To the Shades Descend
A Dr Jack Cuthbert Mystery
Published on 5. June 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-84697-725-1 (ISBN)
Description
The dead all have stories to tell. Glasgow, 1931.
Visiting from London, Dr Jack Cuthbert unexpectedly finds himself at the centre of a horrifying crime. As an experienced pathologist, the local police call upon him to lead the forensic investigation and identify the victims of a bombing in the city. But this is no ordinary crime scene.
Cuthbert must navigate a political as well as a pathological minefield, with British fascists and the city's notorious razor gangs in the frame. To solve the case, Cuthbert needs to gather all the expertise he can from those around him. But, out of his usual surroundings and working with strangers, who can he trust?
Visiting from London, Dr Jack Cuthbert unexpectedly finds himself at the centre of a horrifying crime. As an experienced pathologist, the local police call upon him to lead the forensic investigation and identify the victims of a bombing in the city. But this is no ordinary crime scene.
Cuthbert must navigate a political as well as a pathological minefield, with British fascists and the city's notorious razor gangs in the frame. To solve the case, Cuthbert needs to gather all the expertise he can from those around him. But, out of his usual surroundings and working with strangers, who can he trust?
Reviews / Votes
'Allan Gaw has created one of the most interesting and persuasive crime fiction heroes of recent times... a splendidly developed novel and the skill with which Gaw develops the narrative is delightful' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman * 'The two earlier books in the series were outstanding and "To the Shades Descend" is a worthy successor, adding the interest of a fresh location to many of the ingredients readers of the earlier books will recognise. I found myself drawn into the story and caring about the central characters' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland * 'Gaw's writing stood out as fresh, evocative and powerful. He has a demonstrable understanding of people, and it is his ability to create believable characters and to portray complex emotions in minimal words that captivate readers and listeners alike' -- Tom Langlands * Celtic Life International * 'The vivid and fascinating writing bringing these characters and cases to the page made us keep turning the pages' * LoveReading, Series of the Month * 'Allan Gaw's new crime novel is his best so far . . . evokes a vibrant, bustling Glasgow. With Cuthbert uncertainly picking his way through it like a foreign tourist, despite growing up only 40 miles away, To the Shades Descend excels for its well-researched setting and appealing protagonist' * The Herald * 'This is much more than a crime procedural. It is an opportunity to explore the religious and political sectarianism of Scotland's largest city and the conditions endured by its poor, issues that are arguably still current today . . . pacey without feeling rushed and characterisation is finely drawn' -- Nigel Willits * Historical Novels Society *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Birlinn General
Dimensions
Height: 193 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
254 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84697-725-1 (9781846977251)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
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.