
Member Reviews

Molly is one of my favorite literary characters ever. The Maid was an easy 5 stars, so when I saw a sequel was coming out, I requested it faster than you can say Molly The Maid.
I love that you got some backstory to Molly and Gran, flip flopping from the past and present predicament Molly finds herself in. I feel like this could probably be read as a stand-alone, as I read The Maid awhile back and it referenced the first book without totally spoiling it. But definitely pick up Nita’s first book because it is superb.
Okay onto the review. I really liked this one. It was the perfect example of a cozy mystery. Was it better than the first? No. A lot of Gran’s rules and idioms got repetitive, and there were a few scenes where I was like, “MOLLY, YOU DID NOT!”
I feel like maybe this would have worked better as a novella of just the past, and maybe the current murder could have been its own story. I feel like I’m talking you out of reading it, when I really did enjoy it. So much so, I hope there is a third book.
This comes out November 28, 2023. Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll start off saying that I loved the first book, and when I found out that there was a sequel I was surprised but looked forward to reading the sequel.
I thought the original book would have been great as a stand-alone (despite my misgivings on the identity of the murderer). While this book was interesting to learn more of Molly’s backstory, it felt more like a feel-good tour for Molly.
I won’t go into details, but overall, the book gave characters an opportunity to provide support and acceptance of Molly that honestly felt a little out of character for some of them.
That aside, the book was decent, but it lacked the charm of the original.

ARC provided by Random House Publishing and Ballantine Books through NetGalley
When I had the opportunity to read Nita Prose's first novel, The Maid, I found it to be a captivating story and developed a fondness for the main character, Molly Gray. Consequently, upon learning that Molly would be making a return, I was genuinely excited, and I must say, the author did not disappoint!
In The Mystery Guest, Molly Gray once again finds herself entangled in a perplexing death that occurs at the prestigious Regency Grand Hotel. However, this time, she takes on the role of an investigator rather than a suspect. Molly's idiosyncratic personality serves her well as she assumes the role of a modern-day female Sherlock Holmes. Witnessing her surpass everyone's expectations and skillfully piece together clues that no one else could discern filled me with admiration and delight.
The intermittent glimpses into Molly's past, particularly her childhood, were masterfully executed and offered profound insights into an already complex character, adding depth and dimension.
This sequel is replete with unexpected plot twists, surprising revelations that affect Molly both personally and professionally, and an overall sense of anticipation. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Nita Prose has achieved something noteworthy, as sequels often struggle to live up to their predecessors, but The Mystery Guest manages to surpass expectations. I eagerly anticipate the author's future works, as I am confident they will be equally exceptional. Hopefully, Molly Gray's story will continue in future installments.

Fans of The Maid by Nita Prose will be utterly delighted that the curiously charming Molly Gray is back with another mystery to solve. And fans of Fredrik Backman who are looking for the same style with a little more lightness need to jump on board.
All seems well at the Regency Grand Hotel. The staff has recovered from the on-site death of Mr. Black four years ago and Molly’s unprecedented attention to detail and order has landed her the coveted Head Maid status. The hotel is buzzing as renowned author J.D. Grimthorpe arrives to deliver a surprising announcement, turning into a hive of activity when he drops dead at the podium.
Detective Stark is quick to the scene, no less skeptical of staff than she was years prior, and rules the persnickety author’s death a homicide. Determined once again to prove that “the maid did it” is a terrible generalization, Molly sets out to find the killer. But first she must clear her own name as a suspect, a daunting task as she is hiding secrets from the past… hers and Mr. Grimthorpe’s.
Not usually a fan of cozy mysteries, I’ve surprised myself with how much I adore Molly Gray. She’s a brilliant character with more depth than meets the eye. Levity is added throughout both novels with her misunderstandings in an Amelia-Bedelia-esque manner, but Prose builds a well-rounded person with Molly, not a caricature merely positioned for comic relief.
While this book can stand alone, it’s best read after The Maid for an immersive experience that offers a more complete picture of the cast of characters and gives the reader the satisfaction of seeing Molly’s personal growth over time.
I can’t compliment the writing style enough. Prose’s prose is almost a character in itself. Molly’s formal vocabulary and obsession with definitions, when combined with every overused rose-tinted cliché imaginable from her grandmother, makes this a unique reading experience. It’s fun and light, but with a lot of heart.
As reluctant as I am to give out 5 stars, this one gets it because I just didn’t want it to end. Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House for sending this book for review consideration!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this advanced readers copy of The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose!

