Review: THE SECRETS Of THORNDALE MANOR by Syrie James

ABOUT THE BOOK

She risks everything for the truth.

He guards secrets that could tear them apart.

When Athena Taylor opens the Darkmoor Bridge School for Girls at the grand and storied Thorndale Manor, she hopes for a new beginning. But the estate's dark past quickly resurfaces when a maid is found dead under suspicious circumstances—and whispers stir of a murder committed nine years earlier, a crime for which Ian Vernon's sister was convicted.

Athena believes the two cases are connected. Ian Vernon, Thorndale's brooding former heir, insists she's wrong—and warns her to leave the past buried. But Athena is as fearless as she is determined, and her investigation brings her into close quarters with the man who should be her adversary ... yet soon proves to be something much more.

As secrets unravel and a killer grows desperate, Athena finds herself in terrifying danger, caught between the pursuit of truth and justice and a powerful attraction that threatens to derail everything.

A richly atmospheric mystery layered with romance, betrayal, and the dark undercurrents of a house built on secrets.

The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire Series: Book 2

REVIEW by Christina Boyd

The Secrets of Thorndale Manor is a captivating Victorian Gothic mystery, rich in Brontë-inspired atmosphere, family secrets, and clever twists. Athena Taylor, a sharp, feminist headmistress, makes a compelling heroine as she unravels a double murder mystery tied to her school and home.

“Something tells me that's not what happened?”

Selena had pursed her lips and shaken her head. “I wouldn't go down this road, Athena, if I were you.”

“Why not?”

“Because Thorndale Manor’s history is already tainted by a long-ago murder. Do you really want to suggest that another killing has taken place, this time even closer to home? It has been hard enough to get students as it is, Athena. Leave it alone.” —Chapter 4.

The writing is immersive with believable dialogue, strong pacing, and vivid historical detail. I adored the themes of independence, justice, love, and the enemies-to-lovers romance.

She recognized that strong jaw, the chiseled face, and the piercing cornflower-blue eyes that matched the morning sky. Although the one time they had been introduced at church, he had avoided her gaze and uttered only four curt words—How do you do?—before he had vanished into the crowd, Athena had heard a great deal about him from her housekeeper, Mrs. Lloyd.

His name was Ian Vernon. He was thirty-three years old.

And he had good reason to hate her. Because Thorndale Manor had been in his family for over two hundred years. It had been his home, his birthright. Until his father had gambled away the family fortune. —Chapter 2.

Syrie James blends emotion, suspense, and social commentary beautifully. An atmospheric novel—I read it in nearly one sitting.

USA Today bestselling author Syrie James

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SYRIE JAMES is the author of 15 critically acclaimed novels of historical mystery, historical fiction, historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and young adult that have been international, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers and are published in more than 20 languages. Her books have been Library Journal Editor’s Picks of the Year, received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus, and won numerous awards including the Audiobook Audie, the Women's National Book Association Great Group Read, Romantic Read of the Week (Barnes and Noble), Best Novel of the Year (Romance Reviews), and Best Snowbound Romance (Bookbub).

Hailed by Los Angeles Magazine as the “queen of nineteenth-century re-imaginings,” Syrie is a research and story structure maven whose goal is to write page-turning novels that take her characters on challenging journeys of growth and discovery.

A member of the WGA, Historical Novel Society, Sisters in Crime, Dramatist's Guild, and Jane Austen Society of North America, Syrie has sold numerous scripts to film and TV and addressed organizations and literary conferences across the U.S. and in Canada, Australia, and England. She is also a published playwright and her stage plays been produced across North America.

You can connect with Syrie via her website and social media.