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adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one didn't capture my attention in the same way that the last one did. Maybe it's because in the last book, lots of people were getting exposed to Molly's quirks for the first time, and in this one, folks were more used to her because she had a lot more authority? I do enjoy like an enemies-to-friends storyline, like the one that happened with Molly and the cop , but I do feel like it moved a little too quickly. I felt like there needed to be more of a thawing out period for someone who was so rude and determined that Molly was stupid and useless. It felt like a quick about-face. But I would continue to read this series. I'm still holding out that Molly gets her money back from that terrible dude she dated who stole it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this one though feel like they dragged it out a bit in the middle. Ending reveals were a bit lacklustre but it is what it is
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Sexual harassment
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I adored Molly in the first book (The Maid) but her growth and development as a character and her increased self-assurance was a delight to read. This book really felt like Molly coming into her own and I was completely surprised by the resolution of the mystery.
The premise of the novel is that renowned mystery novelist, Mr Grimthorpe books into the hotel where Molly works to make a dramatic announcement only to be killed before he’s able to do it. Immediately under suspicion are the staff of the hotel where Molly works and it’s up to Molly and her friends and colleagues to solve the mystery.
This was a joy to read. I usually don’t like shifting (past/present) timelines but this was never jarring. There could have been a bit more character development and a bit more of a dive into some of the heavier issues presented in this book. Not doing so made the novel feel a bit more surfacey and less grounded. Even though I understand that it was in Molly’s character not to dwell too long on unpleasant thoughts, there are quite a few really heavy themes that were dealt with in a way that I think needed a bit more care, depth and on-page discussion. I wish Juan-Manuel had been more a part of this book to add a bit more dimension to Molly’s diligent work life, but hopefully this is a series that will continue and we we will get to see him and future characters later on. Are parts of this immensely unrealistic? Yes. But this was a delight to read and I looked forward to picking it back up everytime I put it down. I also listened in audio and I found the narrator did a good job. Looking forward to more in this series.
The premise of the novel is that renowned mystery novelist, Mr Grimthorpe books into the hotel where Molly works to make a dramatic announcement only to be killed before he’s able to do it. Immediately under suspicion are the staff of the hotel where Molly works and it’s up to Molly and her friends and colleagues to solve the mystery.
This was a joy to read. I usually don’t like shifting (past/present) timelines but this was never jarring. There could have been a bit more character development and a bit more of a dive into some of the heavier issues presented in this book. Not doing so made the novel feel a bit more surfacey and less grounded. Even though I understand that it was in Molly’s character not to dwell too long on unpleasant thoughts, there are quite a few really heavy themes that were dealt with in a way that I think needed a bit more care, depth and on-page discussion. I wish Juan-Manuel had been more a part of this book to add a bit more dimension to Molly’s diligent work life, but hopefully this is a series that will continue and we we will get to see him and future characters later on. Are parts of this immensely unrealistic? Yes. But this was a delight to read and I looked forward to picking it back up everytime I put it down. I also listened in audio and I found the narrator did a good job. Looking forward to more in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Molly the Maid is back, and she is solving another mystery at the Regency Grand.
I enjoyed the journey though most of the twists were predictable. The book is a great mix of sad & light-hearted.
Molly can be unlikable at times, but it is understandable how rigid she is since she is neurodivergent, though her neurodivergence seems extreme at times. As someone on the spectrum and who knows others on it, I find it easier to handle as a reader than others might.
I liked the ending before the prologue as well as the prologue and I hope she does consider the changes the detective suggested. Detective Stark is much more likable in this book. I feel she could be a good friend to Molly in the rest of the series.
Narrator Rating: 3.5 stars
Like I said about the prior book, the narrator has a whiny, pouty, and annoying tone at times. It feels almost as if she might be trying to make Molly unlikable.
I enjoyed the journey though most of the twists were predictable. The book is a great mix of sad & light-hearted.
Molly can be unlikable at times, but it is understandable how rigid she is since she is neurodivergent, though her neurodivergence seems extreme at times. As someone on the spectrum and who knows others on it, I find it easier to handle as a reader than others might.
I liked the ending before the prologue as well as the prologue and I hope she does consider the changes the detective suggested. Detective Stark is much more likable in this book. I feel she could be a good friend to Molly in the rest of the series.
Narrator Rating: 3.5 stars
Like I said about the prior book, the narrator has a whiny, pouty, and annoying tone at times. It feels almost as if she might be trying to make Molly unlikable.
Elemental Levels: Fluff-3/5 Heartfelt-5/5 Love aka Romance-0.5/5 Mystery-4/5 Predictability-4/5 Spice-NA Suspense-1/5 Tear- 2.5/5 Thrill-0/5 Humor-1.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love molly. I don’t think that anything will be the maid but I definitely enjoyed the mystery. I like how molly puts it all together. It was so fun!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Murder
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As adorable as the first one and a door left open for the possibility of a third to follow. I’ll always root for Molly. I feel like she’s one of those characters that deserves the best of karma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Grief, Stalking
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
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:
Complicated
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."
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."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief