Syrie James

I’m thrilled to announce that my new Victorian historical mystery novel, THE SECRETS OF THORNDALE MANOR, releases on June 28. Isn’t the cover gorgeous?

This is book 2 in the Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire series, about bold sister sleuths who are each swept up in murder, mystery, and romance set in ancient English country manor houses.

In THE SECRETS OF THORNDALE MANOR, Athena Taylor (the sister of the heroine from book 1, THE MYSTERIES OF PENDOWAR HALL) is the bright, dedicated headmistress of a girls’ school in Yorkshire. She investigates two murders and finds herself in terrifying danger, caught between the pursuit of truth and justice and a powerful attraction for a brooding and charismatic architect, Ian Vernon, the former heir of Thorndale Manor, who’s hiding a secret that threatens to derail everything.

The Secrets Behind the Setting

The setting for this book was inspired by the research I did into the life of Charlotte Brontë for my novel THE SECRET DIARIES OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË (which I’m deeply honored to say won the Audiobook Audie Award for Romance.) Charlotte Brontë, as a young teen, attended Roe Head School at a manor house in the Yorkshire countryside, an experience she always treasured. Later, in 1835, she returned to Roe Head School as a teacher and taught there for three years before leaving to become a governess.

The former Roe Head School in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

I had the great pleasure of visiting the former Roe Head School which is now part of Holly Bank Special School in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. I was treated to a fabulous tour of the mansion from the cellars to the attics. The headmaster of the school regaled me with tales of the house’s history, including a story about a resident ghost! Walking those halls, I felt as if I was soaking up the atmosphere of those long-ago days when Charlotte attended school there and made lifelong friends.

I pictured the above manor house when I was writing THE SECRETS OF THORNDALE MANOR. Two of Charlotte Brontë’s novels are set at a girls’ school, inspired by her personal experiences as a student and schoolteacher. I had such a wonderful time writing a novel in a similar setting.

The name I chose for the house, Thorndale Manor, is both an homage to Thornfield Hall in Brontë’s JANE EYRE (one of my all-time favorite books), as well as a tribute to my dear Aunt Leila and Uncle Neil Handelman, who were great supporters of my work, and who lived for many long decades at a gorgeous house in Chicago on Thorndale Avenue.

It was such fun to create my own Victorian-era school and populate it with students, each of whom I hope you’ll find interesting and endearing. I can’t wait to introduce you to Athena Taylor, the headmistress of the Darkmoor Bridge School for Girls (who shares my feminist spirit), and Ian Vernon, the brilliant hero (who I fell madly in love with while writing him). You’ll also get to meet Athena’s sister Selena (the heroine of book 3 in the series.) Selena is one of the teachers at the school and Athena’s confidante as the story and mystery unfold.

A Double Murder Mystery

As the book opens, a maid’s body is found in the river under mysterious circumstances, which raises whispers 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 insists she’s wrong and warns her to leave the past buried.

But Athena is as fearless as she is determined. She plunges headlong into an investigation, which exasperates Ian Vernon, even as they are drawn to each other and begin falling in love. As secrets unravel and a killer grows desperate, Athena risks her relationship with Mr. Vernon—and her very life—to uncover the startling truth.

A Richly Atmospheric Mystery Layered With Romance

I’m a huge fan of Gothic romantic suspense. THE SECRETS OF THORNDALE MANOR is inspired by the page-turning novels of Charlotte Brontë, Mary Stewart, Daphne du Maurier, and Victoria Holt, which I have loved all my life—with an exciting dose of Agatha Christie thrown in to keep the plot twisty and include some big surprises that I hope will knock your socks off!

Gothic Suspense Tropes you’ll love:

✔ Victorian Gothic mystery
✔ Woman sleuth / heroine with a mission
✔ Brooding former heir
✔ Enemies to lovers
✔ Surprising twists
✔ Murder and family secrets
✔ Slow-burn historical romance

Advance Praise for The Secrets of Thorndale Manor

I’m thrilled by the generous endorsements that THE SECRETS OF THORNDALE MANOR has received from some wonderful historical mystery and historical romance authors.

“Loved it! Syrie James has a remarkable talent for immersive Gothic mystery! With a compelling story and surprising twist, The Secrets of Thorndale Manor had me glued to the pages well past my bedtime. I couldn’t put it down!”— Dianne Freeman, USA Today bestselling author of the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries

“The audacious sisters Athena and Selena are struggling to lead their school for girls at Thorndale Manor—a country house with a dark past and the threat of violence hovering over its roof. When the enigmatic former owner brings both jeopardy and romance into their lives, they must delve into the school’s past to ward off ruin. Fans of Mimi Matthews will not want to miss this second installment in a promising series.” — Stephanie Barron, bestselling author of the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series

“The Secrets of Thorndale Manor is an immersive Gothic suspense in the vein of Victoria Holt and the great Charlotte Bronte… The plot crackles with tension and misdirection, and the lovely romantic elements add depth to the story. Syrie James has crafted another vivid, atmospheric, and thoroughly entertaining historical mystery. Highly recommended!”— Vanessa Kelly, USA Today bestselling author of The Emma Knightley Mysteries

“A twisty mystery with delicious Gothic vibes! The latest novel by Syrie James has all my favorite elements–including old houses with plenty of secrets, multiple mysteries to solve, and wonderfully layered heroes. Fully immersive and a true delight–a tale you won’t want to miss!” — Joanna Davidson Politano, award winning author of The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House and other Gothic mysteries

“Clever and delightfully complex, The Secrets of Thorndale Manor is a dynamic whodunit that will keep you guessing until the end. Grab some tea and settle down. You’ll be sleuthing alongside a determined heroine, falling in love with a secretive but handsome hero, and wringing your hands over which characters you can truly trust.” —Hannah Linder, award-winning author of The Girl from the Hidden Forest 

“A twisty Victorian murder mystery with slow burn romance! Miss Athena Taylor is an intelligent and hardworking headmistress of a girl’s school. She’s the perfect heroine turned amateur detective. Athena solves not one, but two murders and falls in love at the same time. This series is ideal for fans of Mary Winters’ Lady of Letters and Mimi Matthews’ The Crinoline Academy.” — Samantha Larsen, author of the Lady Librarian Mysteries 

“Book 2 in The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire by Syrie James captured my imagination so completely with its authentic Victorian setting, intriguing mystery, and compelling romance… It can be read solo, but I loved it so much that I started Book 1, The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall, right after and am loving it too. Brava, Ms. James! 5 stars!”— Char Jones, Literary Redhead

“Once again, Syrie James has delivered a suspenseful and compelling historical mystery. This new series is such a delight. I adore the characters, the pacing is just right, and the mystery is super satisfying. I’m already eager for the next installment! — Beth Cohen, Bookish Beth

Available for Preorder Now!

THE SECRETS OF THORNDALE MANOR releases on June 28, 2025. It is available for pre-order in e-book and trade paperback, and it will also be on Kindle Unlimited.

I hope you enjoy meeting Athena Taylor, Ian Vernon, and all the other characters in this twisty mystery novel, and that it will keep you turning pages long into the night to uncover all the secrets!

The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire Series

Book 1 – The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall (Published Feb. 22, 2025)
Book 2 – The Secrets of Thorndale Manor (Due out June 28, 2025–PREORDER NOW)
Book 3 – Danger at Darkmoor Park (Oct. 28, 2025)