Debut Novel ‘Thieves of Time’ Draws on Prison Diaries to Portray Custodial Medicine

A former medical officer in the UK prison system has used his personal journals as the basis for a psychological crime novel examining healthcare behind prison walls.

Thieves of Time: Book One by Dr Matthieu Cornacle, released by Maple Publishers, is the first in a planned series inspired by his early professional experiences in custody.

Dr Cornacle, who holds an MD, PhD and Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said the idea emerged from diaries he kept during his time working in prisons.

“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 story follows a doctor during his initial year in a prison post, depicting a structured environment defined by routine, institutional demands and complex relationships.

It centres on a young French physician entering the British prison system shortly after the widely reported medical release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi in connection with the Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

The 104-page novel considers themes such as identity in custody, emotional control, professional isolation and the ethical pressures associated with delivering care in a punitive setting.

As the character gains experience, his early uncertainty develops into a more informed understanding of both prisoners and staff.

The narrative includes failed escape attempts, increasing tension within the establishment and the consequences of a successful escape that affects the doctor’s career and personal life.

The wider Thieves of Time sequence continues to follow the protagonist’s career, charting his growing expertise in managing high-risk individuals while highlighting the psychological impact of working in challenging environments.

Later instalments address his own mental health and recovery alongside his ongoing work in custodial healthcare.

Combining elements of medical, psychological and crime fiction, the series offers a detailed and observational portrayal of prison life.

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.