anns_book_chronicles's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jackiesreadingjourney's review
4.0
Cozy mysteries aren’t really my thing but once again Molly the maid stole my heart and convinced me otherwise.
This story takes off where The Maid ends, but you can definitely read this as a stand-alone because the author included just enough of a recap that it didn’t feel repetitive.
There’s another murder at the Regency Grand hotel, and Molly is once again at the center of it all. We get to go along with Molly while she outsmarts and outwits everyone (again), and we also get to explore her childhood. Told in past and present timelines we get to see Molly and Gran in ways we didn’t in The Maid.
This book had all of the charm from The Maid and it succeeded in hooking me from start to finish. This one was also a bit darker with some heavier/darker themes. Molly the maid is the sweetest misunderstood fictional character I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Molly's character development stands out, and I truly appreciated this book. Molly's and Gran's phrases, along with Molly's demeanor and distinctive personality made for an enjoyable read.
My only complaints is that I felt some parts dragged and the reveals were a bit predictable.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong character development then this one, and The Maid, would be perfect for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Randomhouse Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC. This publishes on 11/28/23!
I also listened to this on audio and Lauren Ambrose did an impeccable job of bringing Molly to life (again!) Her performance as Molly the maid makes me love the character even more. Her narration is immersive, full of personality, emotionally resonant, and captivating. If you haven’t listened to Lauren’s narration and you loved The Maid then you MUST give this audiobook a shot!
Thank you Penguin Randomhouse Audio for this ALC!
This story takes off where The Maid ends, but you can definitely read this as a stand-alone because the author included just enough of a recap that it didn’t feel repetitive.
There’s another murder at the Regency Grand hotel, and Molly is once again at the center of it all. We get to go along with Molly while she outsmarts and outwits everyone (again), and we also get to explore her childhood. Told in past and present timelines we get to see Molly and Gran in ways we didn’t in The Maid.
This book had all of the charm from The Maid and it succeeded in hooking me from start to finish. This one was also a bit darker with some heavier/darker themes. Molly the maid is the sweetest misunderstood fictional character I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Molly's character development stands out, and I truly appreciated this book. Molly's and Gran's phrases, along with Molly's demeanor and distinctive personality made for an enjoyable read.
My only complaints is that I felt some parts dragged and the reveals were a bit predictable.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong character development then this one, and The Maid, would be perfect for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Randomhouse Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC. This publishes on 11/28/23!
I also listened to this on audio and Lauren Ambrose did an impeccable job of bringing Molly to life (again!) Her performance as Molly the maid makes me love the character even more. Her narration is immersive, full of personality, emotionally resonant, and captivating. If you haven’t listened to Lauren’s narration and you loved The Maid then you MUST give this audiobook a shot!
Thank you Penguin Randomhouse Audio for this ALC!
shay43geek's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
fadingsilence's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
katiejensen00's review
funny
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
4.0
tararepucci's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
anintrovertreads's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mga5033's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
book_reader_lover's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I always wonder if an authors second book is going to live up to their first. In the case of The Mystery Guest, Prose's second book, does live up to her first The Maid.
In The Mystery Guest, we are reunited with Molly, the maid. She is now head maid and takes her job seriously. While training Lily, a new maid, a guest of the Regency is murdered. Molly is thrust into the middle of the investigation by her friend, Angela. Of course, there are times when Molly is misunderstood and she misunderstands.
Prose did a wonderful job in character development. Molly grew a lot, but the biggest growth came from Detective Stark. I love Molly. She is clearly the underdog most of the time, but she never gives up. Prose also expanded on the series, and left room for another book or two, by a couple of bombshells. There is a dual timeline in The Mystery Guest, but it works great and gives some info on one bombshell. I look forward to reading more about Molly and seeing where Prose takes all the characters.
If you haven't read the first book, The Maid, I would recommend you do before reading, The Mystery Guest. That way you want be lost, because this book builds on the first.
Tentative Publishing Date November 28, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Ballantine for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🙂 Happy Reading 🙂
#Netgalley
#RandomHousePublishing
#Ballantine
#NitaProse
#TheMysteryGuest
In The Mystery Guest, we are reunited with Molly, the maid. She is now head maid and takes her job seriously. While training Lily, a new maid, a guest of the Regency is murdered. Molly is thrust into the middle of the investigation by her friend, Angela. Of course, there are times when Molly is misunderstood and she misunderstands.
Prose did a wonderful job in character development. Molly grew a lot, but the biggest growth came from Detective Stark. I love Molly. She is clearly the underdog most of the time, but she never gives up. Prose also expanded on the series, and left room for another book or two, by a couple of bombshells. There is a dual timeline in The Mystery Guest, but it works great and gives some info on one bombshell. I look forward to reading more about Molly and seeing where Prose takes all the characters.
If you haven't read the first book, The Maid, I would recommend you do before reading, The Mystery Guest. That way you want be lost, because this book builds on the first.
Tentative Publishing Date November 28, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Ballantine for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🙂 Happy Reading 🙂
#Netgalley
#RandomHousePublishing
#Ballantine
#NitaProse
#TheMysteryGuest
michedea_books_'s review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The mystery guest is the second book in ‘the maid’ series regarding Molly the maid. The story is a few years forward from the previous novel. She is now the head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. Leading and teaching a group of maids in her ways to seek cleaning perfection.
When Mystery writer J. D Gimthorpe who has come to the to make a special announcement to the local media and fans. Suddenly drops dead the hotels tearoom. Once again Detective Stark comes to the hotel to lead the investigation. She accused Molly once of murder will she do it again?
I love that Molly has returned for another episode in this fab series. Not only is this another great mystery. But we get to learn more about Molly and her Gran and how she developed her quirkiness and her ways from what her Gran taught her and the links she has with the deceased. Molly is such a likeable character anyway. I hope there is more of Molly to come. 5 stars from me.