I had hoped to give this series another chance, but, unfortunately, the "peculiarities" of Molly the maid are, to me, caricature. Whether Molly is or is not neurodivergent, I can't help but feel like we are making fun of her and it makes me uncomfortable.

Returning to Molly's world in 'The Mystery Guest' felt like catching up with an old friend. Her endearing character continues to be the heart of the story. As Head Maid at the Regency Hotel, Molly's quirky nature and wit shine as she tackles another murder mystery. While the plot lacks major surprises, Molly's charm keeps the pages turning. The absence of her love interest is a minor drawback, with the lack of interaction leaving a longing to understand their dynamic. Still, 'The Mystery Guest' is a delightful and engaging read, maintaining the series' enchantment.

I was happy to be back with our MC as I felt that she very much carried the book last time, which I was ok with. Her character was endearing and she didn't feel like a caricature of a person with autism, from my experience she is a pretty well drafted character.

Again in this book, I think that she carries the book. It was readable only because she is a likable and cute MC. There was nothing particularly interesting or compelling about the story, we are back at the hotel in the exact same setting only this time she's head maid and when there are shenanigans going on the detective is friendlier towards her and seems to put stock in her opinions as she solved the murder last time. I was also really bummed to see that her love interest from the first book was absent for the entirety of the book, he's supposedly off visiting family and she takes care to mention him in order to reassure us that they have not broken up, but we don't get any interaction with him which I think was a missed opportunity. A lot more could have been added to the story had we been witness to their dynamic and our MC in love.

It was still a readable book, I wasn't bored and it kept a steady pace for the most part but considering this was a book 2 I think there really needed to be something more that whelped this book stand out from it's predecessor. Overall it was a pretty even 3 star reading experience.

Synopsis: The Mystery Guest is a follow up to The Maid so reunites us with Molly, who is now head maid at the Regency Hotel where an author seemingly drops dead during a conference. In her own witty way she helps solve the murder.
Pros: I love that this story reunited us with the characters from The Maid but could also be totally read as a stand-alone. Molly is as quirky as ever and reminds me of Amy from The Big Bang Theory. She’s an enjoyable heroine and easy to read about.
Cons: I liked the mystery, didn’t love it. I didn’t find the ending surprising but enjoyed it nonetheless.
I was very excited to receive this advanced copy from Netgalley and Random House Publishing! Thank you thank you!
Check it out when it’s released later this year! (November)

The Maid was such a delightful surprise that I'm certain that The Mystery Guest will be an instant hit. I enjoyed this second foray into Molly Gray's life as, once again, she's caught up in a murder mystery at the Regency Grand. In this book, Molly has grown into herself over the last few years and been promoted to Head Maid at the hotel. When the Grand hosts a famous author, who immediately dies in front of the audience assembled to hear him speak, we get more back story on Molly's life with Gran since it seems this author was a recluse that Gran cleaned house for when Molly was young. The first book hinted at Molly's neurodivergence, but this one meets it head on. The mystery is solved, secrets are revealed, and Molly has some new avenues to think about for the next book. I enjoyed this outing with Molly and look forward to recommending it soon. Thank you to Ballantine Books, Random House, and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion.

An excellent sequel to the bestselling "The Maid!" No sophomore slump here, folks! This book had all the charm and wit and wonderfulness of the first book, with Molly at her finest sleuthing a new mystery at her hotel where she has worked her way to the top. A guest falls over dead - what to do? Why, investigate of course, in the charming manner that is truly Molly! I loved this book and give it a solid five stars!

This book was awesome! I really enjoyed the first Molly the Maid story and this one was just as good. I enjoyed how the book kept switching from the past to the present and back again. I enjoyed learning Molly's back story. I really hope there is another Molly the Maid book. In the sequel to Nina Prose's novel The Maid, Molly and the staff of the Regency Hotel again end up tangled up in the suspicious death of a high profile guest- this time, the death of widely acclaimed mystery author J. D. Grimthorpe. As suspicion is cast on Molly and the people she cares about, she must delve into her own past to discover the truth of the author's murder.

If you enjoyed The Maid you will enjoy the sequel, The Mystery Guest. The whole gang gets to solve another mystery and form heart warming connections. A fun read.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy of the book.

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you'll probably like this one. The feel of the book was the same. I personally felt like it ended up reading a little stale.

I felt that the mystery was more in the background of the story. Also, some of the more loved characters from the first book were not as prevalent in the sequel

I saw someone pose the thought, "not every book needs a sequel." I personally felt that this book might be a good example of this idea.

