This is a billed as a stand alone novel featuring Molly Gray, a character introduced in Nita Prose's mystery novel, The Maid, which I read three years ago and enjoyed immensely. The Mystery Guest is set four years after the events in The Maid. Molly Gray takes her role as Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel very seriously. She is neurodivergent and struggles to read social and conversational cues, but she is extremely observant, often noticing details others miss or overlook. When a famous mystery author drops dead just as he is about to make a big announcement to his adoring fans in the hotel's newly refurbished tearoom, Molly and her maid-in-training, Lily, are among the prime suspects in his murder.

I love the humor dispersed throughout the novel. Molly is as unconventional a character as she is endearing, with her quirks and resilience. It turns out she and Mr. Grimthorpe, the murdered author, knew each other when she was a child, although he didn't recognize her when they meet again at the hotel. Through flashbacks, the reader is given a glimpse into Molly's past, including her memories of her beloved Gran, who raised her. Gran is ever present in Molly's life even if just in her memories. The lessons and love she bestowed on Molly played a big role in who Molly is today. The reader also gains more insight into Molly and her family history, adding emotional depth to the characters. In addition, the more we learn about the Grimthorpes, the family her Gran once served as a housemaid, the more light is shed on just what type of person Mr. Grimthorpe was and why someone might want him dead.

There are familiar side characters like Angela, the bartender, and Mr. Snow, the hotel manager, the annoying Cheryl--and my favorite, Mr. Preston, the hotel's doorman--who I was glad to see again (well, maybe not Cheryl). Detective Stark was back, having made her first appearance in The Maid. What I especially appreciated in The Mystery Guest was how Detective Stark's character grew over the course of the novel. Everyone underestimates Molly, and Detective Stark was among them, misjudging Molly in The Maid, and again in The Mystery Guest--at least at first--but once she gets to know Molly better, she realizes how valuable her skills and way of looking at things can be.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Mystery Guest. It was a solid mystery that pulled at my heartstrings, made me laugh, and was an all around entertaining read. I look forward to seeing what Nita Prose has in store for us next!

Molly the Maid is back! Everything is coming up roses, Molly has been promoted to Head Maid and she is in a loving relationship but when a special guest drops dead at an event in the hotel after drinking a cup of tea, the whole staff seems to be under suspicion. Molly can’t rest until the whole mess is put to bed. It was really fun being able to catch up with Molly and the gang. I thank Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book and a thank you to Nita Prose for giving us Molly the Maid to cheer for.

Having recently finished the previously published The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, I am happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine!

I was ready for another mystery with Molly the Maid when I asked NetGalley for this story. I definitely got the murder mystery that I was hoping for and more. The “more” for me were all the “before” moments in the story. I loved learning of the deep connection between Molly and her beloved Gran. Those moments filled the pages with so much information and also played a large part in the current mystery that needed to be solved at the Regency Grand.

I'm looking forward to the next story, and possibly- a new beginning.

"Never fear a new beginning. One chapter must end for another to begin."

This was an anticipated read, since I loved the maid. Molly is an interesting character considering her trouble with reading social cues and somewhat rigid thinking, so I enjoyed meeting her again. At some point however I had a hard time with the mystery part. Molly solving the crime and being first a suspect before being encouraged to help them, made my head spin and not in a good way.

Maid Molly is finally back and as delightful as ever. I'm so pleased and excited the continuation of the series is every bit as good if not better than the Book 1.

Molly has been pulled for a special assignment: to ready the Regency Tearoom for the visit of renown author, J.D. Grimthorpe. As the event gets closer, Molly's anxiety increases due to the long ago secret of having met the author years before. With her beloved Juan away visiting his family, Molly is once again dragged into a murder mystery when J.D. drops dead moments before the reveal of his big secret. Crossing paths once again with Detective Stark and lazy maid Cheryl, Molly sets to cleaning up the mystery before the killer strikes again.

Molly is becoming one of my favorite literary characters, and I'm so glad I sat on this ARC for a bit so I could binge read this and the next two books in the series. I love Molly's outlook on life and her authenticity. Molly's heartbreak at losing her beloved Gran is evident in the pages, and having recently lost a loved one myself, I have found comfort in many of Molly's thoughts and words when she is talking about her Gran.

I cannot recommend this series enough. I would definitely recommend for fans of Fredrik Backman and Liane Moriarty.

Thank you NetGalley and Nita Prose for the eARC!

4.5 stars ⭐️

I actually was hesitant to read The Mystery Guest after reading The Maid. I didn’t love The Maid and I think often times sequels are not as good as the first books, however, I am thrilled to say I was completely wrong. I thought this was an EXCELLENT sequel. I absolutely loved it. I really liked that it was told in two different timelines and we got a closer look at Molly’s relationship with her Gran as well as a bit of her Gran’s own story. I love that in the end Molly realizes that she is just who she’s meant to be, quirks and all. I have no complaints. What a great book!

I love Nita Prose's books. I read The Maid and loved it, so of course I had to read The Mystery Guest and it shined just as much as the first book. Molly is such a fun character, so different from any other characters out there, that she pulls me into her story. Molly can't help herself. She has to get involved. Can't wait to read the next book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I love any installment with Molly the maid! Great read! Nita Prose has never let me down. I love the quirky writing style.

“The Mystery Guest” is an intriguing read with a lot of potential. The plot has some interesting twists, but it can be a bit slow in parts. The characters are likable, though they could use a bit more depth to make their stories more engaging. Despite these issues, the book still offers a decent mystery that keeps you guessing. If you’re looking for a light and enjoyable mystery, this one is worth checking out!

Love Molly and her maid tendencies. In this installation, there is a murder at Molly's hotel. A very renowned author is found deceased at her beloved workplace. Using her analytical skills, Molly works tirelessly to solve this murder while uncovering other secrets herself.

Oh my GOSH, could I have loved this book more?? No, the answer is no. The Mystery Guest takes everything you loved about The Maid and just builds - the sweetness, the moments of heartsick for our girl, the anger at how misunderstood she is, the precious moments with Gran, the mystery and intrigue... absolute 5 stars, my favorite of all 3 books thus far!

Nita Prose continues her story about Molly, the maid who sees what others do not.

The Mystery Guest revolves around a popular author visiting the hotel, but instead of speaking to a group, he winds up dead. The maids are concerned they'll wind up under suspicion, but Molly maintains her cool and helps in her own special way.

I enjoyed this novel--I liked the mystery but that it was a little lighter than some I've read. I liked the novel going back and forth between the current time and Molly's childhood. This provided important context to the mystery that you might be lost without. There are twists and turns throughout, and a reveal at the end that I wasn't expecting.

I definitely recommend this book if you like a little mystery with your tea.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely in love with this series. I cannot wait to see what is in store for future novels. Highly recommend this series!

I absolutely loved The Maid and do not know why it took me so long to read the second in the series.

This is a standard mystery with the same characters as the first and references, but you do not have to have read The Maid to enjoy this one! When a renowned best selling author drops dead in Molly’s hotel, she’s on the hunt to find the rat.

I really enjoyed the back and forth timeline of this story. I enjoyed getting more death to Molly’s life and seeing how she was raised. In the beginning, that dual timeline lagged a bit. I flew through the before chapters but did not enjoy the present timeline. About halfway through the present timeline does pick up but I wish it would have sooner. I also enjoyed the personality of Molly. She is one of the best characters I’ve read! On to the next book!

Read if you enjoy
🐀Dual timeline
🐀Whodoneit
🐀First person POV
🐀unique stories

The second in The Molly the maid series was just ok for me. I liked learning a little more about Mollys history but it was just meh for me.

4 stars- A main character like Molly tugs on my heart strings. She is proof that there is no stereotypical 'hero'. She gives courage to all to be their authentic selves and the people who are meant for you will adore you. I wish I could live in this hotel and be around all the characters. Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the unique voice of Nita Prose's The Maid, so I was delighted to receive a copy of The Mystery Guest. It's another cozy mystery, and it was engaging to be back in the company of Molly Gray.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Nita Prose returns with "The Mystery Guest," a delightful sequel to her acclaimed debut "The Maid," offering readers another charming mystery featuring Molly Gray, now the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel.
The novel opens with a dramatic scene: world-renowned mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe dies suddenly in the hotel's tearoom, thrusting Molly into another murder investigation. What sets this book apart is Prose's unique ability to blend a cozy mystery with deeply personal storytelling, exploring Molly's past and her relationship with her beloved Gran.
Prose masterfully develops Molly's character, revealing more depth and nuance compared to the first book. Her quirky, socially awkward protagonist continues to charm readers with her distinctive perspective and keen observational skills. The mystery itself is relatively low-stakes but engaging, with Molly's personal connection to the victim adding an intriguing layer of complexity.
The narrative alternates between present-day events and memories of Molly's childhood, providing rich context for her character. Prose's writing style remains warm and inviting, infusing the murder mystery with moments of humor and genuine emotion.
While the book may not be groundbreaking, it's an entertaining and satisfying sequel that will delight fans of the first novel. Prose continues to excel at creating a feel-good mystery that balances darker themes with hope and resilience.
Recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with a touch of warmth and wit, "The Mystery Guest" proves to be a solid addition to the Molly Gray series.

A cleverly crafted and atmospheric whodunit with a great plot and engaging characters. Prose unveils layers of mystery and human emotion, delivering a thoroughly satisfying and unpredictable reading experience.

This is the second book in the Molly Maid series. This one goes back and forth from when Molly was young to present time. We get to see some of Molly's childhood, her troubles in school, and how her grandma supported her. In present time, a mysterious death of a famous author is connected to Molly's past and she's the one to solve his mystery! I like how Molly stand up more for herself in this book, showing character growth.