The Nefarious Nights of Willowweep Manor

Willowweep Manor #2

by Shaenon K. Garrity, Christopher Baldwin (Illustrator)

Haley must return to Willowweep to solve the mystery behind her friends vanishing in this hilarious sequel to the “well-paced and humorous…delightfully spirited” (Kirkus Reviews) young adult graphic novel The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor.

Haley is summoned back to the Willowweep pocket universe to deal with a huge another pocket universe is collapsing, and the survivors are seeking refuge in Willowweep. Haley and herfriends discover that the newcomers are from a mystery-themed universe complete with a blustery colonel, a sweet old spinster, and a butler.

But shortly after their arrival, strange things start happening to Willowweep…the once-Gothic pocket universe is transforming into a whodunit! As the tropes of a detective story start to multiply, a murder rocks Willowweep. And when she searches for the culprit, Haley begins to suspect that one of the newcomers is trying to eradicate Willowweep. One by one, all her friends disappear, and it’s up to Haley to get to the bottom of this mind-boggling mystery. Can she grow past her Gothic romance roots to become a new kind of heroine?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[doowopapocalypse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc from NetGalley

Fine enough? I don’t think it was as good as the first book.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fun adventure off into the land of mystery. enjoyed this way more than the first one. Gothic romance is not my preferred read although for a graphic novel it wasn't horrible. returning to willowweep this time where the brothers make new friends that flee their universe because it was being erased. gone for eternity no where for them to go. new rooms appear. old ones disappear. of course cannot have a good mystery without a good old who done it murder. I would say there is sort of 2 stories going on at once but very easy to follow and they do intertwine nicely. some laughs, quite a few chuckles and still a rather happy ending. if there is a book 3 I'll definitely be reading it.

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaos.

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was different and somewhat interesting, but I found it hard to care about the new characters.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

It may be a half-step off the first volume, but this sequel still charms with its silliness and nonsense as it sends up murder mysteries. I might have liked it more if I were a fan of murder mysteries.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The highly-anticipated sequel to the Willowweep Manor YA graphic novel.
🐶
Haley hates living in the real world after being able to travel to a pocket universe. When she gets the chance to go back, she’s thrilled. This time another pocket universe is collapsing and the survivors are seeking refuge in Willowweep. They’re from a mystery-themed universe so automatically upon their arrival there’s a murder and the new and old cast of characters must solve the crime!
🔪
I got such Clue vibes from this book, which made me love it as much as Haley’s gothic romance world. Outlandish, hilarious and over-the-top events make this an unforgettable novel. The Maverick reading list committee added the 1st in the series when I was Chair so I’ll always have a soft spot for these titles. Nefarious Nights releases August 12!

CW: murder, blood, death

[Cristy (Quinnbook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this sequel, from beginning to end you’ll cheer for our protagonist and the inhabitants of Willowweep Manor. Haley is back at school and delivers a fantastic oral report about her previous adventures. Unfortunately nobody seems to take her seriously. As she leaves school she is meet with Montague, one of the Willowweep inhabitants.

When they finally pass the portal together they are meet with everyone and now they’ll have more unexpected visitors. One thing I love about books is all the different genres and especially when those genres are combined in a unique way. This sequel had so many funny and tragic moments that it was like watching a detective movie unfold its secrets. Can’t wait to continue this amazing saga and follow along our heroine Haley as she becomes an expert in everything bookish.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After her adventures in The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor, Haley is rethinking her allegiance to an entirely Gothic wardrobe. After trying to present about gasket universes (using puppets!) to her physics class, she is relieved to go back to Willowweep Manor. Things go wrong, however, when Sybil, the hermitess, manages to get a transmission from another gasket universe and several people show up, although Sybil goes missing. Crickets, a fop, Mayberry, a butler, Miss Meadowsweet, Colonel Shotcroft, and Miss Harewood, a capable young lady, all descend on the manor. As they intereact with the residents, the manor starts to change. Miss Meadowsweet conjures up a conservatory where she can knit, and libraries and billiards rooms also pop up. The group claims to be the only survivors from their universe after "the War" has decimated it. When Shotcroft is found murdered, Haley starts to understand that instead of a Gothic universe, the new arrivals are from a mystery universe. In addition to solving the mystery of Shotcrofts death, she must deal with the manor dissolving into nothingness, and the disappearance of Sybil.

I'm not sure how many of my students are well versed in the works of Wentworth, Sayers, or Christie, but those of us who know those mysteries well will understand the stock characters and appreciate how they are given new opportunities. I was glad that the knitting shown was fairly well done. Hand this to fans of Aldridge's The Pale Queen or Blasco and Springer's graphic adaptation of the Enola Holmes books.

[Hannah Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor is one of my all time favorite graphic novels. When I found out there was going to be a sequel, I was beyond excited. I was even more excited when I was approved for the ARC! Being back in the bizarre world of Willowweep was such a delight. I didn’t think the story could get much better, but it was expanded upon wonderfully. All of our favorite characters are back with new side characters that are just as lovable. I loved the commentary on cross genre stories. The author took all the tropes of a gothic story and paired it brilliantly with the tropes of a classic mystery novel. As always, this book made me laugh out loud. It was such a good time. I really hope the series continues. I would love to see the story cross over with the fantasy genre. There’s so much potential for more tales in this series. I adored this. Immediately preordered and added to my all time favorites shelf!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haley is still studying how pocket universes work with the assistance of Willowweep residents, when they receive a message from another universe. That pocket universe is disappearing, and the survivors are seeking refuge. Haley figures out they are from a murder mystery genre universe when one of them is found murdered, but Haley has no experience with mystery novels and can't solve this mystery on her own. When Willowweep residents start disappearing, she realizes that this pocket universe is now threatened. Can she figure out who's behind it all and stop them before it's too late?

A very fun YA graphic novel that’s a fully self-aware parody of mystery novels, with a slight gothic twist. It is nice to world-building and the ideas of the pocket universes expand. Very fun. Hope there will be more in this series.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysteries abound when Willowweep, a gothic pocket universe, takes in a group of refugees from a disappearing mystery universe. But when parts of Willowweep start to disappear as well, it's up to heroine Haley and romantic hero Montague to solve the mystery...if only they knew how mysteries worked. I love the Willowweep Universe so much. Especially Cuthbert and his new best person friend, Crickers (they're the same person and must be protected at all costs) and the dog Jerome and his sticky spot. This book was so delightful - just like it's predecessor. I can't wait for more! (Fingers crossed there will be more, someday!)

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review

I LOVED The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor but assumed that it was a stand-alone book. I was so excited to read this sequel! A new genre has come to Willowweep manor and now the gothic universe is embroiled in a mystery which, if unsolved, would mean the death of the universe. The whole cast of the original is back as well as a lot of new faces. I will admit, I did like the first one better, but it was so fun to revisit this world. I hope there's a third installment in the works!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was granted this book from NetGalley and the publisher, I realized it was the second book in the series, so I paused to read the first and I'm so glad I did!

This is a fantastic series and the second installment is perfect. I loved all the characters and found myself identifying with Haley. I love a girl who reads!
I especially enjoyed the use of different book subjects in each installment as the context for the story (gothic romance in the first and mystery in the second). It has me hoping there will be more in this vein (westerns? sci-fi?).

I will definitely be looking out for more by this author!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adored how creative the premise was and this narrative is ripe for many, many installments! The cast of characters is so diverse, leaning into genre stereotypes yet never feeling boring. There's so many different personalities and dynamics at play here. I did find it a bit difficult to keep track of them all once the other universe's cast joined theirs, though. There's a perfect blend of mystery and comedy that keeps you engaged throughout. A genuinely fun narrative coupled with an inviting art style that will keep readers wanting more from this universe.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the arc!

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haley and the Willowweep Manor gang are back, and this time with a few new friends. This tim,e they are helping people from another pocket universe prevent their world from being destroyed. Readers can expect a whodunit mystery along with the signature quirky humor.

I love this series because it's so humorous and pokes fun at itself. Haley is used to her gothic romance genre and is trying to find her way into a new genre, mystery. She gets some help from the gang to solve a 'murder', all while trying to stop another universe from possibly being destroyed. A quick, fun graphic novel that readers will enjoy!

[Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a dang delight. Even better then the first volume and absolutely sold me on a third. Our heroine Haley return to her beloved Willowweep Manor and soon finds herself in an unexpected genre: murder mystery. Hi-jinks ensue, new best friends are made, and secrets are revealed. I loved the silliness and and the whole-hardheartedness of every character's personalty. Truly so, so fun.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital review copy.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayley and Montague are back and they’re heading to the pocket universe of Willowweep. Cuthbert was hit on the head with a message in a bottle. Another universe needs help. So they open a rift. And 5 people and a dog walk through. But who are these people and why can they change Willowweep at will?
Some really neat world building in this one, including how/why Willowweep exists and how Hayley controls the narrative.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was even more fun than book 1! A cast of characters from a mystery world stumble into Willowweep Manor, and with them comes a mystery storyline for our heroine and the gang to figure out. I loved the red herrings, the comedy, and the art. This was such a fun way to continue the series and I will read an infinite number of volumes about these characters in this world (or others ;)).

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!! It's just as fun as the first one! I love murder mystery theme. All of the new characters added to the story, and I really loved Jerome! They did add more to the background of the universe from the previous book. I hope there is a 3rd book!

[Michelle Rosario · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a unique and chaotic adventure. I got to visit with the amazing characters from the first book and meet some new and messy ones in this sequel. There was humor, fumbles, suspense and mystery in this one and I think it was a great sequel to the first book!

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, unfortunately was not a fan of this one. Didn’t care for the new characters and it was too long winded for me. Could have been half as long. No spoilers but the ending left a lot to be desired. The person(s) responsible weren’t a surprise at all….

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I found out there was going to be a follow up to Dire Days of Willowweep Manor, and this did not disappoint!

[Jennifer]

Fun sequel that returns to the Gothic manor, but with some mystery crossover elements. I liked the genre mash-up & the characters parody tropes in a fun way!

[Mohamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully silly and action packed!

[Georgann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! I love the art work and the humor and I had no idea whodunnit!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun!

[Allison • Alli’s Fairy Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Simon Teen for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

• My Reading Experience: Fun!!
• Book Spice: None

• Content Thoughts:

Imagine my surprise to find out that this is actually book 2 in a series!! Thankfully, it still read like a standalone and was enjoyable as it. I liked the setting, the mystery plot, and the characters were fun. I look forward to reading book 1 and gaining even more context around Willowweep Manor and the “gasket universe”.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to possibly the funniest graphic novel of 2021! In this one, the Willowweep universe takes in some refugee characters from a cozy 1930s mystery universe—something like if Agatha Christie were collaborating with P.G. Wodehouse. More characters, more genre. Still very funny!