The Maid is a special, emotional murder mystery that must be included in any discussion about the best debut thrillers in 2022. It's a fantastic unputdownable novel, featuring an amazing main character, that sets up long term residency in your brain and refuses to leave.
This story told from the perspective of Molly Gray, a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. Molly the Maid is peculiar, socially awkward and, while the book never explicitly states it, probably somewhere on the Autism spectrum and a case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Which makes her a target of ridicule from other employees despite her complete dedication to the hotel and her job. But Molly just keeps making her rounds cleaning rooms better than anyone and trying to be the best employee she can. Until one day she goes to clean the room of a VIP and finds that man lying dead in the bed. Suddenly Molly is accused of a host of unsavory charges, including murder. Is she being set up as a patsy by her unscrupulous coworkers? Or could she have actually done the deed and is more than meets the eye?
The Maid, like many of the best books out there, brings out a host of emotions while making the reader think about life beyond the pages. This is primarily due to the uniqueness of Molly, a main character the likes of which we've never seen in a Thriller. She's poor, on her own, likely special needs and yet highly functional. But because of her differences she is victimized and taken advantage of by others who see her as less than them. However, they couldn't be more wrong as Molly is the best of us and is more than others give her credit for. Which makes her incredibly empathetic and fills you with a raging desire to reach through the pages and beat the crap out of these bullying assholes who manipulate her before then enveloping her in a tight embrace and telling her everything will be ok. Because there's very few things more disgusting in life than people making fun of those who are different. F*ck those people!
Then again, there's an air of mystery surrounding Molly which makes you wonder if you really know her at all to the point that you must consider until the end if she is capable of nefarious intent. And if she is - if she did something bad - will you be able to confront your feelings and determine that she be held responsible? Or will you justify her actions due to the protective feelings you've built for Molly and hope she finds a happy ending?
I absolutely loved The Maid and urge fans of crime and psychological thrillers to pick up a copy when it becomes available. I promise that you have never read anything quite like this book. It's phenomenal!
Follow Steve on Twitter or contact him via the site.
Purchase The Maid
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)
Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
