Lady Violet Pays a Call

The Lady Violet Mysteries #7

by Grace Burrowes

While Lady Violet Belmaine is busy sorting out the odd turns her life has recently taken, Hugh St. Sevier repairs to his Kent estate in hopes of embarking on the placid life of a rural physician. Alas, for St. Sevier, the village of St. Ivo has more secrets than it has pots of heartease, and the good doctor will once again find himself the target of rumors and threats.

Somebody is rigging St. Ivo’s hound races, setting neighbor against neighbor, and turning what should be a friendly entertainment into an occasion for brawling. As an expert on medicinal herbs and soporifics, St. Sevier comes under suspicion. St. Ivo badly needs a physician, and the village also needs somebody to unravel the intrigues that are tearing it apart. St. Sevier can’t get to the bottom of the mystery on his own, but help–in the persons of Lady Violet and Sebastian MacHeath, is on the way!

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Historical Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2022

About the author

Grace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.

It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.

While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")

Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)

To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.

Reviews

[Kimberley Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit I wasn’t very excited to read a book from Hugh and Ann’s perspectives, but I am glad I did. It was a very loving and touching marriage in trouble story with an interesting mystery that reflected the social problems of the day. Resolving Hugh and Ann’s estrangement and moving Hugh and Violet beyond the loss of their relationship to a place where all are in a healthier and caring place for each other was lovely to read. I am greatly looking forward to Sebastian and Violet married, and hopefully with a babe in arms. A lovely read.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Violet takes a back seat in this, although she and Sebastian appear later in the novel.
It’s really the story of Hugh St. Sevier and his wife Ann. Remember Violet was all set to marry Hugh when Ann turns up (she’d been posted as missing presumed dead during the war with France) along with their daughter Fiona. A daughter Hugh didn’t know he had. BTW Violet is also expecting Hugh’s child, but Sebastian McHeather has proposed to Violet although Violet’s dragging her feet.
There’s some strange happenings in St. Ivo village with dog races, people buying goods on a Sunday and the women of the village acting strangely.
Hugh is wondering if it would be better to move to one of his other properties. Ann is accused of shoplifting, just as Violet and Sebastian arrive. Hugh fins out more of the pressure Ann was subjected to whilst following the drum.
Healing and hope seems appropriate but it’s a close run thing.
I enjoyed this immensely.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I was disappointed that this book was all about Hugh and Ann as I don't like Hugh. I also expected Violet to actually be present for more than a tiny amount at the end of the book considering the series is called Lady Violet Investigates.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this book is told in alternating chapters through Ann and Hugh's point if views and that Violet plays a supporting role.

[Spiderorchid · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second-to-last book in the series, Burrows mixes things up a bit and we get a story that focusses completely on Ann and Hugh (told from their respective points of view) with Violet and Sebastian only appearing at the end in supporting roles. This actually works well because it ties up the loose ends that were St. Seviere's backstory with Ann and how they will go on as a reunited couple.

But the Violet and Sebastian fans will have to wait for book #8 to get back to the main arc of Lady Violet. :)

The mystery was suspenseful and well constructed and I liked the well rounded cast of characters in the village.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Lady Violet story

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully different

This book is told from the perspectives of Hugh and Ann, weaving the rekindling of their romance and marriage with the village secrets. Violet and Sebastian come to visit and aid in resolving the village problems. The foursome also foster their friendship. A lovely story!

[Mary23nm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up

[Cyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The format of this book diverted from how the previous books were written. This book is written from the characters’ point-of-view. Even more diverted is this book is written from Hugh and Ann’s perspectives - which is a disappointment for me because Lady Violet is barely around in this book (the title is misleading in my opinion). I was actually surprised Hugh and Ann gets center stage and their own book because Ann didn’t really come up that often in the previous books - in fact, barely, until the end of last book. I get that that story needs continuation but I believe it isn’t anything that can’t be written through Lady Violet’s perspective.

Furthermore, the mystery was solved not with Lady Violet as the center of the investigation but as a supporting role. Lady Violet was barely consulted - most of the sleuthing was done by Ann and Hugh. What’s even more awkward for me was the way the relationship between Hugh and Lady Violet just kind of dissolved - and very quickly. I had expected that when Hugh and Ann ran into their own mystery to solve Hugh would think to reach out to Lady Violet because of their investigating history - but it wasn’t even that. Lady Violet just showed up for other reasons.

