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Harriet & Matthew Rowsley Victorian Mysteries #1
The Wages of Sin Lib/E
First in a brand-new Victorian mystery series featuring steward Matthew Rowsley and housekeeper Mrs Faulkner as an engaging detective duo.
Newly appointed as land agent to the youthful Lord Croft, Matthew Rowsley finds plenty to keep him busy as he attends to his lordship's neglected country estate. But he's distracted from his tasks by the disappearance of a young housemaid. Has Maggie really eloped with a young man, as her mother attests - or is the truth rather more sinister? What's been going on behind the scenes at the grand country estate . and where has his lordship disappeared to? Teaming up with housekeeper Mrs Faulkner to get to the bottom of the matter, Matthew uncovers a number of disturbing secrets, scandals and simmering tensions within the household. Something rotten is going on at Thorncroft - and it's up to Matthew and Mrs Faulkner to unearth the truth.
Audio CD
Published February 4, 2020
28 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Judith Cutler
87 books93 followersJudith Cutler was born and bred in the Midlands, and revels in using her birthplace, with its rich cultural life, as a background for her novels. After a long stint as an English lecturer at a run-down college of further education, Judith, a prize-winning short-story writer, has taught Creative Writing at Birmingham University, has run occasional writing course elsewhere (from a maximum security prison to an idyltic Greek island) and ministered to needy colleagues in her role as Secretary of the Crime Writers' Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 7, 2020
3.5 stars
The beginning of a new series. A series set in the Victorian era of large estates with peasantry attendants. The basis of this series is taken from the authors own family background, whose great grandmother was the daughter of the estates gate keeper, turned out after becoming pregnant by the landowner's son.
And so the series starts - when the pregnant gate keepers daughter goes missing. A combination of the estates highest employees begin to look for the missing servant girl. There is Matthew Rowsley, the land agent for the estate, Mrs. Faulkner, the housekeeper, Mrs. Arden, the cook and Mr Bowman, the butler - a quartet who meet daily for dinner and discuss the hellion, the landowner's son, the missing servant girl, the health of the estates Lady, and the death of the Lord or landowner.
This series can become a very good series - it has had a great start. Although a bit mild at the beginning, this first book has done a really good job of laying down the expectations of the time period, the setting of the estate and the value and prospects of the estates staff. The next book is expected to publish yet this year - Legacy of Death.
The beginning of a new series. A series set in the Victorian era of large estates with peasantry attendants. The basis of this series is taken from the authors own family background, whose great grandmother was the daughter of the estates gate keeper, turned out after becoming pregnant by the landowner's son.
And so the series starts - when the pregnant gate keepers daughter goes missing. A combination of the estates highest employees begin to look for the missing servant girl. There is Matthew Rowsley, the land agent for the estate, Mrs. Faulkner, the housekeeper, Mrs. Arden, the cook and Mr Bowman, the butler - a quartet who meet daily for dinner and discuss the hellion, the landowner's son, the missing servant girl, the health of the estates Lady, and the death of the Lord or landowner.
This series can become a very good series - it has had a great start. Although a bit mild at the beginning, this first book has done a really good job of laying down the expectations of the time period, the setting of the estate and the value and prospects of the estates staff. The next book is expected to publish yet this year - Legacy of Death.
October 11, 2022
Start of a fascinating new series featuring Matthew Rowsley and housekeeper Mrs Faulkner. Matthew is an unusual, forward thinking gentleman and Harriet a strong self made woman. Raped by a powerful Lord when a child, smuggled out of the vicinity by some kindly women, she taught herself to read and was given a new start by learning how to be a housekeeper. Unfortunately history appears to be repeating itself. A young pregnant girl had disappeared from the village and all are concerned. The story behind this is murky, and Harriet will need all her fortitude. Matthew, as the family’s Estate Manager, finds puzzling clues but knows not what they mean. The end is not surprising but a dark question mark over the behavor of the upper classes.
January 31, 2020
I am a big fan of historical mysteries, but this one didn't quite work for me. The characters were likable, but it felt like there was no real accuracy for the supposed setting. I can't imagine male and female servants of that era in mixed company discussing the master's secret virgin deflowering room or the bloodied sheets he saved as trophies.
The plotting also was puzzling. I thought I had skipped a chapter at one point as a romance quite suddenly bloomed without much preparation. And the master's disappearance and in fact the whole setup of the house never felt quite plausible. The switching between the young girl's voice and the regular narration was a bit jarring as well.
Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The plotting also was puzzling. I thought I had skipped a chapter at one point as a romance quite suddenly bloomed without much preparation. And the master's disappearance and in fact the whole setup of the house never felt quite plausible. The switching between the young girl's voice and the regular narration was a bit jarring as well.
Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2020
Very confusing. At times the language and mannerisms seemed of the times and then at times it was like present day. The characters were not fully fleshed out and I was not drawn in by their problems. Somewhat standoffish.
January 29, 2020
Unusually (in my experience of historical mysteries!), the principle character is an estate agent, Matthew Rowsley, a young, educated man working for a landowner in Victorian England. The landowner has taken himself off to parts unknown, the lady of the manor (the landowner's widowed mother) has secluded herself in her rooms, and, in addition to dealing with the running of the entire estate (in multiple locations), Matthew and the housekeeper are dealing with the disappearance of one of the young maids. I found the characters interesting (although not all of them believable), and the social commentary on the attitudes of the upper classes in Victorian England was nicely done. I look forward to a sequel.
January 15, 2020
There is very little to say about this book, it is in fact quite dull. I didn't find myself engaged with the tale at all, its not badly told it just lacks pace and intrigue. The upstairs downstairs nature of it is a feature that was predictable, the aloof lady, the overbearing lord and the newly employed estate manager. 2020 surely will have much better to offer.
#TheWagesOfSin #NetGalley
#TheWagesOfSin #NetGalley
February 23, 2020
A Victorian mystery, a predictable who done it. I found it slow and couldn't engage with it all, thought it was very lack lustre and struggled to finish it.
I kindly received a copy from NetGalley in return for an impartial review.
#NetGalley #TheWagesOfSin
I kindly received a copy from NetGalley in return for an impartial review.
#NetGalley #TheWagesOfSin
January 24, 2025
Sloppy writing, and it's terribly slow and disjointed. It was not at all what I was hoping for.
February 10, 2020
Duration: 9 hrs 35 mins.
Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd.
Wages of Sin, Matthew Rowsley Series, Book 1 by Judith Cutler is the first book in a new series of Victorian mysteries, in which a young estate manager and the manor's diligent housekeeper must combine forces to uncover the secrets that threaten their home, their neighbours, and their livelihood.
Content Warning: There are both assaults and sexual assaults in this audiobook, involving men, women, and minors.
I was excited to begin listening to this book as I've been meaning to read more Victorian historicals and had high hopes for the sleuthing potential of a land agent and a housekeeper. Though the book was not quite what I had expected, I am already looking forward to Rowsley's next outing!
I had anticipated the housekeeper being a Mrs Hudson figure and was surprised to find the role filled by a youngish, attractive woman, who would - rather swiftly - become Matthew's romantic interest. I do not think it is a spoiler to say so, for a potential listener ought to know that in many ways this is as much a historical romance as it is a Victorian mystery.
This novel takes quite a matter-of-fact, black and white approach to the characters and their circumstances overall. People are generally good or evil, compassionate or preachifying, respectable or profligate, and there's seldom much ambiguity about which side of the line they fall.
Much as I think there is a responsibility within historical fiction to shine a light upon unhealthy attitudes in one way or another when portraying challenging or uncomfortable themes, I felt that Wages of Sin was a little too strident in its focus upon issues relating to women's disenfranchisement, discrimination, and abuse. A little subtlety may have helped it to feel in-keeping with the time.
Despite the very modern sensibilities and candid conversations, there were some very nice historical references adding colour to Cutler's world, such as using limewashed wallpaper to feed runner beans. Food is an evocative theme throughout, with the cook's menu and the extras that they send to the poorer families helping to enrich the setting.
The language of this book was quite loose and lacking some of the Victorian formality, but it was gentler for it and easy to listen to.
Most of the revelations in this audiobook were not a surprise, but as with most mysteries, the fun comes not only from guessing the ending correctly but from navigating the twists and turns as the various threads weave together.
The narrator, David Thorpe, was new-to-me but I liked his voice very well. His performance was clear and expressive, and he reminded me a little of Kris Dyer and Mark Meadows in the style of his delivery. All the book's personalities had voices with plenty of character, and emotion, and he managed the tricky flashback scenes without confusing the listener, which is always admirable (and very welcome).
I would recommend this audiobook to people who like Victorian tales from below stairs and all those who enjoy mystery novels, though the distressing themes it covers mean that it is not quite the 'cosy' mystery some might expect.
*I received this audiobook free of charge in the hope of an honest, unbiased review.
Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd.
Wages of Sin, Matthew Rowsley Series, Book 1 by Judith Cutler is the first book in a new series of Victorian mysteries, in which a young estate manager and the manor's diligent housekeeper must combine forces to uncover the secrets that threaten their home, their neighbours, and their livelihood.
Content Warning: There are both assaults and sexual assaults in this audiobook, involving men, women, and minors.
I was excited to begin listening to this book as I've been meaning to read more Victorian historicals and had high hopes for the sleuthing potential of a land agent and a housekeeper. Though the book was not quite what I had expected, I am already looking forward to Rowsley's next outing!
I had anticipated the housekeeper being a Mrs Hudson figure and was surprised to find the role filled by a youngish, attractive woman, who would - rather swiftly - become Matthew's romantic interest. I do not think it is a spoiler to say so, for a potential listener ought to know that in many ways this is as much a historical romance as it is a Victorian mystery.
This novel takes quite a matter-of-fact, black and white approach to the characters and their circumstances overall. People are generally good or evil, compassionate or preachifying, respectable or profligate, and there's seldom much ambiguity about which side of the line they fall.
Much as I think there is a responsibility within historical fiction to shine a light upon unhealthy attitudes in one way or another when portraying challenging or uncomfortable themes, I felt that Wages of Sin was a little too strident in its focus upon issues relating to women's disenfranchisement, discrimination, and abuse. A little subtlety may have helped it to feel in-keeping with the time.
Despite the very modern sensibilities and candid conversations, there were some very nice historical references adding colour to Cutler's world, such as using limewashed wallpaper to feed runner beans. Food is an evocative theme throughout, with the cook's menu and the extras that they send to the poorer families helping to enrich the setting.
The language of this book was quite loose and lacking some of the Victorian formality, but it was gentler for it and easy to listen to.
Most of the revelations in this audiobook were not a surprise, but as with most mysteries, the fun comes not only from guessing the ending correctly but from navigating the twists and turns as the various threads weave together.
The narrator, David Thorpe, was new-to-me but I liked his voice very well. His performance was clear and expressive, and he reminded me a little of Kris Dyer and Mark Meadows in the style of his delivery. All the book's personalities had voices with plenty of character, and emotion, and he managed the tricky flashback scenes without confusing the listener, which is always admirable (and very welcome).
I would recommend this audiobook to people who like Victorian tales from below stairs and all those who enjoy mystery novels, though the distressing themes it covers mean that it is not quite the 'cosy' mystery some might expect.
*I received this audiobook free of charge in the hope of an honest, unbiased review.
February 8, 2020
The Victorian period is my favorite for historical mysteries. I have also read and enjoyed a number of mysteries by Judith Cutler so I was eager to read her latest. It was reading time well spent. The young estate manager, Matthew Rowsley, has a huge job trying to whip Thorncroft Manor into shape. It needs work and he is focused on not only bringing it to good working order but to also help the people who live and work on the estate. If that wasn't enough, there are some strange things going on - the Lord of the Manor has gone off to parts unknown, his mother, Lady of the Manor has secluded herself in her private quarters and one of the very young maids has vanished. Matthew wants to find her, especially since she is pregnant. He can't do it all on his own and joins forces with the housekeeper, Mrs. Faulkner and the valet. Together they try to find Maggie and uncover the strange events at the Manor.
I enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs setting and the characters of Matthew and Mrs. Faulkner made for a great pair of sleuths. The puzzle kept me engaged leading me to hope that there will be a sequel in the not too distant future. My thanks to the publisher Severn House and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs setting and the characters of Matthew and Mrs. Faulkner made for a great pair of sleuths. The puzzle kept me engaged leading me to hope that there will be a sequel in the not too distant future. My thanks to the publisher Severn House and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 8, 2025
Adequate writing but unpleasant topic, not a mystery, historical details wrong. Unlikely "romance". I expected something closer to a cozy. It wasn't. I didn't enjoy but I slogged through this.
July 24, 2022
It was different from the other historical fiction I read and I suspect that some of its "clunkiness" is just a result of an attempt (successful?) at historical accuracy. The author keeps the inner emotions from the reader until, surprise! Suddenly it erupts after the most meager hints. And there were some issues that sometimes made the transitions hard to follow, but overall, I did like it in the end and intend to get the next in the series from the library.
January 21, 2020
If you were a fan of Downton Abbey, The Wages of Sin recalls all of the atmosphere of an estate in Victorian England. Matthew Rowsley is the young agent hired to manage the estate. Thorncroft Manor has been neglected and he is working to improve the conditions on the estate, not only of the Manor house but also for the families who work the land. When one of the maids disappears, Rowsley takes on the responsibility of finding her. Maggie was little more than a child when she became pregnant and he fears that she will end up in a workhouse with her child in an orphanage. As the son of a clergyman, he has a strong sense of what is right and he is determined to help her. Rowsley is assisted by Mrs. Faulkner, the housekeeper, as well as the cook and the valet. As the senior staff, they gather for their meals and share the news from the staff and village and form a support group for each other.
