Oh my word. The author's voice!
Not sure what I was going to get with The Maid but more than I expected. Molly the Maid is a brilliantly drawn figure. Did I mention the voice? The plot seeps out in dribs and drabs, revealing more of Molly's tragic life alongside the murder. Is it tragic? She was happy before.... will she be again? I loved it!

⭑⭑⭑ 3 stars

”It's easier than you'd ever think - existing in plain sight while remaining largely invisible. That's what I've learned from being a maid. You can be so important, so crucial to the fabric of things and yet be entirely overlooked.”


Goodreads Synopsis:
Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misinterprets the intentions of others. 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 unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find 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.

Plot
I will be honest. The first 50% is difficult to read due to the build up of obvious illegal activity and Molly's apparent oblivion. I was close to DNFing it but powered through and I'm glad that I did. The second half is so much better. Also, there were a few pleasantly bold twists at the end that really took me by surprise.

Characters & Dynamics
It genuinely took me so long to warm to Molly. I couldn't help but feel frustrated at her oblivion to the illegal activity that she was accidentally implicated in. It felt so contrived. The MC apparently watched Columbo everyday for years on end with her Gran and rather than the innocence and naivety I believe the author was trying to convey, I felt that it was coming across as too dense of the MC to be believed. Additionally, her continued use of living her life by old sayings was again, slightly intolerable. Thankfully, Molly's awkwardness grew on me and I began to find her quirks funny and delightful.

”I grabbed the door handle and stepped inside. A shopkeeper approached me instantly.
'You look like you need some help,' she said.
'Yes,' I replied, a bit breathlessly. 'I need an outfit posthaste. I have a date tonight with a subject of potential romantic intrigue.'”


The other characters that are worth mentioning are Mr Preston, his daughter Charlotte, Giselle Black and Juan, who were integral to the story. They were satisfactory characters and Molly's social ineptitude did not phase them. The most intriguing character was Giselle as she was the one with the most to lose so at first I could not see why Molly was so invested in her friendship with her.

Writing
The writing was good. In particular the twists at the end. The character development arc of Molly was the most satisfying, and I liked how NP tied up loose ends neatly.

World Building
The world of the hotel depicted through the eyes of Molly was so fascinating to me. I loved the orderliness and compulsive hygiene. I loved that Molly kept saying 'return to a state of perfection' and was so heavily invested in her job. I even feel like the novel could be continued to be honest to reveal further nefarious activity.

Likes
- The MC after a while
- The plot twists
- The side characters

Dislikes
- The MC initially, quite an extreme amount, too.

Final Thoughts
The mystery combined with Molly's social awkwardness does make a good read, I am so glad that I stuck with the read as I truly believe the last half of the book is worth it.

Every author wants their book to be a roaring success but, sometimes, being the biggest hyped book of the year can be a poisoned chalice. However, The Maid by Nita Prose is one of those rare books that actually lives up to all the hype. It is just as good as the reviews and the influencers would have you believe! At first, it is hard to know exactly which genre this book belongs to: is it a thriller, a mystery, a romance? It has the pacing of a thriller but really the book’s strength lies in its characters, particularly Molly. Molly is the eponymous maid, a lonely but dedicated hotel maid who struggles to read emotions and tends to be overly trusting. One afternoon, Molly stumbles across the body of Mr Black, a wealthy businessman, in the penthouse suite. As the ramifications of the murder reverberate around the hotel, Molly’s relationship with her colleagues and the hotel guests is tested, especially when the police start to wonder whether Molly may had her own motives for killing Mr Black.

I have to admit that I read this in one day, and I could have read it in one setting if time had allowed! I was drawn to Molly and felt genuinely involved in her story: who could she trust? Why were the police so convinced that she was involved in Mr Black's murder? I also enjoyed the minor characters such as Giselle, Rodney and Juan Manuel. As with all good locked room mysteries, Prose gives every character their own reasons for wanting to see Mr Black dead and, naturally, everyone has a secret that they want to keep hidden.

The hotel setting was also fascinating and I think many readers will gain a new respect for their next hotel chambermaid. Molly makes it clear that she knows much more than she lets on, describing how cleaning a room gives her a unique insight into people’s relationships and personal life, she can tell ‘if you were alone last night or not...I’m the one who cleans up after you drink too much’. A hotel makes the perfect setting for a murder mystery and I’m surprised that more authors haven’t explored the all-knowing chambermaid more.

