Legacy of Death - (Harriet & Matthew Rowsley Victorian Mystery) by Judith Cutler (Hardcover)

About the Book

Land agent Matthew Rowsley and his capable wife Harriet are part of a group of trustees assigned to manage Thorncroft House - until matters take a disturbing turn when Lord Croft's long-lost cousin and heir, Julius Trescothick, arrives, ready to claim his inheritance. But is he who he claims to be . and what are his true intentions?

Book Synopsis

When the family butler is brutally attacked, land agent Matthew Rowsley and his wife Harriet determine to find the culprit in this gripping Victorian mystery.

With his lordship's mental health failing, management of his grand country estate has been assigned to a group of trustees, including land agent Matthew Rowsley and his capable wife Harriet. But the smooth running of Thorncroft House is disrupted by a series of unforeseen events. Building work on the estate workers' new cottages is halted by the discovery of Roman remains. Shortly afterwards, the family butler is brutally assaulted and left for dead. A random attack - or was he deliberately targeted?

Matters take an even more disturbing turn when Lord Croft's long-lost cousin and heir, Julius Trescothick, arrives from Australia, ready to claim his inheritance. But is he who he claims to be . and what are his true intentions?

If they are to preserve Thorncroft House and a way of life that has continued for centuries, Matthew and Harriet must uncover the truth behind Trescothick's identity and solve a series of interlocking mysteries.

From the Back Cover

"A promising series debut with engaging characters, social commentary, and a Victorian twist on the ever popular upstairs-downstairs storyline" Kirkus Reviews on The Wages of Sin "Enjoyable . The surprising conclusion definitely satisfies" Publishers Weekly on Green and Pleasant Land "Sparkling . A tight plot complements the diverse and entertaining cast of characters" Publishers Weekly on Death in Elysium "Refreshingly different . The caustic vibe will draw in fans of M.C. Beaton and Alan Bradley" Library Journal on Death in Elysium

Review Quotes

A captivating series launch ... Readers will look forward to seeing more of this enterprising duo-- "Publishers Weekly on The Wages of Sin"

A promising series debut with engaging characters, social commentary, and a Victorian twist on the ever popular upstairs-downstairs storyline-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Wages of Sin"

Enjoyable ... The surprising conclusion definitely satisfies-- "Publishers Weekly on Green and Pleasant Land"

Sparkling ... A tight plot complements the diverse and entertaining cast of characters-- "Publishers Weekly on Death in Elysium"

An old-fashioned account of estate life in Victorian England ... for those interested in the living conditions in late-1800s England - Library Journal

About the Author

A former secretary of the Crime Writers' Association, Judith Cutler has taught Creative Writing at universities and colleges for over thirty years and has run occasional courses elsewhere (from a maximum-security prison to an idyllic Greek island). She is the author of more than forty novels