Philippa Braithwaite

As a hard-charging London surgeon, Martin Ellingham didn't need a bedside manner. His patients were unconscious, so he could be as rude and arrogant as he pleased. All that changes when he develops a crippling fear of blood and is forced to give up surgery. Now a GP in a sleepy, picturesque Cornish fishing village, Doc Martin offends everyone in town, including the one person he wants to impress, beautiful teacher Louisa Glasson. Getting her attention...

"Meet Martin Ellingham, an eminent physician with a nasty disposition. Forced to give up his career as a London surgeon after developing a fear of blood, he takes a job as GP in the sleepy Cornish village of Portwenn. His irascible manner and permanent scowl soon have the town in an uproar; he insults each patient he sees and offends nearly everyone else. The only person who's glad to see him is his aunt Joan."--sleeve.

As Martin and James wait patiently to see Santa in his Grotto, Martin spots a medical concern that has him shut it down and send Santa packing-- until he's sure he isn't infectious. Louisa is determined not to let Martin ruin Christmas.

All is not well for brilliant but boorish Dr. Martin Ellingham as the hit British dramedy returns. To Martin's utter disgust, his medical practice remains under official scrutiny because of his pre-existing blood phobia, and he is forced to attend refresher courses starting with phlebotomy. His wife, Louisa, and aunt Ruth urge him to take this risk to his career seriously, but events conspire against him.

Dr. Martin Ellingham is brilliant, dedicated, and highly efficient. He's also brusque, abrasive, and terrified of blood. Once a successful London surgeon, he's now a GP in the idyllic Cornish fishing village of Portwenn, where he's every bit as eccentric as the villagers he serves.