Best book recommendation with a unique character: The Maid by Nita Prose.

Synopsis

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

Audiobook Review

6 stars

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it is not the end.”

You know that feeling that you get when finishing a book that you think was such a breeze of fresh air in the bookish world? A novelty? Something with a unique character of writing?

Well that’s the feeling I experienced with “The Maid” and I already am on the lookout for Nita’s next book!

I adored that audiobook narrated to a state of perfection by Lauren Ambrose. No narrator could have been a better choice for Molly the maid.

This was a delightful story. Smart, moving, peculiar and hiding some well-hidden twists.

The biggest asset of that story is obviously Molly the maid.

Molly’s character was built to perfection! Told from a single point of view, that choice was the best choice to have us grasp the uniqueness of our heroine.

Nita made me fall for her character, that brave, honest and often socially clueless woman with a big heart that nearly everyone overlooked or looked like you would a little mouse.

How I wanted to hug Molly when she guessed that people laughed at her and not with her. Because of her not fitting the norm. Because of her inability at reading social occasion and facial expression.

It was never said but it was easy to guess that Molly suffered from a form of autism. And because of that, people mocked her, thinking her too daft to understand.

Abandoned by her mother at birth, Molly has been raised by her Gran.

And let me tell you that Gran was an admirable woman that we will learn to know through Molly’s eyes throughout the book.

It was her who helped Molly navigate life, made things simpler for Molly. Gran gave moral rules to Molly and our heroine thrives with rules. It’s what helps her to be part of society without feeling totally lost.

After Gran’s passed away, Molly was so alone.

My heart broke reading about Molly eating her crumpets alone, without Gran’s incessant chatter and optimism.

Fortunately, another person gave rules to follow to Molly: Mister Snow, The Regency Grand manager.

If most employees were bored out by Mister Snow seminars Molly dutifully took notes on how they were part of a hive and every bee was essential.

Molly is a maid and she loves her job.

She loves her crisp uniform, arranging the little bottles of shampoo, soap and fresh towels on her trolley. She loves making beds perfectly square with plump pillows. Polishing brass knobs, cleaning up every surface and returning the rooms to a state of perfection.

I think the author has a vivid writing, letting us see precisely everything and everyone in that story. I could see Molly with her perfect white skin and neat hair, her friend Giselle with her high heels and blue pills. I could see me walking in the Regency Grand, strolling on the plush carpets, meeting the maids scurrying in the halls.

We quickly realize that Molly has not a lot of friends but that she has an unusual friendship with Mrs Black, Giselle, the wealthy wife of the rich and insufferable Mister Black. Seeing Giselle helping Molly apply makeup warmed my heart because that girl deserved lots and lots of friends.

I have always been the champion of people who were rejected because they were different. Since kinder garden to high school I have always fought and protected them. Witnessing Molly being taken advantage of or laughed at was very hard for me.

When Molly will be in serious trouble after finding Mr Black dead, seeing people she thought were her friends betray her and frame her made me very angry but also sad for Molly who was betrayed once more.

But that also serves a higher purpose. Because all that trouble will also help Molly to grow, to become more confident and shed her in a whole other light in the eyes of others.

It will also show some true friends, ready to help her whatever the cost!

I laughed, shed some tears and held my breath while listening to that story. What is certain is that this book had my rapt attention and I ended up with a huge smile on my face, a Cheshire smile even because… you’ll see why!

Thanks for reading!

Sophie