A Handful of Ashes

Dr. Harry Kent #2

by Rob McCarthy

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


Now Dr. Harry Kent, a medical examiner with the Metropolitan Police, has been called out to certify her suicide. But something about the scene is wrong; it appears someone held Susan down while she died . . .


The grieving parents of the children who died demand answers. e hospital is stonewalling. Everyone has secrets. And it’s up to Harry Kent and Detective Chief Inspector Frankie Noble to find out which secrets were worth killing for.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Crime, Novels, Thriller Suspense

373 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 2017

About the author

Rob McCarthy is a medical student who has written a stunning debut. THE HOLLOW MEN is a complex and pacy novel vividly set in contemporary London and a busy hospital. Harry is a compassionate and determined hero and THE HOLLOW MEN is the first in an intended series.

Reviews

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was the BIGGEST fan of book one in this series (more details below if you missed it) and with “A Handful of Ashes” I can honestly say this has moved up to favourite series status on my bookish wishlist – one of a handful I’m going to be hotly anticipating every year for as long as they continue. Long may that be…

I’m a sucker for a good medical drama and an even bigger one for a good crime drama – with the Harry Kent series Rob McCarthy brings the two together in a fast, addictive, well considered thriller that just had me blasting through it with little thought to anything else around me. Don’t you love those ones?

In this story we have a suspicious “suicide”, a possible hospital cover up, grieving parents, danger lurking around every corner and our (anti) hero Dr Kent slowly falling apart at the seams whilst trying to help our (anti) heroine Frankie Noble solve the conundrum. She’s not exactly the most grounded police officer ever but both of them are superbly engaging, inevitably flawed but so beautifully described in sheer force of personality that you just get pulled along with them. The plot is thoroughly twisted, highly charged emotionally and has an ending that had me on the floor. I loved it.

I’d like to give a nod to at least one beautifully written thrilling scene in this involving a fight to save a life – as I came to the end of that chapter I found myself quite literally sitting on the edge of my seat (not that easy in a giant swivel chair) I had to sit and have a nice cup of tea before continuing on. That is not the only genuinely immersive bit of scene setting in A Handful of Ashes but it’s probably the one that will stay with me – What is great about it is that these moments are interspersed with quieter more considered moments and the author digs deep into the multiple layers that make up his characters, insightful writing that means you really feel for everything they go through.

Both the medical and the procedural elements that make up the story feel highly authentic, I am definitely one for the tortured souls in fiction therefore Harry Kent holds my attention (I may be a little in fictional love) and overall this is terrific writing, terrific plotting and well, just plain terrific.

Highly Recommended.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book to feature Dr Harry Kent and like the first book it gets my Must read, seal of approval.
​I enjoyed this just as much as the first book, if not more. It was fantastic being back with Harry and his wreckage of a life.
​Harry is asked to attend a suicide of a whistleblowing doctor. But for Harry it soon seems that things are not so straight forward. Then when it turns out to be murder, Harry must dig deeper to uncover the truth.
​And dig is what Harry does, ending up teamed up with his ex girl friend DCI Frankie Noble. Things are not great between the two of them so working together certainly isn't going to be an easy ride.
​One of the things I really enjoy with these books is the mix of Medical and Crime, it makes for a much more interesting read. The authors medical background is very clear thought out the book, and just adds to the story brilliantly.
​I also find the fact that the main character Harry, having some serious issues really adds to the intensity of the story. You know somewhere along the line things have got to reach a head, and his addiction to prescription drugs is only going to cause problems if and when he is found out.
​Another first class read, and I fear if I say anymore I will give far to much away. This book however is certainly must read, and I will say personally I really think reading book one first would be the best move.

​I cant wait for more.

[Arnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Kent is an A&E doctor who also has a role as a Force Medical Officer for the local police. Called out one evening to a suspected suicide Harry discovers that the body is that of a fellow doctor, one notorious for being a whistleblower, and that the investigating officer is his ex. When the death is identified as murder Harry's expertise is needed as the victim had been suspended from work over accusations of malpractice in a big profile paediatric cardiac unit and Harry is needed to provide medical knowledge for the team. However Harry has his own problems, guilt over the death of friend, overwork and a rocky relationship all fuelled by an addiction to amphetamine.

This is the first Dr Harry Kent book that I have read and I did like the idea of looking at what should be a standard police procedural from a different perspective, that of a doctor who works alongside the police. The information about the life of a doctor in the NHS seemed fairly accurate and I enjoyed the complexities of Harry's life. However I found the plot a little convoluted and with lots of excessively detailed medical information, and the ending was a little unsatisfying. It was a perfectly readable book but nothing out of the ordinary.

