AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel (Molly the Maid)

The Mystery Guest is the second book in the Molly The Maid series by award-wining, best-selling Canadian editor and author, Nita Prose. Molly Gray has been Head Maid at the Regency Grand Hotel for three and a half years now, and the 5-star boutique establishment is regaining its good reputation in the aftermath of Charles Black's murder four years earlier.

Management are delighted to host a press conference for best-selling Mystery Writer, J D Grimthorpe in their newly renovated Art Deco Grand Tea Room. Press, media and the LAMBS (Ladies Auxiliary Mystery Book Society) are in attendance. But before Grimthorpe can announce the big secret he promised to reveal, he drops dead, apparently poisoned by a cup of tea that Molly's maid-in-training, Lily Finch served him.

Of course, the inept Detective Stark turns up to investigate, focussing immediately on Molly and Lily. She reluctantly accepts Molly's version of events, and the observant maid points out that certain items are missing from the scene. Grimthorpe's personal secretary has also disappeared, while some others (hotel manager Mr Snow and doorman Mr Preston) are acting a little strangely.

Molly doesn't particularly welcome the input of Angela, head barmaid at The Social, RGH's bar and grill, who is a fan of true crime podcasts and an amateur sleuth, and who seems to think it's Molly's place to solve the crime when all she wants to do is clean. The following morning, a box of Grimthorpe's possessions goes missing, including a rare first edition. And the whole thing just makes Molly uneasy because she has a history with Grimthorpe that she'd much rather forget.

The story is told over two timelines: events that occurred when Molly was ten, and the present day. Molly continues to quote her beloved Gran, to correct misconceptions, and to generally be a perfect maid, but her eye for detail does help to solve several aspects of the case. "Mostly, I notice the wrong things at the wrong times. That's been my downfall for as long as I remember", but not this time.

Readers should be aware that there are spoilers for the first book in this one, although it could probably be read stand-alone. Quite a few of the players are more caricature than character but, read as a cosy mystery, this will keep readers guessing up to the reveals, is still very enjoyable, and there's a hint that more of Molly may be written.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia.