Reviews with content warning for Ableism - The Maid

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.

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kataya09's review against another edition

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2.0

I listened to this book through audible and I’m not sure I would have made it through this book if I didn’t. The main character is very two dimensional and naive at times and sharp at others, and yet still other times, completely oblivious. She only realized something when it was convenient for the plot. There were also random twists in this book that just seemed out of place due to the lack of foreshadowing or any hint of this making sense. The narration was great, the story, not so much. 3 out of 5 stars for the audio. 0.5 for the story.

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bookybecka's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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rebeccamm's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

If this hadn't been such a quick read, or a whodunit, I would have abandoned this book early on. The main character clearly seems neurodivergent, but the author doesn't share that identity - AND - her differences are frequently exploited by other characters. Not a favorite.

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adrianmcc's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

1.0

The main character is just an autistic stereotype rather than a fully fleshed out character.

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alisiakae's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.75

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kelly_e's review

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hopeful lighthearted 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

4.75

Title: The Maid
Author: Nita Prose
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: January 4, 2022

T H R E E • W O R D S

Refreshing • Uplifting • Quirky

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Since the recent death of her grandmother, Molly has been forced to navigate a complex world, she doesn't seem to fit into, all on her own. She takes pride in her work as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, and returning guest rooms to a state of perfection.

During one shift, Molly enters the suite of the infamous Charles Black only to find it in a state of disarray, and Mr. Black dead in his bed. Molly soon finds herself the target of the police as the prime suspect. In order to clear her name, she must take things into her own hands. What she will uncover is that not everything at the hotel is as it seems.

💭 T H O U G H T S

This book took me by complete surprise, in the best possible way! The opening prologue was fantastic, and I could not put it down. My entire reading experience was delightful.

Molly is a heroine unlike any other. She is unforgettable and loveable. She is naïve and eccentric. She is a kind soul. She speaks her mind. I felt her pain and was rooting for her from start to finish. Her relationship with her late gran wiggled its way into my heart, and would not let go. I empathized with Molly's grief, and loved the inclusion of her grandmother's wisdoms as her inner thoughts. Nita Prose has done an incredible job of really getting the reader into Molly's mind.

The hotel setting added to the atmosphere, and I loved learning some behind the scenes glances into what it's like working in a hotel.

This book is so much more than just a murder mystery. It is a book about finding your footing in the world, about being yourself, and about growth. The Maid was mismarketed as a thriller. Rather it's a cozy, well thought out murder mystery/whodunit with humour and heart. What a debut by Nita Prose! I am definitely looking forward to Nita Prose's next book.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the cozy mystery
• readers who enjoyed Don Tillman series
• anyone who has felt lost in the world

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"My truth is not the same as yours because we don’t experience life in the same way."

"That's the trouble with pain. It's as contagious as a disease. It spreads from the person who first endured it to those who love them most. Truth isn't always the highest ideal; sometimes it must be sacrificed to stop the spread of pain to those you love. Even children know this intuitively."

"There are times in life when we must do things we don't want to. But do them we must."

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