The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose is an engaging tale takes the readers on an adventurous ride through the life of Molly Gray, the headmaid at the Regency Grand Hotel. When the celebrated author J.D. Grimthorpe is found dead, Molly finds herself in the middle of a whodunnit investigation once again. The Mystery Guest is an excellent sequel to Prose’s The Maid and keeps you on your toes with its suspenseful plot, well-drawn out characters, and smart twists.
Prose has done a remarkable job of pacing the story in The Mystery Guest. The plot takes the readers through a rollercoaster of emotions, with an even balance of light-hearted moments and tense situations. From the first chapter itself, you are thrown into a world of mystery and intrigue, and it’s hard to put the book down. There were points where I felt that I had figured out the murderer, only to be taken in by surprise with the actual revelation.
Molly Gray’s character is well-developed throughout the story. As the headmaid, she is portrayed as a no-nonsense woman who always follows the rules. However, as the investigation proceeds, we get to see a more vulnerable and personal side of her. The flashbacks to her past, working at Grimthorpe mansion with her grandmother, gave an insight into her character and upbringing. These backstories added an extra layer to the characters, making them feel more real and fleshed out.
The Regency Grand Hotel’s setting adds to the story’s charm, with its luxurious atmosphere, and the behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a five-star hotel. Something we got a bunch of in The Maid. The descriptive nature of the book sets a perfect scene, with the author’s attention to detail adding to the experience.
If you are a fan of cozy murder mysteries, The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose is an excellent read – after you have read The Maid. This book’s smart twists, well-drawn-out characters, and engaging plot keep you hooked till the very end. Prose does an excellent job of pacing the story, and the Regency Grand Hotel’s luxurious setting adds to the charm. The book adds a personal touch to Molly’s character development, adding a deeper layer to both the character and the story’s overall narrative.
The Mystery Guest lives up to the wondrous first installment, The Maid, adding to the Molly The Maid character which we all fell in love with in early 2022.
The Mystery Guest hits bookstores everywhere on November 28, 2023. We highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Lauren Ambrose. Additionally, you can grab The Maid now in print and audiobook format.
NOTE: We received an advance reading/listening copy of The Mystery Guest from the publisher.
