Ballantine The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel

Molly Gray is now Head Maid at the Grand Regency Hotel. She is perfect for this position because she not only is a rule follower but she takes pride in her work. She has taken timid Lily, maid-in-training, under her wing teaching her the rules of cleaning and proper behavior for a maid at the hotel.The Grand Regency has been chosen to host a special event featuring demanding best selling author J. D. Grimthorpe.Lily has prepared the two Tea Carts for Grimthorpe as he requested. The room is crowded and full of fans and fan clubs to hear the big announcement that the author has promised. But, as he takes the stage and sips his first cup of tea, seasoned with honey instead of sugar, the author drops dead. And once again Molly and The Grand Regency are plunged into the mystery and investigation of a murder committed in the hotel!This second book in the series features Molly and an interesting cast of new and returning characters. All seem to have secrets including my favorite character ( besides Molly) Mr. Preston , the doorman.The story is narrated by Molly as was book one. She is very open about her uniqueness in the way she functions and how she sees life. She is probably somewhere on the autism spectrum. Her story unfolds in flashbacks which helps the reader better understand Molly and her ways.The man she shares life with is in Mexico visiting his mother and most of his appearances in the novel are by phone. It is interesting to see how Detective Stark’s character grows and develops throughout the book. Though Cheryl was up to her old tricks, I did not see her “growth” coming. Overall, I liked the book but not as much as I enjoyed book one, The Maid. Read these books in order which should help explain Molly’s personality and her way of thinking. It’s a good mystery. I am starting 2024 off with this four star read!

A well-written novel--the second from a new author. I am thoroughly enjoying this one, as I did her first! Prose weaves a really good story!

This is the second Molly Gray book. Enjoyed the first one (The Maid) and enjoyed The Mystery Guest even more. Can't wait for the third Mooly Gray book.

A wonderful ending.

Product was fine- delivered to my neighbors instead of my address