[Patrizia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Konnte mich von der Spannung nicht überzeugen
ich brauchte Monate um das Buch zu beenden

[Sid Nuncius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this police/medical thriller. It has its flaws, but it was exciting and gripping.

Dr. Harry Kent is a junior doctor in London who also works as a Police Medical Examiner. He is called to certify a suicide which turns out to be murder; the victim is a doctor who reported a colleague to the authorities, and plot develops involving post-operative deaths and hospital cover-ups. It's a very decent story; it does get a little silly as the denouement approaches and unravels, but I was happy to suspend disbelief sufficiently to enjoy it. Rob McCarthy writes pretty well (with the occasional slightly clunky moment) and plainly knows what he's talking about – the medical stuff is a real strength of the book, and he unravels it with care and genuine realism.

The two central characters, Harry Kent and his ex-lover, DCI Frankie Noble both have Addiction Issues and, while they are well enough done, it did become a bit much for me as Harry's Personal Journey Into Darkness dominated more than it should have done. Nonetheless, I found this a gripping and intelligent read and I'll be looking out for the next in the series.

[Desmond Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘After you, Doc’ he said.
‘After all, whoever she is, she’s not dead until you say so’.

As he pushes back his demons, surviving on his speed infused wits, Dr Harry Kent is called to pronounce a fellow Doctor, found dead in an apparent suicide. Dr Susan Baylis left the practice under a cloud of controversy, as a whistleblower accusing her boss, a renowned child paediatric surgeon of gloss negligence.

However, she didn’t kill herself. Someone held her down.

Grieving parents want answers as the hospital circle the wagons. It is up to Kent and his ex, DCI Frankie Noble to catch the killer...

Following McCartney gripping debut novel ‘The Hollow Men’ - we find Dr Harry Kent still trawling the gritty streets of London as one of the Met Police designated ‘Force Medical Examiner’. As he called to pronounce Bayliss officially dead, we discover he’s not coping well. He’s still dealing with survivor guilt from his Army tour of Afghanistan, visiting his former boss lying prone in a nursing home. Pushing back his added grief at the loss of his murdered friend James has lead him to wrack up an unhealthy addiction to amphetamines. Pulling back to back shifts with little sleep, its still hard to imagine how he does cope. How he seems to not to attract undue attention.

This police procedural is a fresh take from a medical viewpoint. As McCartney is a Doctor himself he knows his profession. Yet, the medically dense text loses its advantage at time and slows the pace. Do we really need to know that the three floors at Belgrade Hospital is divided into stroke rehabilitation, acute neurological and brain injuries?

At first, Kent helps his ex Acting DCI Noble with reluctance. Clearly his need to keep working match’s her own feeling of insecurity leading such a high profile case. They’re also the underpinning tension of their recent messy breakup.

As they investigate the possible suspects including Dr Mohamed, the doctor accused of causing four of his child patients to die, the twists are plenty. It would be interesting to know if McCartney still currently practices. The novel portrayal of the British medical system is unflattering realistic and downright dismissive at times.

Both protagonist’s continue to come up against the wall of a professional body protecting itself against possible lawsuits, as its members continue to work with severe medical guidelines and budget cuts.

McCartney loses his advantage by portraying Kent as someone who could get that close to an investigation yet not a fellow enforcement officer. Even considering the complicated relationship between him and Noble, how could he put in that time atop his own job? All whilst battling an addiction which fellow seasoned health professionals appear not to see?

Police procedurals have established norms. While rules are there to played with, here the ever satisfying denouement is denied the reader. In a frantic and messy ending, we are not privy to the interrogation of the criminal. We are left leaving the last page wanting.

The London that Dr Kent walks is a realistic one. Crime and teenage antics end up under strip lighting, where harried professionals work to save lives coming through the doors of the A & E that he oversees. Here, his seasoned yet flawed eye helps to bring down a killer. The question is: can he survive and still be a doctor for the next possible adventure? 7/10

[Jasbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auch wenn es sich um die zweiten Band der Harry Kent-Reihe handelt, kann man das Buch auch gut ohne Vorkenntnisse lesen. Ich bin erst hier eingestiegen und hatte keinerlei Verständnisprobleme. Einige Dinge aus der Vergangenheit werden in diesem Band wieder aufgegriffen, sodass man einen Einblick in das Leben der Protagonisten bekommt. Das hat mir gut gefallen.

