Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for this ARC!

I really enjoyed The Maid and was so excited to see a second book in the series. Molly is such an endearing character and it was fun to hang out with her for another 300 pages. These are the perfect cozy mystery - a great whodunit, lots of laughs, and a lovely cast of characters. The dual-timeline kept things moving and added a lot to the story. I just want to give childhood Molly a big hug. She didn't deserve the hell of a time her school put her through!

Overall, a great read and perfect for fall, or really any time of year. I'm excited to read more in the series if it continues!

Molly the maid is one of my most beloved characters. For the people that grew up playing clue and reading mysteries like Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, and the Hardy Boys, this series is is amazing. It provokes the same who done it curiosity that has you turning the pages as quickly as you can. I adored the cast of diverse characters that brought this story to life. I found the ending to be so sweet and charming. Highly recommend this series.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose is a delightful and suspenseful mystery that unfolds within the luxurious backdrop of the Regency Grand Hotel. Molly Gray, the Head Maid with an exceptional eye for detail, finds herself entangled in a murder investigation when renowned mystery author J. D. Grimthorpe meets an unexpected demise. As Detective Stark, Molly's old adversary, delves into the murder, the hotel's reputation hangs in the balance. The author expertly introduces a cast of intriguing characters, each with their motives and secrets. The narrative weaves through Molly's memories, adding layers to the plot and building suspense. Prose skillfully keeps readers guessing until the final reveal.

This book was everything I love in a mystery and more. If you liked The Maid, you’ll love this one.

This book follows Molly the Maid who finds herself in the middle of another murder at the Regency Grand Hotel. This time a famous author drops dead in the tea room!

There’s really nothing to say except this was such a fun read! It was short and sweet just like The Maid but still packed a punch.

I really like Molly as a main character and her growth from the last book is so evident in this one. I also loved seeing more of her gran and Molly as a child.

This was a quick read that you can probably devour in a few hours. I highly recommend and hope you get your hands on it on publishing day!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC! This book comes out November 28th.

I loved this second book. It was just as good as the first. Same lovable characters with a fun mystery to solve! Thank you for letting me review this book. I highly recommend it.

Molly Gray is back! Several years after the events of the first book in this cozy mystery series, "The Maid," the Regency Grand Hotel finds itself back in the spotlight when world-renowned mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead on the hotel's tea room floor, moments before he can make a mysterious announcement. Hotel staff immediately fall under suspicion and Molly must once again face Detective Stark, who is investigating the case, while attempting to conceal her connection to the author.

Molly is a really delightful character. Her unique perspective, quippy sayings, and attention to detail make her a fun narrator to follow. The story jumps back and forth in time between the present day investigation and Molly's past connection to the author. The dual storylines work well, with scenes from the past providing more insight into Molly's and Gran's personalities. The present day investigation features some clever twists and red herrings while demonstrating Molly's growth as a character. The book is fast-paced and leaves the ending open for the series to continue.

Anyone who enjoyed the first book won't want to miss this one. Although it can be read without having read "The Maid," the context and character development provided in the first book will likely make it more rewarding for those continuing the series rather than those starting out here.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this sequel to "The Maid." Molly, the MC, is as enjoyable as ever, and this book fleshes out even more of her backstory. I appreciate that this book did not make Molly the main suspect for the police as she was in the first novel. And I found the murder mystery in this book very enjoyable. Overall, a quality cozy mystery novel.

Nita Prose continues to develop Molly the Maid into a fascinating and likable character. It's satisfying to see Molly has advanced to a position of authority at the hotel, and such fun to see her flex her crime-solving muscles while maintaining the decorum of the hotel. This was a quick read, perfect for a cold and rainy November afternoon. Recommended.

We are back in Molly the Maid's world a few years after "The Maid" where she becomes entangled in a mystery case where a guest of the hotel (quite literally) drops dead.
This is such a quick, easy read and I enjoyed it even more than the first book. I love that we got to see more of Molly's life as a child in this dual timeline novel and also the new characters that intertwine with the old.
If you're looking for something bingeable, this is it!

