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The Maid: A Novel

Written by:
Nita Prose
Narrated by:
Lauren Ambrose

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
800
Narrator
168
Release Date
January 4, 2022
Duration
9 hours 37 minutes
Summary
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • “A heartwarming mystery with a lovable oddball at its center” (Real Simple), this cozy whodunit introduces a one-of-a-kind heroine who will steal your heart.
 
FINALIST FOR THE EDGAR® AWARD • “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 Book Review (Editors’ Choice)
 
“Think Clue. Think page-turner.”—Glamour

ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Reader’s Digest
WINNER: The Anthony Award, The Fingerprint Award, The Barry Award

In development as a major motion picture

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

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.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, The Guardian, Glamour, Elle, PopSugar, Newsweek, Mental Floss, She Reads, Kirkus Reviews
Reviews
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Elsy S.

what a boring book. please don't waste a credit on it

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Anonymous

Unpopular opinion here. If you want a \"cute\" murder mystery where everything is extremely convenient and nothing really happens, then this book is for you. This book for me was incredibly slow and the main character, Molly, literally rambles for what feels like hours. At one point, she seems like the most clever of individuals and at the next \"she doesn\'t think like other people and can\'t understand them\". I love that the author tried to be inclusive with this book but I truly feel like the mark was missed on this one. I wanted it to be so much better than it was but I was quite disappointed. I am giving 2 stars because there were times where I thought I might kinda enjoy it and I do love that the author was attempting to be inclusive. \r\n

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CT B.

Not a great mystery thriller but I did enjoy the narrator and I also liked the main character of the story.

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Anonymous

Good book to listen.

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Shelly T.

I loved the simplicity of the characters…a soothing remembrance of the past!

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Debra B.

A very light story. Molly the maid character drove me nuts. I kept waiting for a twist, but there wasn’t one.

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Janet M.

Really excellent book. I love that the main character has autism. The way it is written and the way it is read really bring her to life in a very accurate way. As a special Ed teacher I appreciate the addition of someone in the spectrum being the heroin of a book.

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Emma S.

Still listening but I really do like it. A few laugh out loud moments, relaxing.

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Crissi A.

This book is boring and poorly written. A lot of people are blaming the narrator, but I think she's doing her best to portray the characters, and the book is just... Not good. Don't waste your time!

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Edward B.

very good book

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Laura T.

Not the hype it was made out to be. Found it boring and unnecessarily drawn out.

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Anonymous

This book is Not Good. The main character feels like part ASMR describer, 5 year old, and OCD. The repetitive descriptions of cleaning and idea that someone who does not pick up on social cues could solve a murder is pretty ridiculous. Not a fan and would not recommend.

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Mia O.

Intriguing

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Anonymous

Boring, annoying

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Carol

great read

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Salvatore S.

Great story. Very well narrated..

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Anonymous

Loved the book; hated the ending

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Anonymous

I enjoyed the narrator.

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Ivette V.

Very good book to listen too.

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Svetty

A lovely engaging story. Great narration

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Anonymous

The first half of the story I found to be annoying. It was very repetitive and drawn out. However, there was enough interest in it that I kept listening and wanting to know what was going to come of it. I think Molly’s character was so much less drawn out in the second half. The second half seemed to be written more about the plot of the overall story and less about the character, Molly, if that makes any sense. It was a decent read, but I wouldn’t likely pick it up again.

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Susan

I enjoyed listening to this book. Enjoyed Molly.

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NAMRodman

I should admit from the start that I am a mother of daughters with mild but disabling delays. One is classified as intellectual delay, and she has the biggest heart, wants desperately to do the right thing but is short on urge-control.. ..SO, my opinion of this book was great. I hope others will find the characters, especially the protagonist charming, warm and wonderful. I am thrilled Ms.Prose wrote this book for besides being quite entertaining, it was informative. People should know that many productive people are among us who have only the kindest hearts and intentions, and deserve the respect given to others who appear to be higher functioning. She gave us insight to our hero’s view and emotional breath, the full range from complete innocence.. while the other characters were limited in their characterizations, for once this spotlighted the right hero. Yes, I adored the book and highly recommend it for all the reasons I have discussed.

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April B.

Great narration and I loved the main character.

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Suebabyt

Good book. I enjoyed it. Could understand the narrator very well.

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Anonymous

Dragged on too long.

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Gina F.

A “delightful” cozy mystery with a charming main character. I really enjoyed the personality the narrator gave Molly the maid. Not so much for Juan Manual, though.

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Anonymous

It’s easy to listen to.

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Jessica G.

Great read and story!

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Anonymous

Loved it.

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Cathey J.

Wow!! Excellent story, superbly told by Lauren Ambrose. Molly is a delightfully quirky girl. Can’t wait for a movie about this story. So many surprising twists and turns!

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Anonymous

I absolutely loved everything about this book. it kept my attention,and taught me about how others think. I loved it

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Anonymous

It’s full and if cliche, though an okay romance for the beach.

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Candice O.

I absolutely LOVED this book in every way!!!

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LettyF.

this book was pretty interesting... it got a little predictable, but overall, I enjoyed it

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Tree F.

Awesome main character

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Tracy C.

Interesting and different. I enjoyed the characters and their unique perspectives.

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Sonia S.

Not riveting. It was an easy listen. Not a horrible story. Sometimes you need a story that just interesting enough to beg out. I’m not going to say don’t get it. But if you only have one credit left and it’s gotta be great… maybe not this one

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Joanne D.

I really enjoyed this novel. A very different kind of main character. Interesting and enjoyable.

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Sarah H.

Semi-enjoyable, but not much mystery. I did spend a good bit of time wondering about the setting. Is it supposed to be America? Obviously, the narrator is American, and dollars are used, and all the police/lawyer stuff seems American, but all the characters speak like they’re from Britain. It’s a real disconnect! Someone should have flagged it long before it was published. It was bizarre hearing about making a “cuppa” and everyone’s sentence structure and word choices in general were definitely not American. I didn’t get it and it made it hard to get involved with the characters since the whole thing seemed so phoney.

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Anonymous

I enjoyed listening but except for the very end, everything was quite expected. Even the surprise at the end didn’t change much the rest of the story. Far from being a thriller…. But sweet and good to remind to respect and appreciate the ones who are different

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Anonymous

The storyline was too easy to figure out. I would have appreciated that previous reviews would have mentioned that the main character is Autistic. Very hard to get through.

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Glynette S.

Very good. Different kind of mystery.

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Katie

A fun story with great characters but overhyped and slightly underwhelming.

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Anonymous

I really liked this book! The main character is not the typical person found in mystery books. Having people in my life that function and thrive with OCD and other challenges made this book interesting to me. I loved the narrator, and kept picturing her in Can’t Hardly Wait.

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Beverly M.

This book was so refreshing and sweet. The plot twists kept me wondering. The narrator was perfect.

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Adria Sharon

enjoyable read!

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Carolyn C.

Excellent. Unexpected. Surprising ending. Well written. Wonderful characters.

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Reina H.

I really enjoyed the book. The main character was lovable and the supporting characters had good depth. I liked the narrator and the ending was predictable but good.

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Anne D.

I fell in love with Molly! I have interacted with many Molly's and could so relate to her literal thinking. I found myself smiling as I drove to work listening to this simple story.

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Nan M.

Thought it was a very good read ! Makes you think about human behavior towards others !! Treat nice good people with respect no matter what their position or “status “ is in life !

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Jeffrey O.

I loved the prime and proper maid with an unending desire to immaculately restore each room to perfection. Her inner desires lead to a very cool plot buster at the end.

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Anonymous

This story was so incredibly boring. Molly was completely unrelated-able and not just by a little. I wish I had just stopped half way through like I wanted to, but I like to finish things. Don’t waste your time.

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Deborah R.

Quirky and good.. maybe because I am drawn to people who are “different” and their stories… Surprised that I liked it so much!

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Anonymous

Cute. It was an okay book, definitely not great. I was rather disappointed by the ending. I kept waiting for a twist that never happened. I regret using a credit on it.

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Ally B

The dialogue was a bit rudimentary but overall a good story. The book could’ve been shorter by a few chapters. Not one of my favorites but enjoyable

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Judy P.

This is on of the best books I’ve read all year. I fell in love with Molly the maid !!! She made me laugh and cry!! This story shows how cruel people can be just because you aren’t like them but it shows also how kind people still are in this messed up world.

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Linda M.

An unusual mystery. The main character is engaging and very different - also very appealing. The atmosphere of the story feels back in time and I was surprised when part-way through, she mentioned a cell phone. I would recommend the book though I felt the near-resolution part was weak and predictable and not lifelike, and the add-on was a problem. I would recommend it because it is so unusual and does make one think about how different minds perceive the world. The narration was excellent throughout.

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Anonymous

Very entertaining book. I loved Molly, the maid's personality and the narrator was great at delivering her lines. Good mystery. Kept me guessing.

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Amy H.

The book was entertaining, and yes, I do recommend it. That being said, its “wisdom” was questionable at times. Would have been better if the author stuck to mystery and didn’t try to tie it all up with a higher message. Maybe this wouldn’t have bothered me so much if the message conveyed was actually solid. “Doing the wrong thing in order to do the right thing”? Rarely. And far from justified for the characters and circumstances in this book. So in my opinion, this message took away from the entertaining story and likable characters. But again, I still recommend the book. Definitely listen. The narrator was excellent.

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Mary F.

This story kept me wanting to take the back roads home just so I could hear just one more chapter. Really good and the narration is terrific!

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Brittany B.

So good!!!

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Leticia T.

So intriguing! The narrator is si good. Extremely entertaining. Love the narrator can't wait to hear her again. The book kept me guessing, surprise ending!

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Jen42

well written and read. Great story and insight to those we live around everyday, but don't always "see".

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Kristi P.

Binged in 2 days! So good. Love the main character and The Who dunnit concept

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Christina B.

good but nothing like Clue as it has been compared to.

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Nicole K.

Couldn’t stop listening to the book. I binged it all in a day!

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Patricia F.

The story was interesting and the narrator had a pleasant voice.

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Anonymous

Wonderful story, well writen & spoken. Says a lot to think about and remember as we meet & encounter new people & situations as well as how to notice & value simple things and kindnesses. Yet all said within the story, like a hidden gem for reader to discover. Ready to hear more from both author & narrator.

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