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Adam Kay

Founder of Amateur Transplants, who had an internet hit with the London Underground song

Adam Kay writes his first novel

A crime thriller set in hospital

Adam Kay is writing his first novel – to be published next year as part of a two-book deal.

The medic turned comedian, who had a monster publishing hit with his NHS memoirs This Is Going to Hurt remains in the medical world for his first fictional work.

A Particularly Nasty Case revolves around the death of an obnoxious hospital consultant. Although he had a heart attack, fellow doctor Eitan Rose smells foul play, especially when another doctor dies in similar circumstances. Is there really a killer marauding the wards or is Eitan losing the plot?

Kay said: ‘Because the ridiculously woke society we live in means that I can’t go around murdering people who annoy me, I’ve had to do the second-best thing and start writing crime fiction.

‘I should probably point out that it’s not cosy crime – in fact, it’s probably the opposite of cosy. Itchy crime? I really hope people enjoy reading this book as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it (which was a lot, for the avoidance of doubt).’

The book s to be published by Orion imprint Trapeze. Orion managing director Anna Valentine said: ’Having sold over five million copies of his books across all formats, Adam Kay has proven that he is one of our nation’s greatest storytellers, and I’m incredibly excited that he is turning his hand to fiction, a natural next step for him as a Bafta-award-winning writer.

‘A Particularly Nasty Case has all the hallmarks of what makes Adam’s writing unique and beloved by so many readers: scalpel-sharp wit, tense plotting and unforgettable characters, and I know that his fans are going to devour this as they have everything else Adam has written.’

A Particularly Nasty Case will be out in hardback, audio and eBook in September 2025 and is already available to order from Amazon.

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Published: 12 Aug 2024