The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Mystery Guest in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
Nita Prose’s The Mystery Guest promised an intriguing return to the quirky, engaging world of The Maid, but unfortunately, this sequel falls flat in several key areas. It struggles to maintain the freshness, depth, and emotional resonance that readers might have expected after The Maid’s success.
The Details
The novel follows Molly, the lovable hotel maid from the first book, who now faces a new challenge: solving another mystery within the familiar confines of the hotel. However, what initially felt unique and refreshing in Molly’s character—the naivety, her literal-minded approach to life, and her oddball charm—begins to wear thin here. Instead of showing growth or new dimensions, Molly feels stagnant, as though her character hasn’t evolved beyond the traits that defined her in the first book. This lack of development can make it difficult for readers to remain invested in her journey. Honestly, she came across as kind of snooty.
The plot, too, leaves much to be desired. What could have been a tightly wound, engaging mystery often feels sluggish and predictable. The pacing lags, with too much time spent on mundane details that fail to drive the story forward. The stakes never feel particularly high, and the “whodunit” element lacks the tension or clever twists that mystery lovers crave. The final reveal, rather than being a satisfying payoff, comes off as underwhelming and contrived, leaving readers more frustrated than thrilled.
Additionally, the secondary characters, who were so vibrant and distinct in The Maid, feel more like caricatures in The Mystery Guest. Their personalities and motives lack nuance. That makes it hard to care about their involvement in the mystery or their relationships with Molly. As a result, much of the novel’s emotional depth is lost, and the interactions between characters feel flat or forced.
The Maid had its heartwarming moments and an endearing protagonist that carried the narrative. But The Mystery Guest feels like a missed opportunity to explore Molly’s world with the same level of care and originality. For readers who enjoyed the first book, this sequel may still offer some comfort in returning to familiar territory. Sadly for others, it might feel like a rehash of old ideas without enough innovation to make it truly stand out.
The Verdict
Overall, The Mystery Guest suffers from a lack of character growth, a slow-moving plot, and a disappointing conclusion. It’s a sequel that struggles to capture the charm and spark of its predecessor. It leaves fans hoping for more but receiving much less.
