“Flashbacks to Cuthbert’s medical school days and his unrequited infatuation with a male colleague, along with his horrific experiences in the trenches of WWI, deepen the characterization, and Gaw wallops readers with a shocking yet credible twist long after the mystery seems resolved. Fans of Rennie Airth’s moody historical mysteries will love this.”

– Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The story weaves together the horrors of war, the lasting trauma on soldiers, a diabolical murder mystery, and the emotional journey of a damaged man striving to overcome his past and find justice. A superb series starter."

– Booklist (starred review)

“A deft combination of mystery and history . . . The author gives us an unvarnished view of the trenches, the social constraints of the times, and the early days of forensic medicine. . . . An exceptional addition to the genre.”

– FirstCLUE

“A dark and complex mystery with a sympathetic hero and an acute forensic focus. . . . Gaw has a style that’s precise, concise, and sometimes lyrical.”

– Kirkus

"Brilliant depiction of a 1920s London haunted—and more—by the horrors and ramifications of World War One. The murder may be almost unspeakably heinous, but there is humanity here and a palpable sense of redemption beyond the dread."

– Ian Rankin, #1 international bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus novels

“Riveting . . . makes for compelling reading.”

– The Scotsman

“Highly original . . . The central character perfectly expresses the damage of both the period and his environment, and the author’s pathology background was skillfully deployed in this highly original thriller.”

– Tariq Ashkanani, author of The Night Watcher