Book Review: Confessions of a Deathmaiden

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Confessions of a Deathmaiden     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Ruth Francisco
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Mysterious, Sep 2003, $23.95, 338 pp.

After receiving her diploma from the Institute for Eternal living, Frances Oliver joins the Society of Deathmaidens. She wants to help people die gracefully and with dignity when they are ready to cross over. In Los Angeles, Frances the Deathmaiden has come to help young Mexican Tomas Gomez die. Though the lad lies in a comatose state and is pronounced brain dead, Frances feels he is not ready to move on and even might recover. However, the Silvanus Corporation arrives to harvest the body parts.

Frances wonders if Tomas was murdered so that his organs could be reaped by Silvanus. Unable to ignore what happened to the youngster, the ethical Frances begins to investigate what happened to the child who suffered a head trauma. She traces his trail back to his Mexican hometown. There in the remote mountain village she may find the handsome kind stranger may be the one to speed up her steps into the afterlife.

The concept of a deathmaiden serving as sort of a midwife except at the end of life is an intriguing notion that is cleverly handled within an exciting story line. Frances is a great character struggling with a need to right a wrong. Though coincidence is overdone, fans of medical thrillers will welcome CONFESSIONS OF A DEATHMAIDEN and look forward to more tales starring this delightful six foot caring dynamo.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner