The January selection for our book club was a delightful debut novel by Nita Prose who was inspired to write it as a result of walking into her hotel room and startling the maid. She began to think that a maid really knows quite a bit about the hotel guests, whereas the guests know nothing about the maid. So began the story of Molly Gray, a very conscientious maid at the luxury Regency Grand Hotel.
Molly was raised by her grandmother after her mother disappeared from their lives. Gran had a profound influence on Molly in her actions and thoughts even after she had died. Molly continues the same cleaning routine of their apartment and hear her grandmother's voice when faced with a decision. Molly was not very comfortable in social situations whether because of her isolation in living with her grandmother or, perhaps, because she may have been autistic.
She is a very hard worker and finds it difficult to understand how other maids can't be so dedicated to their work, especially the head maid, Cheryl, who steals tips from the other maids. One day when cleaning the penthouse suite, she discovers the body of Mr. Black, a tycoon and frequent guest in the hotel. Molly and Black's wife, Giselle, are close acquaintances and Molly has no idea of what has happened. Molly becomes embroiled in the investigation of what is, perhaps, considered murder.
To detail the rest of the plot would inevitably spoil the enjoyment of the novel. Throughout The Maid reminds the reader of an Agatha Chirstie "who-done-it" with twists, turns and red herrings. At the same time it is like the game of Clue - was it Molly with a rope, Rodney with a knife, Juan Manuel with a hammer? The characters are well-developed, the writing flowing, and the resolution a real surprise! It was a delightful mystery with which to curl up in front of a fire and have a cup of tea or two!
