Five beautiful stars to Nita Prose and Molly Gray! I loved The Maid and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. This book is not as “twisty” as the first, but is still a cozy little mystery, and I would love nothing more than to have a cup of tea with Molly.

A delicious continuation of one of my favorites from 2023! The Maid is the epitome of a cozy mystery and I love that we are getting to follow Molly’s life with The Mystery Guest. Hoping for a 3rd to be added because these are just so fun!

I love Molly the Maid's story. I do think that Nita Prose did a better job with the first book in this series but overall, I did enjoy this book.

Molly Gray is a beloved character much like many other loved eccentric detectives. Fans of Prose’s first book will eat this one right up. My library will definitely be purchasing this title. A solid 4 of 5 stars for a cozy mystery to read with a cup of coffee by the fire, or on audio while cleaning your house!

Molly the maid might just not be for me! While I enjoyed "the maid", i didnt enjoy this one as much. I think Mollys "schtick" just wasnt as endearing this go around. I found the mysteries easy to guess and the story a bit repetitive. With that said, its well written and I can see why so many love Molly.

Thank you everyone for this gifted copy of The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose!

Molly the maid, I love you so! It feels so good to be reading about you again! Molly is by far one of favorite MCs and I just love reading these stories. I loved this book just as much as the first, and I’m really hoping for another one!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for RAC and I apologized for delayed review.

This is a sequel of The Maid. I was excited to jump back into Molly’s world. This was an easy read.

In terms of mystery, it lacks. Mystery was kinda there but not really. But other than that, I enjoyed the read!

Molly the maid is back once again, ending my reading year in the best way possible. As we unravel the mysterious death of a well known author, and dig further into Molly’s past, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster until I was staring at the last page wishing there was more. The writing style is so upbeat and fun, yet holds a weight to it that had me writing down several quotes to keep for myself. The plot and mystery were intriguing, but Molly and her story took the spotlight as it did in the first book. I absolutely love these characters and only hope for more to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine for the opportunity to read The Mystery Maid by Nita Prose, their kindness didn't influence this review. I found The Mystery Guest, the second Molly the Maid novel, to be a delightful book. Molly Gray returns, now as the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She is proud to continue following in her Grandmother's footsteps, and although her Gran has died she knows she would be proud of her. Molly has been tasked by Mr. Snow, the hotel manager to oversee a very special event in the hotel's newly renovated tea room: a major announcement to be made by J.D. Granthorpe, a renown mystery writer.. All is going famously, until Mr. Granthorpe takes a few sips of tea, stumbles, falls on top of one of the maids, and dies. Detective Stark, Molly's nemesis from the first book, is quickly on the scene and suspicious of the hotel staff, including, of course, Molly.
I like the author’s writing style, her characters are very believable and the storyline is well-crafted and intriguing. I recommend The Mystery Guest, it is a very satisfying read. 4 Stars.

For me this book wasn't as unique as the first book but simply years later. Molly is still as u likeable as ever but you can't truly hate her because of her perfection and eye for details she ends up once again solving the case for the same detective. This felt like a long epilogue to book 1 and didn't bring much to the table in terms of special. I feel we haven't seen the last of Molly so let's see where she winds up.

After adoring The Maid, I worried there was no way this could live up to the precedent it set. I didn’t realize another Molly book was coming, but I’m so happy it did!

Not only did I like this every bit as much, I found it added extra layers and depth to her character, and the addition of the past perspective was enlightening and added to my enjoyment of both books having that extra background.

Molly is such a unique narrator, and Prose is a fabulous writer!

I was so excited to be back visiting Molly!
Nita Prose did such a beautiful job with the flashback chapters of Molly's life and the relationship she had with the Gran. The flashbacks really showed us the growth and development of Molly.
This book fell flat when comparing it to The Maid. I didn't feel a connection with some of the characters .
Molly's life and love are in the hospitality industry, is almost as if it's all she knows, so the ending and the author hinting that Molly might not stay in the industry felt disloyal to Molly and her entire character.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

She's back! I was so excited to get to spend some more time with Molly. This second installment was even better than the first, in my opinion. She is such a strong, heartfelt character and I love seeing the world through her eyes. Even though this story contained another murder in the hotel, the plot was completely new and fresh from the first book and kept me guessing right till the end. Maybe the beginning of a series??

Thank you to Random House for an ARC of this book via NetGalley!

This sequel didn't disappoint! It is quirky and a quick read. I actually think this one was a bit better than the first. Hope to read the next soon!

"The Mystery Guest - A Maid Novel" by Nita Prose unravels a thrilling mystery within the elegant confines of the Regency Grand Hotel. Protagonist Molly Gray, Head Maid of impeccable skills and etiquette, finds her meticulously crafted world shattered when renowned author J.D. Grimthorpe meets a sudden demise within the hotel's tearoom.

What ensues is a riveting investigation led by Detective Stark, Molly's old adversary, delving into a murder that threatens the hotel's esteemed reputation. Prose artfully crafts a narrative woven with suspects aplenty, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as they join Molly in uncovering the truth behind Grimthorpe's untimely death. The suspects, from Lily the Maid-in-Training to Serena, the secretary, and even the beloved doorman Mr. Preston, all cast shadows of doubt, casting a veil of mystery over every character.

