From Junior Doctor to Crime Writer: Adam Kay's Dark New Direction
Adam Kay, the bestselling author behind the medical memoir phenomenon This Is Going to Hurt, has ventured into thrilling new territory with his debut murder mystery novel. A Particularly Nasty Case marks Kay's first foray into crime fiction, bringing his signature pitch-black humour and medical expertise to the genre. The audiobook version, narrated by legendary actor Andy Serkis, offers listeners a 10-hour 9-minute immersion into Kay's twisted medical world.
An Unconventional Hero and a Suspicious Death
The story introduces readers to Dr Eitan Rose, a consultant rheumatologist whose life is anything but stable. Recently returned to work following a mental health crisis, Eitan relies on liquid cocaine hidden in a nasal inhaler to navigate his demanding days. The novel opens with a characteristically chaotic scene: Eitan finds himself stark naked in a gay sauna when an elderly patron suffers a heart attack.
When paramedics request his details after he performs CPR, the troubled doctor deliberately gives the name of his workplace nemesis, Douglas Moran. This seemingly minor deception takes a dark turn when Moran subsequently dies under unexpected circumstances, prompting Eitan to suspect foul play. Despite his own instability and the scepticism of colleagues, the doctor embarks on an unofficial investigation that sees him performing illicit postmortems and even impersonating a police detective.
Mental Health Stigma and Institutional Distrust
Kay uses his medical background to explore the troubling reality of mental health stigma within the healthcare profession itself. When Eitan, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, attempts to blow the whistle on his suspicions about Moran's death, he finds that neither his colleagues nor the police take his claims seriously. His outlandish behaviour is quickly dismissed as evidence of his instability rather than genuine concern.
This narrative thread showcases Kay's ability to blend dark comedy with serious social commentary, much as he did in This Is Going to Hurt. The novel examines how even those working in medicine can perpetuate harmful stereotypes about mental health conditions, particularly when a colleague's behaviour doesn't fit conventional expectations.
Andy Serkis Brings Kay's Characters to Life
The audiobook benefits tremendously from the narration talents of Andy Serkis, the acclaimed actor known for his groundbreaking performance capture work in The Lord of the Rings and other major film franchises. Serkis fully embraces Kay's dark humour and energetically embodies the wild dysfunction of protagonist Eitan Rose.
Listeners will find themselves completely immersed in Serkis's performance as he navigates the novel's frantic pacing and increasingly chaotic situations. His narration captures both the comedy and pathos of Kay's writing, creating a compelling audio experience that enhances the source material.
A Frantic Finale and Unlikely Hero
While the novel delivers plenty of Kay's trademark medical insights and dark humour, the final act requires some suspension of disbelief as events accelerate toward their conclusion. The plot becomes increasingly frantic as Eitan's investigation intensifies, leading to a dramatic resolution that tests the boundaries of credibility.
Despite these narrative stretches, readers and listeners will likely find themselves rooting for Eitan throughout his chaotic journey. The consultant rheumatologist emerges as a misguided but ultimately well-intentioned hero, whose personal struggles add depth to his unconventional sleuthing methods. Kay has created a protagonist whose flaws make him genuinely compelling, even as his methods become increasingly questionable.
Availability and Further Context
A Particularly Nasty Case is available via Orion, with the audiobook edition running for 10 hours and 9 minutes. This new direction for Kay follows the enormous success of This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor, which offered a tragicomic look at his early medical career and became a cultural phenomenon in its own right.
The novel represents an exciting expansion of Kay's literary range while maintaining the medical authenticity and dark humour that made his memoir so compelling. For fans of crime fiction with a medical twist and Kay's existing audience, A Particularly Nasty Case offers a fresh, entertaining take on the murder mystery genre.
