An irresistible mystery set in 1890s Edinburgh, Kaite Welsh's THE WAGES OF SIN features a female medical student-turned-detective, and will thrill fans of Sarah Waters and Antonia Hodgson.

'Historical fiction doesn't get much more delicious or original' Damian Barr

'This powerful novel combines a disturbing look at late Victorian attitudes towards women and morality with a satisfying murder mystery' Sunday Express

Sarah Gilchrist has fled from London to Edinburgh in disgrace and is determined to become a doctor, despite the misgivings of her family and society. As part of the University of Edinburgh's first intake of female medical students, Sarah comes up against resistance from lecturers, her male contemporaries, and - perhaps worst of all - her fellow women, who will do anything to avoid being associated with a fallen woman...

When one of Sarah's patients turns up in the university dissecting room as a battered corpse, Sarah finds herself drawn into Edinburgh's dangerous underworld of bribery, brothels and body snatchers - and a confrontation with her own past.

What readers are saying about THE WAGES OF SIN:

'Sarah Gilchrist is a brilliant lead character. Atmospheric and evocative. Well worth a read'

'A fascinating exploration of how women were treated in Victorian times, enveloped in a dark murder mystery. It kept me guessing and kept me wanting more. One of my favourite historical fictions ever'

'A punchy, feminist page-turner with a wonderful sense of atmosphere'

"This powerful novel combines a disturbing look at late Victorian attitudes towards women and morality with a satisfying murder mystery" - Sunday Express

"An enthrallingly gothic murder mystery" - The Herald

"Edinburgh is the superb gothic setting for this nail-biting debut" - Fabulous Magazine

"The first book in what will, one hopes, be a long-running series, featuring a new kind of historical leading lady, Welsh's debut is an inspiring feminist tale perfect for the modern age" - Library Journal, Debut of the Month

"Welsh makes clever use of the conventions of the genre while throwing in a twist informed by modern sensibilities. Damp, sooty, moralistic, and sinning Edinburgh is convincingly evoked. A gritty detective story as unflinching as its heroine, rich in well-researched period detail" - Kirkus Reviews

"Atmosphere, murder, a strong heroine, a flawed hero and a stunning twist - The Wages of Sin has it all. I hope we'll be reading more by Kaite Welsh. And I hope it will involve Sarah Gilchrist." - My Weekly Magazine

"A tremendous debut" - Daily Record

"A gripping story of murder, medicine and misogyny in Victorian Britain" - Emerald Street