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About the Book
"A charmingly eccentric hotel maid discovers a guest murdered in his bed, turning her once orderly world upside down--and inspiring a motley crew of unexpected allies to band together to solve the mystery--in this utterly original debut. Molly Dunn is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and interprets people literally. 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 odd demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect and she finds herself in a web of subtext and nuance she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, a medley of friends she didn't realize she had refuses to let her be charged with murder--but will they be able to discover 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."--Book Synopsis
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK - "A heartwarming mystery with a lovable oddball at its center" (Real Simple), this cozy whodunit introduces a one-of-a-kind heroine who will steal your heart. "The reader comes to understand Molly's worldview, and to sympathize with her longing to be accepted--a quest that gives The Maid real emotional heft."--The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) "Think Clue. Think page-turner."--Glamour In development as a major motion picture produced by and starring Florence Pugh Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads 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 been navigating 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 upended 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 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.Review Quotes
"Prose threads a steady needle with the intricate plotting, the locked-room elements of the mystery, and especially Molly's character. . . . The reader comes to understand Molly's worldview, and to sympathize with her longing to be accepted--a quest that gives The Maid real emotional heft."--The New York Times Book Review "Charming, eccentric."--The New York Times "Daring."--W Magazine "A twist-and-turn whodunit, set in a five-star hotel, from the perspective of the maid who finds the body. Think Clue. Think page-turner."--Glamour "Entrancing . . . something of a modern-day Clue."--PopSugar "A heartwarming mystery with a lovable oddball at its center."--Real Simple "An eccentric and unforgettable sleuth who captivated me and kept me furiously turning the pages."--Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Sanatorium "The Maid is a masterful, charming mystery that will touch your heart in ways you could never expect. The endearing, unforgettable Molly reminds us to challenge our assumptions about one another, and shows us how meaningful it is to feel truly seen in the world."--Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push "A charming, clever, and wholly original whodunit. I cheered and felt deeply for Molly the Maid--a complex and masterfully drawn protagonist I won't soon forget."--Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here "A heroine as loveable and quirky as Eleanor Oliphant, caught up in a crime worthy of Agatha Christie. Loved it!"--Clare Pooley, New York Times bestselling author of The Authenticity Project "It's impossible not to love Molly, an endearing, eccentric hotel maid. . . . As in any cozy whodunit, clean appearances may in fact hide a few smudges. The twists and surprises keep coming until the very last page of this delightfully fresh debut."--Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary "Fresh, fiendish, and darkly beguiling . . . The Maid is so thrillingly original, clever, and joyous. I just adored every page."--Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End
"The Maid is sure to leave mystery lovers delighted, charmed, and eager for more of Prose's work."--Karma Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Recipe for a Perfect Wife "It took only a few lines for me to fall hopelessly in love with hotel maid Molly Gray. Being in Molly's mind is like eating ice cream on a hot summer day: delicious and refreshing."--Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today bestselling author of Woman on the Edge "A supremely clever and heartwarming story that is not to be missed."--Stephanie Wrobel, USA Today bestselling author of Darling Rose Gold "For anyone who has ever felt out of step with the world, no matter how hard they try to fit it, Nita Prose has blessed us with Molly Gray."--Heather O'Neill, internationally bestselling author of The Lonely Hearts Hotel "I enjoyed every minute of this twisty yet tender thriller. The Maid is gripping, deftly written, and led by a truly unforgettable protagonist in Molly. I'm recommending it to everyone I know."--Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters "The Maid is elegant, warmhearted, and wry, and Molly the most winningly offbeat narrator since Eleanor Oliphant. An absolute joy--I didn't want it to end!"--Louise Candlish, author of The Other Passenger "Molly is a likeable, neurodivergent narrator in this outstanding debut. The character-rich mystery ends with several twists that will appeal to fans of Eleanor Oliphant and other sympathetic heroines."--Library Journal (starred review) "Captivating, charming, and heart-warming, with deft writing and a clever, original plot, this unusual crime novel will leave readers with a warm glow."--Booklist (starred review) "Prose delivers a gratifying, kindhearted whodunit with a sharply drawn protagonist for whom readers can't help rooting. Fans of fresh takes on traditional mysteries will be delighted."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Nita Prose is a longtime editor, serving many bestselling authors and their books. She lives in Toronto, Canada, in a house that is only moderately clean.Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Sub-Genre: Mystery & Detective
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Number of Pages: 304
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Format: Hardcover
Author: Nita Prose
Language: English
Street Date: March 8, 2022
TCIN: 82809437
UPC: 9780593356159
Item Number (DPCI): 059-01-2985
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.5 inches length x 6.4 inches width x 9.2 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.1 pounds
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3.8 out of 5 stars with 12 reviews
50% would recommend
2 recommendations
Good-read turned into a dull one
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Najia - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
A 5-star might have been given if, the horribly-written “Several Months Later” and “Epilogue” wasn’t included. It didn’t make any sense and dragging the story just ruined it’s beauty. It seems as if the writer doesn’t want to end the book without “sleeping with Juan Manuel”
A brilliantly written mystery
5 out of 5 stars
PhyllisE - 3 years ago
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an advance digital reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own. #TheMaid #NetGalley This was a great read! So many clever and entertaining elements made this a brilliantly written mystery. Molly Gray is the eponymous maid, and the story begins just after her grandmother has died, leaving her to navigate life alone. She works at the Regency Grand Hotel, and soon learns that things are not as they seem. This is an ongoing issue for Molly, as she is "on the spectrum" and has trouble reading expressions and turns of phrase. But her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette make her an ideal fit for the job - which is to return each hotel room to a state of perfection. After discovering the body of wealthy repeat hotel guest Mr. Black, the story really takes off. Molly is considered a prime suspect, but of course we all know she isn't the murderer. Who can Molly trust? Who can she turn to for help in finding the real murderer and exonerating herself? Wonderfully written coincidences and connections help to fit all the pieces together until we have a heartwarming and charming story about friendship, perspective and trust. I highly recommend this!
Be prepared for offensive language
3 out of 5 stars
ChritianFictionandMore - 3 years ago
The description of this novel sounded wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed the first sixteen percent based on my Kindle's record of the amount of text read. I especially loved the author's description of Molly's behaviors that indicated she was highly functioning although was likely on the autism spectrum. I quit reading the book at the seventeen percent mark due to offensive language. I am grateful however for the publisher's providing me with a complimentary copy of The Maid without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
A Page Turner
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Akbaird - 3 years ago
I loved the prologue! This book draws you with a prospective from a maid who works at a luxury hotel! Just by the way you leave your room each day, maids get a good idea of what kind of person you are and kind kind of habits you have, good or bad. Molly, the maid, is a quirky person who has a hard time with social cues and situations. She works at a luxury hotel with all kinds of interesting coworkers. Molly’s grandmother used to help Molly navigate social situations with advice. With the death of her grandmother, Molly feels alone and sometimes lost. Although she is good at recalling her grandmother’s advice, it’s not the same. Believe it or not, Molly loves her job. Molly’s world is turned upside down when she found a well known guest dead in his bed. Will she be open and honest like she comes across or will she try to protect those who are directly involved? As different hotel staff confide in her, including the wife of the dead guest, will this eventually catch up to her? This fun and smart mystery will have you turning the pages to find out how Molly handles and navigates this situation. A five star read that should be added to your TBR list! I was excited to find out from this author’s webpage that there are plans to have this book made into a movie!