Title: THE MYSTERY GUEST
Author: Nita Prose
ISBN: 978 0008 4357 83
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 327
Source: Jonathan Ball Publishers
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 tearoom 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 know 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…
Official Summary
09 April 2024
Nita Prose does it again. If you enjoyed “The Maid”, you will not want to miss this book. When you reach for “The Mystery Guest” you can expect an absolute gem of a novel that captivates from the very first page. At the heart of this riveting mystery is Molly Gray, the Head Maid at the prestigious Regency Grand Hotel, whose meticulous attention to detail and intriguing past make her a standout character in the world of amateur sleuths.
Molly Gray is a breath of fresh air in the genre—a protagonist whose unique talents and quirks make her both endearing and refreshingly relatable. Her dedication to her work, combined with her penchant for solving mysteries, drives the narrative forward with an irresistible charm. The author brilliantly crafts Molly’s character, revealing her complexity through her relationships with other hotel staff and her deep-rooted connection to the victim, J.D. Grimthorpe. What sets Molly apart is her depth. As she delves into her past and struggles with personal memories tied to Grimthorpe, you are treated to a detailed portrayal of a woman with vulnerabilities and strengths. Nita Prose weaves together Molly’s present-day investigations with flashbacks to her childhood, unveiling layers of her character that add richness to the storyline. This book reveals a lot more about Molly’s childhood, building on what you learnt about her in The Maid.
The dynamics between Molly and the supporting cast are equally compelling. From her interactions with Detective Stark, her adversarial yet intriguing counterpart, to her relationships with fellow hotel staff who become suspects, each interaction adds intrigue and depth to the narrative.
The author’s writing is sharp, witty, and infused with just the right amount of suspense. The plot twists and turns keep you guessing until the final pages, all the while allowing Molly’s character to shine brightly amidst the chaos of a murder investigation. In “The Mystery Guest,” Nita Prose has crafted a masterful blend of mystery, character-driven storytelling, and atmospheric setting. Molly Gray emerges as a standout protagonist, and her journey through this intricate puzzle of a plot makes for an utterly captivating read. Whether you’re a fan of cosy mysteries or simply appreciate well-developed characters, this book is a must-read. Nita Prose’s writing will leave you eagerly awaiting Molly’s next adventure.
Also By Nita Prose
The Maid
Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and often misreads people’s intentions. But no matter—she still throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid at the five-star Regency Grand Hotel. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning and returning guest rooms to a state of perfection.
But Molly’s orderly life is upended when she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find Mr. Black dead—very dead—in his bed. Perplexed by Molly’s unusual behaviour, the police immediately suspect her of murder. She’s soon caught in a web of deception with no idea how to untangle herself.
Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had joined her in a search for clues about what really happened to Mr Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Nita Prose is the author of THE MAID, a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club Pick. Nominated for an Edgar Award and winner of the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction and a Goodreads Choice Award, THE MAID has been published in more than forty countries and has sold over a million copies worldwide. Her next book starring Molly is THE MYSTERY GUEST. It publishes in November in the US and Canada
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this fantastic review copy. I adore Molly and cannot wait to see what the author has in store for her next. Whether you have read The Maid or not, I would highly recommend you ass this cosy mystery to your TBR. It’s a brilliantly refreshing read that will keep you entertained from start to end. Once again, thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. I hope you enjoy “The Mystery Guest” as much as I did. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
