A former prison physician has converted his private journals into a crime novel that examines life and medical practice inside UK correctional facilities.
Written by Dr Matthieu Cornacle and issued by Maple Publishers, Thieves of Time: Book One begins a new fiction series grounded in his early service within the prison estate.
Dr Cornacle, an MD, PhD and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said the concept grew from diaries he kept during his time in post.
“The inspiration to write the books came from my wife,” he said. “Reading my prison diaries was her favourite evening ritual. After many years of hesitation, I decided to shape those experiences into fiction. The series is intended as a tribute to the professionals who work daily with incarcerated individuals.”
The book portrays the first year of a prison doctor’s appointment, detailing the regimented structure of the institution and the professional and interpersonal challenges it presents.
The fictional account follows a young French doctor entering the UK prison system shortly after the high-profile compassionate release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi in the Lockerbie case.
Themes explored include personal identity in custody, anger management, workplace isolation and the ethical tensions associated with clinical care in a punitive setting.
As the story develops, the main character moves from inexperience to a more informed understanding of the prison environment and those within it.
The plot features unsuccessful escape attempts, increasing internal tension and the consequences of a single successful escape that alters the doctor’s trajectory.
The broader Thieves of Time series continues to follow this character’s professional development, including his work with high-risk prisoners and the emotional strain associated with the role.
Later volumes address his own mental health and recovery while maintaining his involvement in custodial medicine.
Drawing on direct observation, the series blends psychological, medical and crime fiction to offer a detailed representation of prison healthcare.
Thieves of Time: Book One is available through major retailers, including Waterstones and Amazon, on Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover editions.
The book is published by UK-based Maple Publishers, a company known for supporting imaginative and engaging works in literature.