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The Silent House of Sleep

The Dr Jack Cuthbert Mysteries, Book 1

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The Silent House of Sleep

By: Allan Gaw
Narrated by: Ciaran Saward
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About this listen

'No one likes death. It just happens to be our business.'

Nobody who meets Dr Jack Cuthbert forgets him. Tall, urbane, brilliant but damaged, this Scottish pathologist who works with Scotland Yard is the best the new DCI has seen. But Cuthbert is a man who lives with secrets, and he still battles demons brought back from the trenches.

When not one but two corpses are discovered in a London park in 1929, Cuthbert must use every tool at his disposal to solve the mystery of their deaths. In the end, the horrifying truth is more shocking than even he could have imagined.

As he works the case, Cuthbert realises that history rarely stays in the past. And even in the final moments, there is still one last revelation that leaves him reeling...

Content warning: Contains some violence and/or strong language.

©2025 Allan Gaw (P)2025 Bolinda Publishing Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense

Critic reviews

'The Silent House of Sleep is an assured debut; it's deliciously dark, vividly visceral, heartbreakingly harrowing and jam packed with all the emotions. I can’t wait to meet Dr Jack Cuthbert again!' (Sharon Bairden, author of Sins of the Father and You Need Me)
'Heartbreaking and harrowing in equal measure. Dr Jack Cuthbert is a brilliant, damaged genius you'll want to follow to hell and back.' (Pauline McLean, BBC Scotland Arts Correspondent)
'Cuthbert himself is a finely conceived and drawn character.' (The Scotsman)
All stars
Most relevant
A complex, gory plot with a storyline populated by believable characters. Really enjoyed this book which is a first in a series. The two timelines complement each other with the WW1 chapters being particularly sad. Not for the squeamish but well recommended.

Brilliant

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This was a stunning novel. There were times when I was moved to tears by the experiences depicted in the First World War (my stepfather was a soldier in the trenches but I don’t think he ever spoke about it) and the sadness of the exceptional character Dr Jack Cuthbert in his work and life in 1929 having survived the Great War. Beautifully written by Allan Gaw and narrated by Ciaran Saward.

The second and third books highly anticipated

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