Reading The Mystery Guest was like being reunited with a long lost friend. Molly is such a memorable character and back with a new mystery. If you loved The Maid, this is a must read. A special thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this digital copy.

After reading Nita Prose's first book, I was super excited to get into this one. Unfortunately, I found the sequel to feel a little lack luster in comparison to book one. It had all the elements I loved about the first with cozy mystery elements and quirky narration style, but I found that I was often bored while reading this one. I think it definitely was enjoyable, just not anything to rave about. Which for me, was slightly disappointing. I will maybe continue with this series if I find time, but for now, I will be putting these books on the back burner.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an e-ARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.

I almost quit this series after reading The Maid because I found the characters unloveable, but I'm glad I stuck with it because this book gave me a much better insight into the world of Molly the Maid and made me actually want to root for her.

Easy and light read. Molly the Maid is back solving mysteries. Another murder at the Regency.
This book is a light hearted read with some tough topics of abuse and childhood challenges woven in. The characters are lovable and I found myself rooting for them.

Book two in the Molly the Maid series. I liked book 1 better than book 2. Warm and cozy mystery vibes without the bite of book 1. I am sure many will enjoy the story to see what Molly's up to.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books

I already did review discussing how much I love these Molly books and will say it again. She is the best characters in a series in this decade and I hope author keeps writing about her!

The Mystery Guest
Rating - 4⭐️
Genre - cozy mystery

Molly the maid is one of my favorite characters, and this series is quickly turning into one of my top go-to comfort reads. While a sequel, this would still work as a standalone (but really, go read book 1 to get a full dose of Molly). Molly, Juan, and the other side characters are full of humor and sweetness, and the story was paced steadily throughout the novel. Looking forward to seeing more of Molly’s (and Juan’s!) story and learning what’s in store for them at the hotel in future books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I read the Maid by Nita Prose and loved every minute of it and this is book #2 with Molly the Maid making a return appearance. If it is even possible I found this book even better than the first one and am crossing all my fingers that she writes yet another book in the series. Great read that will captivate you from the first page.

I was excited to read this once since I really enjoyed The Maid! Molly is a fun and interesting character - I love that she is very awkward at reading social cues so it was fun to spend time with this character again. If you like a cozy mystery, this is a fun one that you can sink into and read pretty quickly. It didn't hit me as hard as The Maid did but I think if you liked that novel, you will really enjoy this one as well!

I loved the earlier books by the author, but this one somehow did not keep my interest. Might try to pick this one up again in the future.

I love all her books! This one was no exception. These books are charming and cozy. Definitely will be reading any future books.

Another book with Molly the maid. Nita never disappoints. Murder mystery done right. i cannot wait for the next one in this series. job well done.

Molly the maid can’t seem to keep herself away from trouble! A famous author dies during his big presentation at the hotel — and we quickly learn, it’s a MURDER. Will Molly be suspect number 1 again?

I wish we saw a little bit more of Molly’s relationship with her husband, who was visiting family this whole novel. Really loved learning more about Molly and Gran’s past.

Looking forward to #3!

This is the second book I have read in this series and I liked it a little better than the first. This book takes place a few years after the first one. Molly has been promoted at the hotel to head housekeeper. The hotel is hosting a famous mystery writer who has a big announcement to make. During the presentation he dies after sipping his tea. Molly sets out to solve crime. I liked that Molly works the Detective to solve the mystery. It turns out Molly has a connection to the writer and we learn a lot more about her early life and her grandmother. The mystery was good and I was able to solve it. Some family secrets are also revealed. This series should be read in order. Enjoy

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!