SPORTOCHICK’S MUSINGS: A fabulous read with just the right amount of mystery and romance.

---

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall
Book 1 of The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire
by Syrie James

Pub Date Feb 22 2025
Dragonblade Publishing

DESCRIPTION

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?

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.

REVIEW

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.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.