The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a great day.

You know what offends me?  Well, a lot of things and I guess you really have no way of knowing the answer. If you've followed my tales of housewifery for long enough, you'd know broken dishwashers offend me, because they plague me. Cleaning also offends me, it is boring. People that litter bug me.  I once saw someone empty their car ashtray into the visitor parking lot at Colonial Williamsburg.  Not only is it ugly and trashy but at a historic site? Come on!  Okay, I'm rambling.  Focus. Breathe.  Movies offend me when they come out with sequel after sequel, and it starts to feel like a money grab.  Now I'm sure a case could be made for things like the Star Wars journey which by now must encompass a billion years.  I still don't understand the movies from the 70's, are the white plastic guys good or bad?  Then the wrinkled guy with the hood, is he part of the government and good or bad? Why is he in the hood/cape thing and why does he glow? What really gets my goat is when a movie does well, then there is a sequel which most of the original cast stars in but the story is weak.  Then there is another sequel that holds little similarity to the original and the first cast wouldn't be caught dead in it.  No story and lousy cast equals money grab.  I've been trying to think if there are any book examples of the same.  I can think of a series that could have been shorter but no real offenders.  Thankfully.

I recently read The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose. This is the third book in the Molly the Maid series. I have read and loved the previous two books: The Maid and The Mystery Guest. This most recent volume can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. However, coming back to characters you already have an established history with creates an ease, comfort and curiosity that is very pleasant.

In this story we are following Molly and Juan as they are preparing for their wedding. They both still work at the Regency Grand Hotel, him in the kitchen and her as the Head Maid and Event Coordinator. The hotel is hosting TV show that evaluates antiques people bring in. Before reviewing the publics wares, they invite the hotel employees to have their treasures analyzed. When it is Molly's turn, she is surprised to find that her "item" that was her grandmother's is worth millions. Naturally, Molly faints on tv, endearing her to fans everywhere. With Molly persuaded to sell, the tv show sets up an auction at the Regency. As the gavel comes down to close the sale, the item suddenly goes missing. Molly and friends must solve both the mystery of the missing multimillion dollar item, in addition to how and why her grandmother had it.

This story is wonderfully written. Reading is so easy. The story told from the perspective of present day, and entries in Molly's grandma's diary, moves smoothly to solving past and present mysteries at the same time. While certainly delightful for first time series readers, those invested in the series will revel in learning about Molly's beloved Gran, explaining so much from the past. I was left smiling and crying at the same time. A joy from beginning to end, definitely the best in the beloved series. Written and shined to perfection, just as Molly would want.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine books for the advanced copy.