The Maid: A Novel (Molly the Maid)

This book actually exceeded my expectations for a reason that I am not yet aware of. I enjoyed it a lot! :)

People oftentimes get made fun of or bullied just because they look different. Through Molly Gray in THE MAID, the author shows readers what it means to be (and look) the same as everyone else, yet be entirely different.

At first glance, THE MAID is a murder mystery whodunit thriller. Readers will quickly recognize that there is much more to the story. Molly Gray struggles with interpreting facial expressions and intentions of others, which leads to awkward social skills and interactions. Molly's grandmother did her best to interpret for Molly, until her death a few months prior to when our story begins.

Molly has what so many of us wish to have: her dream job. She's a maid at the Regency Hotel, where her love of proper behavior and cleaning are put to good use. Molly's joy at the sight of her clean, pressed uniform hanging on her locker each morning is so wholesome. It will make you look at your life, your work and notice the little things that bring you joy.

So, it all sounds like the opening of a Disney fairy tale, right? Family's dead, check. Modern day Cinderella, check. Of course we now must enter the villain and ruin the day which happens when Molly discovers a dead guest in the penthouse suite...and of course our poor Molly finds herself being considered as a suspect because no one understands that she is misreading their intentions and questions.

I have to say that while I did enjoy the murder mystery aspect, I really enjoyed walking a mile in Molly's shoes. Her joy at getting to go to work and doing what she loved, the joy cleaning her own home brought to her - seeing only the best in others - was such a delight and brought me to tears more than once. My heart broke when other characters took advantage of Molly or did not understand her behavior. I know some readers will find the mystery itself predictable...I think the author intended it that way, because to me the real story was about Molly getting over the death of her grandmother and finding her path in the aftermath. Even thought the whodunit is on the easy side to solve, there are a few moments in here that will have your eyebrows jumping into your hairline in surprise.

This book was a delight and one I look forward to reading again when I need a warm hug or a reminder that just because someone is different, it doesn't mean their heart is.

welp, this was fun

Really unique lead character. Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Wasn’t hard to figure out the “bad eggs” from the good but I don’t think it was supposed to be a true mystery of the ages but a discovery and growth of the author’s characters and maybe her readers. This was a breath of fresh air. I would recommend reading this book for personal and book club readers.

Enjoyed, quick read.