Molly the maid is back! If you enjoyed The Maid by Nita Prose, you’ll be happy to know that in The Mystery Guest we get more of Molly’s background story as well as a new mystery at the Regency Grand Hotel.
Molly Gray takes her job very seriously as Head Maid at the Regency Grand, so she is shocked when she is witness to another death in the hotel. J. D. Grimthorpe, famous mystery author, has dropped dead shortly before making what was supposed to be a major announcement. It’s up to Molly and her friends to prove that it’s not “always the maid” who is to be blamed yet again.
I loved The Maid after finally getting around to reading it earlier this year. Molly’s story is refreshing, interesting, and written with care. It’s easy to sympathize with Molly as she navigates her job as a maid at the Regency Grand. Her passion is cleaning, and she relies on solid advice from her late Gran to navigate the world. She’s excellent at what she does, if sometimes misunderstood, but to know her is usually to come to love her. It was great seeing another mystery with Molly at the center.
Thanks to Nita Prose for this unique mystery story. The characters in The Maid series are fun to get to know, and I hope Molly will continue to return for more new adventures!

Molly the Maid is back in this stand-alone? sequel of The Maid! The Mystery Guest is a whodunnit mystery that follows Molly & crew as they try to solve the death of a famous author at the Regency Grand Hotel. There are new characters and familiar friends from the first book. I'll admit, I didn't loooove The Maid. I felt like Molly's character was quirky to the point of the author making fun of her. However, the first book had a more interesting plot.
What I liked:
- cozy mystery
- Molly's character development
- switching between the past and present (it's manageable in this book AND it furthers the plot in a great way!)
- the epilogue *crying happy tears*
What I liked less:
- some parts of the book felt a little repetitive (certain dialogue and "Gran's words of wisdom")
- the mystery was fun to solve, but I felt like it wasn't as robust and fleshed out as in the first book
This is a quick and cozy read if you're looking for a book to curl up with this fall!
(3.5 stars)

Quirky Hotel maid Molly is back 4 years after Mr. Black's death at the Regency.
Silent Lily is her maid-in-training, an even odder duck than Molly.
We get Molly's back story with her Gran, a maid at a fancy mansion herself.
Another mysterious death happens on Molly's watch. More of a cozy then suspense and again the clever turn of a phrase coming out of Molly's mouth continues to annoy me.
I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and thanks to author Nita Prose.

Book 2 in this charming series dives a bit into Mollys childhood.
Molly is Head Maid now .A very popular author drops dead in the middle of an announcement. Molly helps to solve the mystery with some of the usual cast of characters and a few more thrown in.Her sweetness and naïveté is so wholesome.The flashbacks to her Gran is my favorite part of this series.
Fairly quick read.As good as the first one.
Thankyou Netgalley and random house publishing for this ARC

I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed her first book in the series, The Maid, so much. I didn’t expect to like this one even more! Molly has another mystery to solve at her hotel but this time, it involves her own history. I really enjoyed learning more about her childhood with Gran and just loves how the story unfolded. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I think part of it is I’m just not equipped for a clue style mystery, but this was not my favorite. I felt like I flew through it and it was rushed in general. I did enjoy learning more about Molly’s past and the changes in timeline helped a lot too. It was an alright read. I’m thankful to NetGalley for this ARC, but don’t see myself really recommending this or The Maid.

