The Taylor Sisters Continue to Audaciously Solve Complicated Mysteries
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Blog Tour
TYPE OF NOVEL: Victorian Romance, Gothic Suspense
SERIES: The Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke & Fire #2
THE PREMISE: Two sisters try to establish a girls school at an estate in Yorkshire unaware about the estate’s tarnished reputation and infamous past. When a maid unexpectedly meets an untimely end and the magistrate apathetically rules it an accident, Athena starts to seek justice and answers on her own. But instead, Athena keeps finding more questions about past events…do the events that happened nine years ago have any connection to the maid’s death?
WHAT I LOVED:
- A Girls School: Because of an unwise investment, the three Taylor sisters were forced to become resourceful and earn their keep as governesses. But their dream has always been to establish their own school. To offer a place where real subjects are taught, girls are treated like rational and intelligent beings, and have their own control and command of their futures. Thanks to one sister marrying prosperously, that dream has become a reality. What a fantastic setting for some gothic intrigue! A girls school – where sensibilities are high and rumors about ghosts and haunted attics are in abundance.
- The Suspense and the Suspects: The first chapter opens with a dead body being discovered so the intrigue begins immediately – which I loved. I was invested right away and loved learning about past events that happened years ago and how they might be connected to this murder. I really must compliment the skillful constructs and composition of this mystery – the characters and suspects are all developed thoroughly and revealed gradually, the action and pacing is balanced, and there is excitement, danger, romance all happening concurrently. Syrie James masters it all beautifully.
- Athena Taylor: Intelligent, powerful, and courageous – I am all about these strong and forward thinking heroines. Like her sister Diana, Athena is an obstinate headstrong girl. She has had multiple people tell her to stop trying to find answers and that all her suppositions are wrong, but she refuses to not follow her own convictions. I admire her tenacity and her sincerity. She is solving this mystery to clear someone’s name as much as she is to help her school.
- A Displaced Heir: Because of his father’s terrible habits, Ian Vernon did not get to become master of his beloved family estate, he instead had to sell it and seek a profession of his own. We so often see what happens when women are displaced or forced to leave their homes because of entailments, it was interesting to explore that situation with an heir and see how he grapples with a future he didn’t expect. While initially Ian had some bitterness and brusqueness in his manner, he reveals himself to be a hardworking, caring, and genuine hero.
- Jane Eyre Connections Again: With an all girls schools and women working as teachers, we see some gentle nods to Jane Eyre and her time at Lowood School. But there is another Jane Eyre connection that occurs later in the story that I loved – not only because it was a brilliant aspect/reveal to the story, but also because it was so clever a connection to Jane Eyre!
- Stumped Again: I did not see the end coming…not by a long shot! Haha. Well done. I am 0 for 2 with this series and not mad about it at all.
WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:
- Small Quibbles: While the suspense and mystery aspects of this story are exceptional, I did find myself wishing for a little more development with the romantic journey for both characters – more so for the hero who we didn’t learn much from. In addition, at times I was a little surprised by Athena’s forthrightness and recklessness when interrogating people she suspected were the culprits. It felt like she was either unwisely tipping her hand to them or expecting them to come out and confess any wrong they did right away…but it doesn’t work like that!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
❤️ Athena is ready to risk her life to find answers, but what about risking her heart…
📚 A series full of intrigue that is gripping, suspense that is stirring, heroines that are tenacious, and romance that is undeniable – what a combination!
📖 A perfect choice for readers who love old houses, brave heroines, and seemingly unsolvable mysteries.