What sets this novel apart is Molly's entanglement in the web of secrets, drawing her deep into her own past, retracing her steps to the enigmatic Grimthorpe mansion where she and her late grandmother once toiled together. As she navigates through memories and confronts buried secrets, the pressure to solve the case escalates, leaving Molly as the sole custodian of the elusive truth.

Prose's narrative is a delightful blend of suspense and nostalgia, skillfully intertwining Molly's personal history with the urgency of uncovering the murderer. The evocative storytelling draws readers into the opulent world of the Regency Grand Hotel, making the stakes feel higher as Molly races against time to unearth the secrets that threaten to tarnish not only the hotel's pristine image but also her own innocence.

"The Mystery Guest - A Maid Novel" is a captivating tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Prose's vivid descriptions, well-rounded characters, and intricate plot make for an engrossing read, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that ties together the threads of mystery, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. It's a delightful blend of cozy mystery and character-driven storytelling, leaving readers eagerly anticipating Nita Prose's next literary gem.

I loved the first book in this series and I absolutely loved this second book as well!! I was so happy to read and to see this book! Could not get enough of Molly and her murder adventures. This was a 5 star read for me and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I just reviewed The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose. #TheMysteryGuest #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Thank you, @netgalley for the ARC of this book. I forgot how quirky the protagonist, Molly, is with her simple ways and her posh vocabulary. I think the original book was better, and this sequel seems almost like a Nancy Drew mystery with amateur sleuths working their way through the crime. I did like the sweet ending (no spoilers here).

The Mystery Guest
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Nita Prose

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead— very dead —on the hotel’s tea room floor.

When Detective Stark, Molly's old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to who killed J.D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?

As the case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery post-haste. If there's one thing Molly knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don't stay buried forever...

My Thoughts: I adored the first book in the series. This is the second book in the Molly the Maid series. I was so excited when I heard this book was releasing and knew it would be an auto-buy for me as I was so invested in the first book. While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, the author does a great job with filling in from the first book. However, you will get a deeper character enrichment and character connections by reading both in order. Molly was born to be a maid, and while that may seem as a put down, it really is not. She has always been a cleaning person. Her motto, “restoring the rooms to a state of perfection” is instilled in all of the maids. She has been promoted to head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel when author, J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead on the hotel’s tea room floor. Grimthorpe was there to make a special announcement. There are so many potential suspects this time around, the new maid-in-training, Lily, or the author’s secretary, Serena, or could it be the wonderful Mr. Preston, the hotel’s doorman?

The story is narrated by our friend, Molly, in a first person POV. We get flashbacks of her time with Gran that fills in the backstory for this novel’s plot. The flashbacks are sprinkled in throughout the novel and focus on when Gran was cleaning this huge mansion, which happens to belong to the Author Grimthorpe. Molly is such an eccentric person, fiercely independent, fulfilled in her new role as head maid, is kind, and compassionate. Her love, Juan, makes a few appearances but is visiting his family for the majority of the book. Mr. Preston has some appearances in the book. Our new character Lily, is a maid-in-training. We also have the murdered J.D. Grimthorpe and his secretary, Serena. Then we have a good amount of flashbacks with Gran. We also have the LAMBS (Ladies Auxiliary Mystery Books Society Members), who tend to mush the waters. Lastly, Detective Stark from the first book is also the detective for this murder. The characters were well developed with depth, were mysterious, intriguing, and blended well together. I really enjoyed seeing the flashbacks with Molly and Gran, and their special relationship really fleshed out, you can truly understand how the experience shape Molly into who she is today. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, suspenseful, twisty, and absolutely kept me invested from the first word to the last word. The characters are continued to be built up, new characters were added, the plot is delivered in twisty layers, and the ending blew me away with another twist right there are the end.

This is a compelling, gripping, captivating psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat figuring out the ultimate plot. Some will plot this book at a cozy mystery, and while I can see that, I still think it could qualify as a psychological thriller with a whodunit aspect. I adore Prose’s writing and will buy future books that she publishes. I highly recommend both this one and the first story.

I absolutely loved 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗗 so I was super excited for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧 and it didn’t disappoint! It was fun to catch up with Molly the Maid as she found herself caught up in a new mess when a famous mystery author turns up dead at an event at The Regency Grand. In addition to the present timeline, where Molly works to uncover the mystery of who is responsible for the death of J.D. Grimthorpe, we also learn more about Molly’s character and her relationship with her Gran in a past timeline that takes place during Molly’s childhood. Overall, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧 was a fun, engaging continuation of the Molly the Maid series.

I'm so happy to reunite with one of my favorite characters, Molly, the maid!

Molly's hit the jackpot! She's now the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel—a real feather in her cap and a source of pride for her dear old grandma!

Things are bubbling at the hotel with an extravagant event lined up at their swanky new tea room. The staff's practically dancing with excitement! But wait for it... the party takes a nosedive when J.D. Grimthorpe, the famous author, keels over during his speech!

And guess who's back in action? Yep, it's Molly, teaming up with Detective Stark to crack another case. Maybe this time, our skeptical detective will finally warm up to Molly's unique talents!

Molly's story loops back to her childhood with her grandma, revealing how she unearthed her true calling—being a top-notch maid!

This mystery is a real treat, promising grins and giggles all the way through! Even though it's book two, it's totally cool to dive right in. Although, starting from the beginning means soaking up all the wonderfulness of Miss Molly's world!

So, grab a cup of tea and cozy in with this 5-star read. You won't regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!