A review by bexxhenders
The Maid by Nita Prose

mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The truth is, I often have trouble with social situations; it’s as though everyone is playing an elaborate game with complex rules they all know, but I’m always playing for the first time.

I was in the mood for an easy, entertaining read, and this fit the bill as a cozy mystery. The main character, Molly, is apparently autistic, though I wish this had been explored more deeply. There’s no explicit mention of this and, sometimes, the portrayal felt a bit clichéd and maybe relied too much on stereotypes. That said, I did enjoy Molly’s internal dialogue about how she perceives the world and the people in it. There’s a layer of representation there, even if it didn't quite reach its full potential.

The ending, though, was a bit of a letdown for me. I love a cosy mystery with a shocking twist, but this was more of a meandering towards a semi-predictable conclusion. I didn't hate it, but it didn't leave me with that "OMGWHAT!" feeling that I love. I also wasn't sure about the side plot about her grandmother's death — was it necessary? Using something like
assisted suicide
as a subplot seems like an odd choice and lacks the depth it deserves. This could be my own bias, as it's a topic I care about, or maybe I'm missing something, but whatever it was didn't land for me. 

Despite these small criticisms, it was a super enjoyable read overall. If light, cozy mysteries are your thing, I definitely recommended it. For me personally, I prefer my mysteries with a bit more thrill, so although I had fun reading this, I probably won't pick it up again.
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