THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY by Nita Prose is a novella featuring the same characters from her #1 New York Times Best-selling novel THE MAID. This charming story revels in the pageantry of Christmas at the Regency Grand Hotel while Head Maid Molly and Pastry Chef Juan find themselves experiencing a little relationship drama during the holidays.

Molly and her live-in boyfriend Juan are filled with Christmas spirit as their jobs at The Grand Regency Hotel keep them busy. On their days off, they cherish time together and add new holiday traditions to their lives. Molly still misses Gran, who helped her make sense of the world. With the Regency Grand Hotel’s Christmas party and Secret Santa Exchange approaching, Molly is a little anxious about how she was treated in the past. Juan is a source of comfort and encouragement, but he has been acting a little strange lately, running off at odd hours and hiding secrets. Molly is beginning to wonder if she is misinterpreting feelings and events. As she begins to edge towards despair, Juan reveals his true intentions, and the Christmas spirit is saved once again.

THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY is a short, sweet snippet of a mystery surrounding Molly’s Christmas season. It is charming, and entertaining, and reminds readers of the importance of family, traditions, celebrations, and not making assumptions. Molly is an interesting and endearing character. She is very literal and likes things tidy. She’s the perfect headmaid for the Regency Grand Hotel. She takes pride in her work, and she is practical and punctual. This was my first foray into Molly’s world, but I will definitely pick up the first book in the series to enjoy the simple pleasures, small loving gestures, and hard-working hotel staff that populate Molly’s life. Grab some eggnog, put on your Santa hat, and enjoy this light-hearted mystery with plenty of Christmas spirit.