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HarperCollins acquires rights to true 'David vs Goliath' story by Deborah Douglas with Tracy King
HarperCollins Publishers has acquired UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) for The Cost of Trust by Deborah Douglas with Tracy King. HarperNonFiction publisher, Joel Simons, struck the deal with Will Francis at Janklow & Nesbit, and the book will publish in hardback, e-book and audiobook on 5th June 2025.
The Cost of Trust is a David vs Goliath narrative of one of the most horrifying medical scandals in the history of British medicine. The books is an "eye-opening work of investigative journalism told from the inside". Deborah Douglas has spent the last decade campaigning for justice for Ian Paterson’s many victims, who was nicknamed the "Butcher Surgeon". Paterson deceived thousands of patients in his time as both an NHS and private surgeon. Multiple inquests have now been opened into the deaths of his patients, and Paterson was sentenced to 20 years in prison for 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding in 2017.
With Tracy King, another patient of Ian Paterson, Deborah Douglas reveals the true story behind one of the worst medical crimes since Dr Harold Shipman.
Douglas says: "For more than ten years I have campaigned for justice for everyone affected not just by Ian Paterson but the wider medical culture that enabled him. While the fight is ongoing, the battles already won have proved that voices like mine can make a difference. I am thrilled to be working with Joel Simons and the HarperCollins team to share my story."
Simons said: "This is an astonishing story that lifts the lid on trust, power and institutional failure at the very top of British medicine. Deborah and Tracy are hugely courageous and inspirational, and I’m delighted to be publishing this vital book next year."
