The Maid; Nita Prose
Ballantine Books and Penguin Random House Audio - 2022
Narrator - Lauren Ambrose - very good
(eGalley and audio sent to me by publisher)
Molly Gray is a 25 year old "maid" at the Regency Grand Hotel. It is a job Molly loves and one she takes great pride in. Raised by her grandmother after her mother had abandoned her, Gram was also a maid. It is clear that Molly and Gram, who has recently passed away, had a special relationship. which helped Molly to thrive. It is also clear listening to Molly narrate this story that she has difficulties understanding facial expressions and trouble with social skills and that she loves her life of routines.
Charles Black is is businessman who, with his wife Giselle, stays at the Regency Grand almost weekly. Molly is always happy to service their suite and, grateful for their generous tips as well. One day upon entering the suite Molly finds Charles, fully dressed, but dead in bed and, his younger wife Giselle is not around. Following proper protocol Molly reports the incident but, she soon finds herself interrogated as murder is suspected in the death of Charles Black.
This was a delightful, light mystery. Molly is a terrific character, I loved how content she was with her simple life of routine and order. She made a wonderful narrator with her quirky, matter-of-fact style and honesty. The Maid has a good cast of characters and turned out to be a real feel good mystery that will kept me guessing; the audio was very good. This story has already been optioned for a movie. Read it!
Rating - 4.5/5 stars
I shall read it. I'm glad to see how much you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteI think you will enjoy this one Deb.
DeleteI am eager to read this one, Diane, and am so glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteThis is the type of story that will appeal to a large variety of readers IMO.
DeleteI just started reading this and thank you for no spoilers! I am already entranced with Molly.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy - Molly is delightful!
DeleteThis does sound like a very fun mystery. I already like Molly! :)
ReplyDeleteLark, I loved Molly - to be so content with a simple life....you just don't find that with young women her age.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good story and a cool bunch of characters!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was good to find a lighter, well written mystery too.
DeleteI will try to get to this. I like the mix of the relationship part and then the mystery.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lighter mystery but, good characterization too.
DeleteThis sounds so good, Diane! I'll probably go with the audio. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone is talking about this one. I think you will like the audio.
DeleteSounds super interesting. I was surprised you described it as light. That's very appealing right now!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, yes, I know what you mean. I just started a heavier memoir and it's very good but, I trying to stay away from darker reads in winter:)
DeleteI'm on a waiting list at the library for this book!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it. I think Joan is Okay" is good as well; glad you liked that one.
DeleteI am hearing lots of good things about this novel and it sounds like fun. I look forward to the movie as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was wondering about the movie - I hate to spoil what the book did for me LOL
DeleteI've seen this book everywhere and am so glad to see your review! It sounded good but not all hyped books live up to the hype. I'm reading a book involving a hotel maid right now so I may wait to I pick this one up but it's definitely on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteOh - is it the new one The Maid; Nita Prose? If so that was good.
DeleteLike others, I think I see the cover of this book every time I turn on my computer or pick up my phone, so it's nice to finally learn a little about the plot. The main character sounds like great fun, so I'm a lot more interested in reading it for myself now than I was before. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure this was for me, that is why I backburnered it all these years --big mistake as it turned out to be just the kind of book I needed.
DeleteI've been seeing this everywhere and I can't to get to it!
ReplyDeleteYep. I'm on the list for this one! Looks like good fun. Glad you liked it. Canadian author too! nice.
ReplyDeleteI want to read this book! My library doesn't have it yet so I'll keep a look out for it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book everywhere & wondered if it lived up to the buzz. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDelete