'As original as it is absorbing' says Michael Connelly about this first novel of a hospice worker determined to uncover the truth behind the ominous death of a young boy left in her care. When Frances Oliver comes home to find her terminally ill charge,Toms Gomez, being taken away to a hospital by paramedics and a man in a white lab coat inquiring about his heart, she is stunned. After all, his last days were to be spent in her care. As a deathmaiden, Frances' mission is to help people pass into the next reality-just as a baby is ushered into the world by a midwife. But at the hospital, Toms dies under mysterious circumstances-and before his time. Now, with an intricately carved piece of Mayan Jade that belonged toToms in hand, Frances travels to Mexico to find the truth behind her young charge's untimely death.
I tend to write novels that are a little controversial. I don't intend to, but a question grabs hold of my mind--Do we have a right to say no to medical technology? What would it be like to be Jackie Kennedy? Where is Islamic extremism taking us?--and it won't let go. I have to explore it, I have to write about it.
Since my interests are varied, my books are varied, perhaps too much so. But whatever the theme, I always explore identity, trying to reconcile the physical and spiritual worlds. My characters respond sensually to the world as I do, they question and doubt. It would be easier to be a different kind of writer maybe. I hope you get something out of my little efforts.
