The Dead Come to Stay is the second book in the Ardemore Series, and it is a cozy, twisty mystery set in Yorkshire and surrounding areas. I have not read the first book, The Framed Women of Ardemore House, but I definitely want to after reading this one. I really loved the characters, and I would love to know more about them from the first book. The FMC is quirky and lovable, and I enjoyed the slow burn romance that seems to carry over from the first book.

The book focuses on dual storylines, with one being a murder mystery and the other being a family secrets mystery. I thought the plot twists worked really well, and I liked the way Schillace wove the two different mysteries together and kept the characters connected even though they were following their own different leads. I enjoyed most of the side characters and their quirky personalities, but there were a good bit of them to keep up with, and it could be somewhat overwhelming at times.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Dual Mysteries
* Family Secrets
* Found Family
* Stolen Artifacts
* Neurodivergent Representation
* Cozy Read
* Refugee Aid
* Very Slow Burn Romance

𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)

The Dead Come to Stay would be a perfect cozy read to add to your Fall TBR, if you love mysteries and forensics, secrets and more secrets, and a smart, lovable FMC searching for answers into her family's past.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Publishing, and my bookish Hive for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace. I enjoyed this book more than book one — not because the first book was bad, but because I was already familiar with the characters and the world, and that familiarity made this one feel even richer. If you like your mysteries a little quirky and a little cozy — with a solid plot but without the full intensity of a high-stakes thriller — this is a great series to dive into.

There’s something charming about the way Brandy Schillace writes: the pacing is steady, the mysteries are layered (more than one thread runs through the book), and the characters grow on you. I especially enjoyed watching the slow-burn tension between the FMC and the male lead get just a little closer here. It was hinted at in book one, but in this one, people around them are starting to take notice — and I’m not mad about it. Their dynamic adds a fun layer to the overall mystery.

Another thing I appreciated was how the book portrays a neurodivergent main character. Jo isn’t treated like she’s less-than — in fact, her neurodivergence is shown as a strength, a gift. Her unique way of processing the world makes her a brilliant observer and puzzle-solver. It’s subtle but powerful representation.

The twisty turns in this one kept me guessing, and the fact that Jo always manages to stumble right into the center of the chaos? Classic cozy mystery vibes. She doesn’t go looking for trouble — but it always seems to find her.

Overall, this was a solid second entry in the series. I gave the first book 3.5 stars, but this one easily earned 4 stars from me. I’m excited to see what happens in book 3 — especially with the romantic tension, the new mystery setups, and the continued character growth.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Mystery Thriller
Spice Level: Nothing terribly spicey
Gore Level: Medium—the descriptions are not too intense, but there are bodies
Language: Peppered with profanity including f-bombs

THE DEAD COME TO STAY introduces an unexpected world of antiquity thefts, and I loved it. Of course, I love everything to do with art and antiquities, so that is not a big surprise.

This novel comes after The Framed Women of Ardemore House, but it could stand alone. I still think you'll enjoy it more if you read these in order.

James, the police officer, is incredibly reluctant to involve Jo in another murder case. The problem is she's right in the thick of things again. I love her character and how she is true to herself. Even she doesn't want to have to investigate another murder, but the clues are more apparent to her than others. What's a woman to do except put on the sleuthing hat?

This is another twisty mystery, and I definitely enjoyed it.

I think mystery lovers will gravitate to this one—I wouldn't exactly cause it cozy because of the cursing. But there is a slow-burn romance plot.

Happy reading!

The first novel 'The Framed Women of Ardemore House' will always be my favorite, but The Dead Come to Stay solves both a murder and the mystery that Jo Jones was so keen to solve in the first book.

The book starts off with Jo welcoming her first guest to stay at the cottage she calls home. The only problem is, coming morning her guest is found dead, and his bed at the cottage has never been slept in. She teams up with detective James MacAdams to help solve the murder, and along with her friends (and found family as you'll discover as you read) she also works on a project of her own to discover more about her families past.

Will the story about a particular framed woman be solved? You'll have to read it to find out!

very cozy and very interesting, quite well done, story with a fairly effective protagonist and a quite-well done mystery. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

3.5⭐️

I did that thing again where I accidentally requested the second book in a series from Netgalley. Luckily I don't think I missed too much by not reading the first book.

I really liked the way Jo was portrayed throughout this book. I feel like a lot of times, the personality traits of an autistic character are played up as almost comic relief. Instead both Jo and the way she interacts with James was authentically and respectfully portrayed. I liked the way that James lets her investigate the case but doesn't let her completely break the law like I've seen in some cozy mysteries. I also really enjoyed Jo's investigation into her family history. I wasn't overly impressed with the murder mystery aspect. It felt like it got overpowered by Jo's investigation into her family history.

Thanks Netgalley, Hanover Square Press, and Harlequin Audio for providing these ARCs to me!

The Dead Come to Stay is a sequel to The Framed Women of Ardmore House. I very much enjoyed the first novel in this series, and I liked the second novel, The Dead Come to Stay, almost as much. Brandy Schillace writes a coherent story, with nicely detailed intertwined plots, and a heroine who is compassionate, empathetic, and smart. Protagonist Jo Jones is neurodivergent, but Schillace makes Jo's autism an ordinary neurological part of Jo's life. I like that Jo is the kind of heroine, every reader will embrace.

There are two primary plots in The Dead Come to Stay. In one plot, Jo discovers more information about her family and ancestors, whom she didn't know existed. There are still mysteries to uncover, but Jo now has a better idea how to discover more information about her family. The second plot involves the murder of a man who had been renting a room from Jo. Detective James MacAdams works to solve this murder and discovers human trafficking and stolen artifacts. The two plots meet near the conclusion of the book, when Jo's newfound knowledge gives her the strength to survive. I hope there will be a third novel in this series, especially given the hints of romance in Jo's future.

I did enjoy The Dead Come to Stay and I do recommend it. Schillace's novels are fun and entertaining and will hold the reader's attention. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC to read and review. The comments included reflect my honest enjoyment of The Dead Come to Stay.

4 stars

I was excited to read what appears to be the second book in a series that started with "The framed women of Ardemore House". I read the first book in February 2024 and rated it 5 stars.
This book delves deeper into Jo Jones' family history while also having a murder to solve.
The book is well paced and I enjoyed getting to know the characters from the first book better in the second book. I love Jo and James as the two main characters.
I really hope there will be at least a third book in the series if not more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this.

A gripping cozy mystery featuring Jo Jones, an autistic sleuth settling into life in the Yorkshire countryside. When a murder rocks her new home, Jo teams up with Detective MacAdams to unravel secrets tied to rare artifacts and hidden dangers. With rich characters and an engaging plot, this book offers a satisfying blend of suspense and heart.

As an autistic person and an avid mystery reader, I will happily devour anything Brandy Schillace writes. Though I've long avoided anything that could even remotely be deemed a cozy mystery, preferring my thrillers and suspense a bit darker, Jo is an absolutely captivating character and the puzzles Schillace devises are not to be missed. For those who loved The Framed Women, this follow-up will not disappoint, and features both new characters (skillfully developed) and returning favorites from the first installment, as well as a new mystery tied to Ardemore House. Ten out of five stars -- an absolute hit.

The Dead Come to Stay was a great sequel to The Framed Women of Ardemore House. I don’t typically read a lot of cozy crime novels but am enjoying this series. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

This is a solid follow-up to Schillace's The Framed Women of Ardmore House, going a little deeper into the investigation side of the narrative. Jo Jones is a fully fleshed-out heroine who is thoughtfully and compellingly written!

The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace is the second book starring Jo Jones, an American heiress with a family link to North Yorkshire. When her new lodger is found dead, she and Detective James MacAdams are taxed with finding the murderer. In their quest, they become involved with a rich couple who ostensibly help refugees find work and a place to live, and an artifact fencing operation. Also, Jo is finding out more about her family, especially her late Uncle. This book contains good characters and a good story line for cozy readers.