The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose

It was a joy to be back in Molly the Maid’s company again. It always takes just a couple of sentences for me to feel like I never left her world. In some ways her life could be seen as unchanged. She’s still Molly, as wholly herself as ever, living in her late grandmother’s flat with her fiancé Juan, chef at the Regency Grand. In other ways things have changed, Molly manages the maids and has become ‘Events Manager’ so she’s definitely gone up in the world at work. Two events loom in the near future - Molly and Juan’s wedding at City Hall is on the horizon - but today the two darlings of the antique world are filming an episode of their TV show in the tearoom of the hotel. Beagle and Braun, known jointly as the Bees, wear a lot of velvet, bow ties and smoking jackets and are the married presenters of ‘Fancy. ‘ the show runs like our own Antique Roadshow where people queue to have their valuables appraised. At the last moment, before they leave the flat that morning, Juan suggests Molly takes her grandmother’s box of treasures, including a highly decorated egg. When the Bees see this particular treasure their eyes light up. They seem to know immediately that this is very special and they must have it on camera. As the cameras roll they tell Molly that this looks like a lost Russian imperial egg, the prototype for all the ones that follow. It’s one of a kind, decorated with rubies and emeralds by Faberge himself. Now worth several million dollars. Molly doesn’t seem to take the news in and wants to carry on as normal, but as the clip is shared online that becomes impossible and Mr Preston has to take them home. The couple sit in their flat utterly shell shocked. Will life ever be the same again?

Things go from bad to worse when Molly agrees to auction the egg at the hotel, run by Braun and Beagle. It might be the only way to return things to normal. She can’t imagine being wealthy and so far has only committed to a slightly larger wedding. As the auction reaches fever pitch, all eyes are on the egg in it’s glass case on the podium. As the hammer goes down at ten million dollars there are celebrations across the room and no one notices, until the Bees draw attention back to the egg, that there’s just an empty case. The author follows this story as the police are called in and an investigations gets underway but between it thee are chapters from a different narrator, in diary entries. It isn’t long after the auction when Mr Preston reunites Molly with a different relic from the past - her late grandmother’s diary. The ornate key to open it has always been in her grandmother’s cabinet but Molly has never known what it was for and she isn’t ready to open it just yet. We still get the tale though, written directly to Molly in a series of letters. We might learn about her past with Mr Preston, but also why she was estranged from her whole family. We also might find out what might her give up her daughter, Molly’s mother Maggie.

Molly is the heart and soul of the book though and she doesn’t disappoint. She is genuinely flummoxed by people’s reaction after the valuation. As guests and even fellow staff start to photograph her working, Molly just wants to get on. In the main people just want to congratulate her but Cheryl is her usual self, taking and selling pictures of NYC’s newest potential millionaire. Molly doesn’t understand what’s changed because she’s the same person with exactly the same values. When the egg is stolen, all she wants to do is help the police to recover it, although she isn’t necessarily happy about the chaos it’s brought to her life. Molly is a great detective though and admired by Police Detective ?? For her ability to notice patterns and follow the logic of a case. She also has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the hotel, which might be invaluable when working out how someone could steal something in plain sight. I did feel sorry for Molly, especially when she’s talked into trying on wedding dresses in a high end store by her protégée Lily. The pair are horrified to find out it is a publicity stunt for the TV cameras. Molly truly believes she has everything she could want - her job, Juan, Mr Preston, their home. She’s almost given up on her mother who does make an appearance here. A child never loses that tiny bit of hope when it comes to a parent and it’s so heartbreaking to see Molly taking this chance. I was desperately hoping Maggie was there for the right reasons.

Molly’s grandmother’s narrative reads like a fairy tale. A young girl with wealthy but distant parents, becomes a pawn in their game when fortunes are running low. They know that their business is going to fail and a rival is trying to buy it up. As the money dries up their daughter might be the only way they can revive their fortunes. Unfortunately Molly’s grandmother is more interested in her education than making an advantageous marriage. She’s fallen in love already although she’s fighting it. John is the nephew of their housekeeper and has a scholarship at the same school and has been given access to family’s library for his studies. They have an instant spark with lots of banter and academic competition, but her head is turned when she has the chance to date the fabulously handsome and wealthy son of the man who’s buying their company. If she pleases him, maybe their fortunes will be saved. He’s certainly charming, but is that all surface? The dairy feels like a cautionary tale for young women and men do not come out of it very well. Molly doesn’t really need to read it as she’s always listened to her grandmother’s advice. However, it might just give her a clue…

This is a lovely heart-warming read that brings Molly full circle in terms of her background and having her life exactly where she wants it. There is a special joy in a character like this who you can absolutely rot for. Her modest wants in life are refreshing and old fashioned in a way. As many point out, it’s rare to see one of the little people, rewarded by a quirk of fate. I knew there were so many obstacles to overcome, the theft and even if it returned there’s the question of ownership and provenance. I knew that it would be a great ride either way and that Molly is the sort of character who would find her happiness with or without the golden egg.

Molly the Maid is back in this final instalment of the series.

Molly is the Head Maid at The Regency Grand Hotel. Her fianceé, Juan Manuel, also works at the hotel, and that’s how they met.

This time, a popular TV show Hidden Treasures, is being filmed at the hotel, and the staff are encouraged to bring their trinkets and family heirlooms in the hope of discovering a real treasure.

Molly was brought up by her gran, Flora Gray, who was also a maid. She brings some of her gran’s items, one of them is an egg, which turns out to be a real Fabergé, worth over 5 million dollars.

When Molly hears this, she faints, and she becomes an overnight sensation. People can’t get enough of her and it seems that everyone wants a piece of Molly. As you can imagine, Molly doesn’t really enjoy her new found fame.

Molly decides to sell the egg at an auction, and imagine her surprise when the egg is stolen. Can she crack the case?

I loved this book! I was saddened to hear this will be the last instalment in the series, as I will miss Molly tremendously.

I really enjoyed how this novel had a dual timeline of the present and the past, where we discover Flora’s story and how she met Mr. Preston, Molly’s grandfather. I felt that it gave the series a proper closure and an apt ending to a fabulous series.

I adored all the books featuring Molly, and this one was just as lovely as the others. There is something sweet and innocent about Molly, and she should be treasured by her nearest and dearest.

Many thanks to Harper Collins for approving my NetGalley request.

I love Molly the Maid and it seems she has not just captured my heart but the hearts of many! While I am going to miss Molly, this third instalment of the series was a perfect ending for her and I've enjoyed every moment spent in Mollys company. I really loved the dual timeline and the past being told through gran's diary entries.

This was a bit of a letdown compared to the other two in the series. It felt quite slow and like the characters have become even more caricaturesque. We follow both Molly the Maid's timeline, alongside her gran's teen timeline.

Book #3 in the Molly The Maid series finds Molly getting closer to having her dream life as she moves up the ladder at the Grand Hotel and is only two months away from her dream wedding. But trouble always seems to find Molly. This series has provided me with some very entertaining reading as I follow Molly through her ups and downs and around a circle no one wants to be on. But THE MAID'S SECRET gives us a look into Molly's family history and the surprises she finds waiting for her there. Nita Prose keeps the story fun and the mystery unique, what more could a mystery lover want?

The maid we have come to love is back.

A popular antique show has come to the Regency Grand and staff can bring in items to get valuated. Molly gets the absolute shock of her life when the Fabergé egg becomes a special item. It is one of a kind and worth millions. Of course we have a mystery to solve when the egg ends up stolen.

Told in two timelines, from Molly and her grandmother. I really enjoyed learning more about Flora (gran). I found the diary entries to Molly a perfect adition. I can't believe this is the final book in the series and I am so glad Molly had her happy ending. I really enjoyed the mystery and felt so sorry for Flora when she was younger (made me angry at times).

Thank you Harper Collins Australia and Netgalley for gifting me a copy for my honest book review.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the third installment in the heartwarming mystery series ‘The Maid’. Very enjoyable cosy mystery with likeable main characters. The book is like a warm hug -
Nothing too taxing or overly exciting but such an easy read.

In this book Molly the Maid is getting ready to marry Juan, her love, and takes a few possessions along to an antiques event at the hotel they work at, including a decorated egg left by her beloved gran. The egg turns out to be a valuable Faberge work, and their money trouble seem to be at an end, even if the accompanying celebrity status is less welcome.

Among the possessions is an old key, and with the help of her grandfather John, she discovers it opens a diary left by her gran. So the story splits into the early life of gran and why she left her privileged life for poverty, plus the auction of the egg.

Its all totally unbelievable, and Molly's naivety, initially charming, is beginning to wear thin, although the author has toned it down a little. The coincidences and neat tyings off are just implausible, and the characters portrayed are very one-dimensional. Its a bit of escapism, but lacks depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A worthy edition to this series! Once again, Molly finds herself embroiled in a mystery, but what I really enjoy about this series is how each book references items or people we mgith not have paid much attentioon to in the previous books, thus linking the stories seamlessly. The author has clearly planned the series well! Nita's writing is strong, and the characters shine from the page.

What can I say, but wonderful! This is the perfect ending to Molly’s story. Molly captured many hearts and it’s been so lovely to watch her blossom throughout the series. I really enjoyed how this book revealed her Gran’s secrets alongside the mystery that takes place at the hotel. I’m going to miss Molly but I look forward to seeing what Nita writes next.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

🗣️ Dual POV
🔎 Cosy mystery
📝 Journal entries
🕵🏻‍♀️ Whodunnit
⏰ Dual timeline

The loveable+ endearing 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑖𝑑 series has come to end! This book concludes the series of cosy mysteries+ they’ve been a joy to read.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑖𝑑’𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 alternates between Molly’s pov+ that of her Gran’s, through the journal she left for Molly, with a heavy focus on her Gran’s rags-to-riches backstory—— I definitely looked forward to this side of the plot more+ loved how it tied in with the Faberge egg plot.

Lauren Ambrose’s solo narration perfectly brings Molly+ the other characters to life, and makes for a quick+ enjoyable listen. I loved seeing the cast of intriguing, loveable characters again— Molly is so quirky+ delightful and I love her straightforwardness+ the way she views the world, and the rest of the cast at the Grand Regency hotel are all just as likeable.

The plot is well-paced and compelling, and the writing style light, though be aware there is mention of stillbirth, which I hadn’t been expecting The ending has a satisfying conclusion, tying up the series in a neat little bow; just the way Molly would like. I have enjoyed this series but admittedly have enjoyed each instalment less than the last— the first was definitely my favourite! 🙌🏽

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 (Rounded up to 4)

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑠 & 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝐼𝐺 (@𝑟𝑒𝑑ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙) & 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ.

I loved it. It was so nice to see how Molly’s story ended up. Told through a mixture of present day and diary entries from Molly’s gran, we find out all about her story as well, from her childhood through to the present day. Maybe have tissues ready at the end.

It was lovely to be reunited with Molly with for a third time as I love her character. However, her Gran was the star of the show for me this time and I enjoyed her historical timeline the most. This is a thoughtful and lovely read.

✨ Molly the Maid is back, and once again she's dusting away more than just fingerprints…

I loved diving back into the Regency Grand Hotel’s secrets — from a missing faux Fabergé egg to a diary that might just hold all the answers.
This series continues to charm with heart, mystery, and that quietly clever heroine I can’t get enough of.

Can’t wait to see what comes next for Molly 🕵️‍♀️💫

Molly the maid returns for the 3rd installment in this cozy crime series, and we are able to join up the dots of her family's history.

Still working as Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel as well as Special Events Manager, Molly is soon to marry Juan who also works as a chef in the hotel. As the story begins, a popular TV antiques show is due to film at the hotel and the staff are asked to bring in their valuable items to be assessed by the experts.

Molly brings a few treasured items, but one in particular proves to be very valuable, attracting viral interest which invades Molly's life.

On the day of the auction, the unthinkable happens and a thief strikes. Whilst trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, Molly starts to read the journal her grandmother left for her, and begins to piece together the puzzle of her family's secrets.

Wonderful to be back with Molly the Maid on her third and final outing. Molly’s life has changed and she’s about to marry after losing her beloved Gran. This book is told from a dual timeline and point of view with Gran’s diaries providing the (unexpected for me) story of her life. It links to Molly becoming a media sensation which she’s ill-equipped to deal with, following the discovery that one of Gran’s trinkets is a genuine Faberge egg. Illuminating and at times heart rending, this book demonstrates the difficulties faced by women in different generations. Highly recommended.

I enjoy every page of this!
It was so wonderful to be back in the world of Molly
I am gutted this was our final visit
As always the characters were great
The storyline was wonderful and was so interesting hearing more about Gran
Such well written enjoyable books

When Hidden Treasures hold a recording of their programme at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly takes a box with her treasures in to be assessed. She is shocked when they tell her that the Golden Egg that has graced the shelf in the living room is a Faberge prototype egg and worth a fortune. She agrees to sell and the auction is held shortly afterwards at the hotel. It fetches a good price, but is then stolen. In the meantime, the reader is given glimpses into the upbringing of her Grandmother, who originally owned the egg..
When Molly is given her Grandmother's diary, it would be the key to all of the strange happenings around her.
This took me a little while to get into, but I enjoyed reading the story.

I had a glorious few days back in the world of Molly and Juan Manuel. In the depths of planning their modest wedding, Molly takes her Gran's treasures to a popular antique TV series being filmed at the Regency Grand hotel. She literally faints in shock and becomes an overnight social media celebrity on discovering that one of the ornaments in her Gran's cabinet is literally a Fabergé egg and that the Fabergé nickname for their savings account was genuine and not tongue in cheek. How will Molly cope with being a celebrity multi millionaire?
Heart warmingly, we then uncover the falling in love backstory of Molly's Gran and Mr Preston and learn more about them.
Molly finds out that her Gran's sayings and advice focussing on all that glistens isn't gold were hard learnt lessons from her childhood and early life.

it was lovely to catch up with Molly the Maid in book 3 of this series.

Following two timelines, Molly finds herself at the centre the drama once again, but this time it is even more personal. In the second timeline, we find out more about the history of Molly's Grandmother, giving a really well-rounded view their family backstory.

A great addition to this enjoyable series!