I didnt realize that reading book 1 would be important for this book. So I will not be reviewing it.

I have SO MANY books that I’m trying to read this summer and Harper-Collins has a lot of great reads out this summer under their HTP imprint.

Today I’m covering The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Stillace. This was a solid cozy mystery that I did NOT figure out! I liked the characters, especially the protagonist Jo, and this book is part of a series (though I read it as a standalone, which was fine). Jo is neurodivergent, a characteristic which is often underrepresented in adult novels, so this made this novel stand out to me even more.

THE DEAD COME TO STAY is another delightful entry in Brandy Schillace’s Ardmore series, deepening both the mystery and the emotional resonance of Jo Jones’ story.

This time, Jo is still finding her footing in the crumbling estate she unexpectedly inherited, but the book also explores her connection to the family history that came with it. That emotional depth really stood out to me—it gave the mystery more layers and made Jo’s journey feel even more grounded.

Once again, the portrayal of Jo as a neurodivergent protagonist is so well done. Her perspective isn’t just a “quirk” to the story but central to the way she pieces things together. It’s rare to see that done thoughtfully in mysteries, and I really appreciated it here.

Plot-wise, I loved that we had two threads running at once: the contemporary murder and the family mystery Jo is trying to untangle. The balance between them kept the tension high without overwhelming the quieter, more character-driven moments. And of course—MacAdams. The will-they-or-won’t-they with him had me practically shouting at the page.

I enjoyed this installment even more than the first, and I’m excited to see where Schillace takes Jo (and MacAdams!) next.

The Dead Come to Stay pulled me in with its cozy atmosphere, layered mystery, and a cast of characters that felt both quirky and real.

Jo is settling into her new life in Yorkshire. She’s sharp, observant, and has a quiet strength that makes her easy to root for. When a body turns up near her cottage, Jo finds herself tangled in a murder investigation alongside Detective James MacAdams. Their dynamic was interesting.

The story follows two mysteries at once: the murder and Jo’s search into her family’s past. I liked how both threads were woven together. There were plenty of twists, and I was surprised by some of the reveals.

The setting was another highlight. The village, the estate, and the surrounding countryside were described in a way that made me feel like I was right there. It had that classic cozy mystery charm but also touched on deeper themes.

Even without reading book one, I felt connected to the characters and curious about their backstories. I’ll definitely be going back to read The Framed Women of Ardemore House next.

Though I don’t think the mystery here lived up to what we got in the first book in this series, this was an enjoyable and well-paced read.

I generally don’t put a lot of stock into the likability of characters (especially in this breed of mystery), but Jo and MacAdams are such a delight to spend time with that I would be remiss in failing to mention how much that contributes to these books. Jo is a unique heroine for the subgenre and a well-written one at that, and MacAdams, well, he just makes me happy.

That the mystery is a bit of a let-down compared to what we got in the first novel is a shame, though the story still has plenty of bright spots. The slowly unfolding mysteries surrounding Jo’s family are far better rendered and more intriguing than what I think was an overwritten and ultimately fairly convoluted central plot that was (sort of) about human trafficking/antiquities theft. It was a lot more depressing than interesting, and it failed to account for a lot of nuance on the antiquities side of things.

I also still wish these books had more atmosphere and a stronger sense of place, which feels like a must when billing something as a cozy mystery. But the flip side of that is that the characters are far more complex and compelling than what we get in most cozies, and the writing is both lovely and rife with subtle humor.

I’d like to see a more tightly plotted and more subgenre appropriate mystery next time, but there’s more than enough here to make this a series well worth reading.

📚✨ Murder. Missing teens. Hidden family secrets.

In The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace, an autistic amateur sleuth and a wry English detective are drawn into the glittering—but dangerous—world of rare artifacts. Every clue uncovers another twist… and the killer may not be finished yet.

Would you dare follow the trail? 🕵️‍♀️💀

Jo’s exploration of her family’s past adds emotional depth, while the artifact-trading subplot offers moral complexity and high stakes. The tension in the murder investigation escalates with every revelation, and just when you think you’ve reached the solution, another twist emerges. With language that is easy to understand and follow, the action flows seamlessly through the pages until the satisfactory ending.

The Dead Come to Stay is as intellectually sharp as it is entertaining. Rich with themes of identity, family, friendship, and justice, it’s a compelling choice for fans of unconventional detectives and smart, layered storytelling. It is recommended for fans of cozy mystery novels such as those by Agatha Christie, Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club), and Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen series).

I'm loving this series and thoroughly enjoyed this paranormal cozy mystery.
There's humour, twists, a solid mystery, and a cast of quirky characters I love.
Here's my money, please give me the next story
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I missed the first book in the series, but that did not impact my enjoyment of this book! The real-life details of the mystery added so much to the manufactured cozy village. The characters were all deftly written and nothing felt too outside the real of reality, no small feat for a murder mystery with a cozy sleuth who really should not be involved in police work. A great addition to the cozy genre!

