The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Nita Prose has described her Molly the Maid series as cozy mysteries. How well does The Mystery Guest fit into this genre, and what elements of the novel do you think transcend typical genre expectations?

2. How did you respond to Molly’s distinctive narrative voice? Did you find her literal interpretations of events and conversations endearing, frustrating, or something else entirely?

3. The Mystery Guest features a famous writer who didn’t write his own books. How does this compare to other explorations of literary frauds you’ve encountered, such as in Stephen King’s Misery, with its themes of authorship and reader expectations? What does Prose suggest about the relationship between authors and their audience?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Throughout the novel, Molly finds guidance in her Gran’s remembered aphorisms like “Deep cleaning gives life meaning. Just grab a duster, Buster” (153). What sayings or pieces of advice from a loved one continue to influence your actions and decisions?

2. Molly takes great pride in her work as a maid, despite society often undervaluing such professions. Have you ever performed work that others might consider menial but that gave you a sense of accomplishment or pride? How did you navigate others’ perceptions?

3. The novel explores how characters like Molly and Lily find places where they belong despite their differences. Reflect on a time when you found acceptance in an unexpected environment. What made that space welcoming for you?

4. Mr. Preston’s revelation that he is Molly’s grandfather adds a new dimension to her understanding of her family. Have you ever discovered something about your family history that changed how you viewed yourself or your family relationships?

5. Molly constantly hears her Gran’s voice giving her advice long after her death. Is there someone in your life whose voice or presence stays with you even in their absence? How does this influence you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The Mystery Guest highlights the invisibility of service workers, from hotel maids to ghostwriters. How does the novel challenge perceptions of whose work deserves recognition and compensation in our society?

2. The book explores power dynamics between employers and employees, particularly through the Grimthorpes’ treatment of Gran and Abigail Sharpe. How do these fictional relationships reflect similar inequities in contemporary workplaces?

3. Detective Stark first dismisses Molly as “just a maid” but soon values her unique skills (65). What does this evolution suggest about professional biases and the potential for institutional perspectives to change?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel alternates between the present day and flashbacks to Molly’s childhood. How does this structure enhance the mystery and your understanding of Molly’s character?

2. Consider the recurring symbol of the Fabergé egg. How does its meaning evolve throughout the novel, and what does Molly’s final possession of it represent?

3. Gran’s stories, like the tale of the rat and the spoon, often contain subtle warnings or moral lessons. How do these stories function as foreshadowing devices, and what other purposes do they serve in the narrative?

4. Examine the theme of The Struggle to Belong through different characters in the novel. How do characters like Molly, Lily, Beulah, and Grimthorpe represent different aspects of this struggle?

5. The novel introduces the concept that “cleaning gives life meaning” (153). How does Molly’s passion for order and cleanliness function both literally and metaphorically throughout the story?

6. How does Prose use dramatic irony through Molly’s literal interpretations and misunderstandings to create both humor and tension in the narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Write a new aphorism that Gran might have shared with Molly about solving mysteries or navigating social situations. What wisdom would you impart in Gran’s distinctive voice?

2. The novel’s epilogue hints at Molly possibly joining the police force. Create a short scenario describing Molly’s first day as Detective Stark’s partner. How would her unique perspective change standard police procedures?

3. Which character from the novel would you want to have dinner with, and what questions would you ask them about their experiences before, during, or after the events of the book?

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