I feel the progression from book 6 to this book was really rushed - like the author needed to quickly get Hugh away from Lady Violet so that she can finally pair up Lady Violet with Sebastian - while she spent 6 books just building up the relationship that wasn’t going to happen.

I skipped through most of this book, didn’t really care for the mystery, and couldn’t wait to get to book 8.

[Roe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very disappointing to me. For one the title is deceptive, there is very little Lady violet in this book. The previous books build a really nice relationship between Lady violet and Hugh, yet in this book Hugh seem to be able to transfer his affections from Lady Violet to his wife rather easily. For me Hugh and Ann's love was not believable, not after such a short time of reconciliation and for how much he seemed to have loved Violet. It would be easier to believe the relationship/love between Violet and the marquess because of history and hints throughout the previous books.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series but not this book as much as the others. However the characters do grow on you near the end of the book. I think the plodding beginning is what affected my rating. Also Violet and Sebastian are not featured prominently in the book at all. They are my favorites in the series! I do applaud Grace Burrowes for pulling High and Ann to a conclusion. As usual the vocabulary and writing are wonderful!

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't the best in this series. I found it slow going.

While there had to be a segue to the romances between the 2 couples, it just didn't feel quite natural.

Here's to hoping the next book tells a better part of their story.

[Millicent Chaplinski]

Very disjointed...Hugh has a chapter...Ann has a chapter...back & forth. Disappointed.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read that kept me interested. The novel focuses on Hugh St Sevier, wife Ann and daughter Fiona. They are trying to build a life on Hugh's estate in St Ivo's. They decide to attend a local event featuring dog races, where an underdog wins and the townsfolk brawl and cause destruction. They start trying to figure out if the race was fixed. A local woman tries to frame Ann for theft from the dry goods store. Hugh and Ann both start realizing they love each other but Ann has a secret. Turns out she left Hugh in Spain because an officer threatened to kill Hugh if Ann didn't service him. He raped her too. She fled to save Hugh and herself and wonders is Fiona is Hugh's or the other guy. Hugh assures her the other guy was impotent. Violet and Dunkeld arrive, not married yet because she wants to deliver a healthy baby before "trapping him". Together Violet, Ann and Hugh figure out what's up at the dog races. After another race ending in an upset, Ann puts the townsmen in their place. Then the former pastor's widow semi-admits drugging various dogs to send winnings toward the poorer families and her daughter. The town aldermen rig everything for themselves while good folk go hungry. Ann and Hugh hook up. Violet tells Ann she's ready to marry Dunkeld.

[Anne-Mammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started to read this book I immediately recognised Grace Burrowes "voice", her style and felt very at home. I was grateful for the skilled recap of what had happened in previous books in this series, particularly in the one just before "Lady Violet pays a call". It flowed nicely and brought back to mind the events which had occurred a few months before. However, as the "mystery" unfolded, the hound races, the riots and the solving of the rigging, things became rather tortuous and complicated and to me, less interesting. Ann, it would seem, does not have the same touch as Lady Violet when it comes to getting to the bottom of a puzzle.
Yet, there were some lovely moments, particularly those involving Hugh and his dealing with patients.
The book is divided in chapters told alternately from Ann or Hugh's point of view. On the whole the device worked well particularly as it enables the reader to understand better how the relationship between the two characters worked.
Still i do hope we hear more from Sebastian and Lady Violet in the future, perhaps involving Hugh and his medical insights. I'd love to see him delivering Lady Violet's baby!!

[Kim Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist in perspective

Burrowes took a great risk in shifting from Lady Violet as Narrator to the alternating voices of Hugh and Ann. She carries it off splendidly, my only quibble being whether five months is long enough for a devoted fiancé to get over the pain of losing his beloved and fall back in love with Ann. So dominant had Violet’s perspective become over six books, I had to keep adjusting expectations with regard to Hugh, as I was learning him from the inside out. Beautifully written as always, her characters are complex and layered. Through them we understand the problems facing Britain at the time through the microcosm of St Ivo. Please read these books in sequence. You’ll lose so much in character development if you don’t.

