Violet and the Bow Street Runner: A Baleful Godmother Novel

Emily Larkin

Feb 2022 · Garland Cousins Book 2 · Emily Larkin

About this ebook

A nosy duke’s daughter and a sharp-eyed Bow Street Runner join forces to solve a rather peculiar crime.

Violet Garland may be a duke’s daughter, but she has a strong streak of daredevil. What she wants most in life is adventure—and when she spots a Bow Street Runner among the ton, she knows she’s finally found it. She’ll help the investigator track down his villain, whether he wishes her to or not!

Bow Street Principal Officer Perry Wintersmith does not want any assistance, especially from a female as persistent and annoying as Lady Violet Garland. Although Lady Violet does possess a most uncommon talent and she is exceptionally good at following people…

Perhaps he ought to accept her offer of help? Together they might be able to unravel a rather perplexing mystery—and Perry may just avoid falling off any roofs.

Take one adventure-seeking duke’s daughter, one solitary Bow Street Runner, a strange series of thefts, a dash of magic, a sprinkling of naughty drawings, and what do you have? A romp of a Regency romance that will sweep you through London’s alleyways and over its rooftops, with detours into cupboards, attics, bandboxes, and ballrooms.



Length: Full-length novel of 99,000 words

Sensuality level: A Regency romance with steamy love scenes

“It’s just gone half six in the morning and I’ve read through the night. It was impossible to put down my kindle.”

~ Goodreads reviewer

“You could feel the chemistry between Perry and Violet coming right off the page, and when you add an excellent mystery on top of that, you won’t be able to put the book down.”

~ Goodreads reviewer

Q & A with the author

How would you describe this series?

It's Regency England with passion, danger, adventure, humor, romance?and a dash of magic. The stories are emotional, but not sweet. There's sex, and my heroes do swear at times!

Hang on. Did you say magic?

I did. But don't worry—the books are first and foremost historical romances. Only a few characters have magic, and it's a deep, dark secret, and no one else knows.

But ... do magic and Regency England go together?

Definitely! Many years ago I read Sorcery and Cecelia (or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot) by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, and totally loved it and ever since then I've thought that Regency England and magic go very well together.

How would you describe your writing?

Several reviewers have likened my writing to Georgette Heyer, which is the hugest compliment ever. I adore Georgette Heyer! She's why I write historical romance, and I reread her books over and over. (If you've not read The Grand Sophy, please do so!) I've also had readers compare my writing to Courtney Milan and Mary Balogh, which are also massive compliments.

What order should I read the series in?

Each book, whether a novel or novella, can be read as a standalone.

Ratings and reviews

“… she left in only a moderate dudgeon.” Perry is a bow street runner out to solve a case, he doesn’t need a duke’s daughter swooping into his path… or does he. Violet is everything a Duke’s Daughter should be by day, but at night she can explore more, she can discover more… answer questions that plague her mind and learn things it’s unlikely any proper duke’s daughter would know. To Perry’s surprise, he begins to look forward to Violets questions, begins to understand how she thinks, and discovers his initial assumptions about her were unfair… and worse, he was assuming she thought poorly of him when she was simply trying to learn. This done in one story is positively delightful. With charming characters, a sense of whimsy and fun as dates take places in unexpected places, with an interesting whodunnit that drives the first three quarters of the book as we’re getting to know Perry and Violet.

Lady Violet Garland, at 25 is still looking for adventure. On one if her nighttime travels she starts to follow a Bow Street Runner, Periander Wintersmith. Soon she has wrangled herself into his investigation of thefts of clocks from Lord Abbishaw. A case where secrets will be revealed. An entertaining and well-written historical mystery, and romance (mature content) with a touch of the paranormal. An enjoyable read with its likeable and varied characters. A good addition to the series.

A little bit of magic. What an interesting pair Perry and Violet are. As you read their story it is clear they are both a bit touched by magic. As they get to know each other their beliefs on whom each other truly are changes. You will love the twists and turns as this book will keep you on your toes. It is a bit longer than most books I review so keep that in mind but it is so worth the time it took to read. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

About the author

Emily Larkin is the USA Today-bestselling author of the Baleful Godmother historical romance series, a series that readers are calling “vastly entertaining,” and “ridiculously wonderful.”

Emily writes historical romances as Emily Larkin and fantasy novels as Emily Gee. She has won multiple awards in New Zealand and Australia and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA award, as well as the National Readers’ Choice, Booksellers Best, and Sir Julius Vogel awards.

When not reading or writing, Emily can be found hiking—preferably somewhere off the beaten track.