I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel by Nita Prose Series: Molly the Maid #2
Also in this series: The Maid: A Novel, The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella, The Maid's Secret: A Maid Novel
Published by Ballantine Books on November 28, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Indigo
Goodreads
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A new mess. A new mystery. It’s up to Molly the maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty, in this standalone novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning America Book Club pick.
“Polished to perfection!”—Shari Lapena, author of Everyone Here Is Lying
“Lives up to the hype . . . both a delightful whodunit and a pointed social commentary.”—The Washington Post
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, Chicago Public Library, CrimeReads, Bookreporter
Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J. D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tearoom floor.
When Detective Stark, Molly’s old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know: Who killed J. D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?
As the high-profile death threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer’s identity. But that key is buried deep in her past, as long ago, she knew J. D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery posthaste. Because if there’s one thing she knows for sure, it’s that secrets don’t stay buried forever.
Review
Molly the Maid is back, and this time she’s running the show. As Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, she’s got everything under control – until mystery author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead in the tearoom just before revealing what he claims is a shocking secret. Talk about bad timing.
With her uncanny attention to detail and unique way of seeing the world, Molly can’t help but get pulled into the investigation. An intriguing cast of characters joins her: Lily, a wide-eyed new maid who might know more than she lets on; Serena Sharpe, Grimthorpe’s secretive secretary; and familiar faces like the ever-supportive Mr. Preston and the shrewd Detective Stark.
Prose crafts her story with the same warmth and wit that made The Maid such a hit. She weaves between past and present, gradually revealing the layers of both the mystery and Molly’s character. The hotel comes alive through Molly’s eyes – every pristine corner and polished surface hiding potential clues and secrets.
At its heart, this isn’t just a whodunit. It’s about finding your place in a world that doesn’t always understand you. Molly’s social awkwardness and rigid adherence to routine might make her an outsider, but they’re also her superpowers when spotting what others miss. Her perspective on human nature – equal parts naive and insightful – gives the story its unique charm.
While The Mystery Guest might not pack quite the same punch as its predecessor, it’s still a delightful read. The plot twists are satisfying, if not entirely surprising, and Molly remains one of the most endearing protagonists in recent mystery fiction. Think of it as a warm cup of tea with a shot of adrenaline – cozy and comforting, but with enough kick to keep you turning pages.
You don’t need to have read The Maid to enjoy this one, but why deprive yourself? Jump in and join Molly as she proves that sometimes the best person to solve a mystery is the one everyone else overlooks.
