Review
OVER 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE
*WINNER OF THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL CRIME FICTION*
SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDGAR ALLAN POE BEST NOVEL AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE KOBO EMERGING WRITER PRIZE
INSTANT #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER• GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • CITYLINE BOOK CLUB PICK • “A twist-and-turn whodunit, set in a five-star hotel, from the perspective of the maid who finds the body. Think Clue. Think page-turner.”—Glamour
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE •ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022—Glamour, W magazine, PopSugar, The Rumpus, Book Riot, CrimeReads, She Reads, Daily Hive, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Stylist, Canadian Living
One of:
Glamour’s “40 Best Books of 2022”
鶹’s “Best mysteries and thrillers of 2022”
Book Riot’s “Most Giftable Books of 2022”
The List’s “Best Mystery Books of 2022”
Daily Hive’s “22 Best Books of 2022”
Washington Post’s “12 best thriller and mystery novels of 2022”
Business Insider’s “Top 20 mystery and thriller books of 2022”
Authorlink’s “Best Books of 2022”
Goodreads’s "Best Mystery and Thriller of 2022"
Loanstars’s “Best of the brightest – 2022 top pick”
Yahoo!’s “Mysteries, thrillers perfect for the spooky season”
Glam’s “15 Spooky Reads To Get Into The Halloween Spirit”
The List’s “Best Thrillers To Read On Your Weekend Getaway”
NPR’s “13 books full of thrills and chills for Halloween”
The Everygirl’s “18 Cozy Mystery Books to Curl Up with this Weekend”
Elle’s “Favorite Books of 2022”
CBC’s “Top 10 Canadian Books of 2022”
Marie Claire’s “30 Best Mystery Thriller Books to Read in Fall 2024”
Praise for The Maid:
“Excellent and totally entertaining . . .the most interesting (and endearing) main character in a long time.”
—Stephen King
“An endearing debut. . . . Prose threads a steady needle with the intricateplotting, the locked-room elementsof the mystery and especially Molly’s character. The reader comes to understand Molly’s worldview, and to sympathize with her longing to be accepted—a quest that gives The Maid real emotional heft.”
—The New York Times
“Prose delves into the issues—of difference, of justice—with a touch as gentle as the humour. . . . Adebut novel that seems to fall into the category of overnight success.”
—Toronto Star
“Devotees of cozy mysteries, rejoice: Nita Prose’s debut, The Maid, satisfies on every level—from place to plot to protagonist. . . . The delight of reading The Maid lies partly in watching a hectic cast of characters unravel . . . as the crime is properly solved. It also lies in seeing Molly learn that thinking differently does not equal giving up friendship or high standards. What begins as a sprightly murder mystery turns into a meaningful, and at times even delicate, portrait of growth.”
—NPR
“A smart, riveting, and deliciously refreshing debut.”
—Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of Then She Was Gone
“The Maid is a masterful, charming mystery that will touch your heart in ways you could never expect. The endearing, unforgettable Molly reminds us to challenge our assumptions about one another, and shows us how meaningful it is to feel truly seen in the world. More than a whodunit, The Maid is layered—Prose makes us consider how far we’d go for the people we love, and what we owe ourselves above all else. This is the smart, quirky, uplifting read we need.”
—Ashley Audrain, #1 bestselling author of The Push
“A shining debut . . . featuring a heroine with a few tricks up her well-pressed sleeves. Uplifting and assured, this debut will have readers rooting for its eccentric yet lovable protagonist Molly. A cozy whodunit with heart, The Maid is sure to leave mystery lovers delighted, charmed, and eager for more of Prose’s work.”
—Karma Brown, #1 bestselling author of Recipe for a Perfect Wife
“For anyone who has ever felt out of step with the world, no matter how hard they try to fit it, Nita Prose has blessed us with Molly Gray. Molly Gray is a charmingly naïve maid who uses Columbo as a moral compass and considers Olive Garden the fanciest restaurant on Earth. Her endearingly odd interactions with gangsters and murderers made me love her more with every page. Prose has written an outrageously delightful murder mystery.”
—Heather O'Neill, author of The Lonely Hearts Hotel and When We Lost Our Heads
“A sensational, inspiring debut. . . . It took only a few lines for me to fall hopelessly in love with hotel maid Molly Gray.Being in Molly’s mind is like eating ice cream on a hot summer day: delicious and refreshing. The Maid is flawlessly paced, with a mesmerizing Clue-like plot and a meticulous mystery with unexpected twists and turns. Once you flip the last page, you'll want to start this brilliant, unforgettable book again from the very beginning.”
—Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge
“I am bedazzled by the charm of Molly the Maid. . . . This novel is thoroughly entertaining, intriguing and utterly compelling, with a central character who will fascinate and engage readers all over the world.”
—Liz Nugent, #1 bestseller of Little Cruelties
“Fresh, fiendish and darkly beguiling. The Maid is so thrillingly original, and clever, and joyous. I just adored every page.”
—Chris Whitaker, Sunday Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End
“Molly the Maid has captured my heart! I loved this charming and utterly original whodunit—Molly is an eccentric and unforgettable sleuth who captivated me and kept me furiously turning the pages. Put this on your to-read pile immediately. A brilliant debut.”
—Sarah Pearse, New York Times-bestselling author of The Sanatorium
“Wow, what an incredible debut! I've seldom come across such a great cast of fictional characters, especially, of course, Molly the maid. I was completely enthralled by her adventure and enjoyedeveryminute ofthis charmingbook.”
—Hazel Prior, bestselling author of How the Penguins Saved Veronica
“It’s impossible not to love Molly, an endearing, eccentric hotel maid. . . . Like any cozy whodunit, clean appearances may in fact hide a few smudges. The twists and surprises keep coming until the very last page of this delightfully fresh debut.”
—Sarah Penner, New York Times-bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary
“Wٳ The Maid comes an exciting and formidable new voice. A gripping and heart-warming whodunnit narrated by an intriguing and original heroine. Skilfully layered and masterfully told. I loved it.”
—Santa Montefiore, author of The Secret Hours
“A gloriously entertaining read, and Molly is a delicious character with hidden depths. The pages turn effortlessly as the story unfolds, but don’t get too relaxed: there’s a clever sting in the tail. This novel will delight readers of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Thursday Murder Club.”
—Jane Johnson, author of The Sea Gate
“[The Maid] is an absolute treat. Funny, clever, with a unique and captivating narratorwho will keep you guessing until the very end. Delightful!”
—Beth Morrey, bestselling author of The Love Story of Missy Carmichael
“The most charming, original, and nuanced book you'll read all year. The Maid manages to be mysterious, propulsive, and heartwarming at once, and Molly is a character you'll fiercely love. Nita Prose is an explosive talent and The Maid is a one-of-a-kind masterwork that defies labels.”
—Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, bestselling author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here
“Unlike anything else I’ve read, [The Maid] kept me up way past lights out. The protagonist is completely original and very endearing. Thoroughly recommend.”
—Katie Fforde, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Springtime Affair
“A murder mystery set in a luxury hotel, The Maid is equal parts fun and intrigue. Prose nails the voice of her narrator, Molly the Maid, who reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant with her shrewd observations and inadvertent humor. I felt like I was leaving a friend behind when I turned the last page. A supremely clever and heartwarming story that is not to be missed.”
—Stephanie Wrobel, bestselling author of Darling Rose Gold
“A charming, clever, and wholly original whodunit. I cheered and felt deeply for Molly the Maid—a complex and masterfully drawn protagonist I won't soon forget.”
—Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here
“The Maid is a charming and compelling mystery, told by a delightfully quirky and original heroine, Molly. Beautiful writing, an intriguing mystery, and a colourful cast of friends and sleuths, ensure The Maid sparkles with wit and tension.”
—Lucy Clarke, author of You Let Me In
“Nita Prose is back with another winning page turner featuring hotel maid Molly Gray, the most charming amateur sleuth in modern literature. This time, when a hotel guest turns up dead—very dead—Molly must dig into her own memory for clues not only to solve the murder, but also to put together the pieces of her own past. Prepare to fall in love with this utterly charming, fast-paced, clever whodunit full of laughs and overflowing with heart. I loved every second spent in Molly’s world and can’t wait to see where Prose takes us next.”
—Kristen Harmel, New York Times Bestselling author
“A compelling take on the classic whodunit.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.”
—SHEMAZING
“The Maid is a simple, cozy mystery, reminiscent of the board game “Clue.” What elevates this story is the charm and heart of the leading character who bumbles her way through a web of lies and deception, leading to an utterly satisfying ending. If you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, make a point to seek out this engaging gem.”
—The Augusta Chronicle
“This is a charming debut novel that is a cross between the characterisation that we found in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and the humour of a Richard Osman crime novel.”
—The Hunts Post
“A cozy crime thriller that’s not only uplifting but also an emotional read too. One of the best mystery books on our list.”
—Woman & Home
“This completely unique murder mystery thriller is surprisingly heart-warming given the subject matter, and features possibly one of the most memorable female protagonists you’ll meet all year.”
—Female First (UK)
“It’s a little hard to believe the Prose is a debut author with The Maid. . . . Prose has created a complex and human character in Molly. The Maid is heartily recommended for fans who enjoy stories featuring characters with diverse abilities, such as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, readers of traditional or cozy mysteries, or anyone who wants a feel-good story with a quick pace.”
—Madison Public Library
“The Maid is a compelling thriller that is smart, quick-paced and intricate, and promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
—Telegraph India
“This sweet mystery is served with a dollop of dark comedy, and the likeable Molly is a character that will stay with you long after you finish the final chapter.”
—Independent.ie (Ireland)
“The Maid by Nita Prose is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.”
—SouthCoastToday
“[A] buzzy debut novel.”
—Book Riot
“Escapist, charming and introducing a truly original heroine, The Maid is a story about how everyone deserves to be seen. And how the truth isn’t always black and white—it’s found in the dirtier, grey areas in between.”
—Sunday Times
“The Maid is an upbeat. . . . charming, and heartwarming novel.”
—Hamlet Hub
“Prose’s debut is reminiscent of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and her protagonist is a lonely but lovable heroine who provides comedy and pangs of sympathy in equal measure.”
—You Magazine
“[R]iveting yet quirky. . . . The Maid by Nita Prose is asurprisingly delightful, hard-to-put-down, murder mystery that will keep you reading late into the night. And, after you finish, if you happened to meet Molly Gray on the street, despite her awkwardness and odd-behavior, you would definitely want to sit down with her for a cup of tea.”
—KPCW (NPR)
“I [have] yet to read anything quite like The Maid—a beautifully crafted novel that sits at the intersection of crime and wisdom. It is an unputdownable page-turner that feels like gazing into a mirror. [R]iveting and deliciously refreshing.”
—Deccan Herald
“If you love Only Murders in the Building, you’ll want to read: The Maid by Nita Prose. [A] charming murder mystery. . . . [H]eartwarming.”
—Reader’s Digest
“This is a heartwarming debut that has humanity at its core, and it’s a mystery that you will love to uncover alongside Molly.”
—The List
“[A] fun mystery . . . [and] Prose’s loving depiction of her characters creates true emotional depth.”
̧
“[S]imultaneously cozy and suspense-filled . . . The Maid follows an idiosyncratic young woman [named Molly]. . . . with her unique voice, world outlook, and quirky group of friends proving to be an unexpected asset to and refreshing break from the stiflingly unimaginative approach of the police on the case.”
—Marie Claire
About the Author
NITAPROSE is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of TheMysteryGuest and The Maid, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide. A Good Morning America Book Club pick, The Maid won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction, the Fingerprint Award for Debut Book of the Year, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Barry Award for Best FirstMystery. The Maid was also an Edgar Award finalist for Best Novel. VisitNitaatnitaprose.com.
Instagram and X: @NitaProse
That’s the trouble with pain. It’s as contagious as a disease. It spreads from the person who first endured it to those who love them most. Truth isn’t always the highest ideal; sometimes it must be sacrificed to stop the spread of pain to those you love. Even children know this intuitively.Highlighted by 188 Kindle readers
