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adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Murder
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, Abandonment
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
I'm so happy to spend time with Molly the Maid again. The dual timeline allowed us to spend more time with Molly as a child and her grandmother. Similar to Alexander McCall Smith, it's not the mystery that is important. It's Molly's (neurodivergent) voice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Classism
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Classism
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I read The Maid last year and there was admittedly a lot I didn’t like about it. However, there was enough that I did like that I was interested in reading this next installment. I’m so glad I did!
Molly Gray finds herself entangled in another murder of a Regency Grand Hotel guest. Though not under immediate suspicion this time around, her trainee, Lily, is. Moreover, Molly had been acquainted with this guest, a renowned author, in her youth. Going back and forth from then and now, Molly aids in catching the killer.
I was super into the ‘before’ part of the story. I loved getting to see more scenes between Molly and Gran and particularly seeing Molly as a child. Everything tied in nicely as well. The present part of the story didn’t captivate me quite as much until near the end. I enjoyed the reading experience much more this time, which tends to be the case in series for me anyway. I’m officially hooked and look forward to any future installments!
A huge thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of the book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Murder