I absolutely LOVED reading this book and getting to know Molly the Maid--she is such a unique and refreshing character, who is blunt and not afraid to speak her mind. I loved how funny she was how even though I was laughing while reading, I could still just appreciate how real all of her comments were. Molly is just so quirky and unlike any other character I've met before, and she seriously just makes the book. I also really appreciated learning about her relationships with Mr. Preston and Juan Manuel... and seeing how one, in particular, flourished by the end.

I was not a huge fan of the actual mystery in this story--I did find it a little unbelievable that Molly would not have understood just what she was cleaning up and the implications of that, but everything else about the book, and inparticular the relationships Molly has with the different characters, I simply loved.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who love mysteries that are on the cozier side, and to those who are looking for a very refreshing and unique protagonist.

The pacing of this book was good. I just found I couldn't connect with the characters or care about the plot after about the 40% mark. I saw the twist coming, and that usually doesn't bother me but I was hoping for something more surprising. The writing itself though was solid.

The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose is a highly entertaining book that took me on an unexpected journey. From the moment I started reading, I was captivated by the old-fashioned whodunit mystery that unfolded before my eyes. The story had me hooked from the very beginning, and I found myself becoming more and more engrossed as I eagerly sought the resolution.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the unique charm of the main character. Molly Gray, the hotel maid, is a character who is easy to root for. Her struggles with social skills and her meticulous love for cleaning and proper etiquette make her an endearing and relatable protagonist. I found myself invested in her journey and genuinely cared about what would happen to her.

What makes The Maid: A Novel even more intriguing is the cast of characters that populate the story. Each character is carefully crafted with their own quirks and secrets, making them both intriguing and suspicious. As the plot thickens, the web of deception surrounding Molly deepens, and she is forced to navigate through a maze of clues and hidden motives. The author expertly weaves together the various storylines, keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat.

I must say that Nita Prose has a talent for creating a cozy atmosphere within the pages of this book. The setting of the Regency Grand Hotel, with its opulent suites and hidden secrets, adds another layer of intrigue to the story. The vivid descriptions of the hotel and its guests transported me into a world where anything could happen.

I would highly recommend The Maid: A Novel to anyone looking for a captivating mystery that will keep them engaged from start to finish. Whether you're curled up on the couch on a cold winter day or simply in need of an escape, this book is the perfect choice. Prepare to be swept away into a world of secrets, suspense, and unexpected connections.

Title: "The Maid" by Nita Prose - A Disappointing and Exhausting Read

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I had the opportunity to explore an advanced reader copy of "The Maid" by Nita Prose, and it's safe to say that this book did not live up to my expectations. While the premise held promise, the execution left much to be desired, resulting in a disappointing read that I couldn't fully embrace.

The story revolves around Molly, a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel with a unique perspective on the world due to her neurodivergent condition. However, the potential for a compelling narrative quickly gave way to a plot that lacked depth and intrigue. What initially seemed like an interesting setup turned into an exhausting and unfulfilling story. The characters, including Molly, were thinly developed, and their interactions felt forced, making it challenging to connect with their experiences. The plot meandered without offering a clear direction, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story's intended impact. While I genuinely wanted to enjoy "The Maid," it ultimately failed to deliver the engaging and compelling plot I had hoped for, resulting in a 2-star rating. If you're seeking a story that delves into the life of a neurodivergent protagonist, this book may still hold some appeal, but it wasn't what I expected or hoped for in my reading experience.

A read-in-one-sitting charmer with a fantastic voicy- heroine and a plot that will appeal to Agatha Christie lovers.


As a reader who loves atmosphere, I felt I was kept at arm's length in terms of sense of place; but Molly's interesting and unique approach to life made up for it.

received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute murder mystery if those words actually go together lol. I enjoyed the story even though you think you have it all figured out until the very end. I thought I did but not all of it.

I found our main character Molly to be very likeable and same with our side characters Mr. Preston and Juan Manuel. They made a great team and I’m happy for them.

I would recommend this read to cozy mystery lovers if that’s what we classify this as.

Thought this was a great, cozy thriller with a really likeable and unique neurodivergent protagonist.

"The Maid" by Kimberly Cutter is a novel that had its moments, but ultimately fell short of my expectations. While the story had some interesting elements, such as the historical setting and the exploration of class and social hierarchies, it failed to fully engage me as a reader.

