4.5 stars, rounded up!
The Mystery Guest, by Nita Prose, is the second entry in her delightful “Molly the Maid” cozy mystery series. The first book, “The Maid,” was one of my favorites from 2022, introducing the endearing, quirky Molly Gray, who works as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel in NYC and who grieves for her Gran, who had been the beacon in Molly’s life. This next story finds Molly four years older, age 25, and the Head Maid at the Regency. Again there is a murder to be solved and Molly, with her extraordinary powers of observation, aids the local police detective to identify the murderer and the motive.
This sounds like a tidy little whodunit, but it is really so much more! Molly’s intellect and observations are blessings and also challenges as she navigates a world often not kind to outliers. There is humor and pathos, especially regarding Molly’s yearning for a real family, now that Gran is gone. Her romance with Juan Manuel shows a lovely, maturing side to the ever-practical Molly. The story is narrated by Molly, really drawing the reader into her inner world and perspective. The alternating timelines of Now—involving the Regency Grand and the murdered guest—and Then—Molly’s childhood at Gran’s side—enhance the reader’s understanding of Molly’s quirks and her often unusual views of ordinary situations. The cast from the first book return—Hotel Manager Mr. Snow, Doorman Mr. Preston, snarky maid Cynthia, Juan Manuel, and Detective Stark—as well as some fresh characters, like smart, inquisitive bartender Angela and new maid Lily.
There are serious and sad scenes, but the overall themes of this story are hope, tolerance, and the wisdom of finding one’s own happiness, whether embracing the status quo or stretching for a change. I enthusiastically recommend this novel, and the first one, for readers who look for humor, as well as sentiment and wisdom in their cozy mystery reading. Molly Gray continues to be a character for whom we cheer as she grows in wisdom and independence!

Thank you to Ballantine Books/Random House and NetGalley for an early read of this wonderful novel. This is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc!

Molly Gray returns with a new mystery to solve at the Regency Grand hotel. When author J.D. Grimthorpe comes to the hotel to make an announcement, fans of the author flock to see him, hoping he will be announcing a sequel to one of his bestselling novels. However, the author never gets to make an announcement- after he drinks some of his tea, he falls off the stage right to his death.

Detective Stark is called to the scene, and is once again suspicious of the maids- Molly, and more specifically, Molly’s maid in training, Lily. Poison is immediately what is suspected for how the author died, and the most likely suspect is always who prepared it..

As Molly and the Regency Grand team uncover more details, it continues to be unclear who could be behind the crime, or why. The detectives are sure it must be someone who works at the hotel, but who could possibly be a killer?

I enjoyed reading about Molly again, as she is such a unique and refreshing character. Her attention to detail is unrivaled, and it was nice to learn so much about her past in this book.

If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining whodunnit mystery, you definitely need to pick this one up! (Make sure to read The Maid as well!) I really hope there will be another book in the Molly the Maid series!

I’m not sure why, but the author’s previous work was a 5 star for me. Maybe it was that I listened to it on audible? The narrator was so great. I read this sequel. Molly was so quirky.

She has lost some of her quirkiness in this book. I really didn’t care for the storyline. I had no desire to see what Happened. I barely cared. I just like Molly and her love for the Olive Garden.

I preferred the flashback story much more. More of Molly and Gran. Less of this riduculous writer murder. This book will still do very well. And I would read a third installment. This is the type of book I prefer to listen to.

A delicious and delightful read! I love Molly and loved her in the previous book. Molly is unique. Her grandmother raised her and as she was a cleaner, Molly wanted nothing more than to be a maid. In fact, she has risen through the ranks to be Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She lives with her beloved Juan and everything is going so smoothly, until a famous author is murdered in the hotel. Detective Stark seems to consider Molly a prime suspect until she knows her a bit better. In fact the two end up working together to solve the case. I wonder if Molly will have a change of career?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Because a famous man is dead. Because they always blame the maid. You of all people should know that.” Lily says to Molly Gray, the Head Maid of the The Regency Grand Hotel. It seems that J. D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, has dropped dead while making an appearance at the hotel's newly refurbished Tea Room. Unfortunately, for Lily, Molly's young protégé, she had prepared his tea cart. The author was to be making an important announcement. Detective Stark, once again will be investigating.

This second mystery gives a glimpse into Molly's past. It turns out that Molly's beloved Gran once worked for Grimthorpe and Molly would go with her. Could the clue to solving the murder be in the past? We get two timelines as Molly recalls the past.

It is fun to see Molly's observations that others miss. Molly has grown from the first book, The Maid, (highly recommend). She is more confident. She has a happy personal life with Juan Manuel, who is visiting his family, in this book.

Although I enjoyed, The Mystery Guest, I found it lacked the "spark" of the previous book. I do still recommend this book because it was a treat to solve a mystery with Molly once again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing, for an ARC. The review is my own.

An average 3-star rating from me. There was nothing bad about The Mystery Guest, I just didn't find it as interesting as other mysteries that I've read this year. I preferred the backstory of Molly and her Gran over the present murder mystery at the hotel. This novel was an improvement over The Maid for me, but didn't leave a lasting impression on me. I would still recommend that those who are interested in Molly's story pick this one up when it hits shelves November 28, 2023.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Molly the Maid is the breath of fresh air that everyone needs to read. I absolutely loved The Maid and was thrilled when a sequel was announced and could not wait to read it. Too many times a sequel falls short of expectations. Either the character falls apart or the storyline jumps the shark. That is not the case at all with The Mystery Guest.

Set a few years after the events of The Maid, Molly once again finds herself in the midst of a murder in her beloved Grand Regency Hotel. With alternating chapters flashing back from past to present, the reader gains more insight into Molly's past while also intricately weaving those childhood memories with current events at the hotel. There is just enough new information given to move Molly's story forward unlike other mystery series that keep characters locked in perpetuum (wink wink) regarding their age or love lives. However, the author holds back just enough to leave readers eager for Molly's next adventure. The reveal at the end was both unexpected, but wholly delightful.

The one thing that makes Molly special in literature is that even though she is autistic, she is able to live as normal of a life as possible. As someone who has a child with special needs and has worked in education specifically with kids with autism, I cling to the hope the character of Molly gives to be able to navigate the world around them and successfully form lasting relationships with others. Special needs does not mean that they don't have special abilities, something that Molly surely proves. I anticipate that there will be another book in the series and cannot wait to see what murder Molly solves next in her own unique way.

Recommended for fans of The Maid and Only Murders in the Building and books that feature disability representation.

Thank you to Netgalley, Nita Prose, and Ballantine for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nita Prose’s debut The Maid was a five-star read for me in January 2022, and I was so excited to read this follow-up which comes out next Tuesday. Many thanks to Random House Ballantine Books for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This book can be read as a standalone, but I think it would make more sense to read The Maid first.
It was a joy to return to the quirky land of Molly, now appointed Head Maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. This book has two timelines, giving additional history of Molly’s childhood with her Gran before they both worked at the Grand Regency, prior to the plot of The Maid, and also filling the reader in on how Molly’s life has proceeded since the ending of The Maid. There are still plenty of Gran’s sayings, too!
I liked the multiple mysteries involved in the book’s plot, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to end (in a good way!). I enjoyed reacquainting myself with Molly and the rest of the hotel staff - the characters seem so fun (well, besides Cheryl!). I don’t read many cozy mysteries, but I really enjoy how the author portrayed this one. I’m excited to continue reading her work in the future!

4.25⭐️

Molly the Maid is back with another fun caper. This time the cozy murder mystery gives us lots of flashbacks into Molly’s childhood, helping us learn more about how she grew up and how her social awkwardness shaped her.

It’s a fun, cozy, quick read that will keep you guessing just as much as it keeps you entertained. I was happy to get another chance to spend time in Molly’s world.

Thank you Nita Prose, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I adore Molly the Maid! She is such a refreshing character and I was excited to see a sequel!

This was another fun cozy mystery and a quick read. Loved spending time with Molly again, and seeing she is now Head Maid! Some other characters from the first book reappear, and I also loved Lily, a new character.

This one was told in a dual timeline - present day with flashbacks to Molly's childhood with her Gran. I felt this added to the story.

A fun twist at the end! Hoping this isn't the last we see of Molly!

Nita Prose has once again delivered a mystery perfect for Agatha Christie fans! Readers of The Maid will enjoy this continuation of Molly's story, this time centered around the murder of a famous author right in the middle of The Regency's new tea room with hundreds of witnesses. If you haven't read The Maid, I highly recommend you read that first in order to get all of the cozy nooks and crannies out of Prose's latest mystery. We don't get to see much of Juan, Molly's boyfriend who we got to know in The Maid, and one of the character twists will be obvious for those of us paying close attention in the first book. But the glimpse into Molly's childhood and her relationship with Gram added a lot of depth and some twists to the plot that made for a fun mystery read.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.**

Both this and The Maid were well written, just not my favorite. Poor Molly’s times of social awkwardness or people taking advantage of her makes me cringe.

Title: The Mystery Guest
Author: Nita Prose
Pub Date: November 28, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Molly the maid is back and has once again found herself in the middle of a murder investigation at The Regency Grand Hotel! The hotel staff was happy to be hosting an event for famous author, J.D. Grimthorpe, who was there to make a special announcement. However, he collapses and dies before he is able to make his speech. Molly is determined to figure out what happened and helps detective Stark investigate the murder.

I enjoyed this book. We get a glimpse of Molly’s childhood, which includes a prior connection to the murder victim, and we learn more about Gran as the chapters alternate between Molly’s past as a child and the present investigation. This book is more than just a mystery. It has all the great elements of a cozy mystery as well as a heartwarming storyline about Molly, leading up to an emotional ending.

This is the sequel to The Maid by Nita Prose. I found the ending to be a little predictable but I loved that we found out so much more about Molly in this book and I enjoyed following along as she helped catch the killer. This was a quick fun read with some heartfelt moments. I definitely recommend if you like a story with a cozy mystery vibe or if you loved The Maid.

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for this advanced readers copy.

Thank you @prhaudio @netgalley for a copy of this book. So glad to see Molly back again. There is a murder at the Regency Hotel where she was recently promoted to head maid. Similar to the last book, Molly is underestimated by the investigators and proves them wrong. I really enjoyed seeing more of Molly's childhood and her relationship with her grandmother. Lauren Ambrose does a great job portraying Molly and bringing the story to life.

“The monster is always real, just not the way you thought. No secret stays buried forever. The maid shalt be redeemed in the end.”

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for a copy.

Molly the maid is back with this next installment in the cozy mystery series. This can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading The Maid first.
Molly has been promoted to Head Maid and her Gran would be so proud. She has a maid in training, Lily and sees a bit of herself in her.
There’s another murder at the Regency Hotel and the maid is always to blame. But with Mollys help she will prove Detective Stark wrong.
I enjoyed the second book even more than the first! I liked that we went back to when Molly was a kid to gain more insight on her and everything she learned with her Gran.
I still absolutely love Mr. Preston and his relationship with Molly. But we learn he could be holding secrets of his own.
The Mystery Guest is a quick, cozy and fun read for cozy mystery lovers.

The Mystery Guest was just as delightful and cozy mystery as its predecessor, The Maid! I found Molly’s character to be a little over the top in The Maid (big “Amelia Bedelia” vibes), but loved that more of her childhood/background was included in the Mystery Guest. It really helped me connect with her and understand her inner workings. Similar to the Maid, a bit of a predictable mystery plot but enjoyable nonetheless.

I honestly hope we get another book in this series as I think there is so much more that can be done with Molly and larger cast of characters!

Many thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Nita Prose has done it again! I was so happy to keep reading about mollys adventures at the hotel- and small glimpses of her backstory was so heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. Loved this so much- great sequel!

My second Nita Prose book and I am eagerly awaiting the next one!! This was a wonderful read - innovative, well-written, creative and all around fun. What a great book. And Molly is the perfect protagonist. Her unique take on life (and murder) makes the book so interesting. I sped through the book and now I am sorry because it done. Well I’ll just have to wait for the next installment. Hurry!!

The Maid was one of my favorite books of 2022, so I was excited to see that Molly was back with another mystery. In the first book I found her quirky and likeable, if a little bit uptight, and I was looking forward to seeing how her relationship with Juan Miguel had progressed and revisit some old friends like Angela and Mr. Snow.

Unfortunately, this book didn't spend a whole lot of time in the present. There was a lot of backstory- which was great in some ways. I felt like I got an even better idea of Molly's character, as well as Mr. Preston and Gran. The parts of the story that were told in the past- at Grimthorpe's mansion- were by far the strongest bits. The present day mystery felt weak in comparison, almost like it was an afterthought. There was some movement on her relationships in present day- a new partnership with the detective introduced in the first book, a "big" reveal by Mr. Preston (which is a shock to literally no one except maybe Molly, who sometimes seems very sharp and sometimes seems very obtuse- and I have a hard time telling when she'll be which). But, at the end of the day, the past won the day. I almost think this book would have been much stronger if it had been a story of Molly and her Gran during childhood- completely negating the present day hotel story line and setting Grimthorpe's murder in the past. It would have taken away a lot of what felt like fluff and focused on the good stuff.

Overall, I might give Molly another chance. I still find her likeable...just not as likeable as the first go around.

(will post an Instagram review on pub day, 11/28 @thelibrarianslunchbox).

I wish I could say I liked this as much as the first, but I can’t. I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly. It was basically the same story but a different murder. I did like how this time we did get a glimpse into Molly’s childhood and a few secrets were revealed. I hope the next book veers away from the hotel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest opinion. 3⭐️