In this debut from a longtime editor in the publishing industry, 25-year-old maid Molly Gray has always had trouble reading social signals. She used to depend on her recently deceased gran to help her, but she's on her own when she finds a guest murdered in bed and is compelled to investigate; the police have tagged her as the most likely suspect. Subject to a blazing auction, this locked-room mystery has been optioned by Universal, with Academy Award-nominated Florence Pugh attached to star.

DEBUT Twenty-five-year-old Molly Gray loves cleaning at the Regency Grand Hotel. But she's socially awkward, and other employees bully her, even calling her Roomba. Until now, she's had her gran to help explain her mistakes in reading body language. But now that her grandmother is dead, there's no one to explain why the police are upset when she finds the body of a hotel guest, Mr. Black, dead in his bed. What mistake did she make by cleaning the room, picking up glasses, before she found the body? When the police discover a drug ring operating in the hotel, and that Molly moved a bag from room to room, it's easy to suspect her of murder. They can't comprehend that she easily misunderstands situations, especially when requests come from people she trusts. Evidence implicates Molly, but she has a few friends who help her when she's arrested. Molly gets her moment to shine, though, surprising even her lawyer while she's on the witness stand following a drug dealer's arrest for murder. 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.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Molly Gray, the 25-year-old neurodivergent narrator of Prose's assured debut, has sought solace in her maid's job at the Regency Grand, a boutique hotel in an unspecified city, since the recent death of the grandmother who raised her. Molly's uniform makes her feel invisible, which is a relief given her difficulty reading social cues, and she derives great satisfaction from returning things to a "state of perfection." When frequent guests Charles and Giselle Black check into one of Molly's assigned rooms, she's pleased; though tycoon Charles is imperious, Giselle tips well and treats Molly like a friend. To her dismay, upon entering the couple's suite, Molly discovers that Giselle is out, and Charles is dead. The police find Molly's stoicism suspicious, and someone seems determined to make her their patsy, but Molly thankfully has more allies than she realizes. Not every twist feels earned, but on balance Prose delivers a gratifying, kindhearted whodunit with a sharply drawn protagonist for whom readers can't help rooting. Fans of fresh takes on traditional mysteries will be delighted. Agent: Madeleine Milburn, Madeleine Milburn Literary (U.K.). (Jan.)