Molly Gray is back and what a pleasant surprise to get another story about our favorite maid at the five-star Grand Regency Hotel. You all remember Molly, the meticulous cleaning aficionado, who has reached a new highpoint in her career as maid .. she is now known as Molly, Head Maid. Today is special, you see the acclaimed but reclusive mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe is about to make a big public announcement in the tearoom at the Grand Hotel. Fifty-five VIP guests, including the LAMBS (Ladies Auxiliary Mystery Book Society members) have gathered in the hotel for this “big” announcement. But just as J.D. Grimthorpe is about to make his announcement ….. he topples over and drops dead …. in the tearoom … in front of the VIP guest.

To make matters worse Molly’s old adversary Detective Stark is back and she is ready to pin this murder on Molly. As more and more questions arise so does the list of suspicious characters. Could the murder be Molly’s new Maid-in-Training, Lilly, or maybe one of the LAMBS? What about Mr. Preston, the Grand Regency Hotel much loved doorman? And let’s not rule out Angela, head barmaid at the Social or even Grimthorpe’s secretary, Serena! Even with all this chaos happening at the Hotel, Molly realizes that although she is not the murder, she does hold the key as to who the murder is. You see as young child she accompanied her Gran to the Grimthorpe mansion – she starts remembering some strange things at the mansion.

I questioned whether Nita Prose could provide a charming follow-up to her debut novel The Maid and that she did with the The Mystery Guest. I loved Molly’s character in the first book and she was just as delightful and enchanting in this sequel. It was a fun read with lots of quirky characters with some crafty twist and turns, giving you that “cozy mystery” feel with a lovely surprise at the end.

Thank you, Nita Prose, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on November 28, 2023.

If there end up being more books in this series, I'm not sure I'll be interested enough to read them.


For context: I didn't LOVE The Maid, but thought it was above average. I gave it a 4-star (rounded up from 3.5) rating. There were some details (or lack of attention to them) that bugged me, but I didn't have many complaints about the characters, the story/plot/mystery, etc.

Unfortunately, The Mystery Guest was quite a downgrade in my opinion. So much of it was over-the-top. Pretty much all of the "bad eggs" were comic-book-villain levels of bad/mean/cruel/incompetent. The mystery and its resolution were just meh. A lot of Molly's/Gran's rhyme-y sayings got incredibly repetitive (though maybe some of that will be culled before the final version is published?). And what was with all the curtsying? That's not something I remember happening so frequently in The Maid. I didn't even think much of it until other (non-Molly) characters started doing it.

A couple other nitpicky (non-spoiler) things:
-There's a very small scene/detail towards the end where (once he's back home from visiting family in Mexico) Juan Manuel shows Molly a picture of a card that his mom made for Molly. But if he's back home and in the same room WITH Molly, why wouldn't he just give her the actual card??? Alternately, the picture of the card could have been sent while he was still away.
-(I don't know why this didn't bug me in the first book) What's the point of wiping the bottoms of shoes with a rag/towel just to put them away?!? It would make more sense if it were an alternative to having a rug to wipe them on when entering someone's home, but if they're not going to be put back on and worn while indoors, why bother?

It’s no secret I wasn’t a huge fan of The Maid when I read it back in 2021. But when offered to read the second installment in the Molly the Maid series, I decided to give it a chance. I won’t say it blew my socks off, but I did seem to like it slightly more than The Maid.

In The Mystery Guest it’s been a few years since Molly Gray helped to solve the murder of a guest at Regency Grand Hotel and she’s now the Head Maid. When a renowned author ends up dead in the hotel’s tearoom, Molly is thrown into the mix and might be the only person to unravel the secrets surrounding not just the dead guest but also around the hotel’s staff.

These are cozy reads, and you have to take them for what they’re worth. Molly is still not my favorite character, but I felt that we got to know her a bit more in this second book and she started to grow on me. I enjoyed her and Gran’s backstory and I felt that she had grown quite a bit since the first book. She still has her quirks they just weren’t as exaggerated. Other than Molly, almost all of the characters from the first book make an appearance, and I will say I did like having The LAMBS as an addition to the cast.