It is not only Maggie’s disappearance that has disturbed the estate. The nighttime arrival of men on horseback, the disappearance of the estate’s lord, the erratic behavior of her ladyship and the mystery of a locked room have all given the Manor an unsettled feeling. It is up to Rowsley to find the answers.
The class differences, the issue of education for the workers and the moral values of the period all play a role in Judith Cutler’s new series. Victorian England comes to life in this entertaining mystery, one that does not disappoint. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for providing this book for my review.
It is not only Maggie’s disappearance that has disturbed the estate. The nighttime arrival of men on horseback, the disappearance of the estate’s lord, the erratic behavior of her ladyship and the mystery of a locked room have all given the Manor an unsettled feeling. It is up to Rowsley to find the answers.
The class differences, the issue of education for the workers and the moral values of the period all play a role in Judith Cutler’s new series. Victorian England comes to life in this entertaining mystery, one that does not disappoint. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for providing this book for my review.
February 6, 2020
An engrossing and entertaining new historical mystery series that kept me hooked till the end.
Even if some details seems a bit over the top I really liked the cast of characters and the well researched historical setting.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing till the end.
A good read, recommended.
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Even if some details seems a bit over the top I really liked the cast of characters and the well researched historical setting.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing till the end.
A good read, recommended.
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
August 14, 2021
First in a series (I read them out of order) of a land agent on a large estate that has been mishandled. He and his other upper level staff solve a mystery within a mystery all the while making sure the estate ensurs that staff and tenants are better cared for. All the prejudices and stict heirachy of a system that is not relevent any longer. Makes for an intense and wonderful read.
March 25, 2024
This a Victorian mystery which did not shy away from the more sordid elements of the era.
The romance was confounding as it came out of nowhere.
I failed to see their connection.
Be warned that there is sa, mention of suicide, STDs, mental health.
I will award this three stars as the writing was good but I skipped some parts.
The romance was confounding as it came out of nowhere.
I failed to see their connection.
Be warned that there is sa, mention of suicide, STDs, mental health.
I will award this three stars as the writing was good but I skipped some parts.
July 21, 2024
Matthew is an estate agent for a new heir to multiple properties where the former agent had not been doing his job, instead stealing funds and padding his own pocket. Matthew is also a more modern and liberal person believing that the estate workers need to be treated ethical, that they deserve to be educated and well cared for.
Read
September 22, 2025Good first novel in a series - some good characters, particularly the main protagonist (although he could do with the odd flaw). The only issue I really had was that there are two female characters and I struggled to distinguish between them for the first half of the novel (mainly becuase both are called "Mrs X/Y" and I need to pay more attention!
September 23, 2020
I actually read the ebook version, not included under editions in GR. Intriguing mysteries with some complicated romance included, taking place in early to mid-Victorian times. There is a second book in this series, Legacy of Death, supposed to be published in 2020.
April 3, 2021
I've missed reading books by Judith Cutler. I had read several of her contemporary series, but nothing recently until now. I enjoyed this one, an estate manager as amateur detective looking for a missing housemaid. I cried at the ending, but I look forward to reading the next in the series.
July 5, 2021
Pleasant enough, with a very admirable protagonist (and other characters), and I'll probably read the next one because I already had it from the library and got this one so I could start at the beginning, but not particularly gripping
December 9, 2022
First in a Victorian series features a housekeeper and estate manager joining forces to solve the disappearance of a young maid. I liked the premise of the book but it felt a little slow and disjointed.
May 10, 2025
So, I enjoyed this book (audio version), although so many elements screamed “21st century ideas/attitudes forced on 19th c social conventions) and the ideas that the downstairs staff really controlled the estate? Hmmm. That said, it was an enjoyable listen.
February 26, 2020
2.5 not the most exciting read. And St. Matthew of Perfection needed a halo or something.
“She will be spoken well of. And I suppose when push comes to shove, that’s all anyone can hope for.”
“She will be spoken well of. And I suppose when push comes to shove, that’s all anyone can hope for.”
April 7, 2020
Loved it, great characters
August 20, 2020
Definitely a character driven novel. The plot had the most gradual development of any mystery I've ever read but the characters were so interesting and well developed that I didn't mind.
November 15, 2021
I’m bored to death by this book and struggling to finish it. Skip it.
June 11, 2024
Good start to the series - want to read/listen to the next one.
October 1, 2024
Gave it a star because I finished it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews