<b> 3.5 stars </b>
I was nervous going into this because I wanted the same mystery/scandal feeling that the first book had. The Maid was a spin on a classic hotel murder mystery with an interesting main character. The next book brought back familiar characters and also Molly navigating her life as a maid and the challenges she faces in the world.
The Mystery Guest was able to fully grab my attention when I was about 25% into the book. After that it became such a solid page turner. I ended up loving the flashback chapters and I was worried it would take away from the main story and the plot itself. The way the past connected to the present and how Molly was able to play her part was a great plot point.
I don't feel the ending was as satisfying as it could be but I did feel that the book wrapped up nicely. It does seem like the Molly the Maid world was left open so I wouldn't be surprised to see another book with her in the future.
For a sequel following a book that could have been okay as a standalone, I was impressed. I think it's hard to follow a standalone with a sequel while also connecting two very different mysteries from each book. Nita Prose did a great job connecting the two and I will definitely be reading the next book with Molly, if there is one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

THE MYSTERY GUEST 💙🗝️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Molly the maid returns with another murder mystery falling in her lap at the Regency Grand Hotel. As Molly relishes her Head Maid duties, her world is turned up side down when the world-renown best selling author, J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead on the tearoom floor. We are once again united with detective Stark to uncover secrets of the Regency Grand staff as well as Molly’s past.

These books have such a special place in my heart! Molly will forever be one of my favorite characters, and it was a joy to live in her brain again. Be sure to purchase this on November 28th, posthaste! 🗝️💙

I was so excited to receive this ARC!!! Thank you NetGalley, Random House and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy.
The Maid was the book that got me into reading and the sequel gave me that butterfly feeling that only a good book can give. I hope Nita Prose keeps writing more! 🫶🏻

The coziest of murder mysteries set in a posh New York City hotel wrapped in an 'Amelia Bedelia-like' guile and charm. This book is so good I ignored people for three days!! I finished The Mystery Guest a few days ago, and I've been trying ever since to write this review.. I felt stagnated in the BEST way. How could anything else be this satisfying ya know??

I'm taken aback by how WONDERFUL this book is. Somewhere between reminding me of my favorite books from childhood (the Amelia Bedlia books) and the murder mysteries I love now is Nita Prose's latest, The Mystery Guest.

THOUGHTS:
- Alternating points of view and in-depth character studies had me completely immersed in this read. Small things you might miss, characters who seem innocuous at first, motivations too complex for one timeline.. All of it was fantastic. I don't say very often that I want to hug a book to my chest - but hug my iPad I did when I was done reading this.

- Pacing and reveal of crucial plot details was immaculate. Just when I was trying to understand what was happening at a particular turn, some kernel would drop into place and flick on that mental light switch. If you have a long commute - this would be the book I'd recommend, and already have to many of my fellow workmates.

NOTES:
- Would be an epic audiobook because the characters are easily identifiable
- Non-Romance (Truly) - Talks about other long-ago romances, but there aren't any romantic elements on page between main characters

**Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Molly Gray, the ultimate MAID, is back. She is now the head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel and keeping everything in tiptop shape. Then an author event goes awry (the author drops dead before making his big secret announcement). Molly needs to clean up the mess. More of Molly's past is revealed in the course of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eGalley of this title.

Thanks to @Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This was a solid mystery that kept the writing with grandmas cliched idioms guiding our main quirky and likable character Molly through life.

Molly does not always understand social cues and while never clarified in either book, I imagine has some form of autism. This aspect of figuring out the mystery with Molly accused of murder in The Maid is, in my opinion what made it so suspenseful and exciting to just want to know what would happen.

The Mystery Guest kept the writing style and quirky but lovable main characters but I think Molly had a ton of growth in this book and didn’t quite miss the social cues like the first book. So while I enjoyed this mystery, I think The Maid was a bit better with more suspense.

This book is #2 in the Molly the Maid series. I haven't read The Maid yet but I do love that it didn't seem like I needed to read these in order. This books follows the story of Molly, a maid, at a hotel who encounters a murder with somebody she's known since childhood. While sometimes not everybody understands why Molly is so literal it might help her with solving who killed a famous author in her hotel.

This is a charming mystery, Molly the maid is back with another death in the hotel, another mystery to solve. She is a character we care about and root for and a reminder of how people who think differently than what is considered the norm, have a lot of intelligence and a lot to offer.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

🫖 🫖 🫖 🫖 / 5

I absolutely adore Molly the maid and the other cast of characters in this series! The Maid was one of my favorite books I read in 2022 and this one was fantastic as well!

Nita Prose does such a wonderful job in this novel building Molly’s character out a bit more and really made me connect with her! The Mystery Guest had an nice rhythm and set up with chapters going back and forth between present day and the past. I would classify this book as a cozy mystery and really enjoyed it so much!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine books for the digital advanced readers copy!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. This novel will be published November 28, 2023!

Thank you to @netgalley and @RandomHousePublishing for this ARC. Book 2 of this series about Molly Gray, Maid Extraordinare. A local author books a VIP event at her hotel to make a huge announcement. When he drops dead before the announcement can be made, Molly is on the case. The author has made Molly a lot more personable in this book and you can tell how she has grown between book 1 and 2. Another cute read from Nita Prose! #MysteryGuest #NitaProse #RandhomHousePublishingBallatine #Nov2023

The latest Molly the maid adventure is fun and entertaining with her adorable and clever sleuthing. This sequel provides us with more clues about her family history and ties her closer to a number of characters. An enjoyable, quick read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Molly's diligence and good cheer have earned her the coveted spot of Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. Her growing circle of friends helps her learn to decode human interactions. One of them is a true crime aficionado, and she is just thrilled when another man drops dead in the hotel. Famous mystery author and misanthrope J.D. Grimthorpe was in the middle of a press conference to reveal something shocking when he died. The police remain staggeringly incompetent, so again it falls to Molly and her unique worldview to unravel the mystery. It helps that she shares a special connection with the victim. A sweet cozy mystery.

4.5/5 stars

Molly the maid at the Regency Grand Hotel is back. She is once again in a mess. An author falls dead on the tea room floor. This could tarnish the hotel's reputation. Is it murder? If it is murder will the investigators believe the maid did it. If so, Molly is in their crosshairs.

This book is delightful. Molly is an endearing character who everyone hopes comes out on top. She notices things others don't. Could her skills help solve this case? You will definitely enjoy this story and will not want to put the book down until the end. I hope there are more books like this.

Thank you to #NetGalley, @NitaProse, and #BalantineBooks for a copy of this book.
#TheMysteryGuest

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Mystery Guest somehow takes what The Maid started and makes it even cozier. A murder mystery, but also plenty of time to learn even more about Molly. I found this book to be quick and very readable with enough mystery to keep you guessing. I look forward to hopefully many future books with this unique detective.
Thanks to the publisher for an early copy of The Mystery Guest through NetGallery.

Well, I didn't expect Molly the Maid to make a return, but as a devoted fan of the character, I welcomed her with open arms to delve into her latest whodunit adventure. I must honestly admit that this book leans more towards providing us with a cozy mystery vibe, and the dark comedy and intelligent, twisty mystery elements are somewhat diminished in this story. However, on the positive side, we are treated to more glimpses of Molly's childhood, offering us a closer look at her relationship with her grandmother, the reasons behind these women choosing to become maids, and the absence of other family members in Molly's life.

In this installment, we witness Molly's remarkable ability to notice invisible details that escape everyone else's notice. Her detective skills continue to sharpen without conscious effort, helping her solve the mysteries she encounters. It's truly gratifying to see her rise to the position of head maid, assembling her own team, which includes the introverted Lily, a young woman she takes under her wing, recognizing a bit of her old self in her. Molly is stronger than ever, echoing her grandmother's wisdom, happily involved with Juan, and forging a friendship with the hotel's beloved doorman, Mr. Preston. Life seems to be settling down after the scandalous murder investigation at the Regency Grand Hotel. After all, lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place, does it? Unfortunately, it does.

The renowned mystery author, J. D. Grimpthorhe, decides to hold a life-altering press conference at the famous tea room of the hotel. However, the course of his life takes an unexpected turn when he suddenly drops dead after sipping his honey tea, possibly served by the new maid, Lily. His demise unfolds in front of his devoted fan base known as "LAMB" and a swarm of paparazzi who cause more chaos than the author's missing cue cards, which could reveal the secret topic of his announcement. The murder weapon that might explain how the author was poisoned has also vanished.

Unfortunately, the assigned detective on the case is none other than Ms. Stark, the same woman who once tried to wrongfully put Molly behind bars. This time, she's determined to see her mission through. Fortunately, she remains unaware of the connection between Molly and the deceased. Yes, Molly has a secret! She had met the author as a child and possesses knowledge that could create a media frenzy if inadvertently revealed. Now, she must uncover the truth before Lily or anyone she cares about gets wrongly accused. Thankfully, Molly's keen eye for detail puts her a few steps ahead of the detectives.

Overall, the implication that Molly may join the ranks of crime-solving intrigued me. I never say no to Molly's detective adventures. Although this installment may not be as sharp and entertaining as the first book, it remains an easy-to-read, riveting, and intriguing story that I highly recommend.

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.

4.25 stars out of 5!

I really enjoyed reading The Maid so I was super excited to see a sequel coming out. This book did not disappoint! Molly, the maid, has really grown since her first book and we get more flash backs of her younger life with Gran in this book. We are treated too a lot of characters from The Maid but also some new friends. I ended up reading this book in one sitting, it was a real page turner.

In the second installment of the series we find Molly caught up again in a suspicious death. J. D. Grimthorpe is a famous mystery writer, who drops dead during an event in the hotels tea room. It looks to be murder but who would kill the author?

Overall, I really liked this book but still found the first book to be my favorite. I think Molly is one of my all time favorite characters and I cannot wait to see what is in store for Molly in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

**S P O I L E R S**

I enjoy Molly. She’s like a 2023 Amelia Bedelia with way better vocabulary and sense of humor. The dialogue is smart, snappy and funny, and the details entertaining, just like in book one. I thought the treatment of addiction in this was weird and distracting, like “a very special episode” style. JD could have just been a hermetic jerk and that would have sufficed; the alcoholism didn’t serve the story, especially with the the inclusion of the serenity prayer as set dressing, unless Gran went to Al-Anon to cope? Which I suppose would make sense, given her daughter’s addiction—also painted as irredeemable and gross, so I’m not sure if that’s the takeaway, or that Gran just had preternaturally bad luck with addicts. So weird, so many questions, when this sort of painful life circumstance thing gets dropped in with no clear reason in a relatively tongue in cheek book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

Nita Prose has succeeded in writing a second book about Molly and has done a great job!
Please, Ms Prose, write more! I love Molly and I love how you write.

Nita Prose did it again! Her debut novel, The Maid was incredible and I was so excited to see what Molly would go through in this sequel. I love the autism spectrum representation and the growth that Molly goes through from the beginning of book 1 to the end of book 2. The ending was great and gives us so many opportunities to follow Molly on new, exciting adventures.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
Publishing Date - 11/28/23
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC. The Mystery Guest is the second installment in the mystery series about Molly the Maid. The Maid was one of my favorite books and I was so happy to see Molly is back. Couldn’t put this one down! Fans of cozy mysteries will love this one!