Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballantine for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Another winner from Nita Prose and a continuation of our story of Molly the Maid. Jumping to a few years after her last murder mystery , Molly is once again involved in a murder at her hotel. We join in and meet old and new characters in this mystery.
I enjoyed seeing Molly again and all of her quirks. The mystery was pretty solid and had me struggling to figure it out, so it has checked off all of the boxes.
I did find the whole repetition of grandmaisms pretty annoying and would suggest if there is a book 3 to decrease those repetitions..
Otherwise a fun read with a cute, quirky and likable MC.
If you enjoyed #1 I definitely recommend visiting #2

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On par with the previous novel in the series. A very easy read but also super predictable so I didn’t think this was all that great for a mystery.

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THE MYSTERY GUEST is a fun sequel! I loved getting to know Molly more. I enjoyed this one even more than THE MAID!

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Molly the maid is back to help solve another mystery!

This book takes place about 4 years after The Maid. Molly is now head maid, having shown herself worthy after the first book and overthrowing the odious Cheryl. The Regency Grand Hotel is hosting famous mystery writer JD Grimthorpe to promote his new book. However, as he’s about to give a speech Grimthorpe drops dead, presumably poisoned by some tea. There are a bunch of suspects and Molly takes us along in trying to figure out whodunnit.

I really enjoy this series of books. Molly Gray is a lovable character and I especially love her no-nonsense literal approach to everything. It’s a lovely cozy mystery series and I can’t wait to see more from Nita Prose!

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I absolutely adore Molly!!! She is so quirky and wonderful. It was nice to be back in her world!

This time we get a dual POV between the present and Molly's childhood. I LOVED that!! The past scenes were really well written and it was fun to see Molly get her start as a maid and more of her and Gran. I really liked book #1, but I might have liked this one even more!

I absolutely adored the ending! So perfect!!!!

I hope there's a 3rd book!!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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"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.

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