3.5/5⭐️

It was a nice treat to be back in Molly’s world with her unique mannerisms and quirks.

Molly is head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel and it’s a role she wears with utmost pride! She has a knack for clean and tidy, and attention to detail. Molly’s life is finally beginning to resemble normalcy after the last debacle at the hotel, and her beloved Gran’s passing.

When well known mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead before his speech at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly life is once again upended… It’s always the maid or so they say.

Suspects are in abundance and as the truth about Grimthorpe unravels, it becomes clear Molly may have certain motive as well… Is she really as innocent as she seems?

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Happy Pub Day Nita Prose! Get your copy now!

Book Review
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Follows where the The Maid left off but now Molly Gray is the Head maid
There another dead guest (a reclusive author) and a new maid Serena.

Favourite Quotes
“ Sometimes it's the pieces you connect that give the missing one its shape “

“Everything will be ok in the end.
If its no okay, then its not the end”


📚This book feels like a traditional Whodunnit or a game of Clue- anyone and everyone could be a suspect
📚The Main Character voice (Molly) is vibrant on the page…. The audience could read any sentence and immediately pick out Molly. Her precise speech, candor and dry wit are unique.
📚Detective Stark, Mr Preston, and many of the beloved secondary characters return and help drive Molly’s personal story/journey forward.
📚 I love the ever present advice from Gran- proving that words and experience shape you and stay with you long after our loved ones are gone

Overall
📚A super Sleuth in the making (think Sherlock Holmes) I cant wait to read more

Thank you to @penguinrandomca for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Brilliant

I really enjoyed The Maid and it's sequel, The Mystery Guest, is superb! Yes, there's an interesting plot, but what I really loved was the deft descriptions of the characters and especially the voice of Molly. Molly's character is explained a lot though the backstory parts of the plot, which, of course, are also very relevant to the current day plot. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

The Mystery Guest is the sequel to the well known debut novel The Maid. Molly is back and she has a new mysterious murder in her hotel. Using her attention to detail and her childhood memories, she manages once again to help Detective Spark with this case.

I started reading this novel without previously reading The Maid. Although it was enjoyable, I realized there were details I was missing. So I stopped, read The Maid first, and re-started reading The Mystery Guest. For those that are in the same boat, I highly recommend you do this as well.

The Mystery Guest is, in my opinion, a wonderful sequel to The Maid. Nita Prose's writing gets better in this book as she dives into Molly's childhood. Reading about her grandma's struggles raising Molly on her own was inspiring and heartwarming. I will forever treasure all the words of wisdom she imparts into Molly, my favorite being "Stories are a way to walk a mile in someone else's shoes". So true for this book! The book left me with the feeling that Molly might be back in the future ready to solve more mysteries. I for one hope I'm right!

So grab yourself a cup of tea, curl up on your favorite couch and read this wonderful cozy mystery, you won't be able to put it down until you turn the last page.

My thanks to author and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Molly Gray has always been different from everyone else. She highly values proper etiquette and thorough cleaning, with which she has risen to the esteemed status of Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. But as Molly's life seems to be reaching perfection, it gets roughly shaken upside down when renowned mystery author, J.D. Grimthorpe, drops dead on the hotel's tea room floor. When all signs point to Grimthorpe being murdered, Molly believes she holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity because she knew Mr. Grimthorpe in her past.

I saw several early reviews with glowing praise for THE MYSTERY GUEST which prompted me to request it on Netgalley prior to its publishing date. THE MYSTERY GUEST is the second book in the Molly the Maid series and I would recommend reading them in order to really grasp Molly's character as well as the other characters featured in the two novels.

THE MYSTERY GUEST is told in dual timelines, touching upon the past and intermingling it with the present. I loved how this allowed the reader to get a better understanding of Gran and Molly's relationship, as well as Molly's history with Mr. J.D. Grimthorpe. The flow between the two timelines was seamlessly done, making this an easy read.

I really enjoyed falling back into step with Molly here. She's a unique main character with a voice that I can't help but hear distinctly inside my mind as I read. Molly is kind, brave, smart, and so inquisitive. I love how attentive she is to the details, often picking up on things that many others overlook.

This novel makes for a light, quick, and cozy read. The mystery is interesting and kept me guessing as Molly investigated who could be at hand for murdering the renowned author. Although the culprit did take me by surprise, I found the motive to be a bit stretched.

Can't wait to see what's next for Molly!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

Thank you so much @netgalley @penguinrandomhouse, for providing me with an ARC of one of my favourite duologies in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review | The Mystery Guest🫖

Molly Gray has worked at the Regency Grand Hotel for seven and a half years. Although she initially started as a "maid in training," she has been the Head Maid for three and a half years. She proudly wears this title above her heart on her name tag.

Molly has taken on the responsibility of training new staff members, including a girl named Lily, whom she finds relatable due to her own past experiences. She has also been assigned the vital duty of supervising a highly anticipated event in the recently renovated tea room of the hotel, which is known for its five-star service. The distinguished writer J.D. Grimthorpe, renowned for his successful literary works such made a special public appearance. During this occasion, he planned to deliver an enigmatic announcement to a select group of esteemed individuals.

Will his announcement signal the completion of a new book or the end of his writing career? As it happens, he concludes his writing journey as he falls to his death moments after sipping tea freshly prepared by the recently employed maid, Lily. Now, the entire staff is under scrutiny for murder. Once again, Molly must assist Detective Stark in solving a murder. However, the situation is challenging and not favourable for Molly's innocence as she has a connection with the deceased. She must now uncover the truth before anyone is wrongly accused.

I absolutely LOVE Molly the Maid. She is one of my favourite characters who always makes me smile. I welcome her wholeheartedly and with open arms to delve into her newest whodunit adventure.

Like the first book, The Mystery Guest is very well written, offering plenty of clever and witty elements. The dialogue can make you laugh loudly, feel frustrated, and break your heart. We are given additional insights into Molly's upbringing, allowing us to better understand her bond with her grandmother, the motivations that led these women to pursue careers as maids, and the absence of other family members in Molly's life.

We also observe much personal growth in Molly. She has a remarkable talent for perceiving details that others would miss. Her detective abilities continue to sharpen effortlessly, aiding her in unravelling the mysteries she encounters. Molly is stronger than ever, embodying her grandmother's wisdom and cultivating new friendships.

The Mystery Guest could be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading The Maid first for the simple joy of getting to know Molly.

This book is a perfect cozy mystery. Although it may not be as “sharp” as the first book, it is an enjoyable, fun read I 100% recommend. So pour some tea in your best china cup and enjoy this read!

I was so excited to have the chance to read this second entry in the Molly Gray series. What a treat this book was! I thought The Maid was an excellent debut novel for Nita Prose and I thought this book was a fabulous addition to the series.
The back and forth between Molly's childhood experience in the Grimthorpe mansion and her current situation was intriguing. I was so annoyed with the teacher/principal at the school who was so inept at dealing with kids who are different and was trying to hold back a bright young girl. I loved that Gran stood up for Molly and got her a reprieve from the bullies. I was annoyed again that Cheryl was still kicking around to cause trouble for everyone and that she keeps getting extra chances even when she doesn't deserve them.
The mystery kept me turning the pages and I didn't really have any clear ideas as to who I thought the murdered was so it was a surprise for sure when it came out. I enjoyed Serena's revelation but I can't really discuss it since I don't want to spoil the story for anyone. I also loved Mr. Preston's reveal to Molly....so lovely.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

When a famous mystery author drops dead on the tea room floor of the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly, now the Head Maid, realizes she may be the only person able to identify the killer.

I enjoyed this novel more than the first. It was an engaging and quick read. While the story moves between Molly's past and present,, it doesn't get bogged down in either time. Molly's reflection of her past experiences helps her investigation in the present and also provides the reader with a glimpse into her interesting childhood. Molly is more confident in this novel and realizes she enjoys more than cleaning. It will be interesting to see where her investigative skills might lead.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with a ARC of this novel. All of the opinions offered in this review are solely my own.
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Happy to include this title in the November edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

People who enjoyed The Maid will enjoy the return of Molly Gray in this sequel.

Molly is now 29 and has been promoted to Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. Because of her obsessiveness about cleanliness and returning things to “a state of perfection,” and her devotion to duty, she excels at her job. There is a great deal of excitement about the opening of the hotel’s tearoom: its first event is the appearance of a world-famous mystery writer, J. D. Grimthorpe, who is scheduled to make a major announcement. But just as he takes the podium, he drops dead after ingesting poisoned tea. Detective Stark, who suspected Molly of murder in The Maid, reappears to investigate. Various suspects are considered, including Lily, the newest maid-in-training whom Molly insisted on being hired.

Though J. D. Grimthorpe is a mysterious figure – I couldn’t help but think of J. D. Salinger – Molly’s thoughts reveal something important: “I knew so much about the man who’d written [The Maid in the Mansion]. I knew a lot about the book itself as well.” Interspersed amongst the sections about the investigation are flashbacks to Molly’s childhood visits to the Grimthorpes and their mansion where Gran worked as a maid.

As in the previous novel, much of the appeal of the book is the character of Molly. She has not changed in that she remains honest, unfailingly polite, and hard working. Her social awkwardness also remains, although she seems more adept at reading emotions and social cues. Her maturity shows in her awareness of both her weaknesses (not noticing what is obvious to others) and strengths (being attuned to what others ignore). She is a charming amateur sleuth in the vein of Flavia de Luce.

Molly’s reminiscences about the past are most interesting. The reader learns more about Molly’s childhood; her experiences at school are especially heart-breaking. We also discover more about Gran, the woman who raised Molly. Gran is a woman whom the reader cannot but admire. Her sayings serve to guide Molly. Sometimes Molly’s constant repetition of these nuggets of wisdom becomes annoying, but of course routine and repetition are keys to how Molly functions in the world.

Of course, Molly’s memories also serve another purpose: they hold the clues to why Grimthorpe was murdered. Because she was only ten years old when she visited the mansion and because she understood things in a very literal way, she was not able to interpret the meaning and significance of what she observed and heard. The reader may understand things Molly does not, but will s/he ignore things Molly does not? Certainly the clues are there from the beginning.

This cozy mystery is a quick, entertaining read with both sad and silly moments. Sequels do not have the freshness of the originals, but this sequel is quite good. Molly is an endearing character so it’s fun to spend some time in her company. As she was taught by Gran, Molly focuses on the positive, and some escapist reading that ends with a positive message is just what we need in these dark days.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC. I enjoyed the first book, The Maid, however it had taken me a while to finish it, there was something about Molly I was not sure about. Now that I have read the Mystery Guest I have to say that I liked it more than the first book. I especially enjoyed the flashback scenes with her grandma Flora. I have to say that I don't see that ending and I am hoping there will be a 3rd book.

Thank you again NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada!

What a wonderful book. It was a great story that I very much enjoyed. The characters were well developed and likeable. It was a well written story. I liked that it had past and present to give the story some context. I recommend it. If your looking for a feel good mystery this would be the one for you.

What a wonderful story about a young woman named Molly.  How and why she became a maid and the events that shaped her life.  A death in the hotel she works at prompts her and her friends to do some sleuthing.  I was not aware that this was book 2 of a series, or read well as a stand alone.  I will definitely go back and read book 1. I hope there will be more adventures ahead for Molly.  Fabulous characters and a well written plot!

Overall, this book is delightful. Molly is such a great character and you just want to root for her every single time.
I liked that this was a continuation of The Maid with the same characters. Mr. Preston, Mr. Snow, Juan, Cheryl…all great supporting characters and it was nice to see them back together.

This book gives you the warm fuzzies. It’s the perfect easy, who-dun-it read. It’s light, fun and just enough mystery to keep you guessing. The relationships are seamless and the details are tied up nicely.

Well done to Nita Prose on her second novel. I’d definitely read another Molly mystery in the future.

I so appreciated this book for its neurodivergent protagonist, Molly. Her strength is her ability to notice details that others miss, making her an unlikely but most excellent mystery solver! I haven’t had the pleasure of reading The Maid which is when the reader was first introduced to Molly, so this book can stand alone if you happen to miss that this is a bit of a sequel. The real winner in this story is the loving relationship that Molly has with her deceased grandmother. It shows the lessons we learn from those who have gone before never really leave us.
Molly works as head maid in a fancy hotel which soon becomes upended when a famous writer drops dead when he was just about to tell a big secret. Follow back in time through Molly’s past as she put pieces together and intimately catches the murderer. A charming novel featuring a glimpse into the world of a person on the spectrum. I really appreciated this one!

Molly is back! She's a character I've grown fond of. What's cool is we get to dive deeper into Molly's past, exploring her bond with her grandmother and understanding why she became a maid. It's interesting to see these layers of her character unfold.

Molly's knack for spotting tiny details others miss is as sharp as ever. She's climbing the ladder, now leading her own team, including the shy Lily, who reminds Molly of her younger self. It's great to see her in a stronger position, echoing her grandmother's wisdom and building relationships, like with her beau Juan and Mr. Preston, the hotel's friendly doorman. Life at the Regency Grand Hotel seems calm after the last murder case, but of course, trouble always finds Molly.

The drama kicks off when mystery author J. D. Grimpthorhe drops dead at the hotel's tea room. The prime suspect? New maid Lily. With fans and paparazzi buzzing around, and the potential murder weapon missing, things get complicated. And to make matters worse, Detective Ms. Stark, who once tried to frame Molly, is on the case, dead set on pinning this one on someone close to Molly.

Molly's got a personal connection to the late author, a secret that could stir up a media storm if it gets out. She's determined to solve the mystery and protect Lily and her friends. Her sharp eye for detail puts her ahead in the game. While this book might not hit the same high notes as the first in the series, it's still a fun, engaging read. If you're a fan of Molly's sleuthing, it's definitely worth checking out.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this novel for my honest opinion.
Rarely do second books live up to the first in a series; this one blew The Maid out of the water. The pacing, characters, and returning made this sophomore story a page-turner. The surprises and twists got me! I can't wait to read the next adventure!

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Mystery Guest, A Maid Novel by Nita Prose from Net Galley and Penguin Random House in order to read and give an honest review.  

"... I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Mystery guest is a clever, quirky, and refreshingly unique twist to the average cozy mystery..."

Molly Gray is back again but this time she is basking in her new life including her promotion to “Head Maid” at her beloved Regency Grand Hotel and texting with her live-in boyfriend, Juan Manual who is away taking care of family in Mexico. A stronger, more confident Molly after the events that took place in book one, she is in a better place and loves her new position as head maid. When she is placed in charge of an event in the Grand’s tearoom not everyone is happy including some of her colleagues. The event in question featuring the world-renowned mystery writer J.D. Grimthorpe on the verge of making an important announcement, mysteriously drops dead after drinking his tea, Molly has another huge mess to clean.  

With a few select staff Molly decides to try and break the stereotypical cliché “the maid did it” and solve the crime. When memories of Mr. Grimthorpe from her childhood surface she realizes there is much more to the story and with a little help sets out to find the culprit to save The Regency's' good name and her own. As she relives her childhood, the clues begin coming together in a way that astounds and impresses her former nemesis Detective Stark, and the two work together to unravel the clues before they and the murderer disappear.  

Nita Prose does it again, I absolutely love Molly's voice and her ability to think creatively, seeing the minute details and connections everyone misses. Her social game, although improved, still has its moments but she is such a refreshing voice to read. 

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Mystery guest is a clever, quirky, and refreshingly unique twist to the average cozy mystery. With revelations and the paths that open up to Molly at the end of the book I am curious to see where this series takes us!

A lukewarm sequel to Nita Prose's first book, The Maid. While the writing remains solid, the storyline lacks the gripping charm of the first one. It was a decent read, but one must wonder if the decision to create a second installment was necessary.

Nita Prose is easily becoming one of my favourite authors. She knows exactly how to write a mystery that captures your attention from the very first page. I loved the aristocratic themes here as it was something completely different.