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dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Grief, Alcohol, Deportation
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Murder
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The story was definitely an interesting concept, a maid that cleans your room knows a lot about you but cleans everything up after you so it’s a good crime scene. However, I found aspects of Molly’s personality to just be convenient for the plot. I saw other reviews before starting that described her as a neurotypical person’s view of how a neurodivergent person acts and that made me hesitant to read this but it was for a book club. I made it through the book without a problem and it kept my interest. I did enjoy the story but I still felt like the book justified a lot of Molly’s behavior, especially near the end of the book. I understand the narrator doesn’t necessarily reflect the author but it felt off at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Physical abuse, Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-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 thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of being an invisible maid over the course of the novel. I think it highlighted some of the aspects of being in custodial services excellently: seeing people live their lives without giving you a second thought, seeing others at their most vulnerable moments, knowing your clients' routines as well as your own habits.
The clue-like mystery of this novel was at a fast enough pace where the suspense didn't feel like it was dragging on for too long but also felt relatively low stakes despite the police involvement. While the mysterious death was done well, I found that I was more captivated by the reveals surrounding Molly's personal life and choices.
The clue-like mystery of this novel was at a fast enough pace where the suspense didn't feel like it was dragging on for too long but also felt relatively low stakes despite the police involvement. While the mysterious death was done well, I found that I was more captivated by the reveals surrounding Molly's personal life and choices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
It was a neat premise, and the route the author took wasn't worn out either. It was very unique. Everything was tied together in the end but it was just a bit underwhelming for me. Not a bad book, just not as surprising and mysterious as I had hoped. It was also frustrating too that the way the outcome unfolded was like, so unrealistic and way too perfect and on the nose like, it just seemed like, very typical happy ending resolution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
dark
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
I was really enjoying the neurodivergent narrator perspective through most of the book (despite some cringing at some clear misunderstandings she had of situations/people, and at unkind treatments she got at times). The ending kind of ruined things though, with a clear 'because everyone has different perspective all morality is relative' message. Bleah.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Abandonment
mysterious
tense
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
The Maid by Nina Prose follows the story of Molly, a young maid who works in a high-class hotel with some dark secrets. Molly knows she thinks differently from everyone else and is grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother, who helped her navigate the complexities of society. When Molly finds a VIP dead in his room, a series of events unfold that place Molly at the center of a very dangerous plot.
I thought this book was very good. From the first pages, I really connect to and felt for Molly. I honestly thought that she was the best part of the book, and the fact that Molly does not see the same connections as the reader truly heightened the tension. However, that does not mean that the story is foreseeable in its conclusion, as we quickly learn that though Molly has some difficulty in dealing with social situations due to how her mind works, she is also capable and cunning. I like how this book didn’t portray Molly as a victim due to her differences, but rather as someone in need of support and companionship as she makes her own way.
The plot was pretty standard, but I don’t see that as an overall negative. With the main focus being on Molly, how she views the world, and how she navigates it, I think having a fairly standard plot is okay. As I mentioned, it really added to the tension to see and know things that Molly did not or didn’t pick up on because of her different way of viewing the world. I could see this being frustrating to some, but I thought it made for a more character-driven story.
Overall, I give this book 5 stars. I think if you’re looking for a character-focused mystery that gives agency to someone is neurodivergent, this is a good choice for you.
I thought this book was very good. From the first pages, I really connect to and felt for Molly. I honestly thought that she was the best part of the book, and the fact that Molly does not see the same connections as the reader truly heightened the tension. However, that does not mean that the story is foreseeable in its conclusion, as we quickly learn that though Molly has some difficulty in dealing with social situations due to how her mind works, she is also capable and cunning. I like how this book didn’t portray Molly as a victim due to her differences, but rather as someone in need of support and companionship as she makes her own way.
The plot was pretty standard, but I don’t see that as an overall negative. With the main focus being on Molly, how she views the world, and how she navigates it, I think having a fairly standard plot is okay. As I mentioned, it really added to the tension to see and know things that Molly did not or didn’t pick up on because of her different way of viewing the world. I could see this being frustrating to some, but I thought it made for a more character-driven story.
Overall, I give this book 5 stars. I think if you’re looking for a character-focused mystery that gives agency to someone is neurodivergent, this is a good choice for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent