An abandoned English manor. A peculiar missing portrait. A cozy, deviously clever murder mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz.
Jo Jones has always had a little trouble fitting in. As a neurodivergent, hyperlexic book editor and divorced New Yorker transplanted into the English countryside, Jo doesn’t know what stands out more: her Americanisms or her autism.
After losing her job, her mother, and her marriage all in one year, she couldn’t be happier to take possession of a possibly haunted (and clearly unwanted) family estate in North Yorkshire. But when the body of the moody town groundskeeper turns up on her rug with three bullets in his back, Jo finds herself in potential danger—and she’s also a potential suspect. At the same time, a peculiar family portrait vanishes from a secret room in the manor, bearing a strange connection to both the dead body and Jo’s mysterious family history.
With the aid of a Welsh antiques dealer, the morose local detective, and the Irish innkeeper’s wife, Jo embarks on a mission to clear herself of blame and find the missing painting, unearthing a slew of secrets about the town—and herself—along the way. And she’ll have to do it all before the killer strikes again…
Author Bio:
Brandy Schillace, PhD, is a historian of medicine and the critically acclaimed author of Death's Summer Coat: What Death and Dying Teach Us About Life and Living and Clockwork Futures: The Science of Steampunk. The editor-in-chief of the journal Medical Humanities, she previously worked as a professor of literature and in research and public engagement at the Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum. Brandy also hosts the Peculiar Book Club Podcast, a twice-monthly show.
The Framed Women of Ardemore House, featuring an autistic protagonist caught at the center of a murder mystery, is her fiction debut. Brandy is also autistic, though has not (to her knowledge) been a suspect in a murder investigation. Find her at https://brandyschillace.com/
Sophia enjoyed this one too.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Yes! I was happy to see that!
DeleteLooks like it was a good murder mystery to enjoy. I have seen some readers love this one and glad it worked out so well for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
It was! Thanks, Renee!
DeleteSounds interesting! Is this a contemporary? I only ask because the cover is giving me historical vibes. Hopefully there will be more to come.
ReplyDeleteThis was a contemporary, but the cover does give of historical vibes. The story did a little bit, too. I hope so!
DeleteI agree. I want more. :)
ReplyDeleteSophia Rose
Yes! I hope we get a bit of romance too if so!
DeleteOk, you've got me curious. Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimberly!
DeleteGreat review, Rachel. I enjoyed this one as well and am looking forward to the next story with Jo, McAdams and the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear that, Carla! I'll come over and check out your thoughts!
DeleteThat does sound like a good mystery.
ReplyDeleteIt was! I really enjoyed it.
DeleteIt seems the neurodivergent are good at rooting out truths and investigations. Jo seems a good character to follow.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed her character. She was refreshing!
DeleteI've heard good things about this one; I think it's one I would like, too. There are a lot of neurodivergent characters in books these days, which I think is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI think you would, too, Lark. :) It does seem like that, right? Yes, I like that they're getting more representation!
DeleteI had to google hyperlexic, but then it was a good thing, like a superpower. I think I really like mysteries where the main character has to prove their innocence because there are some real stakes there.
ReplyDeleteI had to google it too! It does seem like a handy superpower! I'd love it, TBH!
DeleteFor her debut fiction story, she had a winner. I am curious what the next book in this series will be about. Great review, Rachel.
ReplyDeleteI just finished writing the sequel!
DeleteI'm so excited to hear that! Count me in! :)
DeleteWhile this is not my type of read, I do love the cover. Glad you enjoyed it, great review!
ReplyDeleteLisa Loves Literature.