She’s back and as hard at work as ever. Molly, the head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, is doing what she does best. And now the holidays are upon them. It’s that most wonderful time of year. The hotel is decked out in twinkling lights, with fresh garlands wrapped around bannisters and a soaring tree inside decorated with sparkly ornaments and a special animated feature. The staff party is mere days away, and it promises to be better than all the ones that came before it.

Molly is living a dream with her beloved Juan Manuel in their tiny apartment just a short distance from the hotel. They walk hand in hand to work every day. She has never been so happy. Molly hardly can believe her rare good fortune. Juan Manuel treats her like a princess, doting on her and showering her with gifts every chance he gets. And now he has brought out the Advent calendar that Molly’s gran used to have and declared December the Month of Molly. It’s such fun!

"Nita Prose gives us THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY at the ideal time to bring her readers great joy, especially devoted fans of the Maid series. With Molly in the picture, it’s bound to be a sure winner."

The young couple live a frugal life. He’s a pastry chef, and she’s a maid. But Juan Manuel makes every gift in that Advent calendar one to treasure. Truly, for Molly, any gift from Juan Manuel is one to treasure. She loves him beyond words, and his very presence makes her smile. But one day, Molly sees something disturbing that casts doubt on what she thought she knew about Juan Manuel. He constantly tells her she’s special, but is she really? When she looks in the mirror, she sees nothing more than an average face.

Juan Manuel is a spectacular man. Why does he want to be with her, of all the women he could be with? As Molly considers some of his comments from another angle, she can sense a more sinister meaning in them. Besides, her beloved seems to be hiding something lately. Never before have they kept secrets from one another. Why now? Can she trust this man she loves?

Finally, the day of the party arrives. Molly puts her worries aside. It’s almost Christmas! Everyone gathers in the festively decorated lobby to give out their Secret Santa gifts. This year’s theme is “recycle and reuse,” which is ideal to fit Molly’s lean budget. She barely can contain her excitement. She has made the perfect choice for the person whose name she drew in the Secret Santa exchange. The entire staff has gotten into the holiday spirit. But, wait, where’s Juan Manuel? Molly glances around everywhere for him. There he is! But what is he doing? She never suspected he would do that!

Nita Prose gives us THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY at the ideal time to bring her readers great joy, especially devoted fans of the Maid series. With Molly in the picture, it’s bound to be a sure winner. The head maid wins over readers not only because of her sweet nature but because of her orderly way of going about life. Molly is a naïve young woman making her way in a mean world who feels every emotional hiccup deeply but also soars to great emotional heights. She allows us to understand how totally exhilarating it can be to open one’s heart to love and laughter --- indeed, how essential it can be. THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY will be a warm break in anyone’s day.