3.5
The second book following the same quirky character, Molly, that we met in the wildly popular book, The Maid. I loved The Maid, the cozy mystery, Molly, the relationships, the murder, it was so well done.

The Mystery Guest was good. It was a cozy mystery again, takes place in the same hotel where Molly is now the Head Maid with a written handbook for employees to follow. We have all the same characters in the hotel as before with a few new ones. Honestly, it felt like a bit of a duplicate. I think it's so hard to nail sequels of fantastic first books. This just felt too similar. Location, another death/murder, characters, grandmas quotes, etc.

I did enjoy reading some of Molly and Grans backstory. I loved seeing Molly have a comfortable place with people who love and understand her. The mystery was good enough, and the two for one mystery was an extra treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advance e-copy of this book.

I LOVE the character of Molly the Maid. The way she looks at the world is unique and always brings a smile to my face. In this second book in the series, Molly is working an event in the Grand Tearoom at the Regency Grand Hotel. The famous mystery author J. D. Grimthorpe has a huge announcement to make. However, before he can make this announcement he keels over dead. It appears that Grimthorpe was murdered. Could the culprit be one of the employees at the hotel or even one of his many admirers? Who has motive to kill him. Further, it seems that Molly has a past connection to the author which gives her insights that others don't have. This book takes place about four years after the events of the first book. Molly has definitely grown as a person since the last installment of this series. If you enjoyed the first book, you will definitely be delighted by this new installment!

I read this and came away think that perhaps this character didn't need a series. The first book was fine but this book to me really felt like a retread. Maybe because of the distinctive style of writing the thoughts of the main character. It was a whole book of deja vu. It was so repetitive. I think the author could have assumed readers would have read the first book and understood it. It almost felt like it was made from cut pieces from the first.

Another adorable cozy mystery with Molly the Maid. This time, a famous novelist is poisoned in her hotel and she is in the crossfire with Detective Stark again! However, this book is told in multiple timelines - one present day embroiled in the current murder and in the past, when Molly was just a child living with her Gran and visiting an enormous mansion to clean daily, for a reclusive writer and his shrew of a wife.

Again, Molly is stellar and I love her character.

Molly the maid is back!! She's back and better than ever!! I was so excited to see this book, I loved the first book, and I can happily say I absolutely loved this book as well! Molly is just as fun and quirky as before, she is helping the detective solve the murder of an author, and what I really liked in this book was you got to see some of Molly when she was little, in this book Molly has really come a long way. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes a good cozy mystery or even mystery!

As much as I enjoyed this newest installment of Molly the maid, I felt as if Molly fell a little flat in this book. I adored her in book one but she just seemed a little dry in this book. However I really enjoyed the dual timelines and seeing Molly as a child. I hope that if the author continues to write more Molly books that we get the old Molly back. Overall a decent whodunit but nothing over the top special. I felt like this was a middle of the road read. I didn’t hate it but I also didn’t love love it.

Molly is back and she is just as fun and quirky as she was in The Maid! Molly gives me vibes of Eloise and Amelia Bedelia all rolled into one. The Mystery Guest is the coziest of mysteries as Molly the Maid helps the returning character Detective Stark figure out who murdered a famous author. Mystery write JD Grimthorpe is making an important announcement in the hotel’s tea room when he suddenly drops dead before he gets out the first words. The author takes on a journey to Molly’s past as a young girl training to be a maid with her Gran. Molly’s meticulous attention to the smallest details is what sets her apart from the other characters. Molly is the only one with knowledge of the past and that attention to detail that allows her to catch what everyone else misses. Molly makes her fair share of incorrect assumptions along the way that adds to the fun.
Molly is one of my favorite literary characters and I was thrilled to see her challenged with another murder to solve! Thank you NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me for my honest review. This is a must read for anyone who loves a cozy mystery with a fun, relatable main character.

Thank you to NetGalley & Edelweiss & Balantine Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review. The coziest mystery set in an upscale New York hotel. I was thrilled to jump back in to Molly the Maid's life. It's four years later and she is back at it, this time as head maid with another murder mystery rocking her lovely hotel. Molly's character really develops in book two and she shows enormous growth. Detective Stark is back on the case and sets her sights on Molly once again. Molly uses her individual quirks to help the detective solve the murder of the famous author. We get to enjoy a look back at Molly as a little girl and her grandmother's strength while raising her. I'm looking forward to a book three!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Maid, which was book one in this series.

As soon as I saw this on Netgalley I immediately requested it! Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

I love the female main character, Molly. Her character is so well developed, she seems to be on the Autism spectrum. Typically characters written on the spectrum fall short, but Nita does an amazing job at getting every detail of her life across. The mystery captivates your attention and does not let go! I finished this book in a few hours. I could not put it down.

This was just as good as The Maid.

The Mystery Guest

4.25 ⭐️

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery this fall, look no further. I’m such a fan of this series, especially Molly. She is one of my favorite characters in a mystery series!

This story kicks off with a death in the Hotel that Molly works in. And she, along with many of the other staff must help the detective figure out who had motive to kill a famous writer.

With the dual timelines, I really enjoyed seeing more of Molly’s childhood and more of her relationship with her Gran. I really love how this series has a neurodivergent main character that’s done so well.

I went into this book with low expectations because I liked "The Maid" but I did not love "The Maid", however, "The Mystery Guest" bypassed my expectations and I enjoyed this sequel SO much. I loved the character development, especially in our FMC Molly. The confidence that she has developed over the years made my heart swell. Also, Detective Stark's growth was so needed and done very well and believably.

