The Framed Women of Ardemore House
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...
This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Hanover Square Press.
Book club questions for The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
How does Jo Jones’ neurodivergence shape her character and influence her actions throughout the book?
Discuss the significance of the family portrait that vanishes. What does it symbolize?
How does Jo’s New York background clash with her new life in the English countryside? How does she adapt (or not) to this change?
The book is a mystery, but it’s also about Jo’s personal journey. In what ways does she grow or change over the course of the story?
Discuss the dynamic between Jo and the other characters, such as the Welsh antiques dealer, the local detective, and the Irish innkeeper’s wife. How do these relationships evolve?
How does the author use the setting of a crumbling English estate to create mood and atmosphere?
What role does Jo’s family history play in the story? How does the uncovering of her family secrets tie into the murder investigation?
The book is part of a series. What are your predictions for the upcoming books based on the ending of this one?
Who were you most suspicious of throughout the novel and why? Were you surprised?
How well do you think the author represented autism through Jo’s character? Did it feel authentic and respectful?
The Framed Women of Ardemore House Book Club Questions PDF
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"A must read for any mystery lover." - DEANNA RAYBOURN, New York Times bestselling author of KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE