A Handful of Ashes

The second thrilling book in the London-set Dr Harry Kent series, the perfect mix of detective novel and medical drama.

Susan Bayliss became notorious when she blew the whistle on her boss, a heart surgeon at a renowned children's hospital. She accused him of negligence, operations were stopped and an inquiry launched. In the end she was the one suspended as a troublemaker.

Now Dr Harry Kent, a medical examiner with the Met Police, has been called out to certify her suicide.

But something about the scene is wrong. Someone held Susan down...

The grieving parents of the children who died demand answers. The hospital is stonewalling. Everyone has secrets - it's up to Harry and DCI Frankie Noble to find out which were worth killing for.

“A stunning debut...gripping and original - Mail on SundayMcCarthy 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 Mail Gripping - 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 Times”

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

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

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.

The second thrilling book in the London-set Dr Harry Kent series, the perfect mix of detective novel and medical drama. Susan Bayliss became notorious when she blew the whistle on her boss, a heart surgeon at a renowned children's hospital. She accused him of negligence, operations were stopped and an inquiry launched. In the end she was the one suspended as a troublemaker. Now Dr Harry Kent, a medical examiner with the Met Police, has been called out to certify her suicide. But something about the scene is wrong. Someone held Susan down... The grieving parents of the children who died demand answers. The hospital is stonewalling. Everyone has secrets - it's up to Harry and DCI Frankie Noble to find out which were worth killing for.

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