

4.5 stars

I adore Molly the Maid, and this book is no exception! I was delighted for another story featuring this eclectic and wonderful cast of characters at the Regency Grand. The Maid’s Secret was even more special, giving us Gran’s backstory! Told in alternating timelines, I loved seeing it all come together and learn more about our beloved Gran. This book was sweet, funny, and features art heists. What’s not to love?

3.5⭐️!

it was really enjoyable & bingable! this book definitely kept me on my toes but i didn’t like some parts which is okay but overall i think this is a good way to end and wrap things up for this trilogy :)

My ultimate comfort series is back!

I’m truly deeply sad to say that even though the first 2 books and the Christmas novella were easy 5 stars, this one was a bit of a struggle at just the beginning. All the qualities in Molly and all the rest of the characters that I found so endearing and lovable before… well they just really annoyed me in this one. Sure, be quirky. But my god have some logic. Please.

Alternating pov between Molly in real time and her Gran via diary entries from when she was a teenager. The first half of the book, the gran chapters were slow and drawn out. And it just wasn’t at all the same gran. Yes you evolve as you get older but I just couldn’t picture them being the same person at all. A lot of the Molly chapters ended in a mini cliffhanger but then I had to suffer through a LONG gran chapter before finding out what happens.

THAT BEING SAID. At some point in the second half, the gran chapters picked up and the Molly chapters just became silly and ridiculous. I found myself switching to enjoying the gran chapters sooo much more and rolling my eyes at the Molly chapters.

Overall I enjoyed one pov or the other enough to still recommend if you enjoyed the first two. If you didn’t, you could probably skip this one. I will still absolutely read more (even though I hear this will be the last..?)

Minor annoyances, but still one of my favorite book universes. 💛

This latest book in The Maid series gives us a lot more information on Molly's family history, showing her beloved Gran as a young woman with her own complicated life. When Molly takes a few of her Gran's treasured trinkets to a filming of an antiques show she starts an unraveling of all her family's secrets that snowball quickly out of control.

Molly the Maid is loving her life. Her work as Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel has returned to normal and she is looking forward to marrying the love of her life, Juan Manuel. She is enjoying her secondary role as Special Events Manager and is so excited for an upcoming event unlike any previously held at the hotel. One of her favorite TV shows, Hidden Treasures, will be taping an episode and appraising artifacts for guests and some of the hotel employees including Molly’s trinkets. Things are going so well until one of her beloved trinkets is discovered to be worth millions. Molly is thrown into the spotlight and out of her comfort zone when the hosts of the TV show offer to auction off her treasure. Between the show’s rabid fan base and the media circling for the details of Molly’s life, she is in turmoil. Just as she believes the auction will sell the item and end the frenzy, someone steals it in front of cameras, hotel employees and those participating in the auction. Now Molly feels afraid and anxious about what may happen next. Was the treasure ever really hers? Who are her allies and who are her enemies? Will life ever be normal again? To solve the mystery of today’s events, Molly will have to find out what happened in the past and who her beloved grandmother was before she was Molly’s Gran.

This the third book in the Molly the Maid series doesn’t disappoint. Molly, Juan Manuel and their hotel family are wonderful and intriguing, so much so that you don’t want the story to end.

Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC for this book. I’m so grateful and delighted to have the chance to read an early copy of Nina Prose’s book. It was wonderful and worth reading twice.

⭐️ 5/5
First person POV, non-linear timeline

Nita Prose! Please never stop writing about Molly! Reading “The Maid “ a few years ago is what got me back into reading a lot more, and Molly holds a special place in my heart. Now, in “The Maid’s Secret” I found myself tearing up and laughing out loud and longing for more stories and mysteries.
I also find myself learning new words and wanting to sharpen my vocabulary!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Ballantine Books for providing this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

A film crew comes to the Regency Grand to film a popular show called Hidden Treasures, and Molly brings some of her Gran's old things to be appraised. She finds out her life is about to change because one item is worth millions. However, when the item goes missing during the auction, a hunt for the theif ensues.
I really liked the first two books of the Molly the Maid series, but unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. I felt the whole premise of the book was a little silly. It altered between the present day and Gran's diary which sheds light to her past and helps solve the mystery. Overall a quick read and still loved Molly. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.