This was a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more by Nita Prose. Big thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperCollins for allowing me to review this advance copy. I have no doubt this will be a huge hit- it is definitely worth all the praise it is already receiving!

The Maid by Nita Prose.


Molly the maid of the Regency Grand Hotel . She is invisible to the guests as she goes about her business cleaning the rooms.
One day she finds the body of Mr. Black , dead in bed.
I loved the story of quiet Molly who soon proves she might not be as unassuming as she is seen by many.. Loved the twists , and a great ending.
Brilliant.

A great read. Fell in love with the character of Molly Gray (Molly Maid). Looking forward to see what Nita Prose publishes next!

This is a fantastic book - a really good story told with lots of detail and a wonderful main character in Molly the Maid. Part detective, of the Columbo variety and part humour, it races along at a great pace and was hard to put down once I got into it.

If you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, you'll love The Maid.

Molly is a likeable innocent who speaks her truth and sees the best in others, sometimes to her detriment. She's a character who often made me smile and the relationship she had with her gran is so touching.

A good-hearted person can be taken advantage of. Molly discovers this when a guest at the hotel where she's a maid is killed. Molly discovers the body and becomes embroiled in something sinister.

This is a heartwarming story of family, friends, loneliness, and difference wrapped up in a crime.

Molly works as a maid at the Regency Grand hotel. She’s invisible, a nobody, until she finds a dead body in one of the bedrooms.
Due to her naivety and a series of unfortunate events, she finds herself the main suspect in the murder investigation.
This is such a beautifully written book and Molly reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant. Quirky, kind, an old soul, she sees the world differently from others.
Brought up by her gran, she is all alone after her death. My heart broke for her loneliness and I was so happy when she realised she did have friends who helped save the day and loved her for just being her.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Maid!!! Before starting it, I'd learnt Florence Pugh is going to star in the film adaptation, so I read the novel in her voice, which was amazing as the book is very visual.

The Maid is like a Wes Anderson movie, down to a tee. I am not surprised to learn that Nita Prose is a seasoned editor, as the quality of her writing is incredible.

The funniest part is that Molly reminds me of someone I know (yes, there are people out there who really do speak like that, thank you very much) without getting into too much detail, Nita Prose has done a great job with the character. Although understandably she may seem a bit of an oddball to those who have never come across someone like her, ultimately she's endearing and loveable, and I found myself rooting for her.

All in all, a fantastic debut novel!

goodreads.com/booksireadandliked
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. This is my honest review

This is a rapid-paced, compelling story with masterful execution. The constant action means there is never a dull moment
I love a good thriller. Something to get the mind working, heart racing and having you on the edge of your seat.

Molly the Maid knows so much about you but what do you know about her.

Molly works at the Regency hotel minding her own business doing her job until she discovers high profile Mr Black dead in his suite.

What a debut novel and to be made into film aswell.

I really enjoyed this book and have read it in a day, wow what a thriller book, I won't ruin it with giving any spoilers away but wow it blew me away.

Many thanks netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for this review

This book is Elinor Oliphant meets a crime novel. The protagonist (Molly the Maid- the names of many of the characters had a colour theme or seemed quite cartoonish Black, Gray etc) has a very individual voice which is maintained well throughout.

I liked some of the characters and the idea- following Molly through a week after she stumbles across a dead bad, but by the last quarter the plot felt like it had gotten away with itself.

I understand this has been optioned as a film. In my head the style would be similar to that of Wes Anderson which isn’t my cup of tea but is very popular. If the intention was a dark and mysterious novel this missed the mark but it was memorable at least. Wish I could give 3.5 out of 5 instead of 3.

Apart from the fact that this book has left me with a serious addiction to crumpets, I loved it. Quirky, clever and original. A great premise and a terrific read

Molly a maid in hotel finds a guest dead in his bed.
A mystery novel that I found unbelievable and the character of Molly very annoying.
I’m sorry but this book just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Molly is a maid in an established hotel, work-proud and really special character, with little social skills and in most situations pretty naive. The maid can be so important, so crucial to the fabric of things and yet entirely overlooked. Her motto is discretion, her goal invisible customer service. Invisible in plain sight, just like Molly.

