The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (Ballantine; LJ starred review) is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Three years after a previous encounter with murder, Molly Gray is head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, a five-star boutique hostelry. She’s trained her new maid, Lily, to handle the tea cart for the inn’s guest speaker, J.D. Grimthorpe, the best-selling author of over 20 mysteries, a recluse who seldom appears in public. The media and his rabid fans have gathered at the inn to catch a glimpse. Grimthorpe surprises everyone, first by coming down from the stage to doctor his own tea, and then by dropping dead just before he can finish his speech. Molly has the presence of mind to remove Lily from the scene, but she can’t prevent her old nemesis, Detective Stark, from investigating Grimthorpe’s death. When it’s revealed he was poisoned, Molly realizes she may hold the key to the case; as a young girl, she visited the Grimthorpe mansion, and Molly’s past encounters with the author may hold the truth to his death years later. VERDICT The sequel to Prose’s award-winning debut The Maid marks the return of a charming protagonist with awkward social skills and a big heart.—Lesa Holstine

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (Harper; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the June 2017 LibraryReads list

“Susan Ryeland is a London book editor who has just received the latest manuscript from one of her most irascible authors, Alan Conway. But the manuscript’s ending appears to be missing and she learns that Conway has committed suicide. As Ryeland learns more about his death, she starts to question whether a murder has occurred and begins to investigate. Magpie Murders is a delightful, clever mystery-within-a-mystery. Horowitz shows real mastery of his craft. This is a terrific modern take on the traditional mystery with ingenious puzzles to solve.” —Andrea Larson, Cook Memorial Library, Libertyville, IL

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim (Hogarth: Crown)

Appeared on the August 2023 LibraryReads list

"During the early days of the Covid pandemic, 20-year-old Mia is adjusting to lockdown and living back at home. When her father goes missing during a walk in a nearby park, only her younger brother, Eugene—who has special needs and does not speak—knows what happened. Readers will enjoy this delightful and thought-provoking look at family secrets."—Portia Kapraun, Delphi Public Library, IN

Pretty as a Picture by Elizabeth Little (Viking)

Film editor and cinephile Marissa accepts a job working with a legendary director and quickly discovers it’s no ordinary gig. Whisked away to the film shoot on a remote island, she’s not allowed to read the script, her phone is confiscated, and no one will tell her why the previous editor was fired. The film is based on an unsolved murder that occurred decades earlier on the island, and strange incidents on set seem to hint that the murderer may be interfering with the shoot. When Marissa finds herself in the middle of a new murder investigation, she uses her observational skills to put together the pieces of both crimes. VERDICT Little (Dear Daughter) once again delivers a dark, witty thriller. Movie fans will be delighted with the behind-the-scenes setting and the numerous cinematic references. While there are some twists, this character-driven whodunit is mainly propelled by Marissa, an intelligent, charming protagonist whose neurodiversity is well portrayed. Recommended for mystery fans drawn to amateur sleuths and quirky, realistic protagonists.—Anitra Gates