I want to start off by saying I made the mistake of going into this without reading the first book in the series - and I think that’s pretty much essential to fully enjoy this one. A LOT of this story seems to build directly on events and relationships from book one, so I struggled to connect with certain characters and backstories. I am assuming much of the development happened in book 1, which means my thoughts might be a bit skewed.

I do think overall the mystery was thoroughly fleshed out and unique, with plenty of moving parts to keep you guessing. The author clearly put thought into the twists, and I did really love the additional found family dynamic and romance (because it’s me and I always love a little romance).

I think the one thing that deterred me from rating this higher was the conclusion. I think it leaned a little too heavily on the detectives’ narration and assumptions, rather than letting the mystery unravel more organically. I think if Jo’s storyline was a little less in focus, this could have been avoided. I also think there were too many characters - although part of this I think is the continuous variation in how characters were addressed (first name, first and last, and last name was common for many of the characters).

Overall, this read more like a pleasant, mid-tier cozy mystery than a standout in the genre. I might still go back and read the first installment to see if that changes my perspective, because it does have a classic English countryside charm and I can see how reading the first book could make you appreciate this one more!

Author Brandy Schillace has had a busy year this year. First, their non-fiction book The Intermediaries launched and now they have had a second book released this year, a non-fiction book that is a sequel to their debut novel, The Framed Women of Ardemere house. The Dead Come to Stay is a great follow up novel, and follows Jo Jones' new life in North Yorkshire.

I really loved and love Jo Jones as a character, as she's one of the only autistic main characters I've seen out there in publishing and I love to see the representation. There is so much that comes with being autistic, or having any form of neurodivergency, that I think "normal" people don't realize is taking place behind the scenes. We see it even from the opening scenes when Jo second guesses every moment of her initial introduction to her lodger, is she saying or doing the right things, acting appropriately, responding appropriately, etc. It really wears on a person and while there is great understanding of what those with neurodivergency are going through, it's still not fully accommodated or accepted.

The Dead Come to Stay brilliantly shows how something like autism has so many strengths. We see Jo's attention to detail again, and how some of these things become key to solving the mysteries at the center of this novel. I also really liked the other primary plot point of trying to figure out her family dynamics and what happened to cause her mother to have cut all contact from her uncle and who her uncle was. Almost any reader can relate to the idea that there are looming family secrets that lie beneath the surface of all our family relationships. Coming from a family where my dad and aunt didn't know they had a brother until they had both graduated high school (only because they found child support checks), it was really easy to relate to just trying to figure out how you fit into all the drama that takes place before we are even born into a family.

I enjoyed the book, and I highly recommend checking out The Dead Come to Stay and any of author Brandy Schillace's backlog (both fiction and non-fiction). This review is probably a little different from others you've seen but there are enough reviews out there that summarize the novel that you can find if you'd like. I really enjoyed some of the very basic premise and building blocks of the book, family secrets being uncovered, navigating the world while thinking differently than those around, mysteries within mysteries, etc. I also read the book through ebook, physical, and audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Imogen Church, who is a force in her own right. Whatever version you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Please be advised that I did also receive a free e-version of the book from the publisher in addition to the purchased copies. Also, posting this of my own volition, if you're in the Minnesota area, the author will be at Magers and Quinn August 20, 2025. The event is free, but does require pre-registration. https://www.magersandquinn.com/event/Brandy-Schillace-presents-The-Dead-Come-to-Stay/506

After the events of the last book, Jo Jones is settling into Yorkshire in the cottage on Ardemore. The Jekyll Gardens on the estate are about to open and Jo is still investigating the mystery of her ancestors, but that doesn’t pay the bills, so she’s refurbished the attic space to rent out. However, the first booking doesn’t go as planned and a body turns up right before the Jekyll Garden opening.

Detective James MacAdams is called in to investigate this puzzling murder and isn’t surprised when he finds a connection between Jo and the victim.

Jo’s memory for detail comes in handy with the murder investigation, but she’s more involved with the mystery of her ancestors and the history between Jo’s mother and uncle. She gets more background from an unexpected source revealing information her mother never shared.

The Dead Come to Stay was another fun cozy murder mystery and I enjoyed seeing the relationships solidify and deepen. It was nice for Jo to get some answers and closure, as well.

I alternately read and listened to the audio version. I enjoyed Imogen Church’s performance of the female characters, but some of the male voices sounded stuffy and silly. Maybe it was to convey a bit of humor? Even so, I enjoyed the audio version overall.

After delighting in The Framed Women of Ardemore House and that thrilling finish closing out the murder mystery, I was hoping upon hope that the author would follow up with another book that answered the questions about the secret family history and pursuing that flickering flame of a romance. Brandy Schillace introduces a bright neurodivergent Holmsian-like heroine recovering from a divorce and a jaded police detective unable to move on from his divorce, but open to the unique woman Jo presents.