The plot felt predictable at times, and the characters, while well-developed, didn't quite resonate with me. I found myself struggling to connect with their struggles and experiences. Additionally, the pacing felt uneven, with some sections dragging on and others feeling rushed.

That being said, there were aspects of "The Maid" that I appreciated. The historical detail and attention to the setting were impressive, and I could tell that the author had done her research. The writing itself was also well-crafted and flowed nicely.

Overall, I would say that "The Maid" was an okay read, but not one that I would necessarily recommend to others. While there were some enjoyable elements, it ultimately didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

Wonderfully narrated, I appreciated the main character's assumed neurodivergency while also understanding that it may not be an accurate reflection. The 'who dunnit' was well executed (no pun intended) and I really loved that Molly didn't need to change her behaviours in order to find friendship and help.

Molly Gray is not like everyone else - she struggles to read social cues and no longer has her grandmother to interpret the world for her. She works hard as a hotel maid, cleaning diligently and keeping the carts stocked, ensuring guest rooms are in a state of perfection when she leaves. One day, she finds the infamous and wealthy Charles Black dead in his bed and before she knows what's happening, her unusual demeanour has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She finds herself caught in a web of deception and relies on friends she never knew she had to help figure out what really happened.

This whodunit mystery with a neurodivergent FMC was a treat to read. I enjoyed seeing the situation through her honest and simple perspective, and found myself wishing I could sometimes see things in a more straightforward way and not overthink! I was glad that despite her grandma's passing, and despite being in this awful situation, she realized that she was not alone.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the e-galley!

Thanks to the publisher for providing the novel to review. I enjoyed the read and appreciated the new take on a mystery story.

The main character was both relatable and charming - wonderful, lilting read that is both engaging and entertaining

DNF @2.5 hours

I know this book is on so many "best of 2022" book lists, but I just couldn't finish it. I found like it dragged a lot. I think if you like the main character this book will work for me. I just didn't feel invested in the characters or the story. Heck, if I am not curious enough to find out who the killer is, then I know it's time to DNF. I do like that this novel has diverse characters, but I did feel a bit uncomfortable on how different races were portrayed. I would recommend reading some of the 5 star reviews and some 1 star reviews and you should be able to get an idea if this is the book you want to try.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

In Nita Prose’s debut novel, “The Maid”, perfectionist Molly Gray works at The Grand Regency Hotel in London. Twenty-five-year-old Molly relies on her grandmother to interpret the world for her, because sometimes she struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. When her grandmother dies, Molly is left to navigate life's complexities by herself.

It’s not long before her orderly life is upended when she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, and is shocked to find him dead. Molly is accused of his murder. Caught within a web of deception and suspicion, Molly unites with her friends to find out what really happened to Mr. Black. 

Molly, as a maid, is someone who exists in plain sight but is so often treated as if she is invisible. The hotel illustrates somewhat of an upstairs/downstairs sensibility. The guests live in luxury while the workers toil in relative obscurity, unseen and largely unacknowledged.

“The Maid” is a book about what it means to be the same as everyone else but entirely different. It’s a slightly unusual mystery as it can only be solved by a connection to the human heart.

Ultimately, it is an uplifting, heartwarming story. I recommend it.

This book had a lot of 5 star reviews and hype so I wanted to try it but it didn't work for me. However I might pick it up in the future to see if I still feel the same.

This one had tons of hype but the story line and main character just didn't land with me, saw the twists coming a mile away.

A cozy mystery with an endearing main character. This was a very enjoyable read and the author did a great job with it.

Loved the writing style and the main character. Seeing the world through the main character’s eyes made me root for her even more in this unusual mystery. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.

This was a really fun read and I couldn’t put it down. We follow Molly as she cleans at the Grand Regency hotel and she does really well at it as she has an obsession with keeping things clean and tidy. When she stumbles across the dead body of one of their rich guests while cleaning she is pulled into the drama of the mystery. Her odd behaviour makes her a suspect and she is in a race against time to find the true killer and prove her innocence.
I loved how she had friends she didn’t even realize she had and how they came forward to help her in her time of need. It was very well written and had great flow, always keeping you guessing until the very end.

I read this book in one afternoon! I fell in love with the main character and constantly wanted to yell at the characters in the book to help her out. What a great read.