One day she finds a dead guest, murdered as it seems, and Molly becomes first and only suspect.

What a wonderful book! Molly is a gentle, smart character, special in every way. So positive and a good egg as she would say.

This is a story of overlooked, silent people, powerful in their hearts and mind, story about true friendship and love.

So well written, fragile and witty.

Perfectly delightful! :)

Rating: 4.5/5

Oh. My. God.
What a delightful debut, what a remarkable book!
Welcome to the Regency Grand Hotel, come meet Molly The Maid and you won't regret it.

Molly Gray is used to be invisible. She is a maid, and maids don't get noticed. Which is good for her as she struggles a lot with life. Molly is different from other people. She doesn't know how to really navigate social interactions. Her granny used to help her, but she died and Molly is now alone in a world with teeth.
There is one thing Molly excel at, though: cleaning. It doesn't matter how hard life is, Molly takes pride in her job and absolutely loves returning the rooms of her hotel into a state of perfection.
That is until one day she goes to clean the Black suite. Mr Black is one of the richest and most illustrious guests of the hotel and when Molly arrives to the room, she makes a grime discovery. The room is in disarray, Mr Black is sprawled on the bed, and he is very very dead.

That's when Molly's life gets turned upside down and she finds herself in quite a pinch.
A prime suspect in a murder case, Molly has to learn how to rely on people that really care about her, how to separate all the bad eggs from true friends, and how to return her own life to a state of perfection.

The Maid is the book I didn't know I needed. A murder mystery, unexpected plot twists, a protagonist you have never seen before, someone you can't not fall in love with. Just go read it as soon as you can.

You think you know who did it but it is not that simple.
Smart storytelling! Absolutely blown away! The narrative benefits from a slow but steady start, which reminded me of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day and Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine for Molly’s unique personality, voice, how dedicated she is to her job and the difficulties she faces navigating everyday life. The story really picks up the pace in the second half of the book and... you just need to read it. Sad, funny, witty, The Maid must be the best book I’ve read this year.

This was a cozy mystery written through the eyes of the maid at a hotel who saw everything while remaining invisible.

When death occurred it brought her to the forefront to investigate. I loved the delicate balance the author brought to this character who was different who stood up for justice too as she dealt with many interpersonal politics of the hotel. This was highly entertaining that I zipped through.

25 year old Molly Gray is a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She loves her job plumping pillows and wiping away the grime, dust and secrets of the guests who pass through, restoring the rooms to a state of perfection. After her shift she goes home to a flat that has become very lonely since her grandmother passed away after an illness, where she cleans some more and dreams about the possibility of romance with a certain member of bar staff at the hotel.

Molly knows that maids are - and should be - invisible, but she finds herself thrown into the spotlight when she discovers an infamous guest, Mr Black, dead in his bed. This isn’t a mess that can be easily cleaned up, and Molly soon becomes embroiled in a hunt for the truth, learning who to trust as she navigates the secret underbelly of the Regency Grand Hotel.

The Maid is a gentle, entertaining, Cozy Crime type of novel, and whilst it is an easy read and zips along with gusto (aided by its defining 1 week time frame), it isn't to be dismissed as a superficial and light read. Far from it. This is a mystery novel which follows all of the Cozy Crime conventions, whilst featuring a neuro-divergent main character, and also has much to say about difference, and acceptance, as well as exploring a number of moral and ethical arguments around guilt and justice. Achieving lightness and depth in such a perfect balance is hard to pull off successfully, but Nita Prose manages to do so beautifully, and it is very easy to see why many reviewers have drawn comparison with Gail Honeyman's Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine

The characters are skilfully drawn and developed, and far from one dimensional, especially the character of Molly which is a triumph. She is lovable, she is memorable and the author's portrayal of a character on the autistic spectrum is clearly well researched, sure footed and brilliantly executed.

There are plot twists, there is humour, there is pathos and sadness, there is light and a bit if shade but nothing to frighten the horses.

All in all, The Maid is heart warming novel, which, to use a Molly word, is "delightful"!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this thriller, Especially Molly. Liked the setting of the hotel and its guests too. Was well written and ref story was good too.