I liked the main character Cassie immediately. Off the wall, different, strong, and very well described by the author. I felt as if I knew her after reading only a few pages. It's easy to empathize with her, even if it's difficult to understand her thinking. The clear, well researched and disturbingly graphic description of the post mortem process is well written. It's a graphic description yes, but not a disrespectful one. The description of Cassie's respect for the dead is reassuring and makes her an instantly likable character. I like the fact that she is from a different culture, different background, and that she has lived an alternative lifestyle. The introduction of the next main character, her new pathologist, is well written and brings to life the disparity between the two professionals, not a disparity from intelligence, but from social class and family wealth. I'm not sure where that relationship will go, but it's interesting already. I can't wait to read the whole book.