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.

Couldn't and didn't want to put this cosy mystery down!

Everything I loved about the first book makes a comeback in this captivating page-turner. The cast is just as lovable and memorable as before, and I loved how we get more of their backstories here.

I thought the whodunit was just okay as it didn't blow my mind, but the suspense kept me hooked still. Needless to say, it's the characters (Molly and her gran especially) who really shine.

Once more, the author masterfully dives into important issues such as prejudice against blue-collared workers and those who are deemed different from societal norms. I really enjoyed her writing; it's easy to flow through while filled with humour and wit.

Can't wait for Molly's next adventure!

Sequels are always hard to anticipate…will they live up to the way you loved the first book or will they leave you wanting more?

The Mystery Guest is the follow up to Prose’s hit book, The Maid, and for me, this one did not disappoint!

I loved that Prose chose to weave storylines from past and present together, allowing readers to get to know more about Molly and her childhood. The past timeline is not without a strong connection to present day events, but as often happens with this style of plot, readers are left to guess how things will wrap up.

The overarching murder mystery plot is quick to be executed, which leaves plenty of time for Molly to sleuth along with readers for clues about the killer’s identity and their motive.

Prose carries on the same quirky, cozy mystery vibe from the first book to ensure fans will be sticking around for many more releases in this series!

I enjoyed this read, but sadly for me not as amazing as the first book featuring this character, The story was gripping though and a fast read,

This was a sad miss for me. I loved the first novel, but I just couldn't get back into the Molly world with this one. It kind of felt like all that I needed to know about Molly, I learned in the first novel.

Great follow up to the first book! I always enjoy entering the world of Molly the maid. She is such an interesting protagonist and I love seeing what she gets up to.

Molly is back and better than ever! Many times sequels don’t live up to the hype of their predecessors but this one was certainly a good contender for the original. Absolutely love Nita Prose’s writing and can’t wait to see more from her in the future.