The Maid

Author: Nita Prose

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia

Genre: Fiction Crime, Cosy Crime, Thriller, Contemporary, Mystery

Year of Release: 2022

Release Date: 2^nd February 2022

Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis

I am your maid.

I know about your secrets. Your dirty laundry.

But what do you know about me?

Molly the maid is all alone in the world. A nobody. She’s used to being invisible in her job at the Regency Grand Hotel, plumping pillows and wiping away the grime, dust and secrets of the guests passing through. She’s just a maid – why should anyone take notice?

But Molly is thrown into the spotlight when she discovers an infamous guest, Mr Black, very dead in his bed. This isn’t a mess that can be easily cleaned up. And as Molly becomes embroiled in the hunt for the truth, following the clues whispering in the hallways of the Regency Grand, she discovers a power she never knew was there. She’s just a maid – but what can she see that others overlook?

Escapist, charming and introducing a truly original heroine, The Maid is a story about how everyone deserves to be seen. And how the truth isn’t always black and white – it’s found in the dirtier, grey areas in between . . .

Review

Welcome to the Regency Grand Hotel; a five-star boutique Hotel in the heart of the city that prides itself on sophisticated elegance and proper decorum. An employee by the name of Molly Grey enjoys nothing more than to wipe away every trace of dirt and grime or as she likes to say, “Return your room to a state of perfection.” making it as if you were never there at all.

If only social situations were as easy as removing unwanted dust or secrets things were much easier and people were far less confusing, when Gran was around at least she could be relied upon to clear up any confusion answer any questions Molly might have, all of this might have been avoided.

“My truth is not the same as yours because we don’t experience life in the same way.”
― Nita Prose, The Maid

Monday: Molly is making good progress on her rooms for the day, her maid’s trolley, her trusty companion, her safety net is never far away, it’s around 3:00pm and Molly is about to tackle the penthouse suite, Mr Blacks’ suite for the final time that shift. Entering the suite, she’s found Mr Black has expired in the bed; yes, the wicked Mr Black has indeed died, try as she might Molly cannot make this blemish disappear, what can she Molly Grey do? She’s just the maid after all! Molly the invisible maid. 

I was intently drawn to The Maid for the title, I’m sure most of us are aware of the influence a cover can have on a reader but there was just something about the simplicity that made me want to investigate further, thanks to author Nita Prose’s skilled and clever writing throughout I wasn’t able to put this down, but also didn’t want it to end. Nita Prose has peened a spectacular novel that I am sure once you’ve read this book you’ll find it hard to believe this is a debut novel rather than a 3^rd or 4^th offering.

“It’s easier than you’d ever think—existing in plain sight while remaining largely invisible. That’s what I’ve learned from being a maid.”
― Nita Prose, The Maid

I am sure there are going to be plenty of reader’s who find this book not as heavy on surprise, heart-pounding moments as they were hoping for perhaps even somewhat predictable; for me as the reader

‘not as heavy on surprise, heart-pounding moments’ is something I really appreciated. I am much more comfortable with a strong character-based book than I am being put on edge so mature reader’s if you’re looking for an edge of your seat thriller this might not be for you, keep that in mind; however, if you’re like me and seek a cosy mystery read grab a copy.

 Having now finishing the book, when I think about making improvements The Maid could’ve done a little more in the way to keep the plot twist a surprise a lot longer, Molly being such an enjoyable character, I was able to completely forget that detail until the end of the book.  

The Author has done a spectacular job in crafting characters that any reader will care about, even the characters that might succeed to get under your nose were well thought about and at times I found myself wanting the best for even them.

“I’ve been called many a thing in my quarter century, and what I’ve learned is that the common expression about sticks and stones often hurt far less than words.”
― Nita Prose, The Maid

I enjoyed the relationships between Molly and Gran Molly and Mr Preston these lighter moments were what gave The Maid it’s 5- star rating. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down, I believe this was thanks to the fast-paced plot. I didn’t feel as if was waiting for something to happen the novel is in continuous motion from start to finish.

The Maid does touch on some heavier subjects’ terminal illness, immigration, physical abuse and illicit substances. I was very disappointed for this book to come to an end, but I am eager to see the movie, I hope it lives up to the hype. I am even more exited to read more Cosy Mystery’s and Nita Prose in the future.

With continued thanks to Harper Collins Australia for sending a copy to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.