Scottish crime novelist Ed James has launched his latest book, His Path of Darkness, four years after a life-threatening health scare triggered by an iced smoothie during the Covid-19 lockdown. The author, who has sold over 2.5 million copies and downloads, shared the harrowing experience that left him contemplating his mortality and the fragility of life.
The 46-year-old, who resides in the Scottish Borders, revealed that he prepared the smoothie in 2020 to bolster his immune system. Unfortunately, the ice-cold drink had unexpected consequences, shocking his stomach and freezing his vagal nerve, leading to Atrial Fibrillation. This condition caused his heart rate to soar to an alarming 180 beats per minute, even during quiet moments like walking his dogs or watching football.
James credits his local GP in Tweedbank for the prompt diagnosis that ultimately saved his life. After being prescribed beta blockers, he was referred to a cardiologist at Borders General Hospital and placed on a waiting list for Electrical Cardioversion, a procedure intended to restore his heart to a normal rhythm. However, due to NHS backlogs exacerbated by the pandemic, he had to wait four months for the treatment, which ultimately required his heart to be restarted six times using defibrillation paddles.
Unfortunately, the complications didn’t end there. Following the initial procedure, James was placed on blood thinners and faced further health challenges, including another episode of arrhythmia that required another Cardioversion. He was subsequently referred to an Edinburgh cardiologist for catheter ablation, a procedure designed to burn away the problematic electrical pathways in the heart. Although the treatment was deemed successful, James experienced three additional bouts of Atrial Fibrillation and is now awaiting another catheter ablation as he is among the 30% of patients for whom the first attempt does not yield lasting results.
“I genuinely feared I was going to die,” James admitted. “Surviving such a serious issue has changed my perspective on life. I’ve reassessed many aspects of my life since then.”
Reflecting on his experiences, he urges others not to ignore symptoms. “If you feel your heart racing, don’t take it lightly. Seek medical help immediately—don’t be like me.”
Despite the challenges he faced, James’ enthusiasm for his work within the Tartan Noir genre remains undiminished. His latest novel, His Path of Darkness, is the sixth installment in the DI Rob Marshall series, featuring a serial killer terrorising the close-knit communities of the Borders. The book draws inspiration from James Hogg’s classic The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.
“This was Scotland’s first serial killer novel, and it was ahead of its time,” James said. “Although society has evolved, the essence of evil persists in the same way.”
His Path of Darkness was released on 30th September 2024 and is available on Amazon Kindle, Audible, and in print through James’ online bookshop, www.greydogbooks.co.uk.
