I have read a few of Heather Graham’s novels, so she is still a new author for me. I was not disappointed, but it took me a bit to get into. I do not know why, but it gave me a little of a Temperance Brennan novel with a ghostly twist. This book felt slow-paced to me, but that could be me reading faster-paced books beforehand. I did not feel it was a terrible thing as the book it is.

I rarely read prologues, but I am glad I did on this one. The two characters I enjoyed in this book is Leslie and Joe, the two key characters. You can still feel the mental and physical heartbreak and love she had for Matt and the newness of her communicating with ghosts. She wants to communicate with Matt, even staying at the location of the accident and only seeing the ghosts that have been there before him. Joe, I enjoyed how the author made him the opposite of his cousin. He even explains this to Leslie and the others who mistake him for Matt. Joe is troubled like Leslie but differently, and it shows. He is investigating a case as a private investigator but does not seem to forget the accident that took his cousin’s life.

I also enjoyed Nikki and Adam when they arrived later (they were mentioned in the earlier chapters). They helped with Leslie on the paranormal side as Joe helps her on the human side. The other characters felt flat. Some of these characters needed fleshed out more and given what had happened, I felt a little disappointed. Matt did not live up to the hype or expectation as I was hoping.

The paranormal side of this story did not downplay. It blended nicely and did not boggle down the story. There was enough for the ghostly side to feel natural and did not take me out of the story. I could have done with a smidge more, but it was unnecessary. If there would have been a lot, I believe it would have dragged the story and lost the primary plotline. If there was too little, I believe it would have felt like a second thought and be overlooked.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. I do not know if it is her strongest or my favorite out of the few I have read, but it is not the least. I will read more of her books.

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She talks to dead people...
A year ago, archaeologist Leslie MacIntyre barely survived an explosion that took the life of her fiance, Matt Connolly. Since then she's slowly come to terms with both her loss and an unsettling ability to communicate with ghosts, a "gift" received in the wake of her brush with death. Now she's returned to lower Manhattan, site of the explosion, to investigate a newly discovered burial ground. In this place restless spirits hold the secrets not only of past injustice but of a deadly conspiracy against the city's women--including Leslie herself.

By night Matt visits her in dreams, warning her and offering clues to the truth. By day she finds herself helped by--and attracted to--his flesh-and-blood cousin Joe. Torn by her feelings for both men, caught between the worlds of the living and the dead, Leslie struggles against the encroaching danger. As she is drawn closer to the darkness, she must ultimately face the power of an evil mind, alone in a place where not even the men she loves can save her.

"The Dead Room" is a smooth concoction that's equal parts ghost story, mystery, thriller, and archeological tale. The author manages to keep the read entertaining and event-driven as well as filling it with characters that step off the page. ( )

Was really good until the end. All that build up and... nothing. ( )

A fun read. Enjoyable and quick. Wouldn't mind reading it again. ( )

A year ago Leslie MacIntyre barely survived an accident that killed her fiance Matt Connolly, she's now left with an ability to communicate with ghosts. She's now back in Manhattan investigating a newly discovered burial ground. There are restless ghosts and torn by her feelings by Matt's cousin Joe. She also has to deal with the power of an evil mind who is determined to hurt her.

It was pretty predictable but enjoyable. ( )