The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel

“When they lifted the dining room floor, they uncovered a nest containing the mummified body of a rat, and beside it, a single silver spoon.”

This quote is the key to the entire mystery, as the killer will eventually be described as living in a rat’s nest, and she also has a spoon that she has pilfered from the restaurant. The symbol of the rat also applies to other morally ambiguous people as well, most of whom serve as red herrings.

“You think my job is lowly, that it’s a position meriting shame not pride. Far be it from me to tell you what to think, but IMHO (meaning: In My Humble Opinion,) you are dead wrong.”

In this passage, Molly speaks directly to the reader with typical unwavering optimism, speaking against what she thinks is a popular opinion about The Value of Unnoticed Work. Unlike most characters, Molly values her job and delights in each task despite the dismissive attitudes of others. This quote also demonstrates one of Molly’s character quirks: the habit of defining words for anyone who will listen.

“But here’s the interesting thing: she’s dead, yet I still hear her voice in my head. Isn’t it interesting how a person can be as present after death as they were in real life?”

Molly isn’t exaggerating; Gran’s aphorisms appear constantly in her memory and in her speech to others. Gran’s influence on her does indeed manifest as a voice in her head, this novel also features key flashbacks that indirectly illuminate the character of the victim and the details of the crime.