I also loved the mystery in this novel as well as the background story. It was super nice to get to understand Molly more by learning about her past and how she grew up. I also loved all of the connections that brought this book together. While most of the mysteries were predictable, the book was still incredibly enjoyable. The predictability made this a cozy, mystery read and a quick one at that. Definitely worth a read.

I would recommend this book but you would definitely have to read "The Maid" first just to understand all of the characters, some of the story and really to appreciate the growth of a lot of the characters.

I have to start this review out by saying that I ended up enjoying this sequel more than the first. I read it in hours!

I really enjoy Molly the Maid and her personality. I feel like she really grew into herself more in this. It's been four years since we last saw her and I feel like while she was always unapologetically herself, in this one she's more comfortable with herself. Or maybe it's her confidence on herself. I'm not sure but I appreciated the growth.

It was nice that she learned more about herself and her past in this one. She deserves her family and her love.

The one thing I didn't like what Detevtive Stark yet again targeting her. Like miss ma'am how did you learn from your mistake and then repeat it all over again?

While I didn't think The Maid required a sequel, I'm glad it got one. And I do think this one requires a sequel. I would like to see Molly the Maid become...more. I want her to throw us four years into the future again and have taken up that offer. It would be so fitting!

The Mystery Guest is a superb sophomore novel by Nita Prose. The Maid was a delight, introducing readers to Molly Gray, aka Molly the Maid, and various employees and guests at The Regency Grand. In The Mystery Guest, we are once again reacquainted with Molly & Co. as the boutique hotel once again finds itself front and center of a mystery and murder. These are fun reads, and fans of light mysteries will devour Prose's novels, fall in love with Molly, and work right alongside her in solving the latest crime. Much thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHousePublishing for the advance copy.

Boy, I was excited to receive an ARC and be back with Molly the Maid once again!

I truly enjoyed this one (not as much as The Maid of course) and wanted to keep reading. I often feel disappointed in ‘sequels’, but felt like this story kept the mystery with old and new characters. I also loved going back in time to get to know younger Molly Gray.

4.5 stars

She's back and I couldn't be happier! Molly the Maid continues to delight readers with her witty sayings and atypical aphorisms.

This sequel to The Maid, did not disappoint! Molly is back and just as funny-without-trying as ever!

I loved the dual timeline and learning more about her younger years.

A quick mystery filled with fun!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Prose for giving me the chance to review "The Mystery Guest." I read Ms.Prose's prior novel "The Maid," and I really like it. "The Mystery Guest," I loved! I found it even more enjoyable to read than "The Maid." I just love the nuances of the main character. It is a charming novel. One that I would recommend to readers who like cozy mysteries. I hope there will be a third book!

Great follow up to the first book! A guest dies in the hotel and once again a mystery ensues. Who could it be? Although it is a second book it can also be read as a stand alone. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Sleuthing with Heart: 'The Mystery Guest' Delivers Cozy Mystery Magic.

Book Information

“The Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose is a 304-page cozyish mystery novel with an expected publication date of November 28, 2023. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Molly Gray stands out from the crowd with her exceptional cleaning skills and impeccable manners, earning her the prestigious position of Head Maid at the luxurious Regency Grand Hotel. However, her perfect world takes a shocking twist when the renowned mystery author, J.D. Grimthorpe, drops dead in the hotel's tea room, and Detective Stark, her old adversary, launches a murder investigation. As suspicions cast a wide net, questions arise about who could have killed Grimthorpe. Could it be the new Maid-in-Training, Lily, or the author's secretary, Serena? Even the beloved doorman, Mr. Preston, is under scrutiny. Amidst the turmoil, Molly realizes she may hold the key to solving the mystery in her past connection to Grimthorpe.

My Thoughts

Nita Prose's "The Mystery Guest" proves to be a delightful sequel to her debut novel, "The Maid." I initially had doubts about whether a follow-up could capture the charm of the original, but this book managed to exceed my expectations. If 'The Maid' was the appetizer, 'The Mystery Guest' is the delicious main course that leaves readers hungry for more. It's a fun and fast-paced read that is both clever and witty, offering a feel-good mystery with a cozy touch.

One of the highlights of this book is the return of many beloved characters from the first installment. It's a welcome reunion that adds depth to the story. Since the first book, the protagonist, Molly, has shown remarkable growth and potential for more, making her an even more engaging character.

The story is built around two interconnecting timelines, which adds intrigue and keeps readers engaged. Exploring Molly's background and childhood, as well as her interactions with her Gran, offers valuable insights into her as a person. Introducing young Molly was a clever move by the author to further enrich her character.

As someone who has dedicated over two decades to working on behalf of people with disabilities and is the father of children with autism, I appreciate when books portray characters with disabilities in a positive light. Nita Prose's portrayal of a neurodivergent person and the challenges (and advantages) faced by such individuals and their families is sensitive and well-executed, avoiding stereotypical clichés. Her ability to capture moments in the life of a person with a disability is commendable.

Prose's writing is top-notch, and she excels in bringing out Molly's uniqueness. The unlikely pairing that develops late in the book is a highlight for me, showcasing Prose's skill in managing character growth and changes in attitude.

Lastly, the heartwarming conclusion is so moving that you might find yourself reaching for "a tissue for your issue."

This is a charming and clever page-turner that will steal your heart.

Recommendation

"The Mystery Guest" is a well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable mystery that not only maintains the charm of its predecessor but also adds depth and heart to the series. If you enjoyed the original, you will enjoy this one too. A must-read for mystery lovers and those seeking a feel-good tale of hope and intrigue. Highly recommended.

Rating

4 Restored to a State of Perfection Stars

I read the Maid last year by the same author and like it. I like this book maybe more. You get more back story of the characters. I liked the two different time lines. Gran's words of wisdom through out the book reminded me of my grandmother.