I found this book hard to rate. The beginning felt like it dragged a bit. It took a long time to get to the exciting part of the story. Grans story was long and maybe too detailed. She was insufferable as a young girl. But the mystery once it started was interesting and everything tied together quite nice. The ending was so heartwarming and it was such a perfect ending for the series.
I think overall the other two books were a little stronger. But this was still quite good. It just took a while to get into it.

*4.5 stars*

Molly is back and I’m loving it…

This series kind of snuck up on me. I wasn’t expecting much of the series to be honest, sad but true. I thought perhaps a one-time read to while away an afternoon but instead I found characters – and stories – that have kept me highly entertained and more enthusiastic with each turn of the page. Molly has come a long way and now that she is in charge of the maids (and events) she couldn’t be happier. Until good fortune brings chaos and criminality. And more unwanted conversations with the police…

I’m not a fan of stories that stray from a linear timeline, I just find them jarring but for Molly and her sweet Gran I had to get over it. And not only did I do just that, but I found both narratives intriguing and soul-searching. Sides of Gran I could not have ever dreamed of showed up and I really was appalled at first. I found it hard to reconcile what I thought I knew about her to include truths I thought didn’t sound like her at all. Probably I just didn’t want to believe it. These revelations gave Gran nuances though and showed how profound the unexpected path life took had changed her. For the better. And brought us full circle to Molly…

Reality television, an unexpected windfall, a wedding and a slew of characters I love even more now made this well-written story a favourite. I’ll be reading this again and again…

Question: Which is my favourite book in the Molly The Maid series by Nita Prose?

Answer: The Maid's Secret!

Why? Because we finally get more of Gran!

I ate up this story within a story, and Gran's chapters quickly became my favourite part of the whole book. I loved getting even more backstory to the overall series, which had me falling deeper in love with Molly!

There was a slight hitch over my love of Juan Manuel this time, however... but after giving it a lot of thought, I know his heart and intentions were in the best place!

There may have been a little bit of a book hangover after I finished, since I missed reading this story so much! Molly and this series simply have a part of my heart! Each of the four books (including the holiday novella) have been five-star reads for me, though each is unique.

How can you go wrong with Molly and this unique menagerie of quirky, lovable characters!? I'm going to miss them so much!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada (Adult) and Viking for the complimentary copy to read and review.

I received a copy from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review.
TRIGGERS: LGBT+, violence, attempted rape and multiple women are raped (no details), rich people getting away with violent crimes by paying the authorities - no closure and no justice on these, effects of drug habits.
Not worth the hype. Gave 2.5 stars, rounded down. Too many clichés such as "I did it for you!". I loved how Juan answers the phone when Molly calls him but I was a bit wary of him at time; he was the only one listing items they could finally buy. There is no logical reason why Molly kept Cheryl on payroll; she's a thief and a sloth, and she brings chaos. Nothing belongs to Molly, it's all Gran's stuff: her quilt, her kitchen, her sofa, her dishes. Everything. At 50%, I was already fed-up with Gran. I was not interested in hearing a brat's biography. I found the Bees arrogant, not funny, and insulting. I completely disagree with Gran's sacrifice; it was selfish of her. The choice should have been shared between her and John, and perhaps his father. It's been at least 50 years since John last saw Algernon; why would Molly expect her grandfather to remember details? I'm not too sure what I liked in the story; I'm probably too upset by the diary-logue thingy.

I’ve loved all the books in this series and The Maid’s Secret is no exception. I enjoyed learning more about Gran’s history and the mystery surrounding the egg.
I hope there’s more to come in Molly and Juan’s journey.

Overall I really enjoyed this final chapter of Molly’s story! I deduct one star solely for pacing. The first 30% moved really slowly, and I had a hard time getting into it. Although I enjoyed hearing about Gran’s history, the parts with Molly and the show and the pre-heist goings-on felt like they dragged on. Once things get going it’s a great little cozy mystery, although the stakes feel way lower than they were in the first two books.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance review copy!

