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Book Cover for: The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel, Nita Prose

The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel

Nita Prose

Reader Score

80%

80% of readers

recommend this book

Critic Reviews

Good

Based on 6 reviews on

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NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A new mess. A new mystery. It's up to Molly the maid to uncover the truth, no matter how dirty, in this standalone novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning America Book Club pick.

"Polished to perfection!"--Shari Lapena, author of Everyone Here Is Lying

"Lives up to the hype . . . both a delightful whodunit and a pointed social commentary."--The Washington Post

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE - A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PopSugar, Harper's Bazaar, Chicago Public Library, CrimeReads, Bookreporter

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 high-profile death 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, as 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 posthaste. Because if there's one thing she knows for sure, it's that secrets don't stay buried forever.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Ballantine Books
  • Publish Date: Nov 28th, 2023
  • Pages: 304
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.51in - 6.37in - 0.90in - 1.11lb
  • EAN: 9780593356180
  • Categories: Mystery & Detective - Cozy - GeneralLiteraryThrillers - Domestic

About the Author

Nita Prose is the author of The Maid, which has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and was published in more than forty countries. A #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club pick, The Maid won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction, the Fingerprint Award for Debut Novel of the Year, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, and the Barry Award for Best First Mystery. The Maid was also an Edgar Award finalist for Best Novel. Nita Prose lives in Toronto, Canada, in a house that is only moderately clean.

Critics’ reviews

Praise for this book

"Heartwarming . . . Like Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, who's rendered invisible because she's an old woman, Molly and her grandmother are not seen because of the kind of work they do. In this affecting and socially-pointed mystery series, however, invisibility becomes the superpower of the pink-collar proletariat."--NPR

"[Molly] returns in The Mystery Guest, which builds upon The Maid's many charms. Prose peppers the mystery with sly jokes about the vagaries of crime writing, but Molly's voice remains central and moving."--The New York Times

"Molly is a singular character--she's intelligent, unfailingly honest and the epitome of a professional maid--and readers will enjoy checking into the Regency Grand to follow her and her exploits."--BookPage

"The Mystery Guest is a fun mystery. If you like character-driven stories, this one's for you. Molly Gray is one of the most unique characters I've come across in a long time and is oddly lovable. Enjoy this rousing mystery. It's great entertainment."--BookReporter

"A page-turning delight from start to finish . . . Once I checked into the Regency Grand, I never wanted to leave."--Jenny Jackson, author of Pineapple Street

"Solving a crime has never been more delightful. Molly Gray is a gift to the world, and this is a book to hug when you finish it."--Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair

"Wise and winning and altogether wondrous . . . perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Knives Out, and tasteful whodunits of any vintage . . . a splendid novel to restore your faith in character-driven storytelling."--A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

"Nita Prose writes like no other--I loved this even more than her utterly delightful debut."--Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push and The Whispers

"Be sure to put out the 'do not disturb' sign while you lose yourself in this exquisite follow-up."--Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Appeal

"A rollicking, riotous, rollercoaster of a mystery. Clever clues, a smorgasboard of suspects, and a rocket-fuel pace."--Benjamin Stevenson, internationally bestselling author of Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone

"Molly Gray is the most charming amateur sleuth in modern literature. Prepare to fall in love with this fast-paced, clever whodunit full of laughs and overflowing with heart."--Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names

"Nita Prose shines with the return of Molly the maid who is one of the most memorable, endearing characters I've ever read. From page turning suspense, to laugh-out-loud humor and moments that are deeply heartfelt, The Mystery Guest has it all! This book is a knockout."--Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

"A flawless and brilliant read."--Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond

"Oh, how I enjoy Molly's take on life! Another gorgeous book from Nita Prose, cleverly conceived, written with panache and jam-packed with joy."--Hazel Prior, internationally bestselling author of How the Penguins Saved Veronica