Description
Description
A pathologist, haunted by his service during WWI, investigates two murders in post-war London in this Bloody Scotland Debut Prize winner. Death is a lonely business . . . No one who meets Dr. Jack Cuthbert forgets him. Tall, urbane, and brilliant, the Scottish pathologist is the best that Scotland Yard's new detective chief inspector has seen. But Cuthbert is also a damaged man--a man who lives with secrets, and who still battles demons brought back from the trenches even ten years after the end of the Great War. When not one but two corpses are discovered in a London park in the winter of 1929, Cuthbert must use every tool at his disposal, including cutting-edge forensics of the period, to solve the mystery of their deaths. In the end, the horrifying truth is more shocking than even he could have imagined. Gripping and gritty, The Silent House of Sleep is a highly original debut historical mystery that introduces one of the most intriguing new protagonists in recent memory. It's sure to leave readers hotly anticipating the next case for Dr. Jack Cuthbert.
About the Author
About the Author
Allan Gaw studied medicine at Glasgow University and trained as a pathologist. Having worked in the NHS and universities in the UK and the US, he took early retirement and now devotes his time to writing. His published non-fiction works include medical textbooks and magazine articles on topics as diverse as the thalidomide story, the medical challenges of space travel and the medico-legal consequences of the Hillsborough disaster.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"The story weaves together the horrors of war, the lasting trauma on soldiers, a diabolical murder mystery, and the emotional journey of a damaged man striving to overcome his past and find justice. A superb series starter."-- "Booklist (starred review)"
"Flashbacks to Cuthbert's medical school days and his unrequited infatuation with a male colleague, along with his horrific experiences in the trenches of WWI, deepen the characterization, and Gaw wallops readers with a shocking yet credible twist long after the mystery seems resolved. Fans of Rennie Airth's moody historical mysteries will love this."-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
"Brilliant depiction of a 1920s London haunted--and more--by the horrors and ramifications of World War One. The murder may be almost unspeakably heinous, but there is humanity here and a palpable sense of redemption beyond the dread."--Ian Rankin, #1 international bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus novels
"Riveting . . . makes for compelling reading."-- "The Scotsman"
"A dark and complex mystery with a sympathetic hero and an acute forensic focus. . . . Gaw has a style that's precise, concise, and sometimes lyrical."-- "Kirkus"
"Highly original . . . The central character perfectly expresses the damage of both the period and his environment, and the author's pathology background was skillfully deployed in this highly original thriller."--Tariq Ashkanani, author of The Night Watcher
"A deft combination of mystery and history . . . The author gives us an unvarnished view of the trenches, the social constraints of the times, and the early days of forensic medicine. . . . An exceptional addition to the genre."-- "FirstCLUE"
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Mysterious Press
Pub date:
2026-05-05
Length:
288 pages
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