She vowed to solve a murder.

Now she’s in danger of losing her heart … and her very life.

Diana Taylor, a bright and spirited governess who has sworn off love, is sent to Pendowar Hall in Cornwall to honor a pledge. She vows to teach her godmother’s niece and to find out who was behind the suspicious death of the former baronet. But her new charge is also a mystery, as is the man who inherited the ancient coastal estate—the charismatic but brooding Royal Navy Captain William Fallbrook, who is home on leave to recover from an injury.

As Diana investigates, her feelings for the enigmatic Captain Fallbrook blossom, and her guard goes up. Pendowar Hall is brimming with secrets as well as a frightening legend about a Mermaid’s Curse. What is behind the mysterious footsteps in the night? Is there more to the story of the tragic deaths of the former baronet’s wife and son? What secrets is Captain Fallbrook hiding? Can she trust the man who has stolen her heart?

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall
by Syrie James
Pub Date: Feb 22 2025

He looks to be entranced by Diana, even though her determination to dig up the past seems to get on his last nerve. Soon, Diana’s bold quest to unmask his uncle’s killer leads her into terrifying danger, for someone is determined to end her life before she can discover the truth.


The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire

Book 1 - The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall

Book 2 - The Secrets of Thorndale Manor

Book 3 - Danger at Darkmoor Park

This first book in The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire is an intense and well written Victorian historical murder, mystery romance. It was full of drama, action, intrigue, mystery, suspense, attempted murder, a hidden affair, an illegitimate child, with so many mixture of tropes that give a gothic type atmosphere of a Emily Bronte novel. It kept me very entertained and engaged. I enjoyed the beautiful romance that overcame all obstacles, including death. The ending was lovely. I highly recommend reading!

Diana is sent to Pendowar Hall under the guise of governess but she’s investigating murder. The deeper she delves into the past, the more danger she’s in. Will the curse of Pendowar Hall do her in or will a flesh and blood killer silence Diana forever?

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall is a breathtaking historical gothic romance. Fans of gothic romance will be enthralled by this tale. The eeriness of the setting and narration set the mood while the characters play their parts. The plot is complex with a few mysteries to solve. The romance is a mixture of tropes which all stem from the gothic plot. But it’s the characters which make The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall come alive.

Let’s talk about these characters. Diana is the heroine and she’s such a well-written one. Her character, poise, curiosity, and courage combine to make Diana a vibrant heroine. I connected with her on so many levels.

Captain Fallbrook is our reserved hero. He’s mysterious, that’s for sure. He runs his household in the same manner as he did aboard his ship. Orderly. But then Diana upends his house and everyone in it, including himself. What’s a hero to do? I liked him and connected with him.

If you love gothic romance, drop what you’re doing and read The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall. You’ll be glad you did.

I have really been enjoying historical mysteries with some romance weaved in. The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall had this fabulous gothic vibe to it. Set overlooking the sea, in a manor with a forbidden wing, and a mermaid's curse cast upon it.

I found I really enjoyed the authours writing style. The descriptions of the landscape, the grounds around the manor, the manor itself, added this real sense of foreboding to the story.

The mystery in this story was excellent I had absolutely no inkling who the perpetrator was. It was a true surprise. One of those ones where I thought back, wondering what signs I missed, and I don't think there were any.

Underlying the mystery is the strong bonds forming between our main character, who has come to Pendowar as a governess, and the young lady of the house. This was such an uplifting storyline.

And then there was the romance. I prefer my romance subtle. That's my preference, and I'd never criticize anyway who likes it any other way. But, you can't tell me this isn't incredibly seductive.

"His lips were a hair's breadth away. The sensation of wanting to feel those lips on hers was so strong that Diana's insides began to tremble".

Overall, this was such a delightful story with an intriguing mystery, and by the end I was unable to put it down until I had finished.

This was an exciting read. A Gothic tale, set in a beautiful background of Pendower Hall, with the addition of an intelligent, and mostly practical heroine, Diana, a wounded military hero, William, a (maybe off the spectrum), charge Emma. A mysterious death needs to be resolved and Diana is motivated to find answers.

Written well, with enough tension and some romance, this was my debut read by this author, that I thoroughly enjoyed. Cannot wait to read books 2 & 3.