[Dorothy R. Till · Rating 5 out of 5]

A six star read!

At first I was reluctant to read this . I wasn't sure how I would like the emphasis on Hugh and Ann, or the change of voice in each segment. How wrong I was to even doubt! I loved this book and can hardly wait to start the next book in the series. I love a Grace Burrowes book and this was a wonderful read. Good thing I bought all eight books at once, I am not a patient person. I am now fixing to start the eighth read. I more than highly recommend this book!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay but probably should have been a novella rather than a full length novel. An author can only use the "overlooked people are the culprit" trope so many times before it's obvious. Also, at the end of book 6 it felt like the St. Seviers' story was firmly concluded, so I'm not sure it was necessary to re-open this plot line based on a primary conflict of "adults who won't talk to each other".

I'm still on hold for book 8 but I deeply suspect you could skip this one and not miss anything. Recommended only as an easy read for existing fans of the series.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad to read about Hugh and Ann. Their relationship is a tedious knot which needs patience. In the background is a village where something seems "off". There are several dramas involved and everyone wants Hugh to solve them. He wants to solve the rift between him and Ann.

Lady Violet turns up for a visit with her fiance, and that turns the tide in all the dramas at play. It was good to see old characters and really good to witness Hugh getting his HEA.

[A.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess Lady Violet makes an eventual appearance.

But this is in the pov of the French doctor and his wife, which is… a thing. I am not sure that I want to be here - especially inside their troubled marriage. I know he needs to be in Violet’s life… but I’d rather be checking out what is happening with them.

I don’t know, it just didn’t work for me.

So far this year, my library saved me A$1782.94

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

And life moves on

Hugh has to find some trust and common ground with Ann, and try to build their relationship. He discovers a lot he didn’t know about her experiences, and they work on their relationship. Meanwhile, Violet and Dunkeld are moving toward a decision about their future as well. A nice introduction to the next phase of the story.

[Susan Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

A mystery solved with logic and resolved with the cooperation of friends, personal relationships won, enhanced and enjoyed through caring, patience and the building of trust. Through it all a thread of humour, an understanding of how fragile we humans can be... and how brave.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different than the other Lady Violet books in that she only makes an appearance at the end. Ann is the heroine of this story as she and Hugh try to get to the bottom of the trouble at St. Ivo and repair their marriage.

Quite blistering on the treatment and/or taking advantage and/or overlooking or women.

[MELISSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much fun to read of Hugh's and Ann's continuing "adventures" in St. Ivo, Kent. More challenges to face and more marriage concerns to confront. Close too the end, Sebastian and Violet pay a call with more resolutions to find. Love the series, the characters, the plots (even though I want to yell hard at all the arrogant male types in the village). Such good writing.

[Mary Helen Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne solves the problem.

Ms. Burrowes has written another intense book. This story is about St. Sevier and his family and the problems their village is having. The characters are well thought out and realistic. The story flows from scene to scene with an unexpected ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Although, you can't go wrong with a Grace Burrowes book.

[Elaine Woodard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled with the book alternating between Ann and Hugh’s perspective. I kept having to stop and work out who ‘I’ was. I haven’t read any of the others in the series so don’t know if they were written the same way or if this book is unusual in that respect. I normally love Grace Burrowes books but not this one.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately Lady Violet was hardly in this one. The title feels like a bit of a bait and switch in that regard. This book stars another couple, who are okay, but I didn’t particularly need for them to have their own book in the series. Small town, second chance, and a hidden secret. With a small mystery and a pretty small amount of romance thrown in. I enjoyed it the least of the series.

[Oksana · Rating 3 out of 5]

No offence but I was hopping to read another story mainly about lady Violet, not Hugh and his scotish wife. I dont know why but I dont like his charecter even though he is wise and kind. For some reason I would preffer Sebastian and his life with Violet.

[ElinorsBookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ stars
I keep enjoying this series more and more. As I went into the book blind, I wasn't expecting the story to revolve around Hugh St. Sevier and company. However I loved reading more about these characters and greatly enjoyed this deviation from the rest of the series.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Hugh and Ann. I like that we learn more about them but not my favorite. Why stay in a town that keeps causing you problems. The question is what is happening to the dog races. The town goes crazy about these races.