Book Review: The Maid by Nita Prose

Let me tell you about a book I devoured in one sitting—yes, one glorious, uninterrupted sitting where the world ceased to exist and only this utterly delicious story mattered. That book? The Maid by Nita Prose.

If you haven’t read it yet, stop what you’re doing, grab a cup of tea (or a bottle of wine, no judgment), and let me convince you why this needs to be your next read.

So, the story centres around Molly Gray, a maid at the prestigious Regency Grand Hotel. Now, Molly is not your average protagonist. She’s quirky, literal to a fault, and has a unique way of seeing the world that makes her both endearing and hilariously awkward. Think Eleanor Oliphant meets Sherlock Holmes, but with a feather duster in hand. She’s the kind of character you want to hug, even though she’d probably prefer you didn’t because, well, boundaries. Molly’s life revolves around her job. She takes immense pride in restoring hotel rooms to a state of perfection. She’s got a system, she’s got rules, and she’s got a love for those little bottles of shampoo that’s borderline religious. But beneath her polished exterior, Molly’s navigating a lonely life, still reeling from the loss of her beloved Gran, who raised her and was the only person who truly understood her.

Now, here’s where things get juicy. One day, Molly discovers a guest—the fabulously wealthy and equally shady Mr. Black—dead in his suite. Naturally, chaos ensues. Suddenly, Molly finds herself entangled in a murder investigation, and let’s just say she’s not exactly equipped for this level of drama. She’s got no poker face, no social finesse, and no idea how to handle the police, who quickly zero in on her as a suspect. I mean, can you imagine? Poor Molly! But also, the drama! I was living for it.

Mystery novels often come with a certain vibe—dark, brooding, and full of tension. But The Maid flips the script by adding a generous dash of humor to the mix. It’s not just a whodunit; it’s a laugh-out-loud, deeply engaging story that drags you in from the first page and refuses to let go. The humor is perfectly balanced with the suspense, making it a refreshing take on the genre. You’ll be giggling at Molly’s unfiltered thoughts one moment and biting your nails over a plot twist the next.

What makes The Maid so utterly delightful is the way Nita Prose weaves together mystery, humour, and heart. The murder plot is twisty and satisfying, but the real magic lies in Molly’s perspective. Her observations about people and life are so refreshingly honest, they’ll make you laugh out loud one minute and tear up the next. There’s also this incredible cast of side characters—some you’ll love, some you’ll love to hate, and some you’ll suspect of murder at every turn. (Trust me, you’ll change your mind about who did it at least five times.)

And let’s talk about the writing. Nita Prose’s prose (pun absolutely intended) is crisp, clever, and oh-so-readable. She’s got this way of making even the most mundane details—like folding toilet paper into those fancy little triangles—feel fascinating. Honestly, I’ll never look at a hotel room the same way again.

But beyond the mystery and the humour, The Maid is also a story about connection and kindness. It’s about finding your people, even when you feel like you don’t quite fit. It’s about the power of small acts of compassion and the courage it takes to be unapologetically yourself. And isn’t that what we all need a little more of?

By the time I reached the last page, I was grinning like an idiot and already mourning the fact that it was over. That’s how good it is. It’s the kind of book you want to shove into your best friend’s hands and say, “Read this immediately so we can gush about it together!” So here I am, doing exactly that.

Do yourself a favour and pick up The Maid. It’s charming, it’s clever, and it’s got a heart as big as Molly’s cleaning cart. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll probably never trust hotel staff the same way again. But most importantly, you’ll have an absolute blast.