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mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Classism
I read approximately the first 65 pages and then skimmed the last 25 pages because it was getting boring; everything took too long to happen. There were so many flashbacks and so much exposition. The setup was intriguing and I wanted to get invested in the plot, but the protagonist just kept ruminating on the past and taking me right back out of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Maid contains a compelling closed-door murder mystery and a twist at the end. The central character demonstrates the characteristics of someone on the autism spectrum, yet nowhere is this explicitly acknowledged in the book. While the author uses these traits to further the plot, there is inauthenticity here and a heavy reliance on stereotypes. What is left is more of a caricature than a character. Readers looking for books depicting characters with autism by authors who are neurodivergent should try Helen Hoang's books. She is one of many neurodivergent authors who use their own experiences navigating the world as a starting point for some of their central characters and can offer readers a more authentic portrayal of someone with autism..
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Trafficking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Misogyny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What an amazing book! I loved Molly. The plot was well-written, but honestly the characters were so interesting that I would have enjoyed it regardless. Though it takes place in modern times, the book feels nostalgic (nostalgic in the same way as Knives Out or La La Land).
The only thing I truly disliked about this book was that there was a philosophy/worldview pushed strongly in the epilogue, with which I strongly disagreed. Other than that, it’s an amazing book and I highly recommend it!
Also, the prologue was one of the most fascinating prologues I have ever read.
The only thing I truly disliked about this book was that there was a philosophy/worldview pushed strongly in the epilogue, with which I strongly disagreed. Other than that, it’s an amazing book and I highly recommend it!
Also, the prologue was one of the most fascinating prologues I have ever read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You’ve probably been seeing this book all over bookstagram! It’s very popular right now and I see why. This was very enjoyable, especially because of Lauren Ambrose’s superb narration.
Molly is a detail oriented maid at the 5 star Regency Hotel. She struggles relating to others and understanding what they mean (it’s is implied but not said outright that she is on the spectrum, most likely with Asperger’s.) Since her beloved Gran passed, Molly has been struggling to understand the world around her. Molly’s life becomes even more complicated when she discovers the dead body of a VIP guest while cleaning and her unique behavior makes detectives question if Molly is involved.
This book was a predictable mystery, as I saw a few twists before they unfolded. But the heart of this story lies with Molly’s world view (which Ambrose brings to life perfectly.) I rooted for Molly and was with her on this journey. I also really enjoyed the humor laced throughout the story. I loved “Elenor Oliphant is Completely Fine” as an audiobook when it came out and saw many parallels here. Highly recommend this book in this format!
⚠️Trigger Warning: Cancer, Death, Drugs
Molly is a detail oriented maid at the 5 star Regency Hotel. She struggles relating to others and understanding what they mean (it’s is implied but not said outright that she is on the spectrum, most likely with Asperger’s.) Since her beloved Gran passed, Molly has been struggling to understand the world around her. Molly’s life becomes even more complicated when she discovers the dead body of a VIP guest while cleaning and her unique behavior makes detectives question if Molly is involved.
This book was a predictable mystery, as I saw a few twists before they unfolded. But the heart of this story lies with Molly’s world view (which Ambrose brings to life perfectly.) I rooted for Molly and was with her on this journey. I also really enjoyed the humor laced throughout the story. I loved “Elenor Oliphant is Completely Fine” as an audiobook when it came out and saw many parallels here. Highly recommend this book in this format!
⚠️Trigger Warning: Cancer, Death, Drugs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Drug use
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m not entirely sure what I expected going into this- based on buzz and blurb, I’d imagined some sort of Eleanor Oliphant cozy mystery and in some ways, this is that-ish. But I think to call Molly an Eleanor isn’t quite right or fair to either character. Molly is sort of her own sort of socially awkward, neurodivergent character- I’d say she’s kind of Pollyanna meets Keiko (from Convenience Store Woman) meets Mary Poppins all at once with a sprinkling of her own uniqueness. Many times in the first third of this book, I was gasping because it was like unleashing an innocent babe out into the world to be taken advantage of, but Molly had grit and personality and ultimately she was a delight.
The premise is that Molly, a maid at a luxury boutique hotel, has always struggled with social cues and making friends. After losing her grandmother and being betrayed by a loser boyfriend, she is determined to keep her head down and make enough to pay her rent, but she can’t resist the seduction of the possibility of new friends at her hotel job. Unfortunately, this leads her into danger and suddenly, in trying to help her friends, she comes under suspicion of murder.
I really enjoyed this novel. It’s kind of a cosy mystery but it’s also about friendship and found family and responsibility and grief and dealing with terminal illness and loss. I felt emotionally-engaged in the story even though Molly as a character had obviously been trained to control her emotions and suppress her feelings out of politeness. I enjoyed Molly’s voice and observations as a character and I would say this was gently humorous. I think that while this was great and enjoyable and I even liked the twist at the end, there was sometimes a bit of detachment I felt from Molly that sometimes made this feel a little unbelievable or very dramatic in the way of movies from the 50s and 60s. I suppose this could be an intentional choice as Molly’s habits and language and behaviour WERE inspired by that period thanks to her grandmother. I loved the supporting characters and was curious about Mr Preston and his daughter and his relationship with Molly’s grandma. In all this was a really enjoyable read and I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a gentle but really engaging read with light humor and Cody mystery vibes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is that Molly, a maid at a luxury boutique hotel, has always struggled with social cues and making friends. After losing her grandmother and being betrayed by a loser boyfriend, she is determined to keep her head down and make enough to pay her rent, but she can’t resist the seduction of the possibility of new friends at her hotel job. Unfortunately, this leads her into danger and suddenly, in trying to help her friends, she comes under suspicion of murder.
I really enjoyed this novel. It’s kind of a cosy mystery but it’s also about friendship and found family and responsibility and grief and dealing with terminal illness and loss. I felt emotionally-engaged in the story even though Molly as a character had obviously been trained to control her emotions and suppress her feelings out of politeness. I enjoyed Molly’s voice and observations as a character and I would say this was gently humorous. I think that while this was great and enjoyable and I even liked the twist at the end, there was sometimes a bit of detachment I felt from Molly that sometimes made this feel a little unbelievable or very dramatic in the way of movies from the 50s and 60s. I suppose this could be an intentional choice as Molly’s habits and language and behaviour WERE inspired by that period thanks to her grandmother. I loved the supporting characters and was curious about Mr Preston and his daughter and his relationship with Molly’s grandma. In all this was a really enjoyable read and I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a gentle but really engaging read with light humor and Cody mystery vibes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Classism
Minor: Racism, Sexism
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Murder, Abandonment