The second installment offers more character development for our dear Molly, and the alternating timelines create more backstory to fill in this character's world. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll readily fall into step with 'the Mystery Guest,' with the door left open for another adventure. You could also step into this book without reading the first, but I suspect you'll want to read them both!

Thank you to Random House for my copy of The Mystery Guest. I enjoyed The Maid a lot and was excited to read what Molly was up to in this sequel, but found myself a bit frustrated. This book provides us with a glimpse into Molly's childhood and her grandmother (and mother's) past. Molly's lack of social skills or awareness was less charming in book two than in one for me, and I just had a harder time getting into the story. Though I still was eager to find out who did it. A cozy mystery for those in the mood for that.

I loved this sequel! It was another nice cozy mystery and I loved the surprise at the end! I loved the flashbacks and it really added to the story.

I might have loved this sequel more than the first book! Molly is such a likable character and it was fun to jump back into her world and learn more about her!

It's wonderful to see Miss Molly surrounded by so many good eggs, Juan Manuel, Mr. Preston, Mr. Snow, Sunny and Sunitha are still there; Angela is a gem even with her PPP (perfectly polished profanity); and we're rooting for Lily who we know will eventually become a quality maid. However, all the good eggs can't keep the occasional poisoner from the sparkling halls of the Regency
Grand.

After four quiet years, murder is once again rearing its ugly head as a monster from Molly and Gran's troubled past slithers into the Grand's dazzling tea room with the demon's silly and sinister followers. Can Molly right the tea room, solve the case, and save the Regency's reputation in spite of the misunderstandings that always arise when Detective Stark gets involved? Will bad egg and lazy maid Cheryl finally be exposed for her underhanded ways? Will Molly be able to break through Lily's inhibitions and reveal her valuable qualities? Of course!

Prose delivers another glimmering treasure of a tale that is sure to please.

This is one of the few books that I enjoyed the sequel even more than the original! I loveddd this book! I hope there are more books coming about Molly. 5 stars!!

I loved this book. I was impressed with the book The Maid, but I was so generally enjoyed when I started reading this sequel that the character Molly was so much more developed, especially as she makes mistakes and learns from them. I thoroughly enjoyed that we heard a younger Molly along with current Molly the Maid. I also enjoyed hearing more from Grandma, as she played such a large part of shaping Molly while raising her as a child. The book even ends with a surprise, I can't wait to read what new adventure Molly gets herself into in the future.

I love Molly! This was a light and quick mystery / whodunnit. The flashbacks to Molly and her grandma that revealed how Molly became a maid were my favorite. Some heartfelt moments too! I loved the cozy mystery vibes - they were perfect to read before bed. Can’t wait for more Molly in the Christmas novella being released later this year!

"The Mystery Guest" is a well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable mystery. It is a sequel to "The Maid" and is recommended to be read after the first book. The book is a quick read with a cozy feel and has quite a few side plots/mysteries that also keep it interesting3. It is a great gift for mystery fans and is just fun to buy for yourself

Lovely contemporary cozy mystery.

I love the literal and no-nonsense Molly the Maid. She reminds me of the main character in a much-loved children's book series, Amelia Bedelia, with how she perceives and interacts with the world.

When a famous author collapses and dies right in front of her in the Regency Grand Hotel Tearoom at a special VIP event, Molly is shocked to hear that it was a homicide. She teams up with her cohort of colleagues at the boutique hotel and joins forces with Detective Stark to find out who killed the author JD Grimthorpe. There is no way that Molly is going to let this scandal besmirch the reputation of her beloved hotel, especially not now since she became Head Maid.

Told in a past and present shifting timeline, the reader learns that Molly had actually met and known JD Grimthorpe when she, as a child, went to his mansion to help her grandmother who was working there as a maid. Some of the details Molly recalls help her while assisting in the investigation.

Love all the characters in this series and I enjoyed this second book as much as I did the first. I do look forward to more installments with Molly and her fellow workers, friends, and partner, Juan. I like the hotel setting and all the descriptions of the place.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I really enjoyed the narrator, Lauran Ambrose, who brought such quality to the production and enhanced my enjoyment of the novel. Definitely recommend this series.

Nita Prose has done it again!! Great story with a quirky likeable protagonist and a good twist at the end!

3.5 stars. Molly the Maid is back for a second tidy little murder mystery. I enjoyed Molly and her improved relationships with nearly everyone around her, including Detective Stark. Much like The Maid, I was rooting for Molly to crack the case. This story blends the past and the present in a way that isn’t always easy to follow. Molly really has to solve the murder because as a reader you don’t have enough information to do anything but guess who the killer is. It seems that Nita Prose might bring back Molly for a third installment but in a new profession. I would read that book as well. Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for my ARC.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This is the second book in the Molly the Maid series and I actually enjoyed this sequel better than the first book. It was a very light, quick and quirky book.

I will read every single Molly The Maid book that Nita Prose writes. I absolutely love how unique and quirky Molly is. I love that this book revealed more about Molly's life and past. I really enjoyed the storyline of this book and love Molly's crime-solving.

I give The Mystery Guest 5/5 stars.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this just as much as I loved the maid. It was so fun to go back into this world and to get more backstory on our main character. Always a delight.

Molly the Maid is back!

The Maid was one of my favorite books of 2022 so I was thrilled that there would be a second book chronicling her adventures (even though it did take me a while to pick it up)!

It’s a bit hard to review a sequel to a mystery without spoiling anything, but the short of it is if you loved The Maid, you’ll love the sequel! It was so nice to spend more time with Molly and see how she’s grown from the first book, while also getting a glimpse of her childhood through flashbacks. On top of that, the mystery was top tier and kept me guessing the entire time.

If you haven’t read The Maid yet (which you should), but are interested in The Mystery Guest, I do think it’s relatively easy to jump in with the second book, as Nita Prose does a great job of recapping the first book for the reader.

The Mystery Guest is out now. Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Mystery Guest" by Nita Prose is a delightful journey into the world of secrets and surprises. With charming characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end, this cozy mystery is a perfect weekend read. Prose's writing style is engaging and light-hearted, making it a great choice for fans of feel-good mysteries.

I adored The Maid and was so excited to read the sequel. It did not disappoint! Molly is a refreshing character and her matter-of-fact remarks throughout the story were just perfect. I really enjoyed the connection between the present day mystery and her childhood and the secret that was revealed about one of the main characters!

I love a cozy, lighthearted mystery, and this series is so, so much fun! I really enjoyed the social commentary elicited on some of the characters, and the backstory of the main character's upbringing and time with her grandmother has always warmed my heart. I am hoping for a third!

Another great book! I loved The Maid and now I love The Mystery Guest. You get drawn in and attached to the characters. Its an easy read and yet you are wondering what will you find out next! When people treat Molly poorly it brings out so many feelings. You know its a good book when it brings up feelings and you truly feel for the character. I hope there are more books to follow! Its not a thriller per se but it did have me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more and try and figure out who dun it! And guess what? I didn't know who it was until it was revealed! Those books are always great!