Maria Rodriguez recently shared her thoughts on Asystole and said, 

“This book surprised me with how character-driven it is. Yes, it’s rooted in neurology, but the real tension comes from Kilbride himself, his dryness, his emotional numbness, and the trauma he can’t access. His scenes with Imogen are beautifully uncomfortable. She’s loving, grounded, and full of quiet dread about his research, especially when he admits he wants to explore consciousness at death. Their conversations about faith versus science gave the novel a depth I didn’t expect. Great pacing, excellent dialogue, and a protagonist who feels both brilliant and broken.” 

I’m glad Maria appreciated the focus on character alongside the science. Kilbride’s internal struggles and his relationship with Imogen were important to me because they bring emotional weight to the story. The faith and science conversations allowed me to explore deeper questions beyond the medical research. Knowing that the pacing and dialogue resonated makes me happy and motivates me to keep blending human stories with complex ideas.