THE MAID: A NOVEL

This book was such a wonderful surprise, a true gem that filled my heart! Hotel maid Molly Gray is not like most people. She yearns to connect with her co-workers and longtime crush, but she misreads social cues and is awkward around others. Without the company and guidance of her grandmother, who recently passed away, she finds solace in her work, using cleanliness and order as a salve. That is, until she finds one of the hotel’s most notable guests, the uber-wealthy Mr. Black, dead in his bed. Before long Molly is ensnared in a sinister murder mystery and must figure out who to trust - before she becomes a suspect herself.

I listened to this book on audio and didn’t want it to end! The invisibility felt by Molly, and other wonderful supporting characters, will make readers see the world differently. Throughout the story, Molly’s neurodiversity was handled with dignity and sensitivity, inspiring empathy above all else. It broke my heart when Molly was subtly mocked or taken advantage of, especially since she was keenly aware of her limitations. Molly even wished for a “dictionary of smiles” to figure out which kinds are genuine and which have other meanings. But this story deftly shows, with humor and charm, how we can always find connection with others, if we have patience and understanding. This earnest, unique character who is so authentically herself will stay with me for a long time.

If Molly was here, she’d say there’s no better snack during a police interrogation than a raisin-bran muffin: “dense and nutrient-rich, with random bursts of sweetness.” I wholeheartedly agree, so I baked a whole batch! Because I loved this book so much, I rounded out the menu with some banana and berry ones too. From now on, I’ll always associate raisin-bran muffins with Molly Gray, and they’ll remind me of this super book.

Recipes: raisin-bran from @pinchofyum - all others from @sallysbakeblog