Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - The Mystery Guest

I loved The Maid, and I couldn't be happier with how this went as a follow up. More of the same Molly, but with a chance for her to learn how valuable she is on her own as well as with her found family.

The dual timeline is perfect for giving us a glimpse into Molly's history, and for much more of her gran who I adore. It ties in beautifully with the present day and there are loads of little connections to discover along the way. My favourite thing about Molly is that she is so thoughtful, sweet and kind, and then has the occasional unhinged creepy impulse (which she doesn't act on but which I love).

The central murder mystery is a really fun one to unravel and I like how it ties up at the end, for so many of the characters. I suspected (or hoped for) a couple of revelations but was still delighted by them. And there's a mystery I'm pondering that I think will lead to more books from Molly. A fantastic cosy crime read!

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shinypurplepants's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Just as engaging as the first with an interesting parallel storyline between Molly's childhood and the modern day murder of a beloved author.

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Title: The Mystery Guest
Author: Nita Prose
Series: Molly the Maid, #2
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: November 28, 2023

I received complimentary eARC from Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad

T H R E E • W O R D S

Cozy • Comforting • Accessible

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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 tea room 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 case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows that she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer’s identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly must comb her memory for clues, and revisit her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where her dearly departed Gran once worked. With Molly and her colleagues under investigation, she knows she must solve the mystery post-haste. And if there’s one thing she knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don’t stay buried forever...

💭 T H O U G H T S

The Mystery Guest was my final selection for my personal book of the month project in 2023. I selected it because I absolutely adored The Maid, but also because I like showing my support for Canadian authors. Molly the maid found a way into my heart, and I was eager to be back in her world.

Alternating between the present timeline where renowned author J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead during an important announcement at the Regency Grand Hotel, and the past when Molly was ten and tagging along with her Gran to the Grinthorpe residence, this novel is lighthearted, even while tackling some significant topics. Molly is one of those characters that has found a special place in my heart, and so I really appreciated getting a glimpse into her past. Molly is the star of the show, yet the secondary characters, particularly Molly's tight knit circle of supporters, were equally as endearing. I just love how the author continues to incorporate Gran into the story even though she has died.

The mystery is fairly low risk, and unfolds at a steady pace as the past slowly provides clues to what happened. There is definitely a need to suspend disbelief at times, but isn't that a signature aspect of cozies? The sleuthing and aspects of the plot did feel eerily similar to The Maid, yet it didn't deter my interest.

Was this book necessary? Probably not. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely! Would read more books starring Molly the Maid? 100%! I can understand why some people would be underwhelmed, yet I personally loved this feel-good story. Although it is marketed as part of a series, The Mystery Guest could easily be read as a stand alone, which is how the author intended it, despite it being marketed as part of a series. I will definitely be curious to see if Nita Prose's next book includes Molly, or whether she chooses to create a new set of characters.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• cozy mystery enthusiasts
• fans of endearing characters

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"You can fight monsters you can see, or you can run away from them. But the invisible ones are inescapable."

"And what is hope if not the decision to shine light into the dark?"

"It doesn't matter if you understand another person's pain because their injury is real nonetheless."

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elizabethgreads's review against another edition

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funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A solid mystery with an ending I adored. I love the characters in this book and have a soft spot for Molly. I enjoyed the mystery and Mollys backstory. This book wasn't the most shocking in its revels but the character development more than makes up for that. This book leaves you feeling hopeful even though some of the topics that were presented are dark. I think if you liked the first book in this series you will enjoy this one equally as much.

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amandafitz's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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smilagros's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I absolutely ADORE these novels. I just want to be in the world of Molly the Maid. I don’t know why I cry when I read about her gran but I think it just reminds me so much of my abuela and sitting down to drink coffee when I was little. I am not a cozy mystery reader but I will read anything Nita Prose writes.

Content Warnings

booksinkandpaper2's review against another edition

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dark hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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mlottermoser's review

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Molly is a neurodivergent maid in an upscale hotel. When a guest is murdered at a big event all fingers point to the maids covering the event. Molly must untangle her past and help Lily find her voice before the true criminal escapes.

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