The Hollow Men

Dr Harry Kent: former Army medic, hospital registrar, police surgeon, drug addict and defender of anyone the world would rather brush aside. His critics say he has a weakness for lost causes.

There are some problems Harry can't solve. His guilt, his lack of sleep, his fractured relationships.

But when he sits down across from a sick teenager, he knows what to do - even if that teenager is armed.

When the negotiations go wrong and the boy is rushed to hospital, Harry soon realises the danger is not over. Someone wants his patient dead, someone who has access to medical records, someone who will stop at nothing to hide the truth.

Harry knows he can't save everyone. But he won't stop trying...

Short-listed for Betty Trask Prize 2017

“McCarthy is an original new voice who uses his inside knowledge to great effect in this memorable novel. - Sunday Times, crime book of the monthA brilliant hero...every page is full of tension - Sunday MirrorThis ferocious debut from a young medical student is one of the finest first crime novels I have encountered this year...Written with admirable verve and lacerating detail, it announces the arrival of a shiny new talent in British crime writing and grips from the start - Daily MailGripping - IndependentGritty, authentic and has enough twists to keep readers guessing until a shocking conclusion. McCarthy is a bright talent - Daily ExpressA fast-moving, wholly contemporary tale...The vibrant mix of medical thriller and police procedural is enhanced by the realistic backdrop of inner-city social problems. - The TimesA stunning debut...gripping and original - Mail on SundayA good story, well told, and very much enriched by an insider's knowledge - Literary Review”

McCarthy is an original new voice who uses his inside knowledge to great effect in this memorable novel. - Sunday Times, crime book of the month

A brilliant hero...every page is full of tension - Sunday Mirror

This ferocious debut from a young medical student is one of the finest first crime novels I have encountered this year...Written with admirable verve and lacerating detail, it announces the arrival of a shiny new talent in British crime writing and grips from the start - Daily Mail

Gripping - Independent

Gritty, authentic and has enough twists to keep readers guessing until a shocking conclusion. McCarthy is a bright talent - Daily Express

A fast-moving, wholly contemporary tale...The vibrant mix of medical thriller and police procedural is enhanced by the realistic backdrop of inner-city social problems. - The Times

A stunning debut...gripping and original - Mail on Sunday

A good story, well told, and very much enriched by an insider's knowledge - Literary Review

Rob McCarthy is a medical student in his fourth year of study, who started writing crime novels when the neuroanatomy textbooks threatened to take his sanity. He lives in South London, where he spends his time eating, drinking, learning, reading, writing, cycling and occasionally sleeping. He is currently working on two more stories featuring Dr Harry Kent.

Dr Harry Kent: former Army medic, hospital registrar, police surgeon, drug addict and defender of anyone the world would rather brush aside. His critics say he has a weakness for lost causes. There are some problems Harry can't solve. His guilt, his lack of sleep, his fractured relationships. But when he sits down across from a sick teenager, he knows what to do - even if that teenager is armed. When the negotiations go wrong and the boy is rushed to hospital, Harry soon realises the danger is not over. Someone wants his patient dead, someone who has access to medical records, someone who will stop at nothing to hide the truth. Harry knows he can't save everyone. But he won't stop trying...

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