I LOVED the first book. One of my favorite books of ALL time! However, I've loved each book a little less because they just can't stack up to the original book. I love the characters but this plotline fell a little flat for me. It was an enjoyable read with characters I adore, but the plot just wasn't up to par for me.

I just love Molly.
This novels centers around Molly's Wedding, learning about her Gran, and about the Egg.
Between the flashbacks from her Grans Diary and learning more about the Egg, this is the perfect continuation of Molly's story.

This might be my favorite Molly the Maid book yet! It's the loveliest cozy mystery with a lot of heart. I loved learning more about Gran's background and thought the author did an excellent job writing in a completely different voice for Gran's chapters. I love these characters and hope the series will continue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to Nita Prose, NetGalley, and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read a free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This is my favorite book yet in the Maid series! It is told in a dual timeline. The first story is the current day in which Molly is going on an antique appraisal tv show with some of her Gran's "treasures". Although Gran's favorite teacup (chipped) and an old key (what does it go to?) and a few other bits and bobs turn out to be worth nothing to anyone other than Molly, one of her treasures turns out to be worth a LOT of money! Molly learns that windfalls of fame and money come at a cost. The other timeline returns us to when Gran was in her late teens. We learn her backstory and all the details of her past that have so far only been hinted at - a childhood surrounded by wealth and privilege, not one but TWO romances, a fall from grace into virtual slavery, and the death of Gran's much loved nursemaid.

I love this series (and this book in particular) because every page is a reminder of what is truly important in life and that we all make mistakes but that is okay as long as we make amends and learn how to do better in the future. It is very comforting. I also love this series because Gran reminds me so much of my own Grandma, who has been dead for 20 years and not a day goes by that I don't miss her.

Thank you Ballantine Books for the ARC!
I adore Molly but had reservations about there being another book in the series, how many things can happen to Molly? I was presently surprised by this & really enjoyed this addition. I love Gran and Mr. Preston, so I loved getting to hear about their childhoods. Prose’s execution of dual timelines of present day Molly and Gran’s diary entries was done very well, I enjoyed both POVs equally.

The hotel is hosting the Bees and the employees are thrilled to get to bring a few items to find out if any of them have value! While Molly didn’t want to bring the egg, it’s just a trinket after all, Juan convinces her to and when the Bees see it, they immediately see its value. Suddenly Molly is a household name and she is not thrilled about it. When the egg goes missing however….Molly and crew are determined to figure out who, and how it was stolen.

Welcome back Miss Molly! I just adore Molly and this book was no exception! I loved that we dive into Grans past, it was certainly not what I expected!! This book goes back and forth between Grans diary entries and Molly’s current day. Normally I have a timeline I enjoy more than the other, but in this one I loved both timelines just the same. Molly is such a unique character, I cant wait to find out what’s next for her!

Thank you to @randomhouse for my gifted copy of this book!

This installment offers a compelling blend of mystery and family history, with a particular focus on the grandmother’s past, which added depth and intrigue. The Fabergé egg twist was a charming and unexpected touch that tied the narrative together in a satisfying way. With its mix of warmth, wit, and suspense, The Maid's Secret delivers an engaging and enjoyable read.

Thank you to @netgalley and Random House for this ARC. Book 3 of Molly the Maid. The hotel is hosting the taping of Hidden Treasures and Molly decides to grab a couple of trinkets to be appraised. Little does she know, one of the trinkets is grabs is worth millions that has now caused more harm than good. This book swings between present day and the diary of her beloved Gran. Nita Prose has created a character in the first book of this quirky maid with a nack for only perfection to a lovable member of the family. Another sweet, sweet story of Molly the Maid. #TheMaidsSecret #NitaProse #RandomHouseBallatine #April2025

Diary, distressing, and diamond.

Here is the 3rd book in our Molly the Maid series. Again, these books are cozy and predictable (struggle that they put this under Mystery & Thriller genre), but sometimes we just need lighthearted love from Molly and her Gran. This book takes us into Gran’s diary and past, and then picks up with Molly now. I love duel timeline books, this one just has a different spin. When times are heavy, I love reading a book with Molly’s perspective. We need more of her (literal) love and kindness, the antics are just one of a kind that bring a smile to my face.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine Books for this opportunity, in return for my honest review!
The Maid’s Secret is scheduled to publish April 8, 2025 under Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction.

Reading this series is like reading a grown up Amelia Bedelia. In this book we learn more about Molly and her grandmother Flora. We get two interwoven points of view and if I’m honest I enjoyed hearing from Flora and her story the most! Overall fun and lighthearted, a great read.

Having read the other books in the series, I felt compelled to be a completist with this latest installment. However, each new title in the series feels more and more trite. Completely uninspired, cookie cutter, and frankly annoying. Nothing new here. I suppose those who like repetition will want to read more from this series, but for me I am done.

Absolutely loved this whole series but this book was something extra special. I loved hearing about Gran’s childhood and past and how it all came together in the end with Molly in the present. Such a good book! Loved getting to know these characters a little more and seeing where Gran came from to where she ended up.

4.5 stars

Book that made me cry alert! It’s no secret I love Molly the Maid - in tough times, she’s a beacon of joy, showing us just how happiness can be found in even the smallest moments. This is the third in the series (or fourth if you count the novella) and the BEST so far. The novel is split between chapters recounting her gran’s past (told from her gran’s POV) as well as present day Molly. I loved learning about her gran, what a backstory! And of course it would not be a Molly the Maid story without a good old crime mystery to be solved. The last gran chapter had me sobbing - just so beautifully worded. I hope there will continue to be more MTM books, they just get better and better.

Thank you to Ballentine Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose is a charming and cleverly plotted cozy mystery that brings back the delightful Molly Gray, whose unique perspective once again proves invaluable in solving a high-profile murder. The novel balances humor, heart, and intrigue as Molly navigates the elite world of the luxury hotel, where secrets lurk behind every pristine surface. While the mystery itself is engaging, the real strength of the book lies in Molly’s character development and the way she grapples with her past. At times, the pacing slows due to introspective moments, but overall, it’s a satisfying follow-up that delivers both warmth and suspense. Fans of The Maid will enjoy stepping back into Molly’s world.

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose is a quirky mystery in the Molly The Maid series. This is a slow-build up series with twists revealed gradually. The quirky characters however make up for the slow buildup. An interesting read overall.
I got the ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

Another Molly mystery! And a wedding! What a joy it is to return to NYC and learn more about how Molly came to be. This time we learn about Gran and Mr Preston in a dual timeline! While Molly is dealing with the heist of a precious and valuable antique, we learn all about Flora’s life before she became a housekeeper for a wealthy family that led her to New York! And sweet Juan is by Molly’s side the entire time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
The novel follows the lovable maid Molly and her Gram’s past secrets. I loved learning about Gram’s past and was not expecting how crazy her life was! This mystery definitely kept me engaged and wanting to know more. Some plot twists are predictable, and a few side characters could be more developed, but the lovable main characters made up for it.

Fun. Another great title in the Molly the Maid series. The story this time is about a treasured artifact, reality TV, and her grandmother's diary. I think the author continued to do a great job expanding on Molly's back story while staying true to all the characters we have grown to know and like. Would recommend for fans of a cozy mystery.

After the first two Molly The Maid books, plus the holiday novella, I was eagerly awaiting the next installment and I wasn't disappointed. The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose is a gripping sequel not only delivers on suspense but also deals with the emotional tapestry of love and legacy.

Molly Gray's life is about to change in ways she could never have imagined. As the esteemed Head Maid and Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel, two good things are just around the corner—a taping of the hit antiquities TV show Hidden Treasures and, even more exciting, her wedding to Juan Manuel.

When Molly brings in some old trinkets to be appraised on the show, one item is revealed to be a rare and coveted artifact worth millions. Molly becomes a rags-to-riches sensation, and a media frenzy swirls as she prepares to sell her priceless treasure. Then, on auction day, the treasure suddenly vanishes. and Molly and her friends find themselves at the center of the boldest art heist in recent memory.

But the key to this mystery lies in the past, in a long-forgotten diary written by Molly’s Gran. For the first time ever, Molly learns about her grandmother’s secrets: how she was born into a wealthy family and fell head-over-heels in love with a young man her parents deemed below her. As fate would have it, Gran’s greatest love was someone Molly knows quite well.

Nita Prose once again graces us with her outstanding ability to craft a story in The Maid's Secret. This novel beautifully marries a charming whodunnit with high stakes along with profound personal journeys. Prose balances heart-pounding tension with moments of tender introspection to give us a novel that is much deeper than I even expected.

While Molly herself is a truly fantastic and inspiring character whose earnestness shines through every challenge she faces, this novel gives us a bit more background on her Gran which is a nice change of pace. Molly's signature charm remains intact as she navigates throughout the story; however, her Gran's past takes more of a center stage. As secrets from Gran’s history come to light, they weave seamlessly into Molly’s present-day struggles, enriching both timelines with historical intrigue and emotional depth.

At first I wasn't a fan of the dual timeline approach, but in the end it kept the suspense high by allowed for time away from Molly and the current heist. While Molly is the main part of the story, the true strength of the novel lies in the past and Gran's revelations are where The Maid's Secret truly finds its soul. Through her backstory, we uncover tales of love lost and found amidst tumultuous times—a poignant reminder that our histories have profound impacts on our present selves. These glimpses into Gran's life added layers to not just her character but also provides a bit of context for Molly's motivations and fears. It's fascinating how Prose manages to elevate what could have been a straightforward thriller into something more nuanced by exploring familial bonds and personal discovery.

I was wondering how Prose was going to continue Molly's story into this new novel, but Nita proves once again I should not doubt her. At its core, The Maid's Secret truly feels like a Molly the Maid book which is super important.

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose is a wonderful blend of mystery with heartfelt narratives steeped in love-fueled legacies and transformative self discovery. Prose gives us a captivating story of high-stakes intrigue and heartfelt storytelling that makes every page worth savoring. The Maid's Secret is a fitting addition to the Molly the Maid series.

I have enjoyed the Maid series from Nita Prose over the past year. I find this novel to be a quick read and the main character's narrative voice to be easy to follow. If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is a good series. It is not a challenging read, but I have found myself emotional while reading about Molly's Grandma and her life story. Looking forward to the next adventure for Molly.