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Carlyle & Silver Cozy Mysteries #1
Silver and the Sunday Cypher
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…
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…
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2025
154 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gatland
59 books237 followersJack 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 28, 2025
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.
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.
October 2, 2025
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
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
November 21, 2025
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.
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.
December 9, 2025
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.
September 30, 2025
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...
The storyline certainly makes you want to read the next one out...
October 2, 2025
An enjoyable tale, however not exactly cosy!
Read
October 24, 2025I really couldn’t get into this book and gave up after a few chapters.
November 4, 2025
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.
December 2, 2025
What a fabulous story. Lots of spy-craft & who do you believe..
Would make a great film !
Would make a great film !
September 29, 2025
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.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews