THE MAID’S SECRET by Nina Prose

4 stars

Molly the beloved maid is back in action at the Regency Grand Hotel, heading up a special event that has the celebrities of a traveling art appraisal show filming an episode of their hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures. Molly has been promoted to head of special events in addition to head maid is juggling getting ready for the event, keeping the obsessed fans contained before seating begins, and getting her maids deployed.  Molly has brought along a few things she inherited from her beloved Gran as the staff has been offered a chance to have their items appraised along with the audience.

As quick background, Molly has a heart of gold but a mind that most assume falls somewhere on the autism spectrum – with typical characteristics like constantly seeking order, social awkwardness, and struggling to understand social cues. Despite this, she has a life she adores, engaged to the hotel’s chef, Juan Manuel with a wedding in the works. She’s exceptional at her job and ever the optimist about finding ways through adversity.

The most influential person in Molly’s life growing up was her Gran, who always side-stepped Molly’s questions about Gran’s own background. This time, alternating with the current day plot are excerpts from Gran’s intimate diary of her childhood to which she has given Molly the key although the diary is nowhere to be found. It’s moving, unexpected and reveals much about the love of Gran’s life and how she ended up with the life philosophies she always drilled into Molly’s head while raising her.

Back to the auction, and it turns out that one of the items that Molly has brought with her is worth millions. Molly faints, then is hounded by those who prey on people who have unexpectedly and publicly come into wealth such as lottery winners. There are threats lodged against Molly, jealous co-workers, and ultimately a theft. The hunt is on to resolve what’s going on, as the past and present merge for critical revelations.

Thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.