#netgalley #TheMysteriesofPendowerHall

I enjoyed this suspenseful romance, as it is well-written and there is more than one mystery to solve. Driven by the echoes of her mother's voice saying “Where there is smoke there's fire,” Miss Diana Taylor travels to Cornwall to root out the truth about her Godmother's brother, ostensibly as a governess to Emma, who is described as unteachable, but mainly to discover details of the previous Baron's death. Diana's initial meeting with Captain Fallbrook does not go well and her second meeting is not much better. He is a severe and judgmental man, bordering on being rude. Diana finds her young charge almost as difficult and discovers that the young girl is incredibly talented as an artist but difficult to teach. On top of everything, she has to battle with legends of a mermaid, footsteps in the night, and a light flashing from a tower window. Then there are the attacks on her which can not be ignored. The mystery comes to a dramatic and surprising conclusion, and only then can the Captain express his feelings for Diana. I received a copy of this novel, which held me in suspense to the end, as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

A very well written mystery set in the gothic style. Diana is a governess on an extra mission. She's determined to find the reason for the death of the baron. The mystery is so well masked that there are few clues to solve it. There is danger, twists turns and romance. William has intrigue of his own as he's not overly impressed by this new governess yet
romance begins to blossom. The author bring us to a possible conclusion only to find a dead end. Creative, supburbly written and abundantly entertaining. Can't wait to see what Diana's sisters will get into.

This is a great beginning to the The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke and Fire. Diana is a governess who has been charged by her Godmother to find the truth of her relative's suspicious death. William is a sea captain who's been injured and recovering while being the new heir to Pendowar Hall.

Diana takes the job as governess to 15 yr old Emma. Emma has a challenging reading disability, but Diana finds a way to relate to her thinking process and therefore starts to actually help her.

Sparks fly between Diana and William. I wish it would have been a little bit heavier on the romance part. Overall, a good book with very relatable characters.
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Diana Taylor must travel to Corwall to assist her godmother in solving her brother's suicide or perhaps murder? While there Diana is also tasked with teaching her godmother's niece how to read and write. Diana will have to deal with the man who runs the manor, Captain William Fallbrook who isn't easy to deal with. Through intrigue, suspense and tenacity Diana will navigate this murder and find out what really happened to Baronet Thomas Fallbrook, while also keeping herself safe and alive.

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall has the perfect alount of mystery, suspense, dark ambiance and a dash of brooding romance. A perfect read that you won't want to put down.

Thank you Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this brilliant gothic romance.

Part gothic, part mystery, and part romance. Diana is sent to a gothic manor by her godmother to find out what happened to her brother. Her godmother doesn’t believe that he killed himself. Was it murder? Diana is sent as a governess I liked the characters enough. The gothic vibes were good. The romance wasn’t very strong as this felt more slice of life than anything else. The mystery was slow going & Diana wasn’t that great at investigating, she changed her mind multiple times on who actually did it. The writing is good, I’ve always liked Syrie James’ books. Just ok overall.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was a sweet, mysterious gothic romance. Though I wasn’t utterly blown away by this book, I enjoyed the mystery and the strong FMC who was ahead of her time.

THOUGHTS 💭
⛵️ I loved the air of mystery and dread throughout the whole book. It was a rather lighthearted read for a murder mystery.
⛵️ The old manor and a grumpy baronet gave me Beauty & the Beast vibes that I was here for.
⛵️ Our FMC Diana doesn’t hold any punches; she says what she means and means what she says. She is so smart and curious and adventurous… I was a bit disappointed that the Captain didn’t seem to appreciate that about her when he found out she was investigating.
⛵️ The mystery WAS very mysterious! The author did an amazing job making you question everyone around our MC. I thought FOR CERTAIN I knew who the murderer was on multiple occasions, only to have my mind changed alongside Diana’s.

Thanks so much to the author, Dragonblade Publishing, and Austenprose for the ARC of this book!

Historical romance is in a strange place right now and it’s one of my favourite genres so I want to support it as much as I can. Dragonblade is an indie publisher that specialises in historical romance so I wanted to try their catalogue.

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall is reminiscent of Jane Eyre - Diana accepts a position as governess at an estate run by a Captain of the Royal Navy. He has little time of care for civilian life even though - Diana learns soon enough - his 15-year-old charge cannot read or write. The servants all warn Diana about the otherworldly happenings at the estate - a mermaid tale, and the suicide of the previous owner which might have been a murder.

I read Syrie James’s Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen decades ago when it was released and I remember enjoying. Pendowar Hall was fine - not hugely surprising so I found the plot a rather boring, but the writing was good and it made me want to try more books by Dragonblade but definitely something more fun and light.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade for this ARC!

In USA Today’s bestselling author Syrie James’s soon-to-be released “The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall,” Miss Diana Taylor travels to Cornwall at the request of her ailing godmother to investigate the supposed suicide of her godmother’s brother, the baronet Thomas Fallbrook. Diana's tasks also include managing the baronet’s 15-year-old daughter, who cannot read, and interacting with the handsome, mysterious new baronet, Captain William Fallbrook.

“She was pleased to see beneath his prickly exterior. Captain Fallbrook was a thoughtful man.
‘Pray, avoid the north wing, however, and don’t go near the north tower. It has been unoccupied for decades and is in disrepair.’
Diana nodded. It was her second warning to avoid the north wing.”—Chapter 5.

Mysterious lights, ancient curses, and a questionable solicitor alert Diana that all is not as it should be. Lots of “Jane Eyre” vibes, eh? I was hooked.

As Diana uncovers the truth behind Sir Thomas’s death and his daughter’s condition, she faces a series of accidents—perhaps not accidents but attempts to stop her.

“The captain thought Diana’s worries were groundless. The parish constable had closed Sir Thomas’s case and would clearly never look into it again. But Diana had a gut feeling that her godmother was right. Someone had murdered the baronet and gotten away with it.” —Chapter 10.

Titillating suspense layered with a little romance, this first book in the “Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire” series is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries. Syrie James never disappoints, and “The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall” is no exception.

This captivating historical romance novel will transport readers to a world of mystery and suspense, where a strong-willed governess finds herself entangled with a brooding naval captain. As their lives intertwine, a complex web of secrets and danger begins to unravel, testing their loyalties and igniting a passionate romance. Fans of historical fiction, mystery, and suspense will be captivated by the atmospheric setting, rich characters, and intricate plot. The author skillfully weaves together elements of romance, danger, and intrigue, creating a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The strong-willed governess and the brooding naval captain are compelling characters, each with their own secrets and vulnerabilities. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their relationship, they must confront their pasts and make choices that will have far-reaching consequences. The atmospheric setting, with its vivid descriptions and historical details, adds depth and richness to the story. Readers will be transported to a world of elegance and intrigue, where danger lurks around every corner. With its blend of historical romance, mystery, and suspense, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

I really enjoyed this story. Im a huge fan of historical fiction books so this was my vibe. I can't wait to continue the series!

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall by Syrie James is a fabulous read with just the right amount of mystery and romance. As the first book in The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire series, it sets the bare high for all future books.

Diana Taylor’s well-developed character was exciting, thoughtful, caring, and thorough in her sleuthing abilities. With just the right amount of decorum for the time the author was able to make this a refreshing storyline.

The brooding Captain William Fallbrook will intrigue anyone because he is so mysterious and while he appears single-minded about his life the reader will be intrigued with his back history.

This is a great mystery book bringing back my younger years of reading Georgette Heyer books.

This book will hold your attention from page one to the exciting unpredictable ending. I am looking forward to the next books of this series.

This was a Gothic romantic suspense and mystery novel. It was a good read. Our heroine is sent by her godmother to look into her brother’s death - supposed a suicide but she doesn’t agree. As our heroine investigates, she gets close to her charge, who has dyslexia, as she is her governess. She also gets close to her employer who is an injured Navy captain. Legends have swirled around the manor for generations about a mermaid ghost who causes injury and death when the master falls in love with the governess. Our characters are taken on a winding path through mystery and suspense. This is a single point of view, no spice romance.

A fantastic new first book in a series! I had a hard time putting it down and read it in one sitting (staying up a little too late). I found the main character, Diana, to be likable and her family dynamic interesting, and wanted to know more about her sisters. Diana’s backstory, in relation to her failed romances, was explained in well-spread-out bits that drew me in but didn’t make me wait too long. Figuring out the mystery was not easy and my thoughts switched around just as much as Diana’s as new information was provided. I have to say I loved it all except the very last chapter. I wish it had just been wrapped up in a page or two as laying out the setup to the next story felt too forced. That being said, I look forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Diana Taylor has travelled to the wilds of Cornwall at the behest of her ailing godmother to discover the true story behind the recent death of the baronet Thomas Fallbrook, the godmother’s brother. Diana is also going to attempt to tame the baronet’s 15-year-old daughter as her new governess. Add to this the very handsome new baronet Captain William Fallbrook and Diana truly has her work cut out for her. Strange clues abound in mysterious lights, ancient curses, a library filled with old books, mysterious footsteps, and a solicitor who seems to be hiding something.

Diana vows to get to the bottom of the mystery of how Thomas Fallbrook died and why her new charge is unable to read at age 15. As she chips away the evidence to both mysteries Diana experiences a series of accidents. But are they accidents, or attempts to stop her from getting to the truth?

This is an engaging story with a good mystery, a good story of a governess and her pupil, and a bit of sweet romance between Diana and the captain. “The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall” is the first in the Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire series. It appears that the other two in the series will feature each of Diana’s sisters. I will definitely read these.

This story is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and stories with a hint of the gothic.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This luscious romance involves the Victorian era, an isolated mansion on a sea cliff, a governess, mysterious deaths and a wounded man who never thought he'd become a lord. Seriously, what more could you want for a wonderful setup? I'm interested to see how the author continues down the family with the heroine's sisters. (Please note: for those who want it, this is a clean romance.)