The story of John Christ and Carol O’Kieff relayed by Karen Roebuck in Under the Knife is that of a marriage destined for failure even before it became an union.
Carol O’Kieff had “been up and down the aisle so many times she had worn a path” met Dr. John Christ shortly after obtaining her fifth divorce. Dr. Christ was soon to become her sixth husband.
From the beginning, Dr. Christ tried to mold and shape his wife into what he physically wanted her to be; while, she in turn, tried to mold him into what she thought a good husband should be.
Needless to say, these plans didn’t work out very well and in 1992, Christ shot O’Kieff, leaving her to die in their bedroom while her young daughter listened to her cries from the living room.
This book contains very detailed information; often, too much information. Readers should be aware that, aside for having a strong stomach for true crime, you must, in reading this book, also have the ability to endure minute details of complicated surgeries.
There was a lot in this book that could have been left out and the story to be complete. For example, the author makes a point of telling about a camping trip in which O’Kieff was tubing down the river. During this excursion, she meets up with another young male tuber and they engage in harmless flirting. Since no one knew of this incident except O’Kieff, what did this have to do with story?
In addition, this story is very much written to gain much sympathy for the victim. Irregardless of one’s past, they should never have to suffer such viciousness from another person; however, this book should serve as a reminder that the path one chooses in life can lead to destruction.
Those with a clear mind and the ability to see through a lot of self-serving propaganda will enjoy the book. Skipping over all the surgery detail, there is an interesting history there; not only for the convicted, but for the victim as well.
