Anita Constantine recently shared her thoughts on Asystole and said, 

“Asystole begins with a brilliantly unsettling tone. Dr. Graeme Kilbride is one of the coldest, most fascinating narrators I’ve read in a medical novel. The moment Frederick Powell dies mid-CT scan and the EEG reveals memory-recall activity is completely gripping. What I loved most is how O’Keefe balances medical detail with moral discomfort, the nurses are horrified, the staff is shaken, and Kilbride is thrilled. The contrast makes the whole scene unforgettable. The writing is sharp, clinical, and psychological all at once. A bold and intriguing start.” 

I’m happy that Anita found the opening powerful and unsettling, just as I intended. Kilbride’s cold and clinical nature was meant to challenge readers, especially in moments charged with moral and emotional tension. The scene with Frederick Powell’s death was crucial for setting the tone and exploring the ethical questions at the heart of the story. It’s encouraging to hear the writing style and atmosphere resonated so strongly.