The Maid, by Nita Prose, published January 4, 2022, is an absorbing mystery that will engage its readers from the start with its elements of the movie Clue, Agatha Christie-esque puzzle, and satisfying twists.

            Main character Molly Gray (or, Molly Maid as she is known among acquaintances) narrates the story, letting readers into her hygienic world in which order is vital and a job well done at her place of employment, the Regency Grand Hotel, means bringing guest rooms “back to a state of perfection.” Raised by her late grandmother who had been employed as a housekeeper for a wealthy family nearby, Molly values cleanliness and manners and takes her responsibilities very seriously—even to a point the reader will find humorous. However, her stable world is overturned when she finds one of her guests, billionaire Mr. Black, dead in his bed. Still wading in grief from losing her grandmother, Molly is unsure who to turn to for support when she finds herself the prime suspect in the case.

            This novel successfully presents Molly as a neuro-divergent character (autistic) tangled up with people who misunderstand her, as well as take advantage of her. Showing heart, strength, and gullibility, readers will find her character one with whom they can empathize and relate. There is depth to Molly’s insights, and some of them might just bring a tear to your eye. Explaining how her mind works, she says, “My truth is not the same as yours because we don’t experience life in the same way. We are all the same in different ways.” And more profundity as she navigates black and white, truth and lies, she says, “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.”

               While the puzzle is strong, so is the red herring, as are the twists that happen in the final act. As the story unfolds, the reader is just as perplexed as Molly regarding who is trustworthy and who is the criminal. While this reader has some qualms with the decisions the main character makes throughout the novel with handling the truth, The Maid is satisfying and hard to put down. Overall it is a very worthwhile read and I highly recommend.