A novel on the 1840s yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans. The hero is a Frenchman who makes a living taking memorial pictures of the dead by means of the newly discovered art of photography. Two women vie for his affection, one has money, the other, an octoroon, uses voodoo. A first novel.

"Adopted by Caucasian parents, biracial teen Lizzie feels like she never belonged. After the death of her father, Lizzie starts acting out -- dating, staying away from home for days and giving up her plans to continue her education. When Lizzie discovers she is pregnant, she is faced with the difficult choice of having a child or getting an abortion. This leads Lizzie to want to find her own birth mother. After running away from home, Lizzie ends...

Author James O'Toole discusses his book "Passing for white : race, religion, and the Healy family, 1820-1920.