Overall an enjoyable historical fiction and romance novel.

While in some ways, this story seems almost fairy-tale like, it was intriguing until the very end. Because real life is never like the stories. Inspired by Benedict's own family history, Benedict is able to bring a genuine quality - a starkness and vividness - of the poverty and perils of the time. These qualities seemed even more lifelike and moving in Carnegie's Maid as Benedict illustrates how Clara got to where she was, and the struggles her family faces.

I don't read much about US history but this one had such an interesting premise that I couldn't resist. The author creates a fictional maid, Clara Kelly, who instills in Andrew Carnegie the idea that he should engage in philanthropic endeavors. It was a really nice concept that this woman he loved was the reason behind Carnegie's generosity. Clara was an awesome character; she was intelligent and tenacious and I enjoyed seeing her strive to improve her position in life. Overall, I really enjoyed the story but I so wished it could have ended in a different way. The ending felt too rushed and while realistic, I just wished it could have been happier. 3 1/2 stars.

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I thought this was exceptional. The story sucked me in completely and I read the entire book over the course of a weekend. This is historical fiction, but the premise is speculation as to what caused Andrew Carnegie to write a letter to himself reminding him of the need to give back to the community and not get lost in all of the money. And then set up all of those Carnegie Libraries, many of which still exist (there is one on the Syracuse University campus). The author came up with a scenario whereby Carnegie meets an extraordinary young woman working as his mother's maid. She makes him want to be a better person and then disappears from his life. (The book opens with the fact that she's gone, so not a spoiler.) It's a quick read and it's well written. I definitely recommend it.

The story is well and good, but I have a bone to pick with Clara Kelley. So much double standards and she still went around feeling righteous. It was important that Andrew be a forthright man, but okay for her to lie and hide? And boy, can she make excuses for herself! "What choice did I have?" "What choice did Mrs Carnegie leave me?" She was only confident and upright when it suited her purpose. An extremely unreliable narrator, if there ever was one.

I enjoyed this story, but I didn't read it with an annoying "could this even be historically plausible?" voice in my head. If you know a lot about the Carnegies and have trouble suspending belief, this may not be the book for you. If you enjoy a good story, following "Clara Kelley's" journey to the US as she negotiates employment under another woman's name and labors to support her family back home will be worth it.

"Carnegie's Maid" is a perfectly written work of historical fiction. It is the story of Andrew Carnegie, an entrepreneur of humble beginnings, who becomes involved with his mother's aide, Clara Kelly. Clara is not the experienced helper she professes to be but someone who has assumed the life of someone else, in a desperate attempt to help her poor family back in Ireland.
Clara has an amazing grasp of business and through her uncanny insight is able to help Carnegie in his endeavors. It's a fascinating read and a good book club selection.

I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this book greatly. I read it in over a day...it was quick and fast paced. I am a sucker for historical fiction especially based on real life people and I find it fascinating to read. While I know the main character is fictional, it was an interesting story based on the time period and historical information.

I actually didn't know much about Andrew Carnegie but liked what I learned about him, his family, and background. There was an underlying love story but it did not over power the rest of the story about a young girl immigrating from Ireland in search of a better life and to send money home to her family who is struggling Ireland after the potato famine.

I would actually give this book 4.5 stars...only because it ended too soon and I would have loved to read more about these characters!

A captivating read with great characters, a well-developed story. The story's main focus is on Clara sent from Ireland to America in order to aid her family financially because of the Irish potato famine. She ends up with a job at the Carnegie household as a lady's maid. This book also takes us through the daily lives of Andrew Carnegie, his brother Tom, and their mother as they make their fortune. A relationship between Andrew and Clara develops.

It was an excellent read even though the maid Andrew fell in love with and the woman who influenced him is fictional.

This book was impossible to put down. Such a wonderful story of immigration, history, secrets, and hard work. Beautifully written, insightful and heartfelt.

Firstly I must confess to not having read The Other Einstein - however when I saw the synopsis for this novel I knew that I had to read it.  It's been a little while since I've indulged in my love of historical fiction, and I was excited to get stuck into Carnegie's Maid.  My usual historical fiction preferences often centre around the 1930's and 1940's, so I was looking forward to branching out - I was not disappointed.

I know very little about American history, or important figures in American history - my passion is for British history and the monarchy.  It was therefore nice to read about a time in American history that I know very little about.  For this reason I am unable to comment on any of the factual historical events that are referred to within the novel.  I know that Andrew Carnegie existed, so I like the idea that Marie Benedict used a real person in American history, and made his story her own by creating a reason for him becoming the philanthropist he is eventually known to be.

Clara Kelly may be a fictional character, but her plight to save her family in the wake of the Irish Potato Famine is very real.  With the death of more than one million people, the famine was devastating to so many Irish families, and Clara's emigration to America was a very viable option.  Weaving a fictional story amongst so much fact cannot be easy, however I really felt that Marie Benedict achieved this seamlessly: Fact and fiction become one, with the lines between the two barely visible.  Clara's predicament really resonates with the reader as she is left with secrets to hide, a love that she truly wants to blossom and a family that she desperately wants to save.

The journey that both Clara and Andrew embark on is a beautiful one, and the setting they do it within only highlights the difficulties of these journeys all the more.  I wanted them both to succeed, and I wanted them to do it together.  This is such a lovely novel, and it has encouraged me to find out more about this industrial period in America's history, as well as to learn more about the issues faced by the Irish in such a bleak period of their history.  I highly recommend this novel, and I will be reading The Other Einstein in the not too distant future.

This is a really well written and researched story and I liked it a lot. If you ever wanted a mental picture of the difference between the upper and lower classes of the 1860’s, then this is a read not to be missed.

The characters, some fictional and some not, found themselves in situations, albeit fictional, very real and relatable. Despite the book being shorter than I anticipated, the story was well told and the characters fully developed. The pace was slower than some might like, however I thought it just perfect because it allowed me to dig more deeper into the setting and characters.

If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, you’ll definitely like this story. It is filled with a wonderful array of intriguing, fun and entertaining characters just like DA.

Melanie for b2b

I found it hard to get into it the beginning but it soon kicked off. It's very well written and I liked learning more about carnage and seeing his relationship with Clara grow.

First off look at this COVER! I loved this book but I’m sad my copy is an ebook because now I think I need to get the hardback version. This was one of the books on our January to March upcoming releases list. The story revolves around Andrew Carnegie’s housemaid and their fictional relationship. It was fascinating to learn about life in Pittsburg during the 1860s.

I was intrigued to read Benedict's last work, but didn't know if I would be interested enough to dig in. After reading this work, I am more than willing to go back. The reader is drawn in almost immediately by reading part of the story through Carnegie's viewpoint, something that made the reader interested in the premise but also invested in the characters. I found the perspective of Clara Kelly and her tale normal in the maid/mistress relationship, but she was more than that. I also really enjoyed getting to learn about Pittsburgh from this historical perspective and the different parts and pieces of it. Of course, the suspense of the will they/won't they relationship between Clara and Carnegie was the driving plot point. I am actually very glad that Benedict didn't try to skew history and make more happen then actually did. Overall, I found this highly entertaining, well written and would recommend it to any fan of libraries, historical fiction and strong narratives.

It was a beautiful book. Very well written and a compelling read. A thorough character development is seen. Keeps you interested throughout.

It was empowering to see this take on an immigrant's story and share how this woman was able to actually take control of her life. I loved getting to see Clara learn from Carnegie, but also teach him as well. It's an important and relevant story for right now to see how important immigrants were (both in the upper and lower echelons) in building today's society.

Carnegie’s Maid is beautifully written with descriptive imagery that transports the reader back in time to the setting. The sights and sounds and the mores of the era are masterfully detailed and authentic. The characterizations are also true and engaging. The characters voices are authentic and engaging. This is a delightful read, seemingly well searched; extremely interesting and informative! I love historical fiction, and Marie Benedict has masterfully crafted two outstanding books in this genre!

"He had vowed to her that he would carve out a different path from those materialistic industrialists and society folk, and he would keep that vow, even though she was gone."

Clara Kelley is in America as a source of income to help her family in Ireland.  Expecting to work in the textile mills or as a domestic when she arrives, fate (in the form of a misunderstanding) changes her path to become a lady's maid for the matriarch of one of the wealthiest families in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  An occupation she knows nothing about, but fortunately, Clara is intuitive and intelligent and learns as she goes without anyone catching on.

Then Clara meets Andrew Carnegie, steel tycoon, eldest and favored son of her mistress.  His intellect and charm are attractive, but his ruthlessness and elitist ideals are not.  However, Clara's sense of justice and hunger for knowledge about his business change Mr. Carnegie for the better.   Is Clara the catalyst for his philanthropy endeavors?

I enjoy historical fiction and Ms. Benedict gives the reader a "research-based fictional story" that contemplates what if a lady's maid like Clara inspired Andrew Carnegie, known for his callous treatment of others, to suddenly become the world's first philanthropist building free libraries around the world for all classes to educate themselves.  This book also contains subjects such as class distinction, slavery and post-Civil War industry.

This is an interesting take on the personal life of Andrew Carnegie told from a maid's perspective, and I really enjoyed the history of Pittsburgh and the historical fashion and etiquette between servant and master.  This story made me want to read more about Andrew Carnegie.  This novel will appeal to readers who like historical romances set in mid to late 19th-Century America.

Thank you to Ms. Benedict, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!