Abstract:
Diane Truong’s pregnancy seems to progress perfectly uneventful – until Dr. Alfie Santoro detects a second, unexplainable heartbeat. She delves into Diane’s past looking for clues. She allies with an eccentric Polish count who claims that the answers may hide in ancient folktales of mythical basilisks and blood-sucking creatures, but Alfie’s trust in science may blind her to the truth. To unravel the mystery in time to save Diane and her baby becomes the doctor’s obsession. This well-told story combines heart-pounding suspense, authentic delivery room pathos and oddly fascinating, not-easily-forgettable characters like the over-sized, pig-headed and uncouth Dr. Santoro.