Silver and the Sunday Cypher

Carlyle & Silver Cozy Mysteries #1

by Jack Gatland

A dead husband. A secretive stranger. And a nosy widow with a knack for murder.

When Laura Carlyle left behind high society for committee meetings and quiet cups of tea, she never imagined her next guest would bring gossip, grief — and a murder.

Rebecca Farrell is certain her husband didn’t just drop dead. And Laura’s late husband, an ex-civil servant with far too many secrets, taught her exactly how to spot a lie.

Luckily (or not), help arrives in the form of Sebastian Silver — silver-haired, sharp-suited, and possibly a conman. He knows things about Harry Farrell that no one else does. The question is: can he be trusted?

From cosy drawing rooms to candlelit crypts, Laura’s genteel corner of Kensington hides more than just scandal — it hides a mysterious cabal of killers. And if Laura keeps poking around, she might be the next victim…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2025

About the author

Jack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.

He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.

As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.

The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.

In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.

He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.

Reviews

[Steph Sneden · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ an easy English murder mystery

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outside, London settled into evening. Somewhere in the city, the mysterious Sebastian was going about his business. Harry Farrell deserved justice. Rebecca deserved answers. Laura would provide both.

Yesterday morning, her greatest concerns had been Mrs Pollington’s charity auction and whether the east garden hydrangeas needed repotting, following her aunt’s constant nagging. Now she sat in a medieval church with a cryptic business card, having just discussed international spy networks with a silver-haired man who wore his trilby indoors and seemed to know far more about her husband than any stranger should. A week ago, she’d have dismissed it all as preposterous.

[PRK Oregon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, intriguing storyline

This is a fantastic addition to the author's police procedural & spy craft series. Clever and often humorous with a fair bit of history in the mix. If you enjoy a good story, this one is for you. Mr Silver can drop in on me anytime! Highly recommend.

[Mike Kanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gatland is known for gritty urban mysteries with his DC Walsh and Reckless series. With Silver and the Sunday Cipher, he gives us a cozy mystery to sink our teeth into. This is the beginning of not only a beautiful friendship, but a great series.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Once again Jack Gatland/ Tony Lee Haas produced a classic, it had me gripped from the first page. With some interesting new characters involved in an attention grabbing plot with some humour thrown in.
Highly recommend would give it more than 5 stars if I could

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyable

Old school spy types with modern corrupt societies make for an enthralling read. Well written, delightful characters and a fascinating story with twists and turns and a surprise ending. I shall look forward to reading the next book.

[Doug Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Carlyle is visited by Rebecca Farrell, whose husband Harry has recently died suddenly. Harry, who had known Laura's late husband James, had left Rebecca instructions to pass certain papers on to Laura on the event of his death. Rebecca wants Laura to find out how her husband really died. (The death had been ruled a heart attack, but Rebecca doesn't believe it.)

Laura does not remember ever having met Harry Farrell, who seems to once have been an American spy. But one of the items Harry had kept was a photograph of Harry, James, and a third man. She soon meets the third man, Sebastian Silver, and the two investigate Harry's death. The investigation soon leads to a mysterious group called the Calendar, whose agents are named after the days of the week. It appears that Calendar agents may have poisoned Farrell.

The investigation puts Laura and Sebastian in constant danger, but Laura finds finds the experience exhilarating---the most fun she has had since the death of her husband 15 years before.

I found this story to be fast-moving and fun, with lots of twists and turns.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. This has a bit of a cozy mystery meets Mrs. Pollifax feel. Unfortunately, I absolutely cannot say anything about the plot because everything is a spoiler. What I can say is that the author doesn't go easy on these characters. When they get one or two steps in the right direction, he throws them back. Got the info. Nearly get killed and lose the info. Figured out what something is. Discover that everything you knew was wrong. Or was it? Seriously, because of that... I didn't figure out everything (although I did figure out some!). One thing that I usually hate done in books was done RIGHT. Exactly right. And I loved it. It wasn't just a cheap shot, it was a calculated move that set up something else not to be a deus ex machina. GENIUS.

My only quibble is that I didn't appreciate an irreverent use of God's name HOWEVER... it was spelled with a lowercase G so perhaps it actually wasn't an irreverent use of God's name. Interesting...

[Quartknee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads too much like AI slop. The aunt and the policeman pal both deliver the same speech and the grandson and the Asian friend sound too much alike. The overwrought emotionalism needs a better edit and the structural issues with pacing make each chapter feel stand alone rather than cohesive. The protagonist has zero self doubt but constant reassurance from those around her - she's got that spark in her eyes again. We don't need the constant reminders of such things. The only time she actually has anything close to a genuine human response to the situation is when she finds Silver already at the church and her anxiety is quickly dismissed. The stakes are reiterated to some degree in every chapter - so much redundancy. That's why I think it's all been run through an LLM one chapter at a time.

[Toni Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely engrossing

Beginning slow going but stay with it. Once the story line begins to move it moves very quickly. Really enjoyed this book so much. As the pieces began to come together I knew the book would end soon and I wasn't quite ready for that to happen. Highly recommend the book. Will definitely read the next one.

[Rick Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was incredibly boring until it became incredibly ridiculous. Additionally, it was not edited by the Department of Redundancy Department. Now knowing the premise, I will certainly avoid the rest of the series.

[Mfg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely original premise, likeable characters, good plotting. I like to celebrate writers who can plot a whodunnit set in the present day. Wonderful start to a new series.

Strongly recommended.

[mr phillip goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin

This cosy page turner is a good example of the genre. Unlike others, there are enough plot twists to keep you reading, I am a seasond reader and I read this quicker than other books.

[Michael Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good entertainment, rolled along solidly. Such a comfortable read with good characters, and an understandable plot, even the technical jargon was acceptable. This is one to settle into and just simply be entertained.

[Janice Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

What a fun book! It made me laugh out loud in spots and was a very convoluted mystery spy thriller. Gatland has written some delightful characters and I look forward to enjoying more adventures with the investigators.

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this ... very different from the declan Walsh books, but a very enjoyable 'cozy' read!
The storyline certainly makes you want to read the next one out...

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable tale, however not exactly cosy!

[Debra Whisson]

I really couldn’t get into this book and gave up after a few chapters.

[Tony Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting psychological concept used to develop an intriguing character. The open storyline leaves room for further adventures and villains galore. I look forward to the next book eagerly.

[Mrs A Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous story. Lots of spy-craft & who do you believe..
Would make a great film !

[Cheryl Kleinjam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

Great imagination creates a delightful story. Great characters and such a fun read. Very entertaining. I really enjoyed the book.

[Colleen Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and funny with several plot twists. The audiobook brought the characters to life.

[Kathryn Peyton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out well but then turned into a ridiculously complicated plot that didn’t add to my interest in the book.

[Delores Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great mystery. So many twists and unexpected events!

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspense with older main characters. A Diplomat's widow gets involved when another grieving widow wants her to investigate her husband's death.

[Joanne Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in one day! Where has this series been hiding?

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an intriguing mystery from the first page. The characters development was natural and realistic. The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout the story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Harry Farrell, 68, is murdered the police are not convinced and close the case. But he left instructions for his wife Rebecca to contact Laura Carlyle, 62, widow to a diplomat. She agrees to investigate, then the mysterious Sebastian Silver arrives.
An enjoyable modern mystery

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver and the Sunday Cypher by Jack Gatland is book 1 in a new cozy mystery series. It features Sebastian Silver and Laura Carlyle. Jack Gatland is known for his Declan Walsh, Tom Marlowe, Liam Harper and Ellie Reckless series and I enjoy them all. Harry Farrell is a retired US Army and Intelligence Officer, living in London with his wife Rebecca. He leaves instructions with Rebecca to contact Laura Carlyle if anything happens to him. When something does happen, Rebecca does just that. There are some wonderful characters in this. Laura herself is wonderful. She was the wife of a diplomat, James, who has since died. Her Aunt Celia lives with her, as does her grandson, Kyle. Celia is 80 and is of the twinset and pearl brigade and Kyle is a university student and is very outgoing. Then there is the mysterious Sebastian Silver, with his walking cane, and such a great story behind him. This was such an enjoyable and engaging read and I enjoyed the sense of mystery. I didn’t find it overly cozy either.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Laura as a character, she drives this story and that was fun. And I liked Sebastian Silver until the plot twist, which fell flat for me.