The Mystery Guest

I've not read the first in the "Molly the Maid" series, so I was unfamiliar with the main character and her prior adventures. It took me a bit of reading to realize that the main character is neuro-diverse. This discovery added to my enjoyment of the story as I appreciate novels which feature characters with "superpowers" which come from the unique way their minds work. I liked how the mystery in the present connected with Molly's past - and her relationship with her grandmother. It was a quick and enjoyable read with a mostly satisfying conclusion.

I received an ARC for this through Netgalley, the publisher and the author Nita Prose. Thank you to all of them. This book is a sequel to The Maid and follows Molly the Maid on another adventure at the Regency Grand Hotel. It has all the same characters in it that we loved in The Maid and a few new ones. In this novel, a famous novelist comes to the Regency Grand to make an announcement, but he is killed before he has a chance to do so.

Molly has a connection to this man from her past, and the story goes between the past and the present. Although the story is great, I didn't find it as engaging as the first one. The last half of the book was wonderful and makes it all worth while, but I did find the first half dragged a little as we learn more about Molly as a child. Overall though, another good read from Nita Prose and I give it 4 stars.

I have never been able to understand the trend of cozy mysteries until now. Recently, I was feeling a bit down, and so I decided to finish reading the “The Mystery Guest.” I had read “The Maid” last year and enjoyed it. The protagonist, Molly, is a unique character, and I liked how the books in the series feel self-contained. The book I just finished is about the murder of a mystery book writer, and reading it was an engaging process. There were two well-done plot twists, several clever details that sparkled because of Molly's autism rather than despite it, and a well-paced and timed ending that left me with a smile on my face. The book radiates a sense of warmth and comfort in the best way possible.

I just finished The Mystery Guest, Molly the maid book 2 by Nita Prose and I have to say, the PR box I received from @penguinhouseca was a real winner for me! A tissue for your issue... I don't wanna use them haha

Anyway, here is my review!!

Molly Gray isn't like you and me. Her talents lie in the small details and correct etiquette that befits her position as head maid at the 5 star regency grand hotel. Molly's life couldn't get any better. A man who loves her, a job she adores and her life is structured just so. When novelist JD Grimthorpe decides to use the hotel to make a big announcement, Molly springs into action to make everything perfect. What she couldn't have planned is his death during his speech.

Detective Stark is on the case much to Molly's chagrin and it soon becomes clear that JD was murdered. Too many suspects and so little time... Could it have been Lily, the new trainee who served JD before he died? Or his surly assistant who disappeared before he hit the floor? Maybe Mr Preston who seems to know JD and cannot hide his disdain for the man.

Molly races against the clock to figure out who killed him before the detective finds out that her Gran used to work for him when she was a child and there are many dirty secrets hidden there too.

Ah Molly! I have missed you so! I grew to love her character in the maid and seeing how much she has grown a few years later was magnificent to see. I love the hotel too so I was so glad to find the book was also based mostly in the hotel and with the flashbacks of Molly working with her gran at JD Grimthorpe's home. Seeing the struggles Molly had growing up with her obvious neurodivergent tendencies, was so well done. I have neurodivergent kids so seeing the author use their talents to help show a person with difficulties succeed.... I loved it. The book was beautifully written and I devoured the whole book in one sitting.

I do hope there is another book in the near future. I liked the idea that Detective Stark had about a career change for Molly with her skills of near perfect attention to the smallest detail, she could be anything she wants to be. I missed Juan in this book. I would have liked to have seen more of them together instead of him being away and the little twist at the end with Mr Preston.... OH MY HEART!!!!

I thought the mystery was so clever and I never guessed who it was so I was super surprised at the end and how clever Molly was to figure it out by.... HA! I'm not going to spoil it. Read it for yourself because you will not be sorry.

5 stars! I also got a digital copy of this book from @netgalley so thank you for my gifted copy too!

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I read The Maid last year and there was admittedly a lot I didn't like about it. However, there was enough that I did like that I was interested in reading this next installment. I'm so glad I did!    Molly Gray finds herself entangled in another murder of a Regency Grand Hotel guest. Though not under immediate suspicion this time around, her trainee, Lily, is. Moreover, Molly had been acquainted with this guest, a renowned author, in her youth. Going back and forth from then and now, Molly aids in catching the killer.    I was super into the ‘before' part of the story. I loved getting to see more scenes between Molly and Gran and particularly seeing Molly as a child. Everything tied in nicely as well. The present part of the story didn't captivate me quite as much until near the end. I enjoyed the reading experience much more this time, which tends to be the case in series for me anyway. I'm officially hooked and look forward to any future installments!    A huge thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of the book! 

Molly the maid mysteries are a cozy read for me. Perfect for listening to while multitasking. The flashbacks to Gran & reminders of her wise words of wisdom struck a heart sting having presently losing a loved one. She was such an impressive strong woman and i wish i had a role model like her or molly for that matter in my life growing up. Ugh maybe im just sentimental right now. Ooh the reveal of Mr Preston was a lovely boon too! I would have liked to know more about the aftermath with Ms Sharp and the publishing aftermath. For some reason was curious as to how that al worked out in the courts etc. I listened to the audio book for this and really enjoyed the varied character voices and accents.