Etwas gestört hat mich, dass sowohl der Polizeiarzt Harry Kent als auch die Ermittlerin DCI Francis Noble ziemlich abgerissene Persönlichkeiten sind. Er ist tablettenabhängig, sie gerade trockene Alkoholikerin. Ich finde das eigentlich immer nicht so toll, denn man hat solche Thematiken sehr oft in Krimis bzw. Thrillern. Allerdings hat mich der Autor dann doch davon überzeugt, dass es für die Geschichte sehr passend ist. Man merkt, dass er als Medizinstudent ist und sich somit mit dem Stress, dem Ärzte ausgesetzt sind, auskennt. Und das wird ziemlich anschaulich geschildert: Eine große Verantwortung, immer unter Zeitdruck und aufgrund der langen Schichten kaum Zeit zu schlafen oder das Privatleben.

Überhaupt habe ich noch nie ein Buch gelesen, indem so realistisch über die Medizin geschrieben wurde. Zum einen wird deutlich, welche Hierarchie in Krankenhäusern herrscht und unter welchen Druck die Angestellten stehen. Auch dass es wichtig ist, sich zu profilieren wird hier sehr deutlich. Aber auch die psychische Belastung, unter denen vor allem Ärzte in der Notaufnahme stehen, wird sehr deutlich. Kein Wunder, dass manche Götter in Weiß eher distanziert wirken.

Die eigentliche Geschichte ist aber auch sehr spannend, auch wenn sie die ein oder andere Länge hat. Harry Kent wird damit beauftragt zu helfen, den Mord an Susann Bayliss aufzuklären und taucht damit in die Intrigen und Vertuschungsversuche einer Kinderklinik ein. Allerdings tritt man sehr lange auf der Stelle, es gibt kaum neue Erkenntnisse - eben auch nicht für den Leser. Deswegen fand ich es zur Mitte hin etwas langweilig.

Das ändert sich dann allerdings, je weiter das Buch dem Ende zu geht. Hier habe ich es einfach nicht mehr aus der Hand legen können und auch wenn man ca. 80 Seiten vor dem Schluss schon weiß, wer hinter allem steckt, bleibt es spannend. Ich hätte mit allem gerechnet, hatte natürlich auch meine Vermutungen, aber garantiert nicht mit dieser Auflösung. Damit hat mich der Autor für den etwas ereignislosen Mittelteil wieder versöhnt.

Nicht ganz so passend finde ich allerdings den Titel. Natürlich werden Autopsien vorgenommen, aber diese spielen wirklich eine sehr untergeordnete Rolle. Ein bisschen mehr vom Inhalt hätte der Titel meiner Meinung nach schon verraten dürfen.

Alles in allem hat mir das Buch aber sehr gefallen. Ich werde die Reihe auf jeden Fall weiterverfolgen, denn ich bin auch gespannt, wie es in Harrys Privatleben weitergeht. Von mir gibt es 4 Sterne!

[Dustin Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rob McCarthy returns with Dr. Harry Kent with a medical thriller that will not disappoint. A Handful of Ashes follows Dr. Harry Kent, a medical examiner with the London Met Police, a man that has a soft spot for the underdog and a strong moral compass that’s always pointing due north.

The power duo of Dr. Harry Kent and DCI Frankie Noble team up for the apparent suicide of Kent’s colleague Susan Bayliss. Bayliss is the notorious whistleblower of a hospital cover up. Dr. Kent is known for looking beyond the surface. What follows is a plot full of twists and suspense that never lets up.

Rob McCarthy draws from his knowledge as a medical student while writing this series. This plays a marvelous role in how intricate and enthralling he crafts his medical thriller. He has the ability to write medical scenes as if you are there with the medical team, while maintaining readability by not being overcrowded with medical lingo.

I read The Hollow Men prior to beginning A Handful of Ashes. This is a series that is most enjoyed when read in order. You’ll appreciate the depth of McCarthy’s characters and plot a lot more if you understand the plot of the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Pegasus Books for allowing me the read the ARC of this book.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mash-up between a police procedural and a medical thriller is readable and engrossing. The plot unravels in a nicely complex way and the NHS background feels authentic.

However, there are perhaps too many 'issues' at play here: having both an alcoholic DCI and a drug addicted medical examiner working together in the same book is a touch too far, however highly-functioning they appear to be. Some of the clues feel clearer than anyone on the case realises: a man knowing that make-up remover wipes are ideal for cleaning up a crime scene? The problem of how a woman being attacked from the back manages to get stabbed in the eye?.

So a few 'second novel' blips with awkward writing (equivocal doesn't mean the same as equivalent, that horrible construction of 'they were sat' instead of 'they were sitting') and throwing too much into the mix - but overall a gripping page-turner of a read with a bleak atmosphere.

Review from an ARC via Amazon Vine

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Great characters and a plot that held interest from beginning to end. Dr Harry Kent attends the scene of a brutal death. But the evidence doesn’t stack up and it soon becomes apparent that all is not what it seems. Police realise they are dealing with a murder staged to look like suicide. The victim is a surgical registrar who has just lost her job after blowing the whistle on her boss accusing him of botching heart operations on very young children. The investigation focuses in one direction but with many twists and turns until eventually revealing the most unlikeliest of killers. The medical drama intertwined with the police procedures all read very authentically. And the complications in Harry’s out of control personal life added further depth to the story.

[Larry Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Harry Kent book was outstanding and this second in the series is also a great read. Kent continues to battle his own demons while trying to maintain a bit of sanity as well as nurture a new relationship. He is prone to failure in almost every aspect of his life with solving medical mysteries being the exception. This book involves a crime that is brutal and may revolve around accusations of medical malpractice that puts young children in danger. A fascinating book and a deeper plunge into Harry's work with the police and his self-doubts about how he can maintain his sanity. Can't wait for the next one.

[Julia Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medical examiner Dr Harry Kent is a deeply flawed hero. His personal life is falling apart but he recognizes the difference between suicide and murder when he is called to the scene of a very messy death. Further complications occur when his former love interest, DCI Frankie Noble, is charged with solving the case. Author Rob McCarthy is a physician and his medical knowledge is evident in this brisk mystery.

[Race Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I commented in my review of this author's
first book ("Hollow Men"), that there is
quite a bit of medical jargon going on in
the reading. This second novel is again
like that, and again I say it is a dandy
of a murder mystery so do not let the
hospital mumbo-jumbo get to you.
To be sure, it is needed in the story but
the overall production of this plot is right
up there with Jo Nesbo (my current most favorite
author).
Read this one and enjoy.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Harry Kent is back with another mystery to solve with Noble(who now happens to be his ex-girlfriend) when an apparent suicide turns out to be a murder. Many twists and turns until the reader finds that they can pretty much guess who will turn out to be the murderer/murderers. Once again I really enjoyed this medical thriller. The characters are well developed. I look forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

[Catherine Glynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book, for the second time in the last couple of weeks I liked the follow up more than the debut..I preferred Susie Steiner's Persons Unknown to Missing Presumed and I liked A Handful Of Ashes better than Hollow men..I found this really gripping and with a good pace and plenty of verisimilitude..

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A combination police procedural and medical mystery. When I selected it I didn't realize it was part of a series and I had read the first book more than a year ago. It appeared to have been scanned and OCRed into the kindle format. The kind of typos in the book gave me that impression. Surely someone can proofread.

[Loretta Rinzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting story, but very detailed with police/detective lingo which was hard to follow at times. It was staged in London so terminology was different. Was a long book that took me over a week to read as the print was smaller. Story unravels with a death of a young gal, presumed suicide. Or was it?

[Emma Hawkes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me so long to get through after putting it down so many times. I have to finish a book, though, just in case. The book was slow with too many details about things that didn't really matter. It follows Dr Kent through a week of his life following a murder case and his obsession with taking taking drugs to keep working

[Joe Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult book to read because of the vast amount of medical jargon. It was a complex story but one that kept you engaged till the end. If you are into medical related novels, you will enjoy reading it.

[Helen Almond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like these books. Good interesting stories and characters who tho floored are likeable and you root for them. A third in the offing apparently.

[Jamie Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Rob McCarthy! Twists and turns in all the right places, and left me exhausted. Can’t wait for his next book!!!

[Ameenah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book but the ending felt unfinished. There wasn’t a clear “why” for Roberts doing what she did. I would’ve like to have read a chapter or two more to wrap everything up.

[SaraJane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting flawed character to follow.

[Gwynn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an excellent read, great pace to the book and believable characters.

[Mary Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found the addiction story compelling, and deeply disturbing. Good medical mystery.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a perfect murder mystery for me. A doctor aiding detectives regarding a murder mystery! When is the next book? :)

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fingers crossed for a third in the series.

[Bob Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another suspense filled police drama by the author.

[LaShana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nobody was the least bit likeable. 1 star because I sort of finished