I am obsessed with Molly the Maid! This is one of my favourite series, and this third installation did not disappoint! Molly, happily in love with both Juan and work, is still reeling with grief and loss. When an Antique show is set to take place at the hotel where she works, she decides to bring a few items to get appraised. Little does Molly know, that she has an antique in her possession that is worth millions of dollars. Queue shock-heist-discombobulation-Angela and Stark's detective skills, for an ultimate whodunnit story surrounding Molly! To top it off, we get to read letters to Molly, written by her late grandmother, detailing her own upbringing and coming of age story. Prose is a beautiful writer- I laughed and I cried on repeat. Thank you so much to #NetGalley and #Penguin Random House #Viking for the ARC of this incredible book.

Nita Prose has given Molly Gray the most beautiful sendoff in The Maid's Secret – this final instalment wrecked me in the best possible way. I'm equally devastated that the series is over and overjoyed that Molly and her gran will live forever in my heart.

I've loved Molly since page one of <b>The Maid</b>, but this book made me adore Gran just as sincerely. The dual timeline reveals her incredible strength and wisdom in ways that had me highlighting nearly half my Kindle copy.

The author has done a brilliant job representing neurodivergence with warmth and respect. Watching our neurodivergent main character navigate different circumstances shows how far she's come—yet she stays wonderfully, authentically Molly. I've genuinely started seeing hotel lobbies differently because of her!

The author masterfully balances cosy mystery vibes with intense emotional depth. The "riches to rags" storyline is executed with such grace and emotions, it left me crying happy tears.

While you could read this as a standalone, don't rob yourself of the full experience. Start with The Maid – Molly's quirks, her bond with Gran, and the Regency Grand Hotel's charm need to be savoured from the beginning.

If you love heartwarming stories that make you laugh, cry, and appreciate life's small perfections, this trilogy belongs on your shelf. Molly Gray isn't just a character – she's a reminder that goodness and grit can change the world, one polished surface at a time.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publishers, for the advance ebook.

What a wonderful conclusion to the Molly the Maid series. Nita is an incredibly gifted storyteller with her sharp prose (no pun intended) and charming characters. Highly recommend this series.

I enjoy the Molly the Maid series so much, and The Maid's Secret, third book in the series, did not disappoint. There are just so many characters to love and root for. In this book, we finally learn about Molly's beloved grandmother's life and childhood, and of course, there's a mystery to solve. Molly is such a humble, optimistic person with a big heart that you can't help but adore her and her quirks. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read one of my favourite books.

I recently received an advanced reader copy of The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose. I had the first two books on my to be read pile for a while now and had never gotten around to starting them. I'm really happy getting this copy got me to prioritize reading the first two novels because this is an excellent series.

Molly the Maid (she's heard the jokes before) loves working as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She takes her role as Head Maid very seriously. Molly takes great pride in doing the job well. Her grandmother has taught her well. Although these past years she's been distracted from her job by mysteries that have occurred at the Regency Grand.

In the first two novels, The Maid and The Mystery Guest, Molly finds herself in the middle of crimes and The Maid's Secret is no different. When the Hidden Treasures reality TV show comes to the Regency Grand Molly brings a few of her treasures to be assessed not expecting one of her items to be the highest valued item the show has ever seen. Molly has long treasured a jewelled egg she received as a child. When the TV hosts tell her it's a real Faberge Egg worth millions Molly faints right there on the stage.

The Maid's Secret is told in alternating chapters - telling the story of her grandmother, Flora Gray, who raised her and the mystery of the Faberge Egg. I don't want to say too much about this particular book as it may spoil parts of the first two novels.

I really enjoyed all three of these novels. I loved all the characters - especially Molly. I loved that the novels had mystery - including murder - but handled them in a not so serious manner. I highly recommend these novels to anyone looking for a lighthearted mystery series.

