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Dr Jack Cuthbert Mysteries #4
The Shadows and the Dust
The Shadows and the Dust
‘You may call it a sin; I say it was an act of desperation.’
Like all pathologists, Cuthbert finds dealing with dead children the hardest part of his job. However, when the body of a young boy is found in the grounds of a church orphanage, Cuthbert not only has to steel himself for the task ahead, he is also forced to revisit his own childhood grief.
The boy in his shallow grave has been interred with some ritual, but just how did he die? And why was he killed? Working closely with his assistant and the team at Scotland Yard, Cuthbert slowly and painstakingly reveals the terrible truth.
But as he does so, he must confront even greater challenges — both from the shadows cast by the present, and the long dead dust of his past.
‘You may call it a sin; I say it was an act of desperation.’
Like all pathologists, Cuthbert finds dealing with dead children the hardest part of his job. However, when the body of a young boy is found in the grounds of a church orphanage, Cuthbert not only has to steel himself for the task ahead, he is also forced to revisit his own childhood grief.
The boy in his shallow grave has been interred with some ritual, but just how did he die? And why was he killed? Working closely with his assistant and the team at Scotland Yard, Cuthbert slowly and painstakingly reveals the terrible truth.
But as he does so, he must confront even greater challenges — both from the shadows cast by the present, and the long dead dust of his past.
322 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2024
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Allan Gaw
32 books39 followersAllan Gaw is a Scot who lives and works near Glasgow. He studied medicine and is a pathologist by training but a writer by inclination. Having worked in the NHS and universities in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and the US, he now devotes his time to writing.
Most of his published work to date is non-fiction. These include medical textbooks and regular 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.
More recently, he has been writing short stories, poetry and novels. He won the UK Classical Association Creative Writing Competition, the International Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize, the International Globe Soup 7 day Writing Challenge and was runner-up in the Glencairn Glass/Bloody Scotland Short Crime Fiction Competition. He has also had prose published in the literary anthologies, From Glasgow to Saturn and anthologies and the Edinburgh Literary Salon.
His poetry has been published by Dreich, Soor Ploom Press, Black Bough Poetry, SCAP and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. His debut poetry collection, Love & Other Diseases, was published in 2023 by Seahorse Publications. His second poetry collection, The Sounds Men Make, was published in 2025, also by Seahorse.
His debut novel, The Silent House of Sleep, won the 2024 Bloody Scotland Debut novel of the year. His second novel, The Moon’s More Feeble Fire, was longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize The third book in the Dr Jack Cuthbert series, To the Shades Descend is out now and the fourth, The Shadows and the Dust, will be released in January 2026.
You can read more about him and his work at his website: https://researchet.wordpress.com
Most of his published work to date is non-fiction. These include medical textbooks and regular 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.
More recently, he has been writing short stories, poetry and novels. He won the UK Classical Association Creative Writing Competition, the International Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize, the International Globe Soup 7 day Writing Challenge and was runner-up in the Glencairn Glass/Bloody Scotland Short Crime Fiction Competition. He has also had prose published in the literary anthologies, From Glasgow to Saturn and anthologies and the Edinburgh Literary Salon.
His poetry has been published by Dreich, Soor Ploom Press, Black Bough Poetry, SCAP and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. His debut poetry collection, Love & Other Diseases, was published in 2023 by Seahorse Publications. His second poetry collection, The Sounds Men Make, was published in 2025, also by Seahorse.
His debut novel, The Silent House of Sleep, won the 2024 Bloody Scotland Debut novel of the year. His second novel, The Moon’s More Feeble Fire, was longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize The third book in the Dr Jack Cuthbert series, To the Shades Descend is out now and the fourth, The Shadows and the Dust, will be released in January 2026.
You can read more about him and his work at his website: https://researchet.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 31, 2024
Another shining example of fantastic work by this Author. I continue to be a huge fan and will follow this series to the end.
Beautifully written and handled with the most care and attention to detail. Each book by this author feels like a learning experience in which we are given all the facts and taken step by step through each process. It really makes for a great read.
The progression in the main character Cuthbert really makes this book the most powerful one yet. The duo time lines are still a favorite part of this series for me. These tie in together very well. I specifically enjoyed the depth each character has individually and how they flawlessly work together.
The heartwarming moments balance wonderfully with the details of the deaths described. This leaves us guessing until the last minute and I genuinely did not know which way this could go until the very end.
The hardest part is always taking my time with each book as it would be so easy to devour this in one sitting!
Highly recommend this series.
Well done Allan Gaw and thank you for the chance to read and honestly review this work.
Beautifully written and handled with the most care and attention to detail. Each book by this author feels like a learning experience in which we are given all the facts and taken step by step through each process. It really makes for a great read.
The progression in the main character Cuthbert really makes this book the most powerful one yet. The duo time lines are still a favorite part of this series for me. These tie in together very well. I specifically enjoyed the depth each character has individually and how they flawlessly work together.
The heartwarming moments balance wonderfully with the details of the deaths described. This leaves us guessing until the last minute and I genuinely did not know which way this could go until the very end.
The hardest part is always taking my time with each book as it would be so easy to devour this in one sitting!
Highly recommend this series.
Well done Allan Gaw and thank you for the chance to read and honestly review this work.
August 24, 2024
The Shadows and the Dust by Allan Gaw is book 4 in the Dr Jack Cuthbert series. Set in 1931, Jack is a pathologist and Allan draws on his experience in this profession, and this experience is evident. A body of a child has been found buried at an orphanage and Jack has been called in by DCI Mowbray and Sgt Baker of Scotland Yard. This murder, and subsequent ones, brings to the fore issues of suicide and religion. Jack Cuthbert is a wonderful character, a lovely man and a revered pathologist. I love reading about his mentorship of his subordinate, Simon Morganthal. Allan is a wonderful writer with the flow of the words through the story placing you in the middle of it all. Allan also writes about diversity in society and writes about it very well. The book goes back to a period in Jack’s childhood, so we learn a bit more about a part of his life that helped him become the man he is today. The case stirs up strong feelings in some of those involved in the case. Allan’s writing is superb and stays with you long after you have finished the book.
August 22, 2024
Some crime series dwindle as they go on — not this one, it just keeps getting better. The discovery of a young boy buried in the grounds of an orphanage is the starting point for the fourth book in the Dr Jack Cuthbert series. And what a book! In a twisting and turning story that will make you hold your breath, we learn so much more about Cuthbert and his own childhood. I cannot recommend this too highly. But if you’re new to this series, do read them in order. Although they can be read and enjoyed as standalones, there is a background narrative that runs through the books which will provide added depth. An easy 5 stars.
December 14, 2025
In this latest case for Jack Cuthbert, a child's body is found buried in the grounds of an orphanage run by nuns. Cuthbert and his team must aid the police in finding out what happened. As always, brilliantly written with an interesting mystery to solve and fantastic characters. I can't recommend this series enough.
February 8, 2026
Book 4 in this superlative series featuring pathologist Jack Cuthbert . Gaw never fails to not only conjure up the atmosphere and zeitgeist of 1920’s/1930’s Britain, and his protagonist is endlessly fascinating, being a man of emotional depth tinged with secrecy. You can enter the series at any point, but this one read as more a bildungsroman, giving us an insight into Cuthbert’s formative years which was both interesting and revealing. A splendid series so definitely ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 23, 2024
I have just finished this book series 4 in the A Dr Jack Cuthbert mystery series I would say outstanding all the hard work that's gone into the research writing of the book I also loved and cared for all the characters And Dr Jack Cuthbert definitely gets under your skin .Would definitely recommend to family and friends.
August 31, 2024
The world that is created in this book is so utterly convincing that I felt I was there. The characters are drawn with such skill that they have all the substance and complexity of real people. And the research that must have gone into re-creating the historical period is almost mind-boggling. That might have made it a heavy read, but this book is put together with such skill and such a lightness of touch that what remains is a fascinating, compelling story that is barely possible to put down. Hats off to the author, and for me the next in the series cannot come too soon.
February 8, 2026
Set in 1931 this is the fourth book in a series featuring Dr Jack Cuthbert who is a pathologist in London who works with Scotland Yard. It took me a while to get used to the author's writing style but after a bit I quite liked this book. It's partly a police procedural but much of it deals with Jack's childhood and school days.
The investigation starts with the discovery of a small child's body buried in a wood. The author deals with religion, sin and sexuality and in the end this is a sad book. I am not sure if I will look for the earlier three books.
The investigation starts with the discovery of a small child's body buried in a wood. The author deals with religion, sin and sexuality and in the end this is a sad book. I am not sure if I will look for the earlier three books.
August 31, 2024
This book will make you cry in places. It will make you laugh. But most of all it will make you turn the pages quickly to find out what happens next. I read it in two sittings, only interrupted by the necessity of work, and I will read it again because there is so much beautiful writing in this book, as well as delicious historical and forensic detail throughout. Simply a great read. Highly, highly recommended.
September 10, 2024
Having devoured the first three books in this series, I was keen to read the next installment, and it certainly did not disappoint. A truly great central character, a gripping, immersive storyline, and an attention to historical detail that in my opinion is second to none, all make this book the best I’ve read in a long while. If you’ve not met Dr Jack Cuthbert yet, you’re in for a treat. Now, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
February 13, 2026
Another great read from Allan Gaw.
Not usually a fan of books set in the past but I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and hope they continue. The stories in each of the books have been interesting and feel we are getting to know more about the characters with each book. This book especially filling in the back story.
I would thoroughly recommend this book along with the others in the series.
Not usually a fan of books set in the past but I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and hope they continue. The stories in each of the books have been interesting and feel we are getting to know more about the characters with each book. This book especially filling in the back story.
I would thoroughly recommend this book along with the others in the series.
September 2, 2024
‘The Shadows and the Dust’ is a wonderful book and equally as good as the first three in the series. It was so well-written that it held me captivated from the very first paragraph on the first page. Such a mix of sweeping narrative and heartbreaking detail. Dr Jack Cuthbert is fast becoming my all-time favourite character.
January 5, 2026
I really enjoyed this book as I have all of the previous ones. This one is a bit different in that Jack's younger self is presented to us and helps us to see the man that the child became and why.
There are murders too but seems to take a. bit of a back seat whilst bringing some ethical issues to b explored. Super book.
There are murders too but seems to take a. bit of a back seat whilst bringing some ethical issues to b explored. Super book.
February 22, 2026
4.75 what an excellent series. I liked learning about Jack’s earlier life interspersed with his present.
Everything was written so respectfully that the crimes weren’t gory or graphic. It seemed like something that could really happen. It was just sad the way it happened but it was also the beliefs and actions of the time.
It’s slow moving which fit with the times period.
Everything was written so respectfully that the crimes weren’t gory or graphic. It seemed like something that could really happen. It was just sad the way it happened but it was also the beliefs and actions of the time.
It’s slow moving which fit with the times period.
January 11, 2026
Well that was worth the wait for this as it was re-released by a different publisher. I love this series, the stories are always interesting, well paced, great characters that you just want to meet and you can’t say that for all novels!
January 17, 2026
Allan Gaw was my “author find” in 2025. This latest Dr Jack Cuthbert book did not disappoint. An interesting storyline, intertwined with flashbacks to the life of a young Jack Cuthbert growing up with his Grandad and attending school in Edinburgh.
January 12, 2026
What a find! This is the fourth in the Dr Jack Gilbert series and I can't wait to catch-up with the other books. A really enjoyable historical crime novel written by an author with an eye for detail.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews