Personal writings from a former prison medical officer have provided the foundation for a new crime novel exploring the challenges of healthcare in British jails.
Thieves of Time: Book One, published by Maple Publishers, is the first title in a fiction sequence based on Dr Matthieu Cornacle’s early years working in custodial medicine.
Holding an MD, PhD and Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Dr Cornacle said the idea originated from the diaries he maintained during that period.
“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 narrative introduces a newly appointed prison doctor as he adapts to a controlled environment marked by strict procedures and complex professional demands.
Set against the backdrop of the medical release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi following the Lockerbie case, the story follows a young French clinician navigating the UK prison system.
The 104-page novel examines issues including prisoner identity, emotional regulation, workplace isolation and the moral tensions inherent in providing care within a disciplinary framework.
Over time, the protagonist develops greater insight into the behaviour of both prisoners and colleagues.
Key events include attempted escapes, mounting institutional pressure and the repercussions of one successful breakout that disrupts the doctor’s personal and professional stability.
Future books in the Thieves of Time series will continue to trace his career, focusing on his work with complex and high-risk individuals and the psychological impact of sustained exposure to challenging environments.
Subsequent instalments also explore the doctor’s own mental health and recovery while remaining in the prison system.
Combining medical detail with psychological and crime storytelling, the series offers a closely observed depiction of custodial 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.