As for the Faberge Egg - a few years ago while I was on vacation I passed a jewellery store on a cruise ship that had the most beautiful bejewelled egg. After admiring the egg for a few days I finally stopped into the store to hear more about this egg. The particular egg I saw was made by the grandson of the original Faberge eggs. This egg was far less expensive and prized than the original Faberge Eggs but no less beautiful. I came to find this egg that had caught my attention was over $20,000 so sadly it didn't come home with me. But I was so excited to read more about the Faberge in all three of these novels. Take a moment to read more about these eggs and if you ever get to see one and their intricate details you will be amazed.

I was excited to receive a copy of The Maid’s Secret from Penguin Random House Canada & NetGalley, especially since I hadn’t yet read all of the Maid books. After diving in, I found that The Maid’s Secret has become my favorite in the series. Gran Flora’s compelling story, along with the intriguing mystery surrounding the Faberge egg, really captivated me. I think this series will appeal to anyone who enjoys the classic works of Agatha Christie.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing the ARC of The Maid’s Secret.

I am a massive fan of Molly Gray - she is such a fun character and always has the best adventures!

I absolutely love that Molly finally gets a spotlight and is about to marry Juan. Of course, nothing with Molly can be simple, and she ends up in the midst of an art heist (one of my go to themes in a book). In classic Nita fashion, the plot was so well executed.

If you're a Maid / Molly fan, this is a must read continuing in the series.

Mysterious, sentimental, and fun!

The Maid’s Secret is a suspenseful, engaging tale that takes us back into the life of Molly Gray, a charming young maid who, after learning of the reality show Hidden Treasures filming at the hotel, decides to take some of her gran’s extraordinary things to be appraised only to discover that one of them is priceless and something somebody is really eager to steal, and the other is an item that will give her invaluable insight into a life once filled with wealth and betrayal.

The writing style is intricate and light. The characters are curious, supportive, and intriguing. And the plot is a well-paced, compelling tale of life, love, family, friendship, tricky situations, awkward moments, ruthless behaviour, deduction, and amateur sleuthing.

Overall, The Maid’s Secret is an immersive, satisfying, wonderful addition to the Molly the Maid series by Prose that once again confirms why this is and always will be a must-read series for me.

This book was a bit different than the first two Molly the Maid books. For one thing, there is no murder (although there is a theft). The other thing it there is more backstory on Molly's gran. This book feels almost as much about her as it does about Molly. Unfortunately, I didn't connect nearly as much to Flora as I do to Molly. Also, it was fairly apparent who had to be the perpetrator, as realistically there were only three suspects. That took away from some of the twists and turns.

As a result, this book came across more as social commentary on class and privilege than as a mystery. Still a good read, though.

⛓️ ARC REVIEW ⛓️

Thank you SO much @netgalley @penguinrandomhouse & @nitaprose for my early copy of The Maid’s Secret 🥹

I am so sad that this is the final instalment to the series, but it ended with a bang. I once again felt all the emotions in this story and I loved the dual timelines. Learning Grans story was intriguing and heartbreaking.

Molly is truly one of my favourite MC’s to date, and I just love her! Despite everything she had gone through, she is still the BEST egg.

The Maid’s Secret was released yesterday and is out in the world waiting for you!

Molly Gray returns with all the lovable quirks, unwavering honesty, and fierce loyalty that made her an instant literary favorite. Watching her navigate a new tangle of secrets, lies, and hidden truths - this time even closer to home-is as gripping as it is emotionally resonant. Prose deepens Molly's world in ways that are both touching and thrilling, allowing readers to see new sides of her while never losing the essence of what makes her so unique.

The Maid's Secret is everything I hoped for and more. Nita Prose has a rare gift for creating characters that stay with you long after the last page, and in this utterly captivating follow-up to The Maid, she delivers a story that's as charming, heartfelt, and delightfully mysterious as ever.

This book is more than just a mystery - it's a celebration of kindness, resilience, and the beauty of seeing the world a little differently. The Maid's Secret's is a triumph. I couldn't put it down. Easily one of the best reads of the year.

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose is the third in the mystery series starring a loveable (if rather  different)  protagonist, Molly Gray.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Penguin Random House and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.




Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Molly Gray is in her mid 20's, and the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel.  She's been there for over seven years, and very proud of her promotion to Head Maid, and now Special Events Manager has been added to her title.  Her boss is Mr. Snow. Molly's social skills are lacking. She lost her beloved grandmother, who had always helped Molly get through life's day-to-day situations, because she doesn't really "get" other people....their expressions, their actions, their intent.  So Molly is now left to interpret things on her own, although her boyfriend Juan Manual, and her grandfather Mr. Preston try to help. She loves her job, her uniform, her trolley, and she's a perfectionist.  Her best friend is Angela, the head barmaid, who is obsessed with true crime.




My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The Regency Hotel is hosting the reality TV show "Hidden Treasures", with the popular hosts Brown and Beagle, esteemed art appraisers.

The staff of the hotel are allowed to bring something in to have it appraised, and to everyone's surprise, Molly's treasure is worth millions. An old item from her gran's curio cabinet has made Molly a media sensation.  But Molly isn't happy with being the center of attention.  All she wants is to find a used wedding dress for her upcoming marriage to her beloved fiancé, Juan Manuel.  She doesn't want her life to change in any other way.  Then the treasure is stolen from the hotel.

Meanwhile, her grandfather gives Molly her gran's diary.  In this way, Molly discovers how her grandmother went from being a wealthy young woman to a maid.  The diary also provides the answer to the treasure's disappearance.




My Opinions:
I'm discovering that I'm really not a cozy mystery fan.  I like Molly, but I'm getting a little sick of her naivety.  However, I did enjoy this book, because I loved the story of her grandmother, told through the diary. 

This was another one of the feel-good mysteries, but as I said earlier, they don't really pack a punch, and the twist was a little weak.

The writing is good, if sometimes repetitive, and the characters are okay, but everything is a little too predictable.  Unfortunately, I imagine we will be hearing more from her mother in future books.

I enjoyed the first two books a little more, but if you are a fan of a light mystery, give Molly a chance.

I love these Molly the Maid books and this one was great because there was a lot of backstory about Molly's beloved grandmother and a bit of a unique mystery component that came together so well at the end. I found it engaging, humorous, sweet, and fun to read. The cast of characters is always nice to be reunited with and I could see this being the last book in the series but I hope not!

The art history and reflections on class and wealth and privilege really elevated this one for me as well.

Another great story from Nita Prose and definitely recommend if you've enjoyed the others in this series!

If you’re not familiar with Molly the Maid series, that’s ok, I feel there’s no need to read the previous books in order to read this one, though you’ll want to after this. Nita Prose does an excellent job of filling in all the people and places in Molly’s life, and is super easy to follow.
Now, for the readers who are familiar with this series, I will say that this book fells slightly different than the others- but in a good way. Has the author developed and grown in her writing? Or did the story (with dual timelines) allow for the change? Whatever it may be, I think it’s amazing!

Molly has worked hard and is now Head Maid and Special Events Manager, and she’s engaged to the equally sweet Juan Manuel.
A popular antique appraisal show (think Antique Roadshow) arrives at the hotel to film an episode at the beautiful old hotel. After getting a few items appraised, Molly finds her beloved Gran left her a priceless heirloom. If Molly decides to sells the heirloom, it is worth millions! For someone who has lived simply with her Gran, sometimes struggling to pay the rent, this is indeed life-changing! But before she can sell it, the heirloom is STOLEN. With the discovery of Gran’s personal diary, Molly knows the answers may lie within, she just needs to figure it all out.

This latest book in the Molly the Maid series is my favourite so far! I’m not just saying that. As a history fanatic, Antique Roadshow groupie (thank you PBS & Samsung 24hr Roadshow channel), and one who is simply intrigued with uncovering family secrets, this was right up my alley. Nita Prose has the talent writing design details that many miss (I still remember her describing the parquet flooring in the first book and can not only visualize it, but also smell it). Most importantly, she can weave an addictive cozy mystery with brilliant, lovable characters. Loved it!