Nita Prose's "The Maid": A Captivating Novel

Spicewalker: I came to this book with no preconceptions what so ever. I'd not read reviews - I tend not to as I like to make my own mind up about books. I'm not great at reading blurbs first either if I'm honest - heaven knows how I pick the books I do to read. I did, before writing this review, go and check a few out, not for the purposes of plagiarism before anyone cries foul, but because I can see why this book might both delight and incense readers. Molly, the eponymous Maid in this book, is, at least I assume is, neurodivergent. It is never explicitly mentioned, nobody talks about this or the possibility of autism, but there are aspects of her character that would potentially lend themselves to that diagnosis. I'm not professional, and I can't claim to have personal experience with living with anybody who is autistic, but there are many of the classic symptoms that fit Molly's personality.

That no-one else talks of her in these terms may seem a little strange, that they dismiss her 'quirks' as just part of her being odd, a running joke as it were, but then this is reflective of life, is it not. Those who still dismiss an autistic child as being 'a bit naughty' and 'in need of...

United Kingdom on Nov 05, 2023

JBH: Nita Prose creates great characters, leaves a bit of “crumpet” trail, and creates a not totally predictable tale of murder and of life. Worth the read.

United States on Nov 03, 2023

Elsie: Enjoyed the perspective of seeing the world through a persona who considers herself “different.” Interesting premise and heroine. Looking forward to her next adventure.

United States on Oct 28, 2023

Margaret Agnew: I read frequently and like most popular , novels especially ones that have a little quirkiness, like The Maid. I like to pass the ones I buy to other readers family and friends and I get some of their favourites on loan. Thank you for keeping me abreast of interesting publications. Mgt. Agnew

United Kingdom on Oct 21, 2023

Purabi Biswal: The story is in first person narrative and has repetitive passages in it to highlight the neuro-divergent mind of the protagonist....

India on Oct 12, 2023

Tara Saluja: Well written book. The plot kept moving along and kept you interested. At some points it felt a bit predictable or that it was too neatly wrapped up. But still had some good twists in there.

Some of the characters felt a bit one dimensional but still well tied together

United States on Oct 09, 2023

HelenaHelena: First: i bought this book secondhand (used) and it came in very good condition. Almost new, pages were folded (like a bookmark) but that doesn’t bother me at all. I love the idea that the book itself has a story since it was used before (no pun intended).

Second: I ADORED the main character, Molly Grey (Molly the Maid). This book is so well written and easy to read. I loved the story so much I didn’t want to put it down. I read it in two days. Could’ve been one but the book arrived at night and a girl needs to sleep lol.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s such a beautiful, heartfelt mystery. 100/100 recommend⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

United States on Sep 28, 2023

T in CA: I am changing my review of this book based on my book club's chat around the book. I originally found it a bit too light and predictable. With all the great books recently penned with creativity and empathy also featuring socially challenged characters, I felt as if this one fell a little flat. But there are two therapists in our book club who shared that this character felt very real and well written to them. That made me add one star and appreciate the book more. Only one person in our book group didn't like the book at all and there are seven of us. So four star book it is :-)

United States on Sep 02, 2023

Cliente Kindle: Finalmente un libro davvero divertente!!Grazie!!!♡

Italy on Jul 26, 2023

Ralph Blumenau: The first three-quarters of the book are wonderfully readable and made me think that this review would give it a five-star rating. But, sadly, the last quarter is nothing like as good.

The story is told by the likeable Molly Gray, aged 25, the maid in the beautiful Regency Grand Hotel. She had been brought up by and lived with her much-loved grandmother, who had died nine months earlier. The grandmother had been a fountain of clichéd advice, which Molly constantly recalls. Memories of her grandmother are prominent throughout the book – including of the physical pain she suffered before her death, and that Molly had obeyed her wish that she should do an act of mercy-killing with a pillow at the end. This traumatic event will account for Molly’s reactions to later events.

Molly loved and took pride in every detail of her work, in being an “invisible” part of the splendid hotel. She is innocent and naïve, thinks the best of people, and describes herself as socially gauche, unperceptive, making inappropriate remarks, over-explaining in answers to questions. She has an obsessive cleaning disorder. We have here an excellent portrayal of an autistic...

United Kingdom on Mar 02, 2022