REVIEW: The Maid
The first pub day of 2022 is here! And with it releases this fun and quirky novel. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Molly Gray. If you're a fan of cosy, locked room mysteries, I think you would, too. Special thanks to Ballantine Books of the Penguin House Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of The Maid to read in advance in exchange for an honest review. This book is currently being featured by Book of the Month (snag your first box here for $5!), is a Good Morning America Book Club pick, and is available in the world today!
Molly "The Maid" Gray is an observant girl who works at the prodigious Regency Grand Hotel. She doesn’t understand people very well, but she most assuredly knows how to restore a room to perfection. One day Molly finds herself at the middle of a murder investigation after finding a dead body in one of her rooms. Suddenly the people she knows aren't quite what they seem, and there's a killer on the loose who is hell bent on tightening the rope around Molly's own neck. Can she and her friends find the real killer before it's too late?
I love cozy mysteries, and this one definitely fits the bill! I picked this up because it was described for "fans of Eleanor Oliphant", and that was one of my top ten reads for 2021. I'm so glad I took the time to read it. Fairly quick and a little predictable, Molly's endearing character grows on you from page one until the very end. She reminded me of a friend that you want to look out for as she seems to attract others who take advantage of her. The group of people she had to truly support her gave me all the warm feelings. I hope that if I ever get mixed up in something my friends pull through for me! (Although I honestly hope that I'm never involved in something like a murder mystery. Those can remain fictional, thank you very much.)
The other aspect I really enjoyed was the way Nita Prose drew me into the story. Her genius writing revealed just enough so that I as the reader could connect the puzzle pieces just before Molly. While it wasn't terribly complicated, there was a moment where I could not quite put my finger on what was happening. I greatly enjoyed trying to solve everything before the end of the book, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy a good mystery - especially on a cold winter's night with a perfectly made cup of tea.
If you've read it, what did you think? If not, do you plan to give it a go?
4/5 Stars
Content Warnings: cancer, death, abuse, drugs
P.S. - It seems there is even to be a movie adaptation of this one soon!