I can understand why people like this book and its cosy crime charm, but, and I realise I'm in the minority, it just wasnt for me. The pace and writing didnt work for me and the striving to be cute and amusing just jarred as a bit twee. Sorry Ms Prose.
Thank you to netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book

Nita Prose's "The Mystery Guest" is a five-star triumph that brilliantly weaves together elements of mystery, nostalgia, and the hidden intricacies of human connection. Set against the backdrop of the Regency Grand Hotel, Prose takes readers on a captivating journey with Molly Gray, the Head Maid, whose meticulous attention to detail becomes crucial in solving a murder that unravels within the hotel's opulent walls.

Molly Gray is not just a maid; she is a silent observer of the guests' secrets, a custodian of their hidden lives. When a renowned mystery writer unexpectedly meets his demise in the grand tea room, Molly finds herself at the centre of an unusual clean-up operation. The author's death sets off a chain reaction of rumours and suspicions, revealing that beneath the gilt and glamour, the hotel harbours secrets of its own.

Prose masterfully constructs a narrative where each room in the hotel holds not only physical clutter but also the emotional residue of its occupants. The intricate details of the Regency Grand Hotel come to life, serving as the perfect stage for a mystery that demands unravelling. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, drawing readers into the luxurious yet enigmatic world of Molly and her surroundings.

Molly's character is the heartbeat of the novel, and Prose skilfully peels back the layers of her past, exposing the memories she has tidied away for so long. The mystery is not just about the deceased guest but also about Molly's own history, intricately intertwined with the enigmatic figure she once knew. The emotional depth of Molly's character adds a poignant layer to the overall narrative.

The pacing of the story is impeccable, with Prose expertly maintaining the balance between the unfolding murder mystery and the exploration of Molly's past. The novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the truth behind the death of the famous mystery writer and the secrets lurking within the Regency Grand Hotel.

In conclusion, "The Mystery Guest" is a five-star masterpiece that captivates from the first page to the last. Nita Prose's ability to blend mystery, nostalgia, and the complexity of human relationships results in a novel that is both immersive and emotionally resonant. Recommended for fans of mystery fiction that goes beyond the conventional, "The Mystery Guest" is a triumph that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final revelation.

I loved meeting Molly the Maid in Nita Prose’s first book. It was great to be reunited with her in The Mystery Guest. What I really enjoyed were the chapters set in Molly and Gran’s past, working in the mansion of a famous mystery writer. They really gave insight into Molly’s character . I was less impressed with the chapters set in the current day, where Molly finds herself in the centre of another mystery which has unfurled in the hotel. It was a little too cozy for my liking and easy to guess the culprit.
The novel ended in an intriguing way and it’s clear it won’t be the last we see of Molly the Maid.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Mystery Guest is a sequel to The Maid, which I read last year and enjoyed. The same characters are back in this new book and there’s a maturity to Molly that has developed since the first book.

As before, a murder happens in the hotel where Molly works and she’s involved in it and, indeed, instrumental in solving it.

On the whole I think I enjoyed this less than The Maid. By having Molly’s boyfriend away for the duration of the novel we didn’t get to see how she’d changed since the first book and how her relationship had altered her. This sequel was also lacking a last minute twist, which was present in The Maid, which was disappointing.

It’s still good, and the ending is well plotted and believable. It’s just maybe lacking something in comparison. There are clearly plans for more, though, and it will be interesting to see where this character goes next.

I enjoyed Nina Prose’s debut ‘The Maid’ but felt it didn’t live up to the hype. I enjoyed this sequel ‘The Mystery Guest’ much more as not only is Molly, the protagonist, much more comfortable in her skin but this novel is much more confident and assured and polished. From the outset we know that Molly is now head maid at The Grand Regency and is working when a famous author dies at his own press conference. The story moves between present day and the past where Molly had previously met the author with her gran. This is gentle, heartwarming, well paced read that is perfect for ending a reading drought, during a holiday or when you want an easier read after some denser/darker reads.

I wasn't the biggest fan of The Maid but I wanted to give this author another try to see if I enjoyed it more. And I did! Even though Molly just will never be my favourite character - I cant quite explain it but there is a slight disconnect stopping me caring a lot about her. Having said that it was fun to see that she has now become more confident and purposeful in her actions.
I enjoyed it more than the first book in this series - which I never realized was going to be a series until I saw this book - however it isn;t the most memorable book I've ever read. A fun thriller for a dark and cold evening in front of the fire.

Another brilliant Molly the ( now) head maid book. I enjoyed this one even more than the first book. The character seemed more rounded and the story plot was great.

Disclaimer: e-Arc provided by HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperCollins, via Net Galley for Review. All thoughts are my own. My thanks to HarperCollins, for providing me with the arc for review.

Release Date: 28 November 2023 (US), 18 January 2024 (UK)*

*My Arc is from the UK publishers

The Maid and The Mystery Guest follows Molly the Maid who is working at the Regency Grand Hotel. In the first book she is struggling to make ends meet following the death of her grandmother. Molly is socially awkward, and often misses social queues as a result. The second book picks up four years after the first book, and pretty much everything that happens in a spoiler in some way for book one…

Spoilers (book one only!)

<spoiler>The Mystery Guest sees Molly working as the Head Maid, and taking a young maid-in-training, Lily, under her wing. The Hotel is hosting a grant event for an author who mysteriously drops dead just before his big speech, putting Molly and her young maid in the eye of the detective investigating the case.Things get more mysterious when we learn Molly has history with the deceased.</spoiler>

I feel confident in saying, if you liked The Maid you will most likely enjoy The Mystery Guest.

Molly and the gang from the hotel are all back in this book, and getting involved in the mystery in the hotel.

I liked how the book set up the idea of a series.

Overall, I really enjoy the book and recommend it, not much I can say without spoiling book one!!

Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks to of the glamorous five-star hotel to 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 was murder most foul. Suspects abound, everyone want to know who killed J.D. Grimthorpe. As the case threatens the hotel's pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity.

When J.D. Grimthorpe picks the Regency Grand Hotel for a big announcement, everyone is thrilled. But he drops dead just before he begins to speak. His death is not from natural causes. There are plenty of suspects to choose from. Detective Stark is called in to investigate the sudden death. The story has a dual timeline - the present day and the past when Molly was just a young girl. This is a well-written cosy murder mystery. Every chapter is left with a cliffhanger, so I had to keep reading. There are parts that are quite funny. There are lots of characters from the first book. I loved this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUk and the author #NitaProse for my ARC of #TheMysteryGuest in exchange for an honest review.

I'll start by saying I didn't read The Maid and didn't realise this was the second book in a series until I started reading, so some of my thoughts might well be explained in the first book and readers of both will point out any questions I had were OBVIOUS had I read the first...
Reading the description of the book I requested it as it already had a good many five star reviews and I enjoy a cosy/ humorous thriller - as i started to read it, I have to confess to some confusion though.
I assumed (a mistake the title character comments on a couple of times ass-u- me - and other homilies - lots of them) this was a period piece set in England. The hotel description - even a high quality hotel - seemed that of a '50s setting at the latest and the character vocabulary were chock full of quaint old English idioms. So I was pulled up a bit when there was a first mention of podcasts...and as the novel went on, I wondered where exactly this was supposed to be set - it reads like a non-English writer's vision of England care of Downton Abbey, but there are references to calling 911, of spelling bees, of dollars and police cruisers...did I miss that this was set in the US?
As to the plot and character - I love a comedic crime caper but feel they are one of the hardest things to pull off and so much of them tend to rely on the central protagonist in terms of whether they're successful or not. Did I take to the central character here who Stephen King describes as the most interesting and endearing main character in a long time'? No - but I could see hints of King's own Holly Dibney in her.
Molly is, I assumed, on the spectrum. And while this isn't written 'for laughs' in itself, her 'quirks' as the book portrays them may land better with most readers than they did for me. As I say, not having read the first book I'm not sure how much of Molly's backstory there is in that, but the dual story here of her childhood and current events were interesting enough if a little on the nose (I'm thinking having her reading Great Expectations and being given the nickname PIP by the fictional author in the tale.
The story moved on quickly enough and i was reasonably engaged - if not surprised - but I never really felt immersed in it: in part possibly because of not having read the first book, in part because of my confusion about what era/ location/ style the book was going for.
Thank you for the opportunity to read for an honest review.

In The Mystery Guest, Molly the Maid finds herself caught up in another murder case at the Regency Grand Hotel.

Once again the mystery is pretty straightforward, but the storytelling is charming. It's the characters that bring the Regency Grand to life, and while you really need to have read The Maid to appreciate the character development (this time round Molly is much more self-assured), first-time readers will still appreciate the colourful cast. I particularly enjoyed the dual narrative, with chapters alternating between the current murder investigation and Molly's childhood experiences at Grimthorpe Manor.

There may be no real surprises, but The Mystery Guest still makes an enjoyable read.

It was great to be back again in the company of Molly the maid and now she has her own protege!
This was a fun read and if you enjoyed The Maid, then this will not disappoint.
I enjoyed the alternation between current day and the past, which provided a little more background to the character of Molly.

