4.5 stars - I missed this character so much! While not a completely surprising storyline for the murder itself, I was overjoyed to be re-immersed in the world of Molly the Maid. The character development from the first book was notable but not to the point of losing the characters involved. Very much looking forward to book #3!

Big thanks to NetGalley for the copy!

LOVED!! I want to be friends with Molly, the head maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. I love her mindset, her thought process, and blunt manner in which she views the world and friendships. (My daughter is on the spectrum and my heart gravitates!) anyways…a famous author dies during a press conference at their hotel, groupies are invested, and Molly is under investigation for it.

No spoilers…

I loved it! I followed so closely, loved her backstory with her gran, and rooted for her the whole time!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!!

Molly the Maid has my whole heart.

I think I liked this book even more than the first! The way that Molly handled herself in the wake of another mysterious death at her hotel was far different from book one (obviously because she knew more about the process and what was going on). The cast of side characters was so supportive and wholesome and while the big reveal at the very end was not entirely unexpected, it was still done in such a sweet and lovely way.

I read this book pretty quickly and really did not want to put it down! Pacing was good and the mystery had some surprising turns. The dual timeline worked so so well in my opinion with the past timeline really adding another layer of suspense and mystery to the current timeline.

Definitely will be recommending people who enjoy cozy(ish) mysteries pick up both of these books!

This sequel to The Maid was a light and cozy mystery. Just as enjoyable as the second one. The main character is fun and quirky and loveable.

Misery (by Stephen King) but make it cozy.

I’m not a fan of cozy mysteries. At all. But I just absolutely adore Molly Gray. And this book was such a fun opportunity to revisit our old friend. While this book does not bring much new to the table, some of the very same, reliable catchphrases included, it was just pure fun all the way through. I will always appreciate these books for speaking to the important roles that we all play, regardless of the societal virtue or stigma associated with those roles. A CEO is no more important to keeping this world turning than a janitor. And this book is a constant reminder that we are all important, we are all valuable, and our roles are all worth something. I do like how this book also shined a light on the frequent abuse that women of “lowlier” positions are often subjected to and the precarious position they are often faced with. Suffer the abuse and keep the lights on or speak out, lose your job, and go hungry?! Not much choice there for a lot of women. And I do not fault the author for not exploring that theme more deeply. This is, after all, a cozy mystery.

I appreciate that a future of potential was given to Molly at the end of this book. But, TBH, I don’t know that I would willingly invest much more time with Molly. I don’t feel like this story was nuanced enough from the first to give me much interest in any future Molly the Maid books. If there were to be a third, I would consider it but I would have to think long and hard about it. Also, the ending of this book was just a little too saccharin for my tastes. But all in all, such a fun (and quick) read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed the storyline and characters from the first book. It kept the reader engaged but I did feel like it got a bit too descriptive and repetitive with the first book with the most new things happening at the end. It wasn’t as interesting or dramatic as The Maid and I think that’s where it lacked.

We are back for book 2 and it’s just as delightful as the first!

Molly has grown and changed a lot in the years since we saw her last but still remains true to who she is! This is the perfect cozy mystery. I loved having flashbacks in this novel and seeing how the pieces of the past and present jigsawed together.

We get to see many of our favorite characters from the previous novels and many new characters as well! I like that the story wasn’t just happening TO Molly this time. Her character takes an active role in solving the mystery on her own. While the Molly of the Maid was too trusting this Molly has a quiet confidence in her as Head Maid and solver of all things mysterious at the Regency Grand.

Pick this one up for a cute and cozy mystery! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc!

A wonderful sequel! Great writing and fun characters. So glad I got to read it!

Thank you NetGalley and Nita Prose!

Overall, this novel was okay but I’m not sure I’d recommend it at all, to be honest. I did get through the book very quickly so it has that going for it, but there’s nothing new here, nothing exciting. One of the maids annoys me so much and it baffles me how she hasn’t been fired as her behavior is so unprofessional. Maybe the next book in the series will be better? Who knows because I most likely won’t read it.

A delightful read that earns a solid rating for its charming blend of innocence and intrigue. Set in the grandeur of the Regency Grand Hotel, the city and year remain a mystery, much like the plot itself, which cleverly unfolds through a mix of past and present narratives. Prose’s protagonist, Molly, is refreshingly naive, her quirks endearing as they are portrayed through her unique interpretation, spelling, and rich vocabulary.

The story references old television shows reminiscent of reruns Molly once shared with her grandmother, adding a touch of nostalgia.

As a sequel, “The Mystery Guest” stands strong, providing enough backstory to welcome new readers without confusion. The significant time gap between this and the previous book suggests a new chapter in Molly’s life, inviting readers to unravel the ongoings at this 5-star hotel anew.

Prose’s narrative is a testament to her skillful storytelling, making “The Mystery Guest” a compelling continuation of a beloved series.

Molly is back!!!

I really love this character.
She's so exact in her thinking, which for some may seem complicated but her directness just really does it for me.
Molly is back to solving another murder in the hotel where she works as a maid.
And yes, please suspend all reality as she investigates the crime and also helps the good detective.
We learned a few things about Molly's past and her gran in this one.
I loved the backstory but was also a little sad at times to learn how hard it was for her to fit in socially.
I will absolutely continue to follow this character to the very end

what a satisfying sequel to The Maid. Molly's unique voice and way of looking at things is refreshing and makes me consider the way I view the world. The mystery was top notch and had me guessing. I can't wait for a third installment.

Nita Prose just wrote the perfect character I am absolutely in love with. Reading THE MYSTERY GUEST was like treating myself to a world of a wonderful time that has passed. Molly Gray is simply charming and delightful. The Regency Grand Hotel would be a travel destination for me, especially now that Molly is the HEAD MAID and in charge of the new staff in training.

In this second book, a famous author keels over during an author event at The Regency Grand Hotel. As Detective Stark investigates this very mysterious death, we glean from the story about young Molly and more about Gran and her wonderful advice and idioms for Molly.

I really enjoyed my time with Molly and cannot wait to see more of this series.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Nita Prose

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

Molly Gray returns in the Mystery Guest, and once again - there is a death at the Regency Grand Hotel. Although I enjoyed this one, I felt like this was a bit too close to the first one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced e-book.

"The Mystery Guest" felt like a long overdue visit with Molly, the crew from the Regency Grand Hotel, and others from "The Maid".

I admit that I wasn't quite sure how to take Molly when I first started "The Maid", but she very quickly sucked me in, unlike most of what I've been reading recently. The reveal at the end didn't totally surprise me, but it still brought a few tears to my eyes 🥹 .

Now anxiously awaiting the next installment ☺️ .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the quirkiness of this series. It makes it a very fun read. This book was not as good as the first book but I still Enjoyed it and was glad there was another in the series.

I absolutely adored the first book and didn’t hesitate to get so more time with Molly’s enduring, quirky character in the second book. This is a wonderful mystery of whodoneit just like the first one except we get a further glimpse into Molly’s background, her gran and why they became maids. I appreciate that her character is different but accepted and considered an asset in the second book. I think it is good reminder to everyone. This is quick, entertaining read, but didn’t have the exciting surprise twist when finding out the “killer” like the first one.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for the digital ARC!

I extend my sincere appreciation to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book.

While I hadn't anticipated this sequel, I was very excited to read it. As well as 'The Maid', the 'Mystery Guest' is refreshingly devoid of excessive blood or grime. Instead, it spins a story around a murder, once again putting Molly Gray under the spotlight of suspicion.

Molly is dealing with personal struggles, longing for her grandmother and missing her dear Juan Manuel. Despite usually having Mr. Preston as a close companion, she distances herself from him too, feeling increasingly isolated. The arrival and subsequent murder of J.D. Grimthorpe only serve to stir up memories of Molly's childhood, particularly her strong bond with her grandmother.

Interestingly, I found myself more drawn to understanding Molly herself than solving the murder mystery. In essence, the book goes beyond the typical whodunit, with Molly emerging as the true enigma. In 'The Mystery Guest', readers are given a unique opportunity to get to know Molly better by learning about her family, her past, and her childhood memories. The book delves into her experiences growing up, giving a deeper understanding of who she is as a person. Through these insights, which grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book, I felt like I became more connected to Molly and her story.

"The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel" by Nita Prose is a delightful blend of mystery and humor that kept me entertained from beginning to end. Prose's clever storytelling introduces us to the quirky world of maids and hotels, where nothing is quite as it seems. The protagonist, Molly, is endearing and relatable, and her journey to uncover the truth behind a mysterious guest's disappearance is both captivating and amusing.

Prose's writing is sharp and witty, with just the right amount of suspense to keep readers guessing. As Molly delves deeper into the mystery, we're treated to a cast of colorful characters and unexpected twists that add layers of intrigue to the story. "The Mystery Guest" is a charming and entertaining read that I would highly recommend to fans of cozy mysteries and light-hearted fiction.