The Maid's Secret

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Maid’s Secret is considered “feel-good” fiction. When you finished the book, did you feel uplifted? What elements of the story contributed to your overall emotional reaction?

2. Have you read any of the other Molly Gray books—The Maid, The Mystery Guest, or The Mistletoe Mystery? Which of these books did you enjoy the most? How does it compare to The Maid’s Secret? In what ways has Molly changed over the course of the series, and in what ways has she remained the same?

3. Nita Prose has said that her portrait of Molly is influenced by books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. How would you compare the protagonists, plots, and overall impact of these two novels?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How would you describe Molly’s sense of morality? Which ethical questions in the story did you view differently from her? Which did you agree with her about?

2. The book contends that love is more important than things like money and power. Do you agree with this, or would you dispute the idea in any way?

3. Gran withholds information about family history that is now directly affecting Molly’s life. Have you ever discovered that someone close to you has been keeping information from you that directly affects your life? 

4. Molly does not believe that Baxley Brown should be accountable for Magnus’s and Algernon’s choices. What does his wedding gift to Molly imply about his own beliefs about the situation? Which of them do you most agree with, and why?

5. Molly finds out some surprising things about her beloved grandmother during the story. Have you ever discovered a secret from the past of a loved one? How did you react? If you found out something similar to what Molly finds out, do you think you would react differently from the way Molly reacts?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The main character Molly Gray has inspired controversy among readers: Her ways of thinking and relating to others have led many to speculate that she is on the autism spectrum. Nita Prose has explained that she does not label Molly’s way of thinking because it might prevent readers from immersing themselves in Molly’s perspective. Why might some readers criticize Prose’s choice and others praise it? How does this reflect the current cultural atmosphere around neurodivergence?

2. How would you describe Brown and Beagle’s treatment of Molly during the taping of their show? How does this reflect what you know about reality television? What kind of power dynamics are at play in their interaction, and how do they reflect real-world power dynamics?

3. In Flora’s story, she makes it clear that no one believes either Algernon or Magnus will ever be held accountable for their illegal actions. Do you believe that this is true about the world—that wealth and power insulate people from the consequences of their actions? How does her contention contribute to contemporary discussions of wealth and accountability?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The Molly the Maid stories are all, ostensibly, about Molly Gray, but what arguments could be made that Flora, not Molly, is the real main character or protagonist of this book? Is Flora’s narrative a subplot or the main plot?

2. How does Gran’s story in the Prologue about the maid illustrate her understanding of Molly’s literal and straightforward mind? Given this understanding, what can be inferred about Gran’s choice to tell Molly allegorical stories about her past instead of being clear and straightforward with the truth? 

3. How does Prose’s choice of settings, Gray Manor and the Regency Grand, contribute to the thematic meaning of the novel? What thematic ideas are supported by their similarities and differences?

4. Discuss the book’s exploration of love, class, and family history. How do these topics intersect in the narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Molly’s life is changed when she discovers that she is the owner of a Fabergé egg. Do you ever fantasize about finding some kind of hidden treasure? If you did find a hidden treasure, what would you want it to be? How would finding it change your life?

2. If you were to write a diary like Gran’s, addressed to one specific person in your life, to whom would you write? What stories would you want to share? What information and advice would you want to pass on?

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