Molly the Maid is such a quirky character. I love how they have made her interesting personality almost like a super power where she’s able to use it to solve crimes. It reminded me a lot of the show Elementary.

Unfortunately the whole mystery aspect of this plot felt like a miss. I honestly had to ask myself who the person was again when I found out who the murderer was. It didn’t feel as crafty. I’m not sure a sequel was needed actually. The first book was just so good- this one didn’t measure up.

This book was awesome! I really enjoyed the first Molly the Maid story and this one was just as good. I enjoyed how the book kept switching from the past to the present and back again. I enjoyed learning Molly's back story. I really hope there is another Molly the Maid book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for granting me this book in exchange for my honest review!!

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Thank you!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this Advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own. I really liked this book. It was mysteriously intriguing. It kept me guessing and every turn and finished nicely.

When I read The Maid I thought it was a stand alone novel. I kind of wish it had remained a stand alone novel. Part of the reason I enjoyed The Maid so much was because it was unique. The main character is neurodivergent. While many novels now have a neurodivergent character, this is one of the few (maybe only) novels that have a neurodivergent main character.

The Mystery Guest felt like a cookie cutter novel. Because it was so much like the first novel, I wonder if Prose felt pressured to write another book featuring Molly because of the success of The Maid and never had any intention of writing series. There were some conituity issues between the two books. And it felt like several times the author took the easy way out of a plot point.

For example, when Molly's school wants her to repeat a grade because of her lack of social adeptness. The teacher tells Molly's grandmother that she can pay for extra services. But it is pointed out that Molly attends a public school. By law, the school has to provide those services for free. The scene made it feel like the novel was not set in present day. You can tell the author needed a way to put Molly in the house where her grandmother worked and that she chose this.

It was enjoyable enough if you are wanting a mindless read. Several of the characters from the first book are in this book, so if you enjoyed the characters are interested in where they are four years later, you will want to read this book. I'm not sure if a third novel is planned in this series, but I more than likely won't read it.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/02/reading-second-book-by-favorite-authors.html

I was so excited to get approved for the second book to The Maid and continue reading about Molly’s life and experiences. This book did not disappoint, and I actually think I enjoyed it even more than the first! We learn so much about Molly’s childhood, her life, and of course, there’s more mystery to uncover here! This book was similar to the first, in that it is a fun, enjoyable easy read, and Nita Prose will be an automatic read for me from here on out.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Maid" is one of my all-time favorite reads, and Molly is one of the most delightful characters ever to grace the page of a novel. Nita Prose's follow-up avoids the sophomore slump and delivers just as tightly-crafted a mystery as her first; it is a joy to revisit beloved characters, and this is a page-turner from start to finish. I can't wait to see what other adventures dear Molly gets up to in the future, and I'm impatiently waiting for the big-screen adaptation and Florence Pugh bringing Molly to life!.

Loved another book with Molly the Maid! Loved seeing a look into Molly's childhood. Did not quite have the I can't put this book down like the first book but it is a lovely cozy mystery centering around the most endearing main character! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I enjoyed Prose’s first novel, The Maid, last year and knew I wanted to read more about Molly Gray in her latest book The Mystery Guest.

I was interested to read more about Molly’s background and what contributed to shaping her into the person she was, so the flashbacks to her childhood was interesting. (I have a son on the spectrum and know the struggles with ableism that accompanies life, so reading through some of Molly’s experiences hit home.)

Some of the story felt a bit rushed and would’ve liked a little bit more, but overall it was well-rounded.

🎧 Side note, I listened to some of this on audio. Lauren Ambrose was just as enjoyable to listen to here as she was in The Maid. Definitely recommend her as a narrator.

Thank you #NetGalley and #BallantineBooks for an arc of #themysteryguest in exchange for an honest review.

Molly the Maid is back with a new adventure. When a bestselling author drops dead while presenting at the Regency Grand Hotel, an exciting day suddenly turns Molly's world upside down - again! As the death is deemed a murder, Molly and her coworkers work to find the killer. This second Molly the Maid book is as delightful as the first. Molly's proper etiquette and delightful language is sure to keep you reading as the true killer is found.

Molly Gray wears her Head Maid badge proudly for every shift at the Regency Grand Hotel: plumping pillows, sweeping up secrets, silently restoring rooms to a state of perfection. But the hotel’s reputation is sullied when a guest a famous mystery writer drops very dead on the tearoom floor. As suspicion swirls in the hotel corridors, it’s clear there’s grime lurking beneath the gilt. And Molly knows that she alone holds the key to the mystery. But unlocking it means thinking about the past, about a dusty old house, and everything else she’s tidied away in her memory. Because Molly knew the dead guest once upon a time and she knows his secrets too
I loved it personally. It's a good read for everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for giving me an advance copy.

This book was as great as the first. Very similiar, but new murder and friendship. Still quirky, funny, and mysterious.

Molly is back!! This time as head maid, right where she should be. This one had an interesting twist or two. I was glad to see some of the characters return and the new characters were a fun addition. I think I'll read any book with Molly on it. She is such a sweet, honest, quirky character.

I wasn't as big of a fan of this book as I was the previous, BUT I did like the development of the main character and the introduction of some new characters. I felt like the plot hopped around a bit, and certain parts of the storytelling felt shortened, like it needed more explanation or expansion. Otherwise, a good quirky mystery.

Molly the Maid is back, now the Head Maid of the Regency Grand Hotel, and thrives in her role that she takes very seriously. 🧹👩‍🦱

Since we last saw Molly three years ago, she has grown in confidence and uses her perfectionist traits and attention-to-detail to make her a cunning detective. This book had some more cozy mystery vibes rather than the dark, twisty mystery that was more present in The Maid. This factor made the story easy-to-read, but less sharp and entertaining than the first book of the series. The plot twists and big reveal were a tad underwhelming for me, and while I did not dislike the book, I think I was not as entertained as I had hoped. I would still recommend this book to anyone who loves a cozy mystery, and to go back and read the first book of the series to better understand all the connections between characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading about Molly again, and seeing some of her childhood with her Gran. The story overall was ok, but some of the whimsy of the first book just wasn't there.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive news of receiving an ARC for the next installment of the Molly the Maid series (Molly the Maid #2)! I just adore this character!!

A famous author who is moments away from giving a speech and special announcement at the Regency Grand Hotel suddenly dies... and once again Molly has found herself entangled in the mess. We learn that Molly, and her grandmother were once acquainted with this author, and we get to see a bit of Molly's past life.

I loved the character development we see in Molly, and we also learn more about her grandmother's past.

If you are looking for a cozy, feel good read, I definitely recommend! There is enough re-telling where this could be a stand alone, however I highly recommend reading the first installment too. It was one of my favorite reads last year!

I rated 4.5 out of 5.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to review this one! #TheMysteryGuest #NetGalley

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: fiction, mystery, cozy mystery

✨𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀✨
• whodunit
• flashback chapters
• neurodivergent MC
• standalone in a series

✨ 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨
Molly the Maid returns in this standalone whodunit to solve the unexpected death of king of mystery writer, JD Grimthorpe using her unique perspective.

✨ 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨
I always loved Molly’s quirkiness and was glad to see more of it in this book. She is definitely less naïve in this book, showing us how much she’s grown over the years and ever since the world changed.

The story is meant to be a cozy mystery while also giving us more detail into Molly’s background; more screen time for Gran. The author did amazingly by not only giving us more background, but also tying it into the current storyline/mystery.

This book is for lovers of cozy mystery, and anyone who wants to see the world through the eyes of someone who sees it in a different way.

Molly the maid is one of the most endearing characters I've ever read. It was such a joy to revisit her. Often times a sequel can be let down, but I found this to be the opposite. Nita Prose's writing draws you right back in for yet another charming mystery. I was so pleased with how the story unraveled.

Highly recommend! 4 ⭐️

Nita Prose has created a character whose voice gets in my brain. I hear her and understand her and root for her on every page. She strives for perfection while understanding that it is a very high watermark. And because she has had difficulties and more, she is perfectly attuned to others and their faults, problems and struggles. I love this character, unabashed adoration. Prose has advanced Molly’s character in the four years since her debut in the original installment. Molly makes us aware that she started at the bottom and is on the ascendency. Yay Molly. She is “an employee who sustains an attitude of gratitude.” She is better at reading people which she does by noticing things differently than most. Her awareness of her deficiencies and attributes is breathtaking in its simplicity.

There were so many great twisty little turns that advanced the story and allowed you to keep understanding Molly’s character development. I am so looking forward to the next Molly the Maid Installment but until then I will hear Molly reciting Gran’s advice:
“Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
We’re all the same in different ways.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

4-1/2 brilliantly shining stars. So Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy of Molly the Maid’s latest adventure.

Reading this book made me feel like coming home! It was so nice to come back to all the interesting and wonderful characters in this stunning sequel. I loved that we learned a lot more about Molly's past. I also recommend listening to the audiobook if you can, because the narrator does such a good job of giving Molly a voice that is all her own.