A fun and fast return to the world of Molly the Maid. While there are times where her neurodivergence/autism-coded speech can feel over the top, I actually enjoyed this novel a bit better than the first. It is nice to see both Molly working out some issues from her past, giving us a ton of backstory, and Molly doing quite well in her life now as Head Maid at her beloved hotel, living with her sweet boyfriend Juan Manuel. Overall, I enjoyed the book and wish that I was as positive a person as Molly is when faced with constant adversity. Her descriptions of beautiful places and things in the hotel and in the mansion her grandmother cleaned were some of my favorite aspects of the book. I aspire to have a home or a workplace ardently admired as dearly as Molly admired the hotel lobby and tearoom, the parlor of the Grimthorpes’, and even the homey little apartment she resides in. Molly and the author both concentrate heavily on details and it is very fun to savor the details with them.

The Mystery Guest
by Nita Prose

J.D. Grimthorpe is a famous mystery author that is planning a big announcement at the Regency Grand Hotel. However, he drops dead in the hotel’s tea room before he can make that announcement. Molly Gray is left to solve the murder despite only being the head maid at the hotel.

This book is the sequel to The Maid but enough background information is provided to read it as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this light hearted mystery. The story is full of loveable characters, especially Molly. She is a fun, well-developed character. You get a glimpse of Molly’s childhood and her sweet relationship with her Gran. The characters definitely make this story!

I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s first novel, “The Maid”. It was delightful and charming with the main character Molly the Maid. The current book is a sequel, continuing on with Molly solving another murder. This book moved rather slowly and it was not nearly as engaging as the first. I think it lacked some of the charm of the first book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Molly is BACK at it again, and in Nina Prose’s sequel to The Maid, there is another murder mystery to solve. This time around, a famous mystery author is scheduled to make an announcement at Molly’s hotel, but instead, drops dead right before.

You can expect the same witty humor that Molly brings in Prose’s first novel, as well as her unique sleuthing skills that will keep you guessing until the end. If you loved the first novel, run, do not walk, to pick up The Murder Guest. It had me guessing and laughing until the very end. I also love the inclusivity of a main character who is neuro-divergent.

Please, pretty please Mrs. Prose- will you write a third?

I felt like the author was laughing AT Molly instead of WITH Molly. Our protagonist was given stereotypical neurodivergent traits, although it’s labeled as “quirky.” All the characters around her seem to cater to her “quirkiness.”

The writing feels very basic/lower grade level. At first, I was pleased by the easy readability, and it sort of made sense since Molly is a maid and the implication is potentially a lower education or dropping out of school. Then Molly literally spells fancy five-dollar words to self-soothe in a grade school flashback. What. The. Heck. On multiple occasions, Molly is literally whatever the author needs her to be, and character consistency is in the toilet.

The book stands alone. I had “The Maid” on my TBR, but after this one, I’ve lost interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I recently came across The Maid and found it delightful! Imagine my excitement to discover there was a sequel ready and waiting as soon as I finished book 1! And once again, Molly did not disappoint. I adore Molly the Maid and hope to have more stories to come.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and sequel to the maid! Just like the first book in the series I loved the Mystery Guest. If you're a fan of the first book you will definitely enjoy this one as well. I still love the way Molly speaks and comments about the world. The characters are great and really bring you into the story. Some plot points of the mystery I could see coming but it was still an enjoyable read. I liked the ending to this one even better than the first one.

Nita Prose once again introduces us to Molly the Maid in this second outing. Keeping true to Molly's voice and quirky way of thinking, readers will instantly be drawn back into Molly's world. On the day of the Grand Opening of the hotel's Tea Room, a reclusive author is scheduled to make a major announcement. Unfortunately, he dies before he can make that announcement leaving his fans upset and turmoil at Molly's usually serene and clean hotel. Weaving Molly's childhood experiences with her dearly departed Gran into the current situation, Prose is able to create a believable resolution to the mystery of the author's death. Characters from the first book are included which makes Molly's world familiar to readers. This volume can stand alone, but readers may want to start with "The Maid" to fully appreciate the character of Molly. Definitely looking forward to another "Molly the Maid" book!

I gobbled this book right up! Molly is back at the Regency Grand and when a famous author drops dead at the hotel, she is on the case. Through flashbacks we learn more about Molly’s childhood while connections are made to the present. I loved this book and Prose provides another comfort read. Can I just say that I adore Angela and hope to see more of her in future books, too?!? A great book for fans of the classic mystery genre and those who appreciate neurodiversity.

The Mystery Guest comes out at the end of November 2023 and would make a great holiday gift for mystery readers.

Loved the book. Just as charming as her first one. Such a unique and original voice.

Even if the plot was somehow predictable and a bit coincidental, it is a fun and entertaining read.

Maid Molly, in her impeccable atypical voice, sees and considers things that other people don't notice, although she has always had trouble reading social cues. As she narrates this second mystery involving her work as a hotel maid, the chapters alternate between a current day murder at the hotel and memories of her childhood. Both plots are completely engaging and they overlap in surprising ways. This is a quick and comfortable read with a well-deserving murder victim and plenty of twists.