Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "The Mystery Guest: A Maid Mystery Novel" by Nita Prose

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Review of "The Mystery Guest: A Maid Mystery Novel" by Nita Prose

This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. The https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...

This book is the sequel to The Maid, the 2022 Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller.

Molly Gray, who's mildly autistic, is proud to be the Head Maid at the opulent five-star Regency Grand hotel, which prides itself on sophisticated elegance and proper decorum for the modern age.

Molly learned housekeeping skills from her Gran, who raised Molly and taught her life lessons with adages like: Embrace the possibilities. You never know what might happen; Don't jump to conclusions, lest you trip and fall; One foot in front of the other. It's the only way to get anywhere in this life; and many more.

Sadly, Gran died several years ago and Molly now lives with her romantic partner, Juan Manuel, who also works at the Regency Grand Hotel.

Juan Manuel is currently visiting his family in Mexico, but Molly is unable to be with him because the hotel is opening its magnificent new Art Deco 'Grand Tearoom' with a VIP event for the famous mystery writer, J.D. Grimthorpe, who plans to make a very important announcement.

Grimthorpe's appearance is scheduled for 10 A.M. today, and fifty-five guests are expected, including a cadre of LAMBS - Ladies Auxiliary Mystery Book Society members - who claim to be Grimthorpe's biggest fans.

Molly arrives early for her shift, to check that the Grand Tearoom's round café tables are lain with crisp white linens, the napkins are pleated into rosebud folds, and each table has a centerpiece of pink lotus blossoms. Molly also makes sure her new Maid-in-Training, Lily, prepares Grimthorpe's personal tea cart correctly, with honey, not sugar.

All the guests, as well as reporters and literary pundits, wonder what Grimthorpe's big announcement will be. No one finds out, however, because the writer ascends to the podium, takes a long sip of tea and honey from his cart, and topples over.....dead.

Detective Stark arrives to investigate Grimthorpe's death, and Molly bristles because Stark suspected Molly when a former hotel guest was killed.

This time, Stark has her eye on Molly's new Maid-in-Training, Lily, who served Grimthorpe tea just before he died.

Molly is determined to prove Lily is innocent, and Molly and her friend Angela - a hotel bartender who's obsessed with true crime podcasts - set out to investigate. Angela thinks the LAMBS, the number one fans who follow Grimthorpe everywhere, might know something, and she makes a plan to find out.

Angela tells the LAMBS that Molly is a police detective working undercover as a maid, and arranges for Molly to speak with the ladies. Molly, who has no ability to prevaricate, keeps insisting she's just a maid. Even so, the LAMBS, who've seen Molly assiduously clean their rooms, wink wink and marvel at her undercover disguise.

The fact is, Molly has a secret of her own. Many years ago, Molly's Gran was a maid for Mr. and Mrs. Grimthorpe in their elegant mansion. Thus young Molly met the writer when she accompanied her Gran to work.

The book alternates back and forth between the present, which follows the investigation into Grimthorpe's death, and the past, when Molly became acquainted with the writer and his wife in their home - an experience she'll never forget.

Molly's sharp observations help solve the case, which results in an offer Molly might not be able to refuse.

An assortment of characters add interest to the story, including Mr. Preston - the long-time hotel doorman, who's a good friend to Molly;

Mr. Snow - the hotel manager, who's worried about the hotel's reputation;

Ms. Serena Sharpe - Mr. Grimthorpe's personal secretary, who catches Mr. Snow's eye;

Beulah Barnes - a LAMBS member who claims to be Grimthorpe's biographer;

Cheryl - a manipulative lazy maid who steals her colleagues' tips; and more.

I enjoyed this fun cozy mystery and look forward to more of Molly's adventures.

Thanks to Netgalley, Nita Prose, and Ballantine Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Barb's Book Reviews

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Review of "The Mystery Guest: A Maid Mystery Novel" by Nita Prose

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