Title: THE MAID’S SECRET
Author: NITA PROSE
ISBN: 9780008708559
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 336
Source: NetGalley
A wedding. A heist. A secret.
Molly Gray’s life is about to change in ways she could never have imagined. As the esteemed Head Maid and recently promoted Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel, good things are just around the corner, including her marriage to her beloved fiancé, Juan Manuel, only two months away.
But Molly’s entire existence is upended when a film crew descends upon the hotel to shoot the hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures, starring popular art appraisers Brown and Beagle. On a whim, Molly brings in a shoebox containing a few of her gran’s old things for appraisal, and much to everyone’s surprise, one item turns out to be a rare and priceless treasure. Instantly, Molly is both a multi-millionaire and a media sensation—the world’s rags-to-riches darling—until the priceless piece vanishes from the hotel in the boldest, brashest antiquities heist in recent memory.
The key to the mystery lies in the past, in a long-forgotten diary written by Molly’s gran. For the first time ever, Molly learns about Gran’s true-to-life fairytale, a young girl to the manor born, the only child of a wealthy magnate. But when Gran falls head over heels in love with a young man her parents deem below her station, her life is thrown into turmoil. As fate would have it, the greatest love of Gran’s life is someone Molly knows quite well….
Together with her friends, Molly combs the past and the present to catch the thief before looming threats against her become real.
Official Summary
25 March 2025
A Heartwarming and Clever Mystery
Nita Prose has once again delivered a captivating and heartwarming story with The Maid’s Secret. This delightful sequel brings back our beloved Molly Gray, whose quirky charm and unwavering dedication to her job make her an unforgettable protagonist. As the Head Maid and newly appointed Special Events Manager at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly is on top of the world—her wedding to Juan Manuel is just two months away, and life couldn’t be better.
But just as things are looking up, chaos ensues when a reality TV show crew arrives at the hotel, setting off a series of unexpected events. Molly’s decision to have one of her gran’s old items appraised takes a surprising turn when it’s revealed to be an invaluable treasure. Overnight, Molly becomes a media sensation, only for the priceless heirloom to vanish in a daring heist.
What I love most about The Maid’s Secret is how Prose seamlessly blends an intriguing mystery with heartfelt moments and character growth. The plot’s pacing is spot-on, balancing lighthearted humour with genuine emotion as Molly navigates the whirlwind of newfound fame and the looming threat of losing everything.
The real heart of the story lies in Gran’s past, revealed through a diary that unveils a fairytale romance, unexpected heartbreak, and secrets that resonate through generations. As Molly unearths the truth, readers are treated to a beautiful exploration of family, love, and resilience. The connection between Gran’s story and Molly’s present-day struggles adds depth and meaning to the narrative, making the resolution feel immensely satisfying.
Filled with endearing characters, clever plot twists, and a touch of quirkiness, The Maid’s Secret is a feel-good mystery that leaves you smiling long after the final page. Fans of The Maid will adore this sequel, and newcomers will quickly fall in love with Molly’s unique perspective on life. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a charming, well-crafted story with a dash of intrigue!
Also By Nita Prose
THE MAID
I am your maid. I know so much about you. But when it comes down to it: what is it that you know about me?”
Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misinterprets 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 had to navigate 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 turned on its head 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 very dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanour 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?
THE MYSTERY GUEST
Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J. D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tearoom floor.
When Detective Stark, Molly’s old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know: Who killed J. D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?
As the high-profile death threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer’s identity. But that key is buried deep in her past, as long ago, she knew J. D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery posthaste. Because if there’s one thing she knows for sure, it’s that secrets don’t stay buried forever.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Nita Prose is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide, The Mystery Guest and The Mistletoe Mystery. A Good Morning America Book Club pick, The Maid won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction, the Fingerprint Award for Debut Novel of the Year, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Barry Award for Best First Mystery. The Maid was also an Edgar Award finalist for Best Novel.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. I love Molly, this character quickly steals your heart. If you have not yet added this series to your TBR, what are you waiting for? I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you are looking for a light-hearted mystery with a feel-good ending, you won’t go wrong with this series. I would love to hear what you think of Molly Gray, please leave a comment below. Until next time….. Happy Reading!
