The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

When an acclaimed author dies at the Regency Grand Hotel, it's up to a fastidious maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty—in a standalone novel featuring Molly Gray, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning America Book Club Pick.

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 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 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 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 post-haste. If there's one thing Molly knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don't stay buried forever...

Paperback, 304 pages

Published November 28, 2023

 by Penguin Canada

4.5/5 stars

Molly has returned, three years later, as head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel.

This was a fun sequel to The Maid. It had some of Molly‘s background and her growing up years with Gran that were intricately woven into this story. Beginning with the murder of renowned author, J.D. Grimthrope and where Molly meets again Detective Stark. Was it natural causes or foul play? Thus begins this story

For me, it was Molly's story that took center stage with the murder being nicely in the background, but not too far back. With a more personal glimpse into her past, with some of the obstacles she faced and overcame along with what makes her tick made this an enjoyable and entertaining room. The ending was fitting with lots of loose ends tied up neatly.

 I would love to see Molly again in another story, but I would also like to see what else the author can come up with.

This book was part of my 2023 reading off my shelf challenge