The Maid

This debut novel by Nina Prose (also Vice-President and Editorial Director of Simon & Schuster, Canada) has received a lot of favorable chat in recent months and my mystery book group chose it for our April read.  Set in an unspecified city (perhaps Toronto) in an unspecified but contemporary time, here is the summary from the publisher:

"A charmingly eccentric hotel maid discovers a guest murdered in his bed, turning her once orderly world upside down--and inspiring a motley crew of unexpected allies to band together to solve the mystery--in this utterly original debut. Molly [Gray] is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and interprets people literally. 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 odd demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect and she finds herself in a web of subtext and nuance she has no idea how to untangle."

Molly is probably on the spectrum as evidenced by her inability to interpret social cues, although she is accumulating a "library" in her mind of the different meanings a smile can have. Her grandmother's little lessons had always provided Molly with guidance and one of them was that a real smile reaches the eyes.  Still, Molly has a hard time knowing who is a true friend, although she has had plenty of experience with people who treat her badly due to her differences, and that includes the police. I was so worried about her that I had to skip to the last chapter at one point, so I hope I don't spoil it to say that all comes right in the end. I'm not sure how accurate the depiction of Autism Spectrum Disorder is in Molly's case, but she is an endearing character and you'll enjoy the ride of bringing the bad guys to justice. There is also a lot to chew on in terms of how people treat those they see as different or inferior to themselves. 

Library Journal's verdict: "Molly is a likable, neurodivergent narrator in this outstanding debut. The character-rich mystery ends with several twists that will appeal to fans of Eleanor Oliphant and other sympathetic heroines." Likewise, Publishers Weekly concludes, "Prose delivers a gratifying, kindhearted whodunit with a sharply drawn protagonist for whom readers can't help rooting." NPR gushes, "Devotees of cozy mysteries, rejoice: ... The Maid, satisfies on every level — from place to plot to protagonist." Kirkus calls the book "A compelling take on the classic whodunit."