The Mystery Guest : A Maid Novel

Summary: 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.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 tea room 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...Story Locale:Regency Grand Hotel THE FOLLOW UP TO THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, GMA BOOK CLUB PICK, AND GOODREADS CHOICE WINNER FOR MYSTERY/THRILLER THE MAID IS NOW COMING IN PAPERBACKA RANDOM HOUSE BOOK CLUB SELECTION with reading group guide inside discussing the novel's commentary on societal expectations, what it means to be different, and how we can all find strength in ourselves.A LIBRARY READS PICK, AN INDIE NEXT PICK, A NYT EDITOR'S CHOICE PICK, AND A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR AT MULTIPLE OUTLETS: The Mystery Guest was named a Best Book of the Year by PopSugar, the Chicago Public Library, and Harper's Bazaar before the novel had even officially hit shelves!RETURN OF A BELOVED CHARACTER: As Stephen King said, Molly is "the most interesting (and endearing) character in a long time". She clearly resonated with readers and we know they'll be excited to have her back for another novel that's sure to join The Maid in making new fans of Molly!CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE: New readers can jump right into Molly's second adventure without missing a beat!MAJOR FILM NEWS FOR THE MAID: The novel has been optioned by Universal.Quotes:“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 VeronicaAuthor Bio: Nita Prose is the author of The Maid, which has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and was published in over 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 and was an Edgar Awards finalist for Best Novel.Author Residence: Toronto,ONAuthor Hometown: Toronto, ON