A friend told me about this book a while back (link). I ordered it for my mom to read. After she read it, I read it. Below is the synopsis:
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 demeanor 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?
A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.
So my thoughts… it took me a few chapters to get into this book (I don’t think more because of the book but because I just finished reading a heavy psychological thriller). However, I did like the book, and I really liked the character Molly. She reminded me of Amelia Bedelia (personality – not cleaning ability). Although the book didn’t say Molly was on the autism spectrum, I think she is. As a teacher, I have had students on the spectrum and can definitely see similarities.
I appreciate an author going into the mindset of someone with autism. It helps me, as a teacher, understand the individual more, even with all the difficulties that go along with autism in the educational environment. I think it is difficult for anyone (especially teachers) to empathize unless we can read material through the perspective (eyes) of someone with autism. That is one reason I liked the book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
The murder mystery aspect was also well done. Although I was able to piece together what was going on before Molly did, I did not know the murderer until the very end.
This is an easy, fun book to read. There is minimum language and no sexually explicit scenes (which I appreciate… makes it easy to recommend to my 16 year old and others). I know those two things do not bother many people, but it does with me and many others (so Thank You!).
Below are some additional resources if interested. Until then, Happy Reading!