BOOK: The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid, #2)
AUTHOR: Nina Prose
PUB DATE: 11/28/23 by Ballantine Books
PAGES: 304
RATING: 4 stars
GENRE: Romance

A BIG thank you to @netgalley & Ballentine Books for gifting me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

REVIEW: I adored this book even more than the first one! It was refreshing to revisit Molly the Maid’s no-nonsense humor & quick wit! I found this tale to be even more interesting and I flew right through the pages, completely absorbed. Thoroughly enjoyed buddy reading this with @booksandcarryones! The writer leaves a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’m hopeful for another book in this series!

Happy Reading!

She’s back! Quirky, lovable Molly returns as head maid at the hotel with returning and new characters. This one follows a dual timeline reflecting back to Molly and her Gran. This one is a good one for a rainy day — easy and light. It was, as the first, Scooby-Doo-ish but I went with it. Throughout, it felt a bit uninspired, Not much here but if you liked the first you’ll enjoy being with Molly again.

Molly Gray is back at it in The mystery Guest a standalone/sequel to The Maid. It is now several years later where she is head maid at the Regency Grand hotel and mentor to maid in training Lily. Molly seems to be settling into her new role where she’s been asked to oversee a special event in the tea room floor of the hotel for renowned mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe. He is expected to make an announcement but before he does he drops dead - quite literally on the floor. It becomes clear that there’s foul play there’s a murderer amongst those in the Regency Grand. When detective Stark pursues the case along with Molly to find the killer it’s a who’s who of suspects with a connection to the author. We learn about Molly’s past and her history with the acclaimed author. What ensues is a spider web of lies, misunderstanding and secrets just dying to come out.

I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Ballantine Book and Netgalley for this arc for my honest review.

This book will be published on 11/28/23.

I enjoyed learning more about her history and childhood and that the other employees at the hotel have learned to accept her differences more. I'm very interested to see if she makes the career change to police force and I'm hoping there is a third book. I do wish that her boyfriend, Juan, hadn't been out of town the whole time. I would have liked to read more with the two of them together however with how he dropped the hint at the end of Molly becoming a daughter in law..I assume we will see him in the next book.

I enjoyed Molly much more in this book; she’s matured and picked up some “people lessons.” She is also surrounded by good friends she can trust.
We learned more of Molly and Gran’s back-story in The Mystery Guest. While the employees of the Regency Grand worked to find a murderer, Nita Prose took us back to a period of time when Molly accompanied Gran to work. There were male and female monsters, along with the impossible-to-get-rid-of slob:Cheryl.
The author leaves many possibilities for more Molly the Maid books. I hope to see more of Juan Manuel, Mr. Preston, Angela, Maggie and even Gran’s family. But please, no more Cheryl!

Advance reader courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Molly the Maid is BACK!! The Maid was one of my favorite debut novels from the last few years and I was thrilled to see a second novel with Molly’s unique neurodivergent POV. Readers are swept back into the luxury hotel where Molly is now Head Maid and in charge of special events at the hotel’s newly renovated tearoom. Unfortunately, the very first event honoring an upcoming book release for a renowned mystery writer, is cut short when the author drops dead in front of the audience before his speech begins. As Detective Stark returnes to investigate, Molly is once again thrust into the middle of a murder investigation as a potential suspect. While the case and amateur sleuthing efforts of Molly and her hotel friends are fun, I really enjoyed how this book includes a dual timeline, with flashbacks to Molly’s childhood and her time spent shadowing her Gran at her maid job in an expansive manor home of a reclusive couple. Gran’s wisdom and love of Molly drip from the page as she attempts to help Molly navigate an often cruel world for women, especially those who are domestic workers or those who are neurodivergent like Molly. Bouncing between the current murder case and past flashbacks propelled the book at a quick pace brilliantly weaving together the two plot lines in that cryptic fashion of a classic mystery novel. No one is as sharp as Molly and Nita Prose reminds readers again the power of observing, listening, and withholding assumptions. I love these characters so much and hope Molly get’s additional stories in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House- Ballantine publishing, and Penguin Random House Audio Influencers program for my advanced copies in exchange for my honest review. A review feature on my social accounts will be release during publication week!

In her town, Molly, a kind maid, tackles her tasks with a warm smile and a helping hand. Her caring nature and genuine compassion make her a beloved figure among the townsfolk.

Molly's bond with her late grandmother infuses her actions with a special wisdom. Her grandmother's teachings guide Molly's daily interactions, turning ordinary moments into opportunities for connection and understanding.

When challenges arise, Molly's calm demeanor and thoughtful approach light the way. Her ability to handle difficulties with grace and empathy inspires those around her, leaving a lasting impression on the community.

This story of Molly's life celebrates her gentle spirit and the positive impact she has on others. It's a testament to kindness and strength, showing Molly's ability to overcome obstacles and find solutions, even in the face of adversity. Prepare to be moved by Molly's journey, a heartfelt reminder of the power of compassion in our lives.

THE MYSTERY GUEST was such a fun return to the world of The Maid. Taking place three years after the events of the first book, we once again have Molly at the center of a murder case. While this book didn’t add anything to this story, I found that this book was just as fun as the last one. I think if you liked the first book, you’ll enjoy this one.

Part of what I loved about The Maid was being on Molly’s head. This continues with this installment, but this time, I found that Molly had grown into a much more confident character with who she is and her neurodivergence. Additionally, this time around, we get insight as to who Molly is in her younger years and her relationship with her Grandmother. These are presented as flashbacks throughout the story and ended up being really interesting. It was wonderful to see Molly grow into herself and, at the same time, to see how those that are neurotypical sometimes underestimate and undervalue the insight that individuals who offer alternative ways of being or thinking.

While I loved the story, I will agree that this book is similar to The Maid. I can see how those that were looking for something different from this story could be disappointed or underwhelmed. I was not one of these individuals, as I really liked The Maid and this book. Those looking for something new might not be as invested in the story or might even wonder why this story needed telling in the first place.

Overall, I loved this book and flew through it in less than two days. Those who really loved the first book would probably really enjoy this one, as it’s extremely similar. Those that wanted something more unique or different from the story might not enjoy this one as much.

Thank you to Random House-Ballentine and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

We are back with the lovely Molly where she is once again caught up in a murder at the hotel she works at. Molly’s character was the saving grace in this story for me. She is delightful to be in the head of.

But I felt this was lacking in a lot of areas that made the first book so special. The tension of Molly being caught up in the crime was almost non-existent in this installment whereas the first one had me nervous for Molly the whole way through. There are also, what I feel, many less character moments and interactions that were a highlight in the first story. I did like the “before” chapters that give us a glimpse into Molly and the victim’s past.

The end of this book opens up a pretty big story arc for Molly the Maid, and I would definitely be open to seeing where that goes!!

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Libro.fm for my gifted copies.

I was really worried about reading and reviewing this title on time for its publication and was so happy to see it was an available ALC via Libro.fm for the month of November.
I definitely prioritized this audio when I saw it was available to me.

The narrator for this book is Lauren Ambrose and she did a phenomenal job. She embodies this character perfectly when narrating this series.

The book itself is a great read. I was fully invested in the characters and the mystery.

I loved the visits into the past and the glimpses of Molly and her Gran. The bond that they have / had is very heart warming.

I just love Molly and I cannot wait to see if there is a book 3.

After giving the first book in this series (The Maid) 4.5 stars, I was honored when my request for an ARC of this book was accepted and this was sent to me. That was actually this past summer, and I forced myself to wait closer to the publication date to make sure I didn't recommend it too early and drive people nuts. lol

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!!

This book takes place about three years after The Maid, so if you haven't read that, I'll try to not give too many spoilers. Molly is still a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, but is now well respected among her peers.

When it is announced that the famous mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe is planning to use the Regency Grand's new tea room to make a very important announcement, Molly is determined that everything is perfect for the event. She and her new maid-in-training, Lily, prepare everything to the highest standard. But, as the old, ornery author steps up in front of the hotel staff, his assistant, the press, and his most adoring fans, he drops dead before he's able to get out his proclamation.

In a horrible case of déjà vu for Molly, the Regency Grand is once again thrown into an investigation. Did the old Grimthorpe die of natural causes, or something more sinister? What will happen when Molly's old nemesis Detective Stark shows back up to the hotel, especially when she finds out that Molly is hiding a secret about her past?

This one was great. I loved seeing the flashbacks of Molly as a little girl with her beloved Gran, and it was so nice reading more about Gran's back story as well to find out why Molly adored her so. The twists weren't horribly shocking, but I loved to read how it all came together.

This lovely book comes out November 28th, but if you haven't already, make sure to check out The Maid first so you're ready when The Mystery Guest comes out!!