Was given copy by NetGalley.com. I originally fell in love with the series via audiobook, the characters quirkiness just does not translate on page like it does on audio. Might revisit this one later when my library gets the audiobook version.

I absolutely loved The Maid so I came into The Mystery Guest with high hopes and it did not disappoint. Molly is still the same kind, quirky, and hardworking woman we saw in the first book but now she is Head Maid and much more confident! It was nice getting to see into Molly’s childhood and see more of her interactions with her Gran. I do wish we would have been able to see Juan Manual and Molly together in this book. With that being said I loved the dynamic between Molly and Lily. I love a good cozy mystery and this one was extremely quick and entertaining. I highly recommend picking up the Molly The Maid series if you are looking for a quick cozy mystery read.

I loved The Maid. Our autistic main character Molly is just such a great character to read a POV from. The way she looks at the world around her and the people around her becoming a little detective in her own right is just so fun to read. I enjoyed The Mystery Guest as much as The Maid. Molly has definitely become one of my favorite mystery characters. The back and forth timeline from when she was a kid was pretty seamless and put in at perfect moments in the story.

I loved the introduction of the new maid Lily, another seemingly neurodivergent character, and how Molly takes her under her wing like her Gran did for her. How this hotels staff is like a family, and that really impacts the story. The way the detective understands Molly after working with her previously and just knows to listen to her.

Some of this can be a bit predictable as it's a classic who done it mystery and gives you little key hints if you pick up on them, but it was just an enjoyable read. The epilogue leaves us with another reveal for Mollys life. I hope this isn't the last we see of her because these mysteries have easily become a strong fave.

Prose’s sophomore novel delights with twists and turns around every corner. We continue the story of Molly the maid but with more depth and intrigue than in the first novel. This is a great addition to the duology that lives up to the hype of her first novel.

Absolutely thrilled to dive back into the world of Molly maid! While the plot of this was even slightly darker than the original, i was so absorbed by Molly’s family history. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of being in this hotel with Molly!

Nita Prose has created a neurodivergent hero with Molly the Maid! I loved the pace, the plot and how once again Molly proves everyone wrong! I really look forward to reading more of Molly's adventures and where they take her!

“You can fight monsters you can see, or you can run away from them. But the invisible ones are inescapable.” Molly the Maid expertly uncovers monsters in the second installment of the Molly the Maid series. Molly is quirky, witty, intelligent, and unabashedly herself. Molly’s attention to every minute detail once again pays off in this entertaining, heartwarming mystery. I enjoyed being part of Molly's world as she meticulously unraveled the latest caper she found herself in the middle of. Although this is part of a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I highly recommend this endearing tale of a precocious maid who will touch your heart. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my copy.

Molly The Maid is ready to return The Regency Grand Hotel back to a state of perfection.

There are not many characters written like Molly. She sees so much while others are too nearsighted. Molly's dedication to perfection, the rules, and manners are not just things she does- it's who she is!

Three years after a prior murder in the hotel, another mysterious death hits the headlines. Molly and her maid-in-training are wary that the sentiment, "the maid always gets blamed" might be true. Much to her dissatisfaction, Molly embarks on a quest to help Detective Stark find the person who murdered a great author.
But Molly knows she must hide the truth of her connection to this mystery guest. The question is, how much farther is she willing to go to reveal the murderer?

If you are a fan of whodunit mysteries, quirks, and curiosities then "The Mystery Guest" needs to be next on your list to read.


Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the early release copy of this thrilling sequel!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Mystery Guest. I had read The Maid by Nita Prose when it first came out and I loved it, so I was really excited to receive The Mystery Guest.

Once I started to read, I just couldn't put it down, and when I had to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking of it! I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next adventure of Molly's!

I LOVED The Maid and was disappointed when I read Mystery Guest. It was a pleasant read, but felt a little flat and repetitive given what we already knew in the Maid. I also found some of the last bit of the story unbelievable (I won't give spoilers). That said, I will definitely read Molly's 3rd book if there is one.

A really good follow up to The Maid. Molly is one of my favorite characters ever.. she’s funny, smart and quirky. I loved the glimpses into her past and how they wove together with the present. Definitely will recommend

This was such a fun read and I loved following Molly's journey for round two! She felt like a friend to me - honestly, who wouldn't want a Molly in their life. It was an interesting read, learning about her past life with her grandma and J.D. Grimthorpe. Love how it all tied together in the end. Hoping there are future reads about the famous Molly!

This was another great mystery solved by Molly the maid. I absolutely adore Molly and her quirkiness. I’m hoping there are more books in the works, this gave such a wonderful glimpse into Molly’s childhood that gave the reader an idea of her past.

I was incredibly charmed by the first in this series, The Maid, so I was excited when I got the opportunity to read The Mystery Guest.

Book #2 picks up a few months after the first. Molly is just as quirky as ever, quoting Gram-isms to remind herself how to interact successfully in the world, and enjoying her new position as Head Maid at the boutique hotel. She's still dating Juan Manuel, who was one of my favorite side characters in the first novel.

We start out with a popular author of bestselling thriller books falling dead during his big announcement at an event taking place in the hotel. There are endless suspects and many unanswered questions!!

My favorite part of this book is the duel timeline where we learn about Molly and Gran's life 20+ years before in which Gran was a housekeeper for the famous author who died. We learn much more about Molly growing up and also start to piece together the mystery of the death.

I wish Juan Manuel was in the novel, he's on vacation almost the entire time - I thought that was a missed opportunity. Also, the sayings and pep talks she gives herself started to feel repetitive through the book.

Overall, it was a fast read with a couple of interesting, but not entirely shocking, twists at the end. There's two plot points that will easily lead to a third book, and I would be excited to read it!

Thank You to Ballantine Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Mystery Guest, by Nita Prose, is the second book in the Molly the Maid mystery series and another winner from this author. I adore this series and the delightful, though unconventional figure of Molly the Maid. She is refreshing, forthright, insightful and clever.

In this mystery we glean a glimpse into Molly’s past and her relationship and upbringing with her dear, wise grandmother. In alternating chapters we see the grand mansion where Molly’s grandmother, Flora, worked as a maid. After a disturbing school incident where Molly was once again misunderstood and mistreated, Flora decides to take Molly with her to work. There she receives the job of polishing the silver, a task she relishes, and then reading time in the vast library in order to improve her mind. While there, she discovers the mysterious and elusive man of the manor and uncovers his secrets.

In our present day timeline, The Regency Grand Hotel is hosting a famous, but reclusive author who is not only making a rare appearance, but also plans on making a highly anticipated announcement to his fans. When he drops dead mere moments before sharing his news, the mystery begins, in more ways than one. The two timelines eventually merge together seamlessly to give us a complete story.

I absolutely love the appealing and charming characters in this series, although the main detective seems a bit dim-witted. The mysteries are clever, the side characters are quirky, and the stories contain heartfelt, impactful messages that leave a mark on the reader. I love receiving a continuation of Molly’s life story alongside the current mystery, served with an added dose of practical wisdom. Despite being murder mysteries, these stories are winsome and a comfort to read. They are a pleasure and I eagerly look forward to the next!

What can I say? I just love Molly the maid. I am giving this 5 stars, with the caveat that I don’t think it’s quite as good as the first book in the pair. But isn’t that so often the case with sequels? I won’t hold it against anyone!

Molly the maid is back in The Mystery Guest. Another mysterious death has occurred at The Regency Grand. Molly, having been close to the event and unable to lie, is not looking too innocent to the skeptical Detective Stark. (Nor is her maid-in-training, Lily.) When Molly’s keen eye for detail cracks the case, the Regency Grand will be reminded not to underestimate their Head Maid. (Yeah, she got promoted.)

I don’t know what it is, but I just love Molly and the way she sees the world, and these books have consistently been a win for me. On top of the compelling mystery, the fact that Molly is generally very literal and not overly sentimental makes the relationships she builds with her inner circle that much more heartwarming.

This book was different from the first in that the victim is already known to Molly, so we are treated to flashbacks which detail these interactions. I liked that we got to see some of her life as a child, and got some more insight into her Gran as a younger woman. I was equally interested in the past and the present, so I was never rushing through one time period to get back to the other one.

The most satisfying part of both of these books is when, after consistently being dismissed and ignored, Molly shows that her unique mind and special skills are exactly what have been missing all along. When she emerges triumphant and everyone has to admit she’s terrific, it’s just the best! But the part I love most is that Molly already knows she’s terrific. She’s just waiting patiently for everyone else to figure it out.

Anyway, if you loved The Maid, read this. If you haven’t read The Maid, read both. You’ll be so glad you did.

Love love love!

This is the SEQUEL to The Maid, which was released in 2022. I read it earlier this year & ADORED it; 5⭐️!!!

✨A man is dead on the hotel room floor… again. How does Molly manage to continue getting into these predicaments?! When her past & present intertwine, Molly finds herself assisting in solving another murder.

The Mystery Guest was one of my most anticipated reads of the second half of 2023. I was absolutely obsessed with Molly the Maid when she made her debut in the first installment, & could not wait to be back in her world. Her sweet, neurodivergent brain makes for so much fun & uniqueness. Her particularities & literalness WILL make you love her- I guarantee it. If I could hug one fictional character, I think Molly would be the one. 🥹🫶🏼 this quite possibly may be my favorite duology to date?! It’s cozy, cute, fast/evenly-paced, & a story I never wanted to end. The Mystery Guest picks up right where The Maid left off, so FOR SURE read them in order. I ate both of these novels up; here’s to hoping for a third!!! This time, maybe with Molly as a detective?! 👀🔎 gal is a genius!!! I simply cannot wait for the adaptation to be done so I can see her on the BIG SCREEN!

The Maid takes the cake for me so far (the mystery wasn’t AS intriguing in the second book) BUT I would read 10 more books in this series; I can’t recommend it enough. I really think it could be perfect for all readers, with the perfect genre mash-up of mystery, comedy, & precious characters. Need a palate cleanser or an exciting little series to binge?! This is the one! ❤️

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🧠 Neurodivergent characters
🎼 All Too Well by Taylor Swift (spotted more lyrics)!
👵🏼 Grandparent relationships
🔎 The game Clue
😂 Adorable MCs that make you giggle
🧼 Organizing/cleaning
⏰ Dual timelines
📕 Quick reads/shorter novels

I really enjoyed this one! I sat up late reading it with a cup of tea, a fuzzy blanket, and my cat. It was so nice being back in a story with familiar characters. I liked the jump between Before/After and thought that was done really well and in a way that was not confusing. Getting to see the world through Molly's eyes is truly a wonderful experience!

I devoured this book in one sitting! I absolutely loved Molly the maid in the first book of this series, so I was super excited to get my hands on this one! Such a good read!

For some reason I did not have high hopes or expectations for this sequel. I was happily surprised by how easy of a read this was. I kept wanting to pick it back up. Molly the maid is such a good protagonist. She’s funny, peculiar, caring, and smart. The ending of this one made my heart feel so warm. I do wish we saw more of Juan Manuel and Molly together in this one though, hopefully next book though? I recommend! Love Nita Prose’s writing.