Nita Prose Books in Order: Molly the Maid Series and More

If you’ve come across Nita Prose because of The Maid, you’re probably already familiar with Molly Gray, the meticulous hotel maid who somehow keeps finding herself in the middle of murder mysteries. What makes these books particularly fun is that Molly’s unusual way of seeing the world is just as important as the mysteries themselves.

The good news is that Nita Prose’s reading order is very simple. There is one main series, and reading the books in publication order lets you follow Molly’s personal journey without missing the details that carry from one story to the next.

Nita Prose Books in Publication Order

The first four books belong to the Molly the Maid series. The Mistletoe Mystery is a novella, while the other three are full-length novels.

Molly the Maid Books in Order

The Molly the Maid books follow Molly Gray, a maid at the luxurious Regency Grand Hotel. Molly takes enormous pride in her work, but her literal interpretation of social situations and her difficulty reading people’s intentions often make her an unexpected participant in the hotel’s biggest mysteries.

For the best experience, I recommend reading these books in publication order.

1. The Maid (2022)

The Maid introduces Molly Gray and the Regency Grand Hotel.

Molly loves order, cleanliness, and doing her job perfectly. But her carefully structured life changes when she discovers wealthy hotel guest Charles Black dead in his suite.

The police quickly become suspicious of Molly, partly because they misunderstand her behavior and social mannerisms. Molly must figure out what really happened while trying to prove that she isn’t the killer.

The book combines a classic murder mystery with Molly’s personal journey, making her just as important to the story as the investigation itself.

The Maid was Prose’s debut novel and became a major bestseller. According to Penguin Random House, it has sold more than two million copies worldwide and was also a Good Morning America Book Club pick.

2. The Mystery Guest (2023)

Molly has moved up in the world at the Regency Grand and is now the hotel’s Head Maid.

Things are going well until famous mystery writer J. D. Grimthorpe suddenly collapses and dies on the hotel tearoom floor.

Molly soon realizes that the death wasn’t accidental. Even more surprisingly, she discovers that she has a connection to Grimthorpe dating back to her childhood.

As the investigation develops, Molly has to revisit memories involving her beloved Gran and a mysterious mansion from her past.

This is a particularly useful book to read after The Maid because it develops Molly’s history and brings back familiar characters.

3. The Mistletoe Mystery (2024)

The Mistletoe Mystery is a shorter Christmas novella featuring Molly Gray.

Molly loves the holiday season, and this year she is especially excited because her boyfriend Juan Manuel wants to make Christmas special for her. But a Secret Santa exchange at the Regency Grand makes Molly question whether she can trust someone close to her.

It is a festive, lighter mystery that also continues Molly’s personal story.

Because this is a novella rather than a full-length novel, you can read it fairly quickly. But if you’re reading the complete series, it belongs here after The Mystery Guest.

4. The Maid’s Secret (2025)

In The Maid’s Secret, Molly’s life takes a dramatic turn when a television program about valuable antiques comes to the Regency Grand.

Molly brings some of her Gran’s old belongings to be appraised and discovers that one of them is an extraordinarily valuable piece of art.

Suddenly, Molly becomes wealthy and famous—but the celebration doesn’t last long. The valuable object disappears in a daring heist, and Molly’s life is put in danger.

To solve the mystery, Molly must uncover secrets from her Gran’s past and understand how they connect to the present.

The novel also expands Molly’s family history, making it an important installment for readers who have become invested in her life beyond the individual mysteries.

Emerald Lake — Nita Prose’s Next Novel

Emerald Lake (2027)

After the Molly the Maid books, Nita Prose is moving into a different story with Emerald Lake.

This is a standalone mystery, not another Molly Gray book.

The story centers on 84-year-old Jane Weber, who lives beside Emerald Lake and has spent decades carrying the secrets of a devastating summer in 1955.

When Jane’s granddaughters discover human remains near the lake, an old mystery suddenly comes back to life. The investigation forces Jane to confront memories of first love, family tragedy, and secrets she has kept buried for decades.

Emerald Lake is scheduled for April 6, 2027, and is currently available for preorder from the publisher.

Do You Need to Read Nita Prose’s Books in Order?

For the Molly the Maid series, yes, I recommend reading them in order.

Each mystery can be understood on its own, but Molly’s relationships, personal history, and development continue throughout the books.

For example, The Mystery Guest brings Molly back to the Regency Grand while also exploring her childhood and her relationship with her Gran. The Maid’s Secret goes even further into Gran’s past and Molly’s family history.

So while you probably won’t be completely lost if you start with a later book, beginning with The Maid gives you the fullest experience.

Where Should You Start With Nita Prose?

If you’re new to Nita Prose, start with The Maid.

It’s where Molly Gray’s story begins, and it introduces the Regency Grand Hotel, the major characters, Molly’s personality, and the style of mystery that defines the series.

If you’ve already read The Maid, simply continue with The Mystery Guest, followed by The Mistletoe Mystery and The Maid’s Secret.

And if you’re looking for a Nita Prose book that isn’t part of the Molly series, Emerald Lake will be the one to watch for in 2027.

Are Nita Prose’s Books Connected?

Yes—her first four published books are connected through the Molly the Maid series.

Molly Gray is the central character, and the stories are largely connected through her work and life at the Regency Grand Hotel. The later books also revisit characters and events from Molly’s past.

However, Emerald Lake is a separate story with a different cast and setting. It can be read independently when it is published.

Nita Prose Books at a Glance

Molly the Maid Series

1. The Maid — 2022
2. The Mystery Guest — 2023
3. The Mistletoe Mystery — 2024 — novella
4. The Maid’s Secret — 2025

Standalone

5. Emerald Lake — 2027 — upcoming

As of 2026, The Maid’s Secret is the latest published Nita Prose book, while Emerald Lake is her next scheduled release.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Nita Prose written?

Nita Prose currently has four published books in the Molly the Maid series, including one novella. Her next novel, Emerald Lake, is scheduled for April 2027.

What is the first Nita Prose book?

The first Nita Prose book is The Maid, published in 2022. It introduced Molly Gray and became her bestselling debut novel.

What order should I read The Maid books?

Read them in this order:

1. The Maid
2. The Mystery Guest
3. The Mistletoe Mystery
4. The Maid’s Secret

This follows the publication order of the Molly the Maid series.

Is The Mistletoe Mystery a full-length novel?

No. The Mistletoe Mystery is a novella featuring Molly Gray and is a shorter Christmas mystery.

Is The Maid’s Secret the last Molly the Maid book?

There is currently no new Molly the Maid title listed after The Maid’s Secret. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the series is permanently finished. The latest official author and publisher listings identify The Maid’s Secret as the most recent Molly book.

Is Emerald Lake a Molly the Maid book?

No. Emerald Lake is a separate standalone mystery featuring Jane Weber and a mystery surrounding events at Emerald Lake. It is scheduled for publication on April 6, 2027.

What is Nita Prose best known for?

Nita Prose is best known for the Molly the Maid series, beginning with The Maid. Penguin Random House describes her as a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and The Maid has sold more than two million copies worldwide.

Do the Nita Prose books have to be read in order?

The Molly the Maid books are best read in order because Molly’s personal story and relationships develop from one book to the next. The individual mysteries have their own plots, but the character continuity is stronger when read chronologically.

Final Thoughts

Nita Prose has kept her reading order wonderfully simple so far. If you’re here because The Maid caught your attention, start there and follow Molly through The Mystery Guest, The Mistletoe Mystery, and The Maid’s Secret.

I’m also keeping an eye on Emerald Lake, because it looks like an interesting change of direction for Prose. It won’t continue Molly’s story, but it gives readers another mystery to look forward to in 2027.

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.