Sometimes, the greatest tragedy is getting precisely what you desire.

A husband’s body and a lover’s heart spliced together by a scalpel blade lead to a tangled web of grief, guilt and deceit. The circumstances in which our protagonists are embroiled can only be resolved by death or harm.

This thought-provoking tale of post-transplant memory cells and man’s desire to play God, whatever the cost, is a very human tale of romance, hate, and tragedy.

Francis O’Keefe has been an independent writer, illustrator and designer for the past five years. Prior to that, he worked as a graphic designer, librarian and cardiac care nurse.

His chosen writing genre involves dark and gothic settings and uses science, medicine and psychology to create well-researched books with believable characters.

He enjoys learning languages, playing piano, reading, and walking with his dog in his spare time.

Customer Reviews

5.0

2 reviews

Georgina Kemp

A haunting and complex story that examines many aspects of human behaviour when placed in extreme circumstances. A traditional story of a long-term love affair is turned on its head as the characters navigate essential medical intervention and its effects on their relationship, personalities and what they are capable of. The medical/scientific concept of the 'White Crow' and how a donor organ's memory can affect the recipient is something I have heard of, but I had never imagined how devastating it could be. This book leaves the reader with many questions that remain long after the final page.
Sallie

I recently finished reading Francis O’Keefe’s newest book, White Crow. It is a powerful story of love and heartbreak that deeply explores themes of desperation and the emotional toll of caregiving, and medical marvels that could only be discovered through intimate knowledge and quiet deception. The narrative follows Victor and Rose, a couple whose life together is upended when Victor’s heart begins to fail. As they wait for a transplant, the story delves into their psychological struggles, capturing Victor’s rage and helplessness alongside Rose’s desperate need to be seen as more than just a caretaker. All of this results in Rose finding comfort and companionship in another man, and for a brief time she felt loved, and admired, and free. But as her secrets start to unravel, she has to end this affair, and focus on her husband and his heart. The plot takes a fascinating turn when a donor heart is finally found. After a successful transplant, Victor seems like a different person entirely, and Rose begins to notice changes in him that remind her of someone else, someone she knew very well. I found the characters to be incredibly relatable. O’Keefe perfectly captures the complex resentment and guilt that can surface when someone tries to maintain their sense of self while caring for a loved one. The supporting cast, from meddlesome neighbors to various medical professionals, adds significant depth to the story. The plot is filled with twists and turns that kept me completely enthralled. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was met with a new surprise. It is a deeply moving read that makes you reflect on the complexities of relationships and the reality that not every story has a fairytale ending.