I love Molly! She is an amazing character and story teller. I am glad another mysterious death has happened at the hotel so we can experience more story time with Molly. The new characters were a good addition to the story. I enjoyed this book and hope for more in the future.

Good golly, Miss Molly!
The Mystery Guest is the second installment in the cozy mystery series about Molly the maid. Molly is is such an endearing character and really shines in book two!
It has been four years since hotel guest Mr. Black died on Molly’s watch. Since then, she has been promoted to Head Maid of the Regency Grand Hotel, leading her own team of maids to clean everything back to a state of perfection.
It is a big day, as bestselling mystery author J. D. Grimthorpe is set to make a very important announcement in the hotel’s Grand Tearoom. Unfortunately, his speech is cut short when he drops dead before he can share the news.
Another murder in the Regency Grand Hotel?! Detective Stark is back on the case and once again suspects Molly of wrongdoing. However, Molly is determined to solve this case herself, as she knows more about the victim than she admits.
Another trip to Olive Garden and another murder! In The Mystery Guest, Molly matures into a competent, responsible, and respectable woman. I really enjoyed watching her growth and newfound leadership. Once again, she proves that she is the smartest person in the room! Prose very cleverly weaves Molly’s past into the the narrative and captivates the reader with her background. While the mystery is somewhat predictable, the heartwarming conclusion will give you happy chills. I hope there will be a Book Three and we will get to see more from Molly!
4.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 11/28/23
Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Ballantine Books for the ARC of The Mystery Guest in exchange for an honest review.

Molly the maid, Head Housekeeper and super sleuth. This is the second book in a series about Molly who lives a functional life but sees things a little bit differently than others. It would be helpful to read the books in the order written because then you would have a good understanding of Molly and her "peculiarities." I fell in love with Molly's character in the first book, still love her in this one AND I think there is a good chance of seeing Molly again. Her co-characters are also an interesting bunch as they navigate the murder of a famous writer at the hotel that Molly works at.

I really enjoyed the sequel to Prose’s The Maid. While I don’t think this story had quite the same cocktail of poignancy and thrill, I liked learning more about Molly’s background and seeing the world through her eyes. I will continue to read Prose’s work!

I thought this book was definitely a cozy mystery, easy to read and entertaining. I’m hoping that if there is another book the author will place the mystery in a different setting. This was hinted at towards the end of the book. I can recommend this as a quick cozy read but I advise everyone to read “The Maid” first to understand all of the connections between the characters! I really enjoyed “The Maid” but I didn’t know that it would be the beginning of a series! There was a lot of repetition of the things that Gran told Molly. She recites them constantly in her mind to the reader. In the first book it was fresh and new but in this one it grew a bit tiresome. There were two mysteries to solve in this novel, interesting but easy to figure out! I enjoy sequels but some books just aren't meant to be a series.

I loved The Maid, and was really excited for The Mystery Guest. I enjoyed being back in Molly’s world. It was a fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for a review! I was so excited to read this book because I really enjoyed The Maid. The Mystery Guest didn’t disappoint either. The best part of the book is that Nita Prose is taking us back to learn about Molly’s childhood, which I found fascinating. The author did such a great job by switching between present day and the past. The plot keeps you guessing and unsure about the murderer until the end. This book is beautifully written. If you like a good murder mystery/ thriller this book would be great for you.

I really enjoyed this second novel featuring Molly the Maid! The mystery around a death at the hotel where Molly is head maid now, 4 years after the first book, really kept me interested! I've read that this is a "cozy mystery" - not a genre I usually read but I feel like this is a very apt description of the story. It was a little convenient how the story all ties to Molly but I let that go as it's really good writing! Thoroughly enjoyed it and wouldn't mind this as a trilogy! Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another great mystery in “The Maid” series. Quirky Molly visits her past when a beloved author dies in the hotel tearoom right before making an announcement. A new maid at the hotel becomes the prime suspect and Molly steps in to help prove her innocence. With a cast of hilarious characters, the story of Molly’s past and her present unfolds! Definitely a must read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for a review!