The story itself is a bit repetitive of the first book so I didn’t find the plot to be very original nor did it completely suck me in. I also wasn’t a fan of the ending and hints to where the series might potentially go, but maybe it’ll be even better that way. I mean how many guests can die unexpectedly right?

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you’ll enjoy this series, and you can 100% read these either of these books as standalones. Check out my review of The Maid below:

The Mystery Guest comes out November 28, 2023. Huge thank you to Ballantine Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Group - Ballentine for granting me the opportunity to read this ARC!

I couldn't contain my excitement when I received the notification for this book! In just two days, I devoured every page, captivated by the character of Molly the Maid. She has undoubtedly earned a permanent spot among my all-time favorite fictional characters. Witnessing her growth and blossoming confidence as the Head Maid was an absolute delight.

Every facet of this book brought me immense joy. The dual timeline point of view added a layer of complexity that I relished. It's remarkable how the smallest gestures in the past wielded such a significant influence on the unfolding narrative in ways would have never expected (but like Molly I lack in the foreshadowing aspect). The multiple reveals throughout the story were expertly executed, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

As for Molly, the Head Maid, I am convinced that I will never tire of her entertaining escapades. My anticipation is piqued, wondering what lies ahead for this charming character.

3.75 stars

Follow-up mystery to The Maid, featuring a different sort of main character. Molly was raised by her grandmother and is smart, a bit OCD and maybe on the spectrum. She is the Head Maid at a big hotel and gets involved in another mystery when the guest of honor at a banquet drops dead. And we come to find out Molly had a definite connection to the victim - her grandmother had been a maid for him and his wife years ago.

There are many revelations about Molly's background and family in this story, carefully meted out over the course of the narrative. Molly is an appealing character and more of a strong independent force in this book than she was in the series debut. She tends to have a sort of black and white view on things but is honest, hard-working and not afraid to deal with unpleasantness. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was so good! If you liked The Maid, you’ll love The Mystery Guest. My like The Maid, it centers around a murder that takes place at a hotel. Molly is the head maid at the hotel and it very spunky in the best way possible. She was raised by her grandma who left a very last impression on her and made her who she is. Molly takes everything very seriously and suffers from not being able to pick up on social cues. But that doesn’t stop her.
She witnesses an author drop dead in her hotel and gets roped into solving it. The story line goes from then and now which really helps tie the book in a pretty bow.

Molly Gray is back and has found herself in another "situation" at the Regency Grand Hotel. Several years have passed since we last saw Molly; not since her promotion to Head Maid after the last "situation" (murder). Unfortunately, Molly cannot seem to get away from these unfortunate events. When J.D. Grimthorpe is slated to appear at the brand new tea room in the hotel, Molly is optimistic and hopes this appearance helps to rid the hotel of its bad past. In the middle of J.D. Grimthorpe's big speech, he suddenly drops dead. Grimthrope was poisoned! But by who? Is there a killer hiding amongst the Regency staff? How could this have happened twice in a span of a decade? Molly is back on the case to help solve the murder. Will Molly's secret past with the Grimthorpe family help or hinder the situation? How will Molly tackle this situation without her Gran?

I loved (!!!) The Maid and was so excited to hear that there would be more Molly in our future. Molly is still her quirky self, dedicating her life to the cleanliness of the Regency Grand Hotel. As comforting as it was to reunite with these familiar characters, the story fell flat for me. I felt like some areas were rushed while others that were less impactful were very drawn out. I did enjoy the dual timelines with Molly revisiting her childhood and her past with Grimthorpe, but I wanted more from that storyline as well. The two timelines didn't fully come together for me. The book was definitely missing some of the charm and mystery of the first one. However, the ending was so worth it! It had no relation to the plot, but it was super heartwarming and really saved the book for me. If you enjoyed The Maid, I would give this one a read. However, in my opinion, nothing will come close to the first book.

The Mystery Guest is a sequel to The Maid, but you do not necessarily have to read The Maid. You can't reverse it though, so please keep that in mind when deciding if you want to pick up either or both of these reads!

The Mystery Guest follows another murder that occurs at The Regency Grand Hotel, where Molly works as the head maid. Of course we meet Detective Stark and other members of the hotel again, but there are new characters as well. This book also flashes between past and present, which is one of my favorite ways for a story to be told.

Personally, I love Molly Gray, she is probably one of my favorite characters. Overall I simply love how Nita Prose has developed her character and really showcases that even though people may be different, they can surprise you. Molly's attention to detail and desire to enjoy the simple things truly showcase her pure and kind makeup. This read also provides more history into Molly's life as a child, and how her difficulties faced her in school at such a young age.

Other than the characters, this is a quick "little" mystery read with small twists but still leaves the reader satisfied with the pace of the read. I read this book for a little bit of the mystery, but mostly for Molly and the other characters involved, which is not common for me! (Also I love hating the individual that got murdered, way way better than feeling as though I wish they were alive in the book,)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for providing me with a digital review copy of this fantastic book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I truly loved The Maid and wanted to love this book. The best part of the book were definitely the flashbacks where we got to learn more about Molly and her Gran! However, this book was a bit of a let down after the first book. The supporting characters that we loved from the first book were barely in it, the mystery fell flat, and the big reveal at the end about Molly's personal life felt extremely rushed and unsatisfying. It was a fine easy read just not the mystery or follow-up I was hoping for!

What a delight to return to the quirky life of Molly the Maid in this second installment from Nita Prose. Another murder, another mystery to solve, will Molly be up to the challenge?

Welcome back to the Regency Grand Hotel, where head maid Molly Gray and her coworkers are about to find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation. This time, renowned mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead in the middle of an author event in the newly renovated tearoom. So many questions abound: Could one of the hotel employees be behind his demise? Maybe his fan club of bookish ladies? Or his lovely secretary? And how does Molly’s history intersect with Mr. Grimthorpe? Is the adage “the maid is always to blame” really true?

Molly Gray is once again delightful and quirky, with a unique voice and mindset that brings to mind a smidge of a grown-up Amelia Bedelia, with her literal interpretations and misinterpreted social cues. I loved that we got a good dose of Molly’s backstory growing up with her gran, who dispensed many pearls of wisdom and inspired Molly’s career choice. While the mystery of who killed Grimthorpe was entertaining, it was Molly’s character arc that I truly enjoyed!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House – Ballantine Booksfor providing me an advance copy of this book.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose was a welcome treat. I loved The Maid and getting to know her and sleuthing skills. This book is just as good. Molly is such a fresh character in fiction and I enjoyed that the author went back into Molly's childhood. Next, I'd love a book about Molly's mom!!

Links and formal review coming soon.

I convinced myself that I don't like cozy mysteries and definitely not in a series and here comes Molly the maid and I love her! I''m already looking forward for book 3 in the series before book 2 is even published. Molly has a boyfriend now and seems less miserable and overall more brave. Well written and entertaining!

Molly the maid is back, and she is just as wonderful as ever. There is another death at the Regency Grand Hotel, and this time, the deceased is not only a VIP guest, but also a person from Molly's childhood. In fact, it is their connection from the past that may be the key to solving whodunnit.

I really enjoyed this sequel, especially how we got more insight into Molly's childhood. Furthermore, there were more themes of self-acceptance coming from Molly's character. While the first book was more about others accepting her for who she is, this one was more about Molly coming to terms with her own 'isms.'

What a cozy mystery for a perfect weekend! I love Molly! Her simplicity makes me feel good in her endeavors as a maid...a perfect fit for the head maid position. Under her is Lily in training, much like herself in her younger years at the 5-star Regency Grand Hotel in N.Y.C. This book gives insight to her Gran and her many cute words of advice. Gran has passed away, but she lives on in Molly.

With alternating Now and Then, Molly's Gran was a maid for the famous mystery thriller author, J.D. Grimthorpe at the Grimthorpe mansion. From her memories she tells what it was like in the estate, and her love for books in the gigantic library like The Biltmore Estate.

In the Now POV, we meet J.D. Grimthorpe again as he begins his speech with special guests to announce something special. When he drinks the tea that Lily and Molly have prepared on the tea cart in the Grand Tea Room, he falls dead. Molly finds herself and Lily at the brunt of the investigation, so she once again takes her sleuthing to another level. It has been 4 years since Mr. Black died in the hotel and Det. Stark is back to investigate. Whatever he was going to announce was written on his cue cards and even those are missing.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this delightful ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded down

What to expect in this book:

-Cozy mystery
-Neurodivergent characters
-Murder mystery
-Hotel setting
-Dual timelines

Thoughts

The Mystery Guest is the follow up story of Molly the maid as told in The Maid. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s debut and was quickly reminded of Molly’s quirks and eccentric personality. Publishing in November, this is the perfect cozy mystery for fall. Readers will be transported back to the Regency Grand hotel for what feels a little like Deja vu, another murder! However, this time, the VIP guest and famous author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead on the hotel’s tearoom floor. With Molly back at the scene of yet another crime in her beloved hotel, can she crack this case while still keeping up with the demands of being a maid? And what will she discover from her past that might be helpful in determining motive for this crime?

While I did not enjoy this story as much as the first book, I think that might be in part to the fact that I think The Maid did not need a sequel. Molly’s character is unique and represents the neurodivergence of individuals on the autism spectrum well, however sometimes I think the expansive vocabulary and frequent references to her differences can feel a little redundant. She is an unlikely hero and that is what makes her likable to readers and yet her character is difficult for me to see past sometimes.

Also, the pacing in this one felt a little off to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the split before and after scenes of Molly’s childhood and present experiences but felt like the investigation very quickly wrapped up in the end. I will be interested to see how this book is received overall. I enjoyed it and would recommend to those who enjoy mysteries without any scary, gory, or triggering scenes.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the #ARC in exchange for an honest review. Be looking out for this book to hit shelves in two weeks!

Quirky and lovable Molly the maid is back in The Mystery Guest in the 2nd book in this series. A famous mystery writer drops dead just as he’s about to make an important announcement at an event at Molly’s hotel, and there’s plenty of suspects in this delightful and breezy novel, with Molly center stage. This is basically a whodunnit, but the endearing personality of Molly is what propels the plot, and with her naive and innocent take on life you can’t but love this character. We learn more of Molly’s backstory, which is a central point in this interesting plot, and the writing flows easily throughout the novel. This series is a definite winner, and this is a most deserved 5 star read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s as perfect a cozy mystery as the first book, The Maid! I love how Molly doesn’t beat around the bush and gets to her point! We could all learn a few lessons from her and her gran! I hope there’s a third in the works. Thank you so much to Net Galley for allowing me the privilege of this ARC.

Everyone’s favorite maid is back!🙌💗

Molly has just been promoted to the position of Head Maid of the Regency Grand Hotel. Her grandma would be so proud of her!

With a high-end gathering scheduled in their newly renovated tea room, the staff are giddy with excitement. But it all comes crashing down when famous author J.D. Grimthorpe collapses during his speech at the affair.

Now, once again, Molly must assist Detective Stark to solve a murder. Perhaps our un-believer detective will be a bit more open to Molly’s special skills this time around!

I just love Molly. Her pure unadulterated innocence is so refreshing in this day and age.

The storyline takes us back to a young Molly, growing up with her grandmother. And how she came to embrace her true calling…that of being a maid.

This is a delightful, lite mystery, sure to have you smiling throughout! This is book two of the series but can easily stand on its own. I do suggest starting at the beginning just for the simple joy of getting to better know Miss Molly!

So pour yourself a spot of tea in your best china cup ,☕️ little pinkie out, and sit back and enjoy this read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine

Molly Gray is back! She is a maid like no other you have read about. Molly has risen to become the Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, yet she has not changed her ways or manner. Her world is turn upside down when author J.D. Grimthorpe is found dead in hotel's tearoom. The death threatens the hotels reputation so Molly finds the clues to solve the murder.