Julie 's Reviews > The Maid

The Maid by Nita Prose is a 2022 Ballantine Books publication.

Young Molly Gray, a naïve and socially awkward maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, is trying to cope with the death of her beloved Gran, who raised her.

Without Gran to help her understand and navigate social cues, Molly’s naivete works against her when she discovers a prominent guest dead in his bed. She quickly becomes a person of interest based on a few missteps on her part as well as her unemotional responses to law enforcement.

Thankfully, Molly has a wider support system than she imagined.

Does Molly know something that could help solve this locked-room mystery and keep her from going to prison for a crime she didn’t commit?

I have written, re-written, edited, then re-written this review at least ten times- and I’m not exaggerating. I have a lot to say about it, and desperately wanted to post a ‘rant’ review. That said, this is pretty much a standard cozy, with one notable exception, and I realized I am over analyzing again- and I needed to take it down a notch. (Not that was entirely successful in doing that.)

Based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews for this book, I was expecting something truly exceptional, but basically, it’s your standard locked room setup, with some cozy elements.

There was nothing here that I haven’t seen in any other light mystery novel- and I should know because I read my fair share of them.

So, what it all boils down to is Molly. Am I right?

While I applaud giving those on the spectrum a voice in books, television and movies, Molly’s depiction made me uncomfortable, and there were gaping inconsistencies- (most of which have apparently been overlooked here, where in any other situation they would have gotten a book ripped to shreds by more discerning readers.)

It is just that at times it felt as though the reader was expected to laugh at Molly’s expense, like she was the butt of a joke, and it made me squirm in my seat. I didn't like the way her character was represented, or the way she was treated.

I’m sorry- I know I’m an outlier here, and once again, I might be taking it way more seriously than I should, but you don’t have to agree or take my word for it- lots of people have simply adored Molly-er- I mean this book- so check it out for yourself.

That said, if you liked this mystery, then you’ll enjoy other cozies too. They are notorious for featuring quirky, charming, and offbeat characters….


Overall, I really wanted to like this book, but it was disappointing in so many ways- The mystery was okay- but nothing special- and as for the rest, I have some real concerns… but I’ll just shut-up now before I dig myself in any deeper.

2 stars