The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel (Molly the Maid)

"The Mystery Guest," by Nita Prose is the second book in the series about Molly the Maid, a very intelligent person who might be on the autism scale, because her communication skills and social skills were somewhat impaired, leading many to underestimate or misunderstand her. She is guided in life by the moral code instilled in her by her beloved grandmother, now deceased, but whose sayings dominate Molly's everyday thoughts and actions. As Book 2 started, Molly has been promoted to Head Maid at the prestigious five-star Regency Grand Hotel, from which she was almost fired in Book 1 as she was unrightfully accused of murder. She now proudly reports directly to Mr. Snow, the general manager, and is grateful for her faithful friend, Mr. Preston, the doorman. During the action of this book, her live-in boyfriend, Juan Manuel, was MIA, because he was visiting his family in Mexico. Cheryl, the very annoying and unethical former head maid, was back to be a thorn in Molly's side as Molly tried to clear her newest maid-in-training, Lily, from suspicion in the highly sensational poisoning of a famous author who was making an appearance at the hotel for a huge announcement. Just as J.D. Grimthorpe, the highly acclaimed mystery writer began his announcement, he keeled over dead after drinking the tea that Lily had poured. His note cards disappeared from the podium, keeping his big proclamation a mystery. Detective Stark returned, with her anti-Molly attitude from Book 1 in full force. Stark reluctantly followed some of Molly's "clues," which Stark usually deemed to be irrelevant - until they weren't! A very entertaining part of this book was a prolonged flashback that alternated chapters with the present time, in which Molly's grandmother was a maid for the family of the very same J.D. Grimthorpe. Three shocking developments at the end were the reveal of the murderer and the motive, Stark's sudden change of assessment of Molly's detective skills (think Adrian Monk), and a revelation about Molly's grandmother. I am so eager for Book 3!

How nice to be able to buy a second book in a series that captivated me! I also bought the audible version of this book, and the narrator was perfect...her voice was just like I had imagined Molly the maid sounded like.

I highly recommend this book, which for me was just a bit more interesting than the first book. The plot was a bit more complex, and the interactions between Molly and the detective were less annoying, in that she had established credibility with her.

The style of writing impresses me. The narration is in the first person, which makes it so pleasant to read, because you get inside Molly's mind, and can experience everything she is thinking and feeling.

The end was another surprise, just like the first book.

I believe in starting a series with the first book, but if you get a chance to read this second mystery, it has no spoilers, so you can confidently read this one, and then read the first...but do read it, because it is captivating.

Molly Gray is now Head Maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. She is perfect for this position because she not only is a rule follower but she takes pride in her work. She has taken timid Lily, maid-in-training, under her wing teaching her the rules of cleaning and proper behavior for a maid at the hotel.

The Grand Regency has been chosen to host a special event featuring demanding best selling author J. D. Grimthorpe. Lily has prepared the two Tea Carts for Grimthorpe as he requested. The room is crowded and full of fans and fan clubs to hear the big announcement that the author has promised. But, as he takes the stage and sips his first cup of tea, seasoned with honey instead of sugar, the author drops dead. And once again Molly and The Grand Regency are plunged into the mystery and investigation of a murder committed in the hotel!

This second book in the series features Molly and an interesting cast of new and returning characters. All seem to have secrets including my favorite character ( besides Molly) Mr. Preston , the doorman.

The story is narrated by Molly as was book one. She is very open about her uniqueness in the way she functions and how she sees life. She is probably somewhere on the autism spectrum. Her story unfolds in flashbacks which helps the reader better understand Molly and her ways.

The man she shares life with is in Mexico visiting his mother and most of his appearances in the novel are by phone. It is interesting to see how Detective Stark’s character grows and develops throughout the book. Though Cheryl was up to her old tricks, I did not see her “growth” coming. Overall, I liked the book but not as much as I enjoyed book one, The Maid. Read these books in order which should help explain Molly’s personality and her way of thinking. It’s a good mystery. I am starting 2024 off with this four star read!

I read “The Maid” several years ago. I can't recall the plot, but I certainly remember Molly Gray, the hotel maid with an “eagle eye for details” and a very literal, some would say compulsive, way of perceiving life—a way that can make for amusing as well as uncomfortable situations. In her follow-up novel, “The Mystery Guest,” author Nita Prose has given us a story that’s something of a cozy mystery containing both comedy and sadness.

Heroine/narrator Molly Gray continues her housekeeping duties at the Regency Grand Hotel, only now she is its Head Maid, training and overseeing all the other maids.

A famous mystery writer organizes a press conference at the Regency, promising to reveal a long-held secret. As he stands before a gaggle of reporters, the secret on the tip of his tongue, he collapses and dies. The police soon determine he’s been murdered and focus on Molly and her co-workers as possible perpetrators. Who is the real killer? And what was their motive for killing the writer? Did it have anything to do with the unrevealed secret? Those are the questions Molly has to answer in order to clear herself and the people she cares about.

Excepting the first third, I found it to be a well-written tale that’s also a “quick read.” Like so many stories today, it proceeds along two tracks. The first is set in the present. The second explores past events that lead to and explain the present.

I did have problems with the first third. Molly, with all her quirky literalness and compulsion, seemed like a "one-trick pony" and I doubted that she’d be able to sustain the story. Many of the attempts at humor struck me as trite or stale or just not very funny. (In fact, I remember one of the jokes from an episode of "The Odd Couple" airing some 50 years ago)

And there seemed to be a saccharine or treacly quality to the story--especially Molly’s unrelenting optimism and her incessant reliance on cutesy, rhyming slogans. I almost quit 33% of the way through. But I kept going and found some of those flaws actually to be elements of a story far more serious than the opening third indicated.

Ms. Prose does a good job of fleshing out Molly’s character and expanding on her story. Her settings—including the Regency Grand, a fusty old mansion, and the small apartment Molly once shared with her “Gran”—are well-drawn. The characters may not be particularly deep, but they are engaging and Molly’s relationship with her Gran turns out to be, at times, very touching.

The plot is clearly fictional. There’s no mistaking this story for one based on real events, especially since it relies somewhat on "deus ex machina" coincidences. (But, hey, if it worked for Dickens and Lieutenant Columbo--who actually play small parts in this story--then why not for Nita Prose?) And while there are a number of twists and feints in an effort to create surprises, I found some of the reveals predictable. (Then again, could be I've read too much Dickens or watched too many "Columbo"s.) All in all, however, I found the plot entertaining.

So, for me, "The Mystery Guest" was a "mixed bag." Some parts I liked. Some I didn't. Hence the three stars. I'll probably forget the story within two weeks. But I'm not likely to forget Molly the Maid.