THE DEAD ROOM
Heather Graham
Mira Books
Paranormal Thriller
ISBN-10: 0778324303
ISBN-13: 9780778324300

Heather Graham is one of the more prolific authors toiling in the word mills, and one of the very few who has matched her prodigious quantity with quality. Her latest book, THE DEAD ROOM, is an excellent example of this --- a supernatural work firmly ensconced in a real world setting and tinged, though not overwhelmed, with erotic overtones.

Graham does something very interesting here. Nearly the entire book is set in lower Manhattan, although only a block or so of this prestigious real estate is utilized in the telling. Yet, one never feels claustrophobic while reading; it seems like a more expansive tale. And indeed it is, moving from the present to the past as archeologist Leslie MacIntyre uses her ability to communicate with the dead as a vehicle toward uncovering burial grounds and rectifying past injustices so that the dead may achieve the rest they have sought for so long.

MacIntyre's "gift" was purchased with bitter coin; her unique ability appears to be an unfortunate aftereffect of her own near-death experience, one occasioned by an explosion that killed Matt Connolly, her fiancé. Still recovering emotionally, MacIntyre returns to Hastings House, the site of the explosion and Connolly's death, both to obtain closure and to explore a newly discovered burial ground nearby. Her return brings her into contact not only with Connolly's restless spirit but also with Joe, his cousin, for whom MacIntyre begins to feel the stirrings of attraction.

However, MacIntyre's talents lead her into terrible danger. Her discoveries at the gravesite and communications with the restless spirits that inhabit Hastings House dovetail into the activities of a serial killer who is targeting prostitutes in the area and is believed to be involved in the disappearance of a social worker Joe has been hired to find. It will take both men --- Joe in this world and Matt from beyond the grave --- to keep MacIntyre safe from harm. But even their combined efforts may not be enough.

Graham's narrative never lags for even a single paragraph, and her setting --- downtown Manhattan and its lesser-known underground --- is a fascinating and compelling one. The ending is a heart-stopping surprise that her fan base and reading groups will be discussing for months. THE DEAD ROOM demonstrates that Graham, even after several years and dozens of books, is only getting started.

   --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

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