What a fantastic follow up to The Maid! I loved coming back to Molly and her universe in the Hotel. The plot is as thrilling and engaging as the first in the series, I read this book in two settings!!

Highly enjoyable mystery novel - well worth a look.

It helps to have read "The Maid" beforehand but the book probably works as a stand alone. Molly returns as promoted Head Maid at the hotel and again becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that takes place in the hotel. We discover much more about her background in various flashback chapters. Many of the characters from The Maid appear with some new ones joining them. It's an entertaining read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I don't know if it qualifies as "cosy crime" but it's an easy, quick read and well worth a look.

I was excited to see The Mystery Guest in an upcoming book release list, as I had enjoyed ‘The Maid’ and wasn’t aware it was intended to be the start of a series.

The story reunites us with favourite characters such as cynical Detective Stark, amateur sleuths Molly and Angela, and adorable Mr Preston the doorman.

The Mystery Guest is a fast-paced, fun mystery and provides a nice balance between the chapters set in the present (solving a modern day murder mystery) and the flashbacks to Molly’s childhood relationship with her beloved Gran.

There were still quite a few rhymes and motivational sayings dotted throughout the story, but they were slightly less grating this time around, as I was more familiar with the characters and their personalities.

I’ll be interested to see where Molly goes next if the series continues!

Another fine outing for Molly the Maid.

Now promoted to Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly is surprised and concerned to find herself dealing with *another* death at the hotel. This time, there is a connection to her past, a tricky literary-related mystery, and much more.

We have some great returning characters, and a few interesting new ones. Ultimately, though, it's Molly who drives the story and it's in her voice that we follow the investigation and other events.

If you enjoyed the first novel, I have no doubt that you'll enjoy this one. If you are a fan of cosy mysteries, then this should certainly suit your tastes.

I really enjoyed The Maid so I was incredibly excited to read the sequel - luckily it didn’t disappoint!

Molly is one of my favourite literary characters ever - she is smart, sweet and funny. It’s nice to follow a character that is different and relatable. I loved learning more about her, her past and of course her Gran. She really makes these books special and stand out from the other mystery books.

As for the mystery itself, it was another interesting plot and I had a lot of fun trying to work it out! It was a very fun and cosy mystery. I really enjoyed the little twists and it all came together really well at the end.

I loved the ending! It was so sweet and I hope that we get more books in this series in the future.

"The Mystery Guest" is the eagerly awaited sequel to "The Maid," in which we once again join Molly as she becomes entangled in a perplexing murder mystery within the confines of the Regency Hotel.

This book is an enjoyable read, brimming with the same charm that delighted readers in "The Maid." It seamlessly maintains continuity from its predecessor while also offering gratifying character development that remains true to the essence of Molly. What's particularly heartening is the way other characters evolve around Molly, becoming more accepting and open-minded. Instead of steering towards changing Molly, the narrative focuses on the positive influence she has on those around her.

Nita Prose showcases her skill in crafting rich and immersive dialogues between characters, who are vividly descriptive and transport readers deeper into the world of the book.

Much like "The Maid," "The Mystery Guest" strikes a balance between providing moments of comic relief and weaving an engaging murder mystery.

Molly the maid is back as the head maid in The Regency Grand Hotel. She is still the granny's little girl who adores her gran.
I have no idea that The Maid has a book 2. I was excited when I got offered a copy of The Mystery Guest.
Another excellent crime mystery thriller told in a dual timeline happens in the Regency Grand Hotel where Molly works. Molly takes pride in her job. Polishing silvers, returning rooms to the state of perfection and plumping pillows. Despite her past, Molly loves her job and is looking forward to a coming event by a very famous mystery writer held in the grand tea room. It all went well until someone dropped dead during the event. Molly found something not quite right in one of the guest rooms but the maid is always to blame.

I honestly enjoyed reading every bit. I was looking forward and expecting the killer to be someone else. But it kind of ended like that which I wish there was more.

The sequel to The Maid. The Mystery Guest follows Molly as she is once again in embroiled in a suspicious murder in the Regency Hotel.

An enjoyable read with the same charm as The Maid. There was great continuity from The Maid but also some nice character development while still staying true to the essence of the character. I found it very heartening that others character developed around Molly to be more accepting and open-minded, rather than going in the direction of Molly changing.

Nita Prose creates such rich dialogue between characters, even down to the LAMB characters, that are so richly descriptive it really puts you into the world of the book.

As with The Maid, there’s a nice mixture of comedic relief and murder mystery. Personally, my thriller tastes are a slightly faster and gripping pacing. This is more of a lighter thriller (sort of along the lines of Richard Osmon’s series) done very well if that is your preference.

If you loved the first book you’ll love this! Equally heartwarming and a nice light mystery ❤️