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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
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: Death
Moderate: Ableism
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
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I am your maid. I'm the one who cleans your hotel room, who enters like a phantom when you're gallivanting for the day, no care at all about what you've left behind, the mess, or what I might see when you're gone...I am your maid. I know so much about you. But when it comes down to it: what is it that you know about me?'
In present day New York City, Molly, who is in her tenwties, works as a maid at a boutique hotel, the Regency Grand Hotel. Grieving the loss of her beloved Gran, Molly is rather alone and struggling for money, despite working very hard. She prides herself in her work, is meticulous, but finds herself involved in the death of a prominent and wealthy guest, Mr Black. Aware she is practically invisible as a maid, Molly decides to investigate. Will she solve the mystery of how Mr Black died and why?
Molly comes across as an intelligent, conscientious and sweet young woman, who can also be naive. I struggled with some of the earlier book, because I suspect Molly is autistic and she was being taken advantage of in the absence of her Gran, who helped her understand other people; this improved when it became clear she has allies, combined with her meticulous methods and observant mind, demonstrating her strengths. This is a quirky mystery, with some 'baddies' and a love interest, focusing on a week or two in Molly's life. A character study, Molly is drawn vividly as she learns more about herself and others and I was definitely rooting for her throughout. With plenty of warmth and wit this is not quite cosy crime, but it does lean that way. Creative and engaging, this debut novel has Elinor Oliphant vibes and is well worth a read.
In present day New York City, Molly, who is in her tenwties, works as a maid at a boutique hotel, the Regency Grand Hotel. Grieving the loss of her beloved Gran, Molly is rather alone and struggling for money, despite working very hard. She prides herself in her work, is meticulous, but finds herself involved in the death of a prominent and wealthy guest, Mr Black. Aware she is practically invisible as a maid, Molly decides to investigate. Will she solve the mystery of how Mr Black died and why?
Molly comes across as an intelligent, conscientious and sweet young woman, who can also be naive. I struggled with some of the earlier book, because I suspect Molly is autistic and she was being taken advantage of in the absence of her Gran, who helped her understand other people; this improved when it became clear she has allies, combined with her meticulous methods and observant mind, demonstrating her strengths. This is a quirky mystery, with some 'baddies' and a love interest, focusing on a week or two in Molly's life. A character study, Molly is drawn vividly as she learns more about herself and others and I was definitely rooting for her throughout. With plenty of warmth and wit this is not quite cosy crime, but it does lean that way. Creative and engaging, this debut novel has Elinor Oliphant vibes and is well worth a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse
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
funny
sad
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: Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Death
Minor: Racism
This is a clear instance of a neurotypical author writing from the "perspective" of a neurodivergent-coded character without actually understanding how neurodivergence works. It's ableist that she assumes someone who doesn't understand social cues will be too "innocent" to realize she's being lied to/manipulated into abetting crimes . This is an ableist caricature of neurodivergence and it's going to perpetuate inaccurate assumptions about neuodivergent people. 0/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Drug use
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Abandonment