Haunting and propulsive in equal measure, Stephenson’s cinematic hospital noir finds a young, disgraced doctor take a job in an underfunded East London infirmary where too many patients are dying inexplicably.
The year is 1999.
Returning to practice after a suspension for stealing opioids, a young Scottish doctor takes the only job he can find: a post as a senior house officer in the struggling east London hospital of St Luke's.
Amid the maelstrom of sick patients, over-worked staff and underfunded wards a darker secret soon declares itself: too many patients are dying.
Which of the medical professionals our protagonist has encountered is behind the murders? And can our unnamed narrator's version of the events be trusted?
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008547653
Number of pages: 368
Weight: 240 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 26 mm
‘Had me hooked within 20 pages and held me there until the very end. I read it in 4 days’ Sophie Raworth, broadcaster and journalist ‘Dark and haunting, powerful and propulsive… a smart, cinematic, tour de force written by an exceptional talent. Simply unputdownable’ Lara Prescott, New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets We Kept ‘The witty writing, quirky protagonist, and anecdotal descriptions of real-life medical villains combine to make Sometimes People Die a delightful read. I loved it’ Kathy Reichs, the #1 New York Times bestseller ‘Sometimes People Die blew me away and cost me a night's sleep as I read it on tenterhooks… Revelatory [and…] thrilling, this astounding novel announces the arrival of a new Michael Crichton for the zeitgeist’ Ken Bruen, author of The Guards ‘An absolute killer… for people who wouldn’t normally read a thriller or a murder mystery, this is the perfect gateway book… so entertaining’ Sara Cox, BBC2 Between The Covers ‘A moody thriller… slow-burning… authoritative, unsparing’ The New York Times – Editor’s Pick ‘‘Why do I adore this kind of novel? It is intelligent, very witty in a very dark way, and does not flinch from serious and difficult questions.’The Scotsman ‘Darkly hilarious… this will be a best book of the year for me.’ Book Page, October’s Top Pick in Mystery Diabolical and quick-witted… not to be missed’ Crime Reads, 10 Books You Should Read This September ‘Like an Adam Kay murder mystery’ Al Murray, BBC2 Between The Covers ‘Insightful, gripping, unexpectedly funny’ Saga Magazine ‘In Stephenson, Vonnegut may have his first true protégé’ Washington Post ‘A real old school page-turner I found difficult to put down.’ Yorkshire Magazine
If there's one thing that I like doing, it's discovering new authors. Simon Stephenson is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis of 'Sometimes People Die' and it particularly appealed... More
This is a great pick from Between The Covers!
When the titles for series 5 were announced this was hiding in my to be read towers so it was quickly added to the immediate pile to read.
It's a great read! Quite a...
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The year is 1999. Returning to practice after a suspension for stealing opioids, a young Scottish doctor takes takes the only job he can find: a post as senior house officer in the struggling East London hospital of... More
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