The Maid (novel) explained

The Maid: A Novel
Author:Nita Prose
Language:English
Genre:Mystery
Pub Date:January 4, 2022
Publisher:Ballantine Books
Isbn:9780593356159
Awards:Goodreads Choice Award (2022)

The Maid: A Novel is a 2022 murder mystery debut novel by Canadian author Nita Prose.

In 2021, a film adaptation of the novel was announced, with Florence Pugh cast in the lead role.[1]

Plot

Molly Gray is a dedicated maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, where she finds immense joy in her job, particularly in returning messy rooms to a state of perfection. Her love for cleaning is palpable, and she takes pride in the well-stocked maid's trolley with all its cleaning supplies. However, Molly's passion for cleanliness doesn't translate into an understanding of social cues or the ability to navigate relationships.

Molly is considered odd by her co-workers, who don't share her enthusiasm for their work. Her closest friend, her grandmother, has passed away, leaving her feeling alone. Molly is also easily deceived by cunning individuals.

One day, when Molly enters the penthouse suite to clean, she discovers the most prestigious hotel guest, Mr. Black, has been murdered. Due to a series of comically unfortunate events, Molly becomes the prime suspect in the murder investigation, leading to a scandal that not only threatens the hotel's reputation but also her own livelihood.

Reception

The Maid was generally well-received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,[2] Library Journal,[3] and Shelf Awareness.[4]

Booklist's Emily Melton called The Maid novel "captivating, charming, and heart-warming", noting that "this unusual crime novel will leave readers with a warm glow". Kirkus Reviews referred to it as "a compelling take on the classic whodunit", writing, "Though the unusual ending might frustrate some readers, this unique debut will keep them reading".[5] Tara Laskowski of the Washington Independent Review of Books said, "This cozy whodunit is a joy from the first page to the last."[6] NPR's Bethanne Patrick said the novel "satisfies on every level — from place to plot to protagonist."[7]

Multiple reviewers discussed Prose's main character, Molly. Publishers Weekly called Molly "a sharply drawn protagonist for whom readers can't help rooting."[8] Amidst other praise for the novel, Shelf Awareness's Kathleen Gerard wrote, "It's the pure, learning-as-she-goes charm and naiveté of Molly and her inimitable narrative voice--the truth of her lovably eccentric old soul--that readers will not soon forget." Tara Laskowski of the Washington Independent Review of Books highlighted how "Molly's voice is distinguishing from the very first page: 'Every day in every way' and 'Need a tissue for your issue?'", as well as "her unique take on life and her plucky optimism." In a more negative review, Irish Independents Margaret Madden called Molly "charming," though noted she " is not consistent enough—either verbally or in her thoughts—to be believable".[9]

Reviewers also referenced the plot. Booklist's Melton called the plot "clever" and "original", while Shelf Awareness's Kathleen Gerard called it "delightfully crafted" and "suspenseful". Publishers Weekly highlighted the numerous plot twists in The Maid, saying, "Not every twist feels earned, but on balance Prose delivers a gratifying, kindhearted whodunit." NPR's Patrick noted that "while some readers may guess who the killer is immediately, it doesn't really matter, as the book is more about Molly — who does not".

The New York Times also reviewed The Maid.[10] [11]

The audiobook, narrated by Lauren Ambrose, received positive reviews as well. Booklist's Jennifer Kinnavy noted that "Ambrose delivers a pitch-perfect performance of Molly and the interesting cast of characters."[12] Similarly, Laurie Muchnick, writing for Kirkus, said Ambrose provides "a perfect example of a narrator bringing the writer's intention to light".[13]

Awards and honors

The Maid was a The New York Times[14] and IndieBound bestseller. It was also the second-most borrowed book from Seattle Public Library in 2022.[15]

Kirkus Reviews included the novel on their list of the best books of 2022. The audiobook landed on Libro.fm's list of the top ten audiobooks sold in 2022.[16]

Awards for The Maid!Year!Award!Result!Ref.
2022Goodreads Choice Award for Debut NovelNominee[17]
Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & ThrillerWinner[18]
2023Anthony Award for Best First NovelNominee[19]
Anthony Award for Best Hardcover NovelNominee
Audie Award for MysteryFinalist[20] [21]
Barry Award for Best First NovelNominee[22] [23]
Edgar Award for Best NovelShortlist[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vlessing. Etan. Florence Pugh to Star in Universal's 'The Maid'. The Hollywood Reporter. 16 December 2020. 29 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210529133831/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/florence-pugh-to-star-in-the-maid-murder-mystery-for-universal-4106375/. 29 May 2021. live.
  2. Web site: Melton . Emily . 2022-01-01 . The Maid . 2023-08-30 . . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830234448/https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Maid-/pid=9756965 . live .
  3. Web site: Gray . B. Allison . The Maid . 2023-08-30 . Library Journal.
  4. Web site: Gerard . Kathleen . 2022-01-07 . The Maid . 2023-08-30 . . 2022-05-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527181412/https://shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=1087 . live .
  5. Web site: 2022-02-07 . The Maid . 2023-08-30 . . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830234621/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nita-prose/the-maid/ . live .
  6. Web site: Laskowski . Tara . 2022-01-10 . The Maid: A Novel . 2023-08-30 . . 2022-12-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205234450/https://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/index.php/bookreview/the-maid-a-novel . live .
  7. Web site: Patrick . Bethanne . 2022-01-05 . In 'The Maid,' a devoted hotel cleaning lady is a prime murder suspect . 2023-08-31 . . 2023-06-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230619145309/https://www.npr.org/2022/01/05/1070131496/in-the-maid-a-devoted-hotel-cleaning-lady-is-a-prime-murder-suspect . live .
  8. Web site: 2021-10-27 . The Maid by Nita Prose . 2023-08-30 . . 2023-05-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527224355/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593356159 . live .
  9. Web site: Madden . Margaret . 2022-01-09 . Nita Prose's the Maid isn't the tidy triumph it could have been . subscription . 2023-08-30 . . 2022-09-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914195759/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/book-reviews/nita-proses-the-maid-isnt-the-tidy-triumph-it-could-have-been-41216105.html . live .
  10. News: Egan . Elisabeth . 2022-01-13 . New Best Sellers Run the Gamut from Escapist to Galvanizing . . subscription . 2023-08-30 . 2022-11-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221127025306/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/books/review/the-maid-nita-prose.html . live .
  11. News: Weinman . Sarah . 2021-12-23 . She Thought Her Brother-in-Law Was a Killer. No One Believed Her . The New York Times . subscription . 2023-08-30 . 2023-02-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217001743/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/books/review/new-crime-novels.html . live .
  12. Web site: Kinnavy . Jennifer . 2022-03-01 . The Maid . 2023-08-30 . . 2023-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423135429/https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Maid-/pid=9759068 . live .
  13. Web site: Muchnick . Laurie . 2022-08-15 . When the Audiobook Narrator Feels Like a Friend . 2023-08-30 . . en . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830234448/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/when-the-audiobook-narrator-feels-like-a-friend/ . live .
  14. News: 2022-01-23 . Combined Print & E-Book Fiction . . 2023-08-30 . 2023-04-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407080318/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2022/01/23/combined-print-and-e-book-fiction/ . live .
  15. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2022-12-29 . Seattle Public Library Reveals Most Borrowed Books . 2023-08-30 . . en . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830234447/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/seattle-public-library-reveals-most-borrowed-books/ . live .
  16. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2022-11-20 . Libro.fm Reveals Bestselling Audiobooks of 2022 . 2023-08-30 . . en . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830234448/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/librofm-reveals-bestselling-audiobooks-of-2022/ . live .
  17. Web site: The Maid . 2023-08-30 . . en . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830234450/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55196813-the-maid?from_choice=true . live .
  18. Web site: Announcing the Winners of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards! . 2023-08-30 . . 2022-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209022412/https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2022 . live .
  19. Web site: Easter . George . 2023-05-08 . Anthony Award Nominations 2023 . 2023-08-30 . Deadly Pleasures . en-US . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830235025/http://new.deadlypleasures.com/2023/05/08/anthony-award-nominations-2023/ . live .
  20. Web site: 2023 Audie Awards Winners . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406233210/https://www.audiopub.org/2023audieawards-winners . 2023-04-06 . 2023-05-08 . . en-US.
  21. Web site: Audie Award Finalists and Winners . 2023-08-30 . . en . 2023-08-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830235026/https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/audies/?category=Mystery&winners=false . live .
  22. Web site: Barry Award Nominations 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301223325/http://new.deadlypleasures.com/2023/03/01/barry-award-nominations-2023/ . 2023-03-01 . 2023-03-02 . Deadly Pleasures . en-US.
  23. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2023-03-02 . 'Deadly Pleasures' Reveals Barry Awards Finalists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302200237/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/deadly-pleasures-reveals-barry-awards-finalists/ . 2023-03-02 . 2023-03-02 . . en.
  24. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2023-01-19 . Edgar Award Nominations for 2023 Are Revealed . 2023-01-21 . . en . 2023-01-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120034737/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/edgar-award-nominations-for-2023-are-revealed/ . live .

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