I absolutely love to read fiction. It’s something that I do not do enough, but I am hoping to do more of. It’s a beautiful moment when a book can transport me out of my reality for a little while and into another world of an author’s making. K A Hitchins does just that – I was absorbed in her world from the moment I picked it up.
‘The Key of All Unknown’ tells the story of Dr, Matilda (Tilda) Moss, a stem cell researcher who finds herself lying in a hospital bed unable to communicate with the world. The story is told through her eyes as she tries to piece together why she has ended up in this place and contemplates her life from this position.
It’s filled with interesting characters that come and go by her bedside in the hospital. I found myself trying to piece together a puzzle or a crime, much like the main character who was coming to terms with her situation. She wanted to find out who was responsible for her vegetative state – there was an investigation but no leads. Hitchins kept me on my toes as I turned the pages looking for clues.
This story cleverly brings together some of the big issues of life but in a non-threatening way. The author writes about themes including end-of-life care, dignity in dying, euthanasia, abortion, the meaning of life and the possibility of life after death. Each of these big topics are woven seamlessly into a captivating story which cuts to the heart of what it means to be human. It is interesting that Dr. Moss is an atheist who is considering her life through the lens of what looks like a certain imminent death.
There are stories of relationships between father and daughter, brother and sister, friends, colleagues and lovers. I was hooked by every character and how they connected with Tilda’s life. It’s heartbreaking to see how Tilda is unable to reach out to those around her and to see those closest to her coming to terms with losing her. I found myself thinking about what that would feel like and how hard it must be for all involved. She is caught in a world that is between life and death – she tries to keep her mind stimulated and tell her brain to do things, even when it simply won’t budge. It’s a beautiful story with plenty of surprises throughout.
K A Hitchins is a fantastic writer and I thoroughly recommend ‘The Key of All Unknown’ to take you on a journey into the deepest corners of your mind. Prepared to be transported on an emotional and thought-provoking journey that will leave you wanting more.
Kathryn Hitchins writes contemporary fiction from a faith perspective. The Girl at the End of the Road (shortlisted Woman Alive Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award 2017) was published in March 2016 by Instant Apostle. The Key of All Unknown (finalist, Woman Alive Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award 2017) was published in October 2016. The Gardener’s Daughter was released on 15 March 2018. Kathryn also contributed to the ACW 2018 Lent Book New Life: Reflections for Lent, and to the ACW Christmas Anthology due out later in 2018.
Website: www.kahitchins.co.uk
Twitter: @KathrynHitchins
Facebook: K A Hitchins, Author page
An Anchored Hope 
Hi Ruth, I was interested to read your comments on this book. I’ve just finished it. I enjoyed it up to a point e.g. found the thoughts about PVS interesting and loved the ending. However, Tilda’s investigations seemed to go ‘on a bit’ for my liking but to be fair, I don’t normally read detectives/mysteries. Anyway, you can see my comments on Goodreads or Amazon. Interesting book though.
Hi Sheila 🙂 Thanks for your feedback – I guess that’s the fun about book reviews – everyone gets something different out of it! 🙂 Will have a look at your comments.