The Dead Come to Stay is the second entry in the Ardemore House series and connects strongly to the first book though it also offers a fresh, clever murder mystery.

Jo is settling into life at her cottage on the Ardemore estate. The historic gardens are about to be dedicated, her cottage’s attic suite is now open for renters, and she’s becoming more and more settled in with her Yorkshire village neighbors and friends. Gwillam is still helping her research her family history and MacAdams is settling in as acting chief of the local constabulary while the chief post remains open.

But, an odd guest, a dead body on the moor, a mysterious hiker, and a surprising connection from Jo’s uncle Aiden’s past sets in motion two mysteries for Jo and James MacAdams’ to solve.

The Dead Come to Stay is mostly divided into Jo and James’ narrative points of view. He’s working the murder case delving into a wealthy architect and his country club friends, asylum refugees, and a mysterious Irishman who has a checkered present and a blank past. James has just been marking time until recently when Jo acted as a catalyst and now he’s thinking through what he wants in life and making some changes a little at a time.

Meanwhile, Jo’s speech at the Jekyll garden dedication that made the Newcastle paper is seen by a person connected to her Uncle Aiden and that, along with her ongoing hunt for clues using the painting to get at the truth behind her family’s murky past, advance her search forcing her to face painful and surprising truths. Jo, being Jo, her knack for being in odd coincidental places related to murder, her observation and filing memory skills help James along with his case.

Brandy Schillace does great at writing a layered story of local color, culture, complex characters and plots, relationships, and current social commentary so it works for tone, pacing, and plot. I loved the diverse elements and tracking with both Jo and James. They have an unstated relationship build even when they are heading in their own individual directions. Found family versus blood family is explored as is how much wealth and power and corrupt people though also be used for good in the right hands.

The Dead Come to Stay ends so that this could wrap up the story because the main story arc is finished or lead into further installments in the series. I felt this was as strong or stronger than book one and definitely recommend it to cozy mystery fans who appreciate diversity of class, race, gender, and ability infusing their reads.

I am delighted to be on the blog tour for this novel by Brandy Shillace. It offers a fun read. Those who enjoy traditional mysteries, stories of Americans transplanted to England, murder, police inspectors who work with amateurs, and more will want to give this one a look. It is a good read that features a timely topic (refugees) along with a cracking story.

Many thanks to everyone at HTP for this opportunity. Thanks, too, to NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I was so happy to see that Jo Jones was back… this is a wonderful follow up! Jo is an amazing character and hope for more books featuring her.

The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace . This is the second book in the Ardemore House series and while you could read this on its own the characters have already experienced a crime together in book 1 and relationship have already started to form. That being said I didn't read book one because I didn't know this wasn't a standalone when I was sent an arc. I think feeling out of the loop a bit with the characters lessened my enjoyment of it.

In this book , Jo Jones, finds herself in the center of another murder investigation and turns ametouer slueth alongside detective James MacAdams to unravel the mystery .

I enjoyed the characters for the most part , especially our autistic heroine Jo! I also adored charming detective James . I guess my disconnect was with all the side characters along the way because it was clear we had met most of them in book one . Also the flirting / courting between the MCs that obviously began in book 1. I kept feeling left out .

This was a satisfying second instalment in the Jo Jones cozy mystery series. I love seeing more autistic main characters in fiction and this latest set in the English countryside sees Jo teaming up with PI James MacAdams as they investigate a missing person and delve into Jo's family secrets. Good on audio narrated by Imogen Church, this is perfect for fans of books like The maid. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

When I applied for this book, I had no idea it was the second one in the series. I enjoyed this one so much that I will definitely be going back to read the first one. I didn’t feel like I was missing any information and I think this could be read as a standalone. I love a good mystery and this one had some great twists in it that I was not expecting. It is definitely a cozy mystery perfect for spooky season approaching.

I enjoyed this mystery! Second in a series, it's set in Northern England and features an amateur American sleuth (she never MEANS to sleuth, she just happens to be on the scene of the crime!), Jo, and a local detective inspector, James.

In this entry, a man staying at Jo's air bnb turns up dead the day after he checks in. The mystery turns out to have a lot to do with refugees and smuggled artifacts, and (of course) Jo gets caught up in solving it. It's a pretty standard mystery, with the highlight being the characters: Jo has autism and is very open about the challenges of and the advantages to her way of thinking. (Her attention to detail can be a real asset while crime solving!) James doesn't just appreciate her assistance, but is also nurturing a crush.

I did have a minor jump scare when Jo (a freelance editor) complains that the only people looking for developmental editing are romance novel authors ... she does go on to explain that she's simply not the right person to edit romance, so she can't be a satisfactory editor.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

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.