Nita Prose first captured my imagination with her novel The Maid, which I read last summer. I was instantly charmed by her original protagonist, Molly the maid—a neurodivergent hotel cleaner who unexpectedly becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. I loved her so much that I immediately picked up the sequel and devoured it just as quickly. When a Christmas-themed novella featuring Molly was released last fall, I didn’t hesitate to read that too. Prose has a knack for blending witty scenarios, clever mysteries, heartwarming romance, and the theme of found family into books that are a true delight. Naturally, I was eager to pick up her latest installment, The Maid’s Secret.
The last few years have brought plenty of change for Molly. First, her Gran succumbed to cancer, leaving her to face the world alone. It could have been terrifying—and at first, it was—but Molly soon found herself surrounded by people who accepted her, quirks and all. Since then, she’s been promoted to Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, found herself entangled in two high-profile police cases, reconnected with her long-lost grandfather, and even got engaged to the love of her life, Juan Carlos, a cook at the hotel. Yes, change has been a constant, and with a wedding on the horizon and a recent promotion to Special Events Coordinator (in addition to her duties as Head Maid), Molly is learning to embrace it in all its forms.
But nothing could prepare her for the biggest change yet. A film crew has arrived at the hotel to shoot the hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures. Just for fun, Molly brings in a shoebox of her Gran’s old belongings for appraisal, and to everyone’s shock, one item turns out to be a rare and priceless artifact. Suddenly, Molly becomes a rags-to-riches story, the kind that captures audiences across the nation. But just as she begins to process this overwhelming turn of events, another twist hits. The artifact is stolen in a bold heist.
The key to solving the mystery may lie in the locked diary of her late grandmother. To find the stolen treasure and regain control of her rapidly spiraling life, Molly will have to confront her family’s past and uncover secrets of Gran's history before it's too late.
With The Maid's Secret, Nita Prose continues to expand the world of her beloved heroine, pushing Molly’s story forward while peeling back the layers of her family's past. As the series has evolved, the sharp, twisty mysteries that defined the first two books have given way to narratives that lean more toward the cozy mystery genre. The stakes are lower, and the primary focus shifts more toward romance and personal discovery. It’s still enjoyable, but I’ll admit I miss the intrigue and tension that made the earlier books so gripping.
Prose alternates between present-day chapters and entries from Gran’s diary, offering a deeper glimpse into family history. While these glimpses eventually tie into the current mystery, I found myself less engaged with the diary sections. Ultimately, The Maid's Secret retains many of the elements that made the first book such a delight (Molly’s unique voice, the hotel setting, the warmth of found family), but their impact has softened. It’s a fun, feel-good read, just not quite a must-read.
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(2025, 49)
I've read similar comments about this latest Molly the Maid novel from other bloggers...it's good, but not as good as the first ones. I still want to read it, but I don't feel in a rush to get to it any time soon.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the character, so I suppose that makes it worth reading. But like I said, it isn't a must-read. I'd love to see Prose branch out to something different.
DeleteBook 1 is on my wishlist for one day :D
ReplyDeleteBook 1 is such a fun read!
DeleteI am not a big mystery reader, but I LOVE Molly the Maid. Glad you continue to enjoy the series.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one!
DeleteTo surprisingly find something that's worth a lot of money, only to have it stolen would make me so mad. This sounds great.
ReplyDeleteRight? That life-changing moment was taken from her in a flash!
DeleteI do love this series, but I agree the first one was the best. The audios are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI may have enjoyed this one more as an audiobook, honestly.
DeleteI didn't realize this was a series (or a mystery lol) but several people have recommended the first book.
ReplyDeleteThey make for some quick and fun reads!
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