The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Thank you to @netgalley, @randomhouse, and @nitaprose for the opportunity to read this #advancedreadercopy in exchange for my #honestbookreview! This book is available now and is a BOTM add-on.

Molly the Maid is back and that can only mean one thing for the Regency Grand Hotel: a killer good time! This time the hotel is hosting popular murder mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe as he is set to reveal some big news. But things take a shocking turn when he drops dead in the middle of his press conference. Molly has a strange sense of Deja vu as she works her hardest to ensure justice is served and new maid in training Lily isn’t framed.

This was absolutely delightful! This one was even better than the first one in my honest opinion and the first one was a heartwarming tale. I highly recommend for those looking for a heartwarming cozy mystery.

TWs: profiling, framing, theft, r*pe/sexual ass*ult, dr*g ab*se, more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - 4.25/5

Molly the Maid is back in this fantastic sequel to The Maid. I loved the twist at the end and I couldn’t put the book down! Thanks to NetGalley for the Opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review. And we were actually staying in a hotel while reading this so it sure had me “thinking” what if “that” happened there! Lol Loved it!

Another tale full of mishaps and quirks from Molly the Maid - The Mystery Guest takes the reader through years of Molly’s early life, growing up as a precocious girl with only her Gran to care for her. We learn more about Molly’s childhood and more about Gran and her role as a maid for a famous author.

Decades later, the very same author is signing books and making a big announcement at the hotel where Molly works. Mayhem ensues and Molly the Maid is on the case again, trying to solve a mystery with her keen perception that is often unrecognized.

I love Molly - she’s such a great narrator and learning more about her life was a joy! I enjoyed the flashbacks even more than the present mystery. I wish there was more of Juan Manuel in the book, but I hold out hope he’ll be a key part in future adventures.

4.5 stars

Molly the Maid is back and she has a new murder to solve!

Molly never thought she’d ever see mystery writer J.D. Grimthorpe again. As a child, Molly worked alongside her Gran at the Grimthorpe mansion, and those dark days hold unpleasant memories.

When the author falls over dead in the middle of giving a speech at the Regency Grand Hotel where Molly works as Head Maid, she is once more thrust into a murder investigation. Molly must dig through the clues of her past in order to restore her own and her beloved hotel’s reputation.

While the plot of this sequel didn’t grip me as much as The Maid, I still loved being in Molly’s head and following along with her as she solved the mystery. We get to hang out with Mr. Preston, Cheryl and some of the old crew, as well as get to know quirky and unforgettable new characters.

My favorite part of this book were the flashback chapters of Molly as a child. Her interactions with Gran are so precious! There were so many emotional moments that made me even more attached to Molly and come to understand her even more.

I’m more than ready to go on another adventure with Molly in the future!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Molly Gray, AKA Molly the Maid, is back with another adventure at the 5-star Regency Grand Hotel! Her grandmother has recently died and Molly is still suffering from that loss, and she and Juan Manuel, the co-worker with whom she fell in love, have been living together for the past two years. But Juan Manuel has taken a long overdue vacation to see his family in Mexico, and Molly is missing him dearly.

This new adventure begins on the day that the international best selling author J. D. Grimthorpe is to hold a press conference at the hotel, and he is promising a Big Announcement. But just as the author begins his remarks, he drops dead on the floor. And, once again, the Maid is the main suspect. This time it is not so much Molly as her maid-in-training, Lily who is the suspect, but Molly, as Lily's supervisor, feels equally responsible, while not believing for a moment that Lily is actually guilty.

In a series of flashbacks to Molly's earlier life with her Gran, we discover that Molly actually knew Grimthorpe, having worked along with her grandmother as maids at his house when she was much younger. When Detective Stark, with whom Molly also has a past, learns of this connection, Molly finds herself once again right in the middle of a murder investigation. She has to rely on her knowledge of Grimthorpe's past to put the pieces together and solve the case.

I really loved the first story, and this one is good, but now quite as enjoyable. All the flashbacks, while explaining who the victim was and Molly's connection to him, was a bit intrusive, mostly because they were almost every other chapter.

Molly, now the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, is faced with another dilemma. The author, J.D. Grimthorpe is coming to speak to a select group of ladies and everything must be perfect. But then the author collapses and dies during his presentation. This time, Detective Stark is much more willing to accept Molly's help in solving the case.

Molly even has some insider information as her beloved Gran used to be in the employ of the author and Molly has been to his house with Gran. She knows secrets about him that almost no one else knows about.

Molly and her readers are growing into her being on the spectrum. Another enjoyable installment in the life of Molly the Maid.

In this latest adventure, Molly takes center stage as she leads her team of maids in meticulously restoring rooms to a "state of perfection." Her commitment to excellence is deeply rooted, instilled by her beloved Gran, whose enduring wisdom continues to shape Molly's values long after passing.

Admittedly, "The Mystery Guest" leans more towards cultivating a cozy atmosphere, and the dark comedy and intricate mystery elements are somewhat subdued. However, the narrative compensates by delving into Molly's past, offering readers a more intimate understanding of her bond with her grandmother, the motivations that led these women to choose a life of service, and the noticeable void of other family members in Molly's life.

While this installment may not match its predecessor's razor-sharp wit and entertainment value, it does introduce the intriguing prospect of Molly joining the ranks of crime-solving. I find it impossible to resist Molly's detective adventures. Despite its comparatively milder tone, the book remains an engaging, easily digestible, and captivating story I wholeheartedly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for generously providing me with a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my candid opinions.

The Mystery Guest is the second book in the Molly the Maid cozy mystery series following once again Molly, the now head maid of the Regency Grand, as she once again finds her workplace entangled in another murder.

I had enjoyed the first book, The Maid, but The Mystery Guest proved to be my favorite between the two. The second installment is taking place a few years after the first and we get to experience once again Molly’s unique voice and astute attention to detail as she ones again finds herself in a situation where she has to protect her favorite hotel and her coworkers.

In the second book, a famous author drops dead right before making a huge announcement at a conference taking place at the hotel and right after taking a sip of tea that the hotel staff served him. Not only does he have the reputation of being a very disagreeable man but he’s also someone from Molly’s past.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I truly enjoyed my time with this book!

Nita Prose has done it again.

Molly the Maid is back and in action once again. After reading The Maid, I am now fully invested in Molly’s life & story. Her characteristics remind me so much of Eleanor Oliphant in the best ways possible- quirky, misunderstood, intelligent, observant, socially ‘different’.

In The Mystery Guest, book two of the Molly the Maid series by Nita Prose, Molly has a leading her team of fellow maids to execute a “state of perfection” at the Regency Grand Hotel. as always. Molly is even tasked with assisting in the first VIP event in the new tearoom, a task she takes very seriously. But disaster strikes again, as the events guest of honor, author Mr. Grimthorpe dies on stage seconds before making a career changing announcement.

Molly has once again found herself tangled in the middle of a murder investigation, with Detective Stark breathing down her back. But this time the victims history is much closer to Molly than expected. Readers are taken along through the memories of Mollys grandmother, Gran, to solve the mystery.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheMysteryGuest

A pristinely fitting sequel to the highly acclaimed #TheMaid.

What a joy it was to get to spend more time with Molly with book No. 2! Thanks NetGalley Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the ARC!

Synopsis –

Fast forward a few years at the grandiose Regency Grand Hotel, Molly is now the Head Maid, whom several junior maids and trainees look up to. But when the renowned author J.D.Grimthorpe who was about to make a big announcement at the grand tea room drops dead, Molly’s orderly world turns upside down. As Molly revisits her childhood with her gran, she realizes that the answers for the present, may be buried in her past.

Review –

I felt so proud of Molly for how far she had come in her profession. Her transformation from being an awkward, invisible, tight lipped maid to a tactful, pragmatic and wise leader who inspired and motivated her peers, devised processes to improve their productivity and efficiency was truly amazing! It was also delightful to watch her love life blossom with Juan Manuel - so thankful that Molly found her true love, her life now stable filled with affection and care.

The narrative shifts between the present and Molly’s childhood years when she is raised by her gran. We gradually learn how she struggled with social skills at school, despite being the brightest kid and events that led up to her acquaintance with Grimthorpe.

It’s only a matter of time before Molly has to connect the dots and discover that the key to solve the mystery of Grimthorpe’s death, very much lies in her past and linked to his gothic mansion where she spent a lot of time as a young girl with gran.

I loved how Molly lives by her gran’s footsteps, imbibing her values and wisdom, deriving strength and achieving the pinnacle of perfection! After all, life has a way of sorting itself out and so does the puzzle pieces behind Grimthorpe’s death. The dirty, grim secrets she uncovers were simply jaw dropping and provoked my disgust and wrath.

Don’t miss if you’ve loved book #1!

Molly the maid is back again!

When a high profile guest speaker at the Regency Grand Hotel is murdered prior to making a huge announcement, everyone is a suspect. With humor, heart, and a lot of cleaning tips, Molly helps put together the pieces of the puzzle to solve the crime with the help of a few of her friends along the way.

I love The Molly Maid books. They are such entertaining, cozy reads that warm your heart and make you believe there are still good people in the world.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I don't really know that a second book was necessary... but I still enjoyed this one.

I liked seeing the further development of Molly's character, but the arc of the story fell flat for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun who-dun-it. I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I think I actually prefer this one more. Even though some serious things happen, it still feels lighter overall. Molly is such a lovable character. You really root for her, including the flashback scenes with her as a child. It’s interesting to experience her realizing as an adult what she couldn’t put together as a child. I enjoyed all the side characters as well. The villains, like Cheryl, are suitably frustrating. Detective Spark starts off frustrating (as she was in the first book), but really redeems herself, which I liked. There were a couple twists, that while weren’t totally shocking, I also didn’t see coming, I look forward to reading more books with Molly solving crimes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

How fun to revisit Molly! Molly is such a fantastic character. I loved The Maid and was so excited to be back in Molly's world. 

The Mystery Guest is set in the same hotel, but this time a well known author dies at his press release. Police quickly find out that he was poisoned. All staff are considered suspects. Molly's relationship with this author is more than meets the eye..

I really enjoyed this book. This book is not just a murder mystery, this is an exploration into Molly's past. I really loved that we got to know Molly even better with this second book. 

 I listened to the audiobook for most of it and Lauren Ambrose is a perfect narrator to bring Molly to life.

I loved the first book in this series, The Maid, so I was eager to read The Mystery Guest.

It is a good mystery, but not as good as the first in the series. This time, we have jumped a few years into the future. Molly is Head Maid and training Lily, who is quiet but hardworking. Like Molly, she is the type people underestimate and take advantage of.

When a famous author dies in the hotel tearoom, Molly decides she has to investigate, because the police jump to the wrong conclusions.

This story jumps back and forth in time to Molly's childhood, which is very interesting and plays a big part in the mystery.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I still love Molly! She is a great character!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

I was so excited to hear Molly was BACK! If you enjoyed The Maid, I’m confident you will enjoy this one as well. There is another murder in the Regency Grand Hotel, and Molly assists in the investigation (quirks and all!) Molly knows more about the victim than she cares to share but she does eventually come to terms with the importance of the information she possesses.

SIDE-NOTE: I was pretty shocked at the revelation that came out at the very end! But it DID make sense. (IYKYK)

The narrator was excellent! I loved her voice, she was easy to understand and I felt that she spoke just how I imagined Molly speaking. Nothing about her voice distracted me from the story. If anything, it added authenticity!

I work with individuals that have Autism and other related disabilities—Molly definitely reminds me of a few of my clients! I love all the quirks ♥️♥️

Molly the Maid is back to help solve another crime. When a mystery writer with a connection to Molly's past is murdered at the hotel, she must investigate again.

This is a compelling and fun read! I loved getting the flashbacks of Molly's childhood and learning about her life growing up. The mystery is entertaining and will keep you guessing until the end. I truly enjoyed being back with Molly!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I am a sucker for who-dun-it books, and this one did not disappoint. A page-turner from the beginning, The Mystery Guest is a must-read.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for the gifted copy and the incredible box of goodies!

Molly the Maid is back and finds herself with another mystery to solve at the hotel. A famous author dies at a press conference at the Regency Grand Hotel, and it very quickly becomes clear it was murder. Molly knows she can help solve the murder - but she’s keeping a secret of her own, she knows this author from her childhood. Is she willing to share her secrets in order to help solve the mystery?

I loved how this book was told partially in flashbacks and in the present day. It was fun to slowly find out what Molly’s connection to the author was. While I did enjoy this cozy mystery, it wasn’t quite as amazing as the first book. It felt a bit repetitive (how many surprise deaths can one hotel have?) and Molly’s little sayings were again constantly repeated. That being said, I will definitely continue to read the series if there is more.

I was so excited to jump back into Molly the maid universe and this book did not disappoint! It gave all of the cozy murder mystery vibes you could ask for with our main character, Molly who everyone loves.

This one is a bit hard to discuss because it’s the second in a series but we learn more about Mollys back story through this one. We also learn more about the hotel where Molly works and even the detective comes back to make an appearance because of yet another murder🫣

If you love Only Murders in the Building or Finlay Donavan Knocks Em Dead you’ll love this one! I can’t wait for the the next book🤍

Review will be published on goodreads and Amazon 12/8 and on Instagram 12/11 on @whatjenisreadin