THE MAID'S SECRET

5 stars out of 5

Gotta admit to getting a little teary-eyed at this one, sometimes happily, sometimes bittersweet. As the infamous Molly the Maid, head maid at the swanky Regency Grand Hotel, prepares to marry her fiance and Regency chef Juan Manuel, she gets up-close-and-personal insights of her ancestors by way of a diary written by her beloved Gran.

More surprisingly, though, is that Molly has noticeably morphed from a socially inept neat freak with OCD to a loving partner and beloved co-worker (well, most of the neat freakiness is still there). I haven't quite preferring the original version - but it works for this story, since the focus is on Molly's family history. As she and Juan try to plan their wedding with very little money to spare, Molly decides to take a box of her Gran's things she's saved and cherished over the years to the airing of a popular TV program similar to "Antiques Road Show" that's to be filmed at the hotel. Maybe, she thinks, one of them might be worth a little something.

As it turns out, one of them is worth far, far more than a little. But right after the winning bid is announced, it's discovered that the prized possession has somehow disappeared - making Molly a 5-minute millionnaire and dashing all hopes for a halfway decent wedding. But when Molly discovers that an old key unlocks her Gran's diary, family secrets Molly never knew - and clues as to who's behind the theft - are unlocked as well. And not a minute too soon; whoever is behind the theft has made it clear that Molly's life is in danger.

All the rest is the thrill of the chase, and it's another engaging and entertaining journey. Now, I eagerly await the fourth installment - and once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. Well done!

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose (Ballantine Books, April 2025); 336 pp.

THE MYSTERY GUEST

5 stars out of 5

When I first met hotel maid Molly Gray in the first book of the series (appropriately titled "The Maid"), her quirks drove me right up a wall. Still, I loved the book - and inexplicably, Molly; so much so that I was eager to get my hands on the next installment. Molly's quirkiness didn't seem quite as over the top as before (or maybe I've just become accustomed to her idiosyncracies), and I enjoyed this one thoroughly as well.

Molly, it seems, is perfectly suited for work as a maid; thanks in part to coaching by her late grandmother, who also worked as a maid, she never settles for anything less than perfection to please guests at the Regency Grand Hotel where she works. In fact, she's now Head Maid; and it was she who wrote the job handbook for all the other maids to follow (to the letter, if Molly has any say in the matter; she brings OCD to a whole new level).

After a harrowing involvement in a murder in the first book, Molly got a promotion and is, inasmuch as she's capable of, happy with the way her life is going. She's got a live-in significant other, and although she misses her Gran terribly, she's learning to cope on her own by, in part, relying on memories of happier days. As this one begins, the hotel - under Molly's watchful eye - is preparing for a visit by renowned mystery writer J.D. Grimthorpe. Just as he takes the podium to make a big announcement, though, he topples over - never to write another word. Needless to say, it's almost a given that a butler did it - or in this case, a maid. This time, the maid under scrutiny isn't Molly, but Lily, her shy maid-in-training. And once again, Molly must deal with NYPD's Detective Stark, with whom she had a serious run-in in the first book. 

Little by little, surprising clues turn up - some by way of chapters that revert to Molly's younger years - until, of course, the culprit is revealed. There's even a surprise at the end that brings to light new possibilities for Molly in the next installment. I'll be waiting - and while I do I'll say thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for letting me read and review a pre-release copy of this one. A fun series!

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (Ballantine Books, November 2023); 277 pp.

THE MAID

5 stars out of 5

If nothing else, I'll give this one 5 stars for originality, not to mention grabbing my attention from the beginning and holding it throughout. The focus is on Molly Gray, who is employed as a maid at a fancy hotel. But she's neither typical nor run-of-the-mill; I'd describe her as someone who is seriously socially deficient with OCD. Her whole life is wanting to please and going to extremes to follow instructions to the letter from those she respects - her boss and, until her death a few months ago, her grandmother, with whom she lived.

Now, one of her two life's compasses is gone - her Gran - leaving her to fend for herself with nothing but memories of things the elderly woman used to say to keep her grounded. More than ever before, Molly's work becomes her life; nothing makes her happier than making a guest's room spotless - just as she continues to make her home that way even though Gran is gone. The slightest rule infraction by others or upset in her routine drives her almost over the edge; imagine, then, her reaction when she starts to clean the hotel suite occupied by wealthy Charles Black and his beautiful wife Giselle and discovers the man in his bed - quite dead.

As the subsequent investigation proceeds, Molly finds herself moving from person of interest to prime suspect. In her naivete, Molly is, if nothing else, a trusting soul - totally unable to see the bad in people or comprehend that anyone would ever even think about taking advantage of her. That attribute cost her dearly in the past, and it stands to do her in now as she turns to for help to people who may not be on the up-and-up. On the plus side, she's certainly not devoid of real friends - people who understand her quirkiness and social shortcomings and want to help. Eventually, everything gets sorted out, with a couple of twists I didn't see coming (though they're not as serious as I'd expected to see happen).

Bottom line? If you're looking for a story that's thoroughly entertaining and a bit different, I suggest giving this one a try. I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

The Maid by Nita Prose (Ballantine Books, January 2022); 304 pp.