The Dead Room

By: Heather Graham

Narrated by: Joyce Bean

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

A year ago, archaeologist Leslie MacIntyre barely survived the explosion that took the life of her fiancé, Matt Connolly. In the long months since, she's slowly come to terms not only with her loss but with her unsettling new ability to communicate with ghosts, a dubious "gift" received in the wake of her own brush with death.

Now she's returned to lower Manhattan's historic Hastings House, site of the explosion, to conquer her fears and investigate a newly discovered burial ground. In this place, restless spirits hold the secrets not only of past injustice but of a very real and very contemporary conspiracy with deadly designs on the city's women - including Leslie herself.

By night, Matt visits her in dreams, warning her and offering clues to the truth, while 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 that threatens to overcome her. As she is drawn closer to the darkness at the heart of Hastings House, she must ultimately face the power of an evil mind, alone in a place where not even the men she love can save her.

©2007 Heather Graham (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The intense, unexpected conclusion will leave readers well satisfied." ( Publishers Weekly)
"As delivered by Joyce Bean, MacIntyre's Southern accent becomes credibly more pronounced when she's under stress, which is frequent as the murders escalate....her quiet ghosts are delightful." ( AudioFile)

Wow, Just wow…

Great writing. Such a sad ending, yet perfect. Heather strikes gold, again! Maybe another narrator wouldn’t make all males sound like crotchety old men.

Really Liked This Book

What did you love best about The Dead Room?

An unusual book and a terrific read / listen. Joyce Bean, the performer, brought life to the characters...even the dead ones. The plot moved along with a good pace and brought us to the climax and left us wanting more. (I'm sure the author realized it and then wrote the sequel which I've also reviewed.)

What does Joyce Bean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Joyce has the ability to reach into the printed word and give a life to it. I loved her portrayal of Leslie McIntyre. Her cadence and inflection were very good.

different.

didn't expect the ending. whole story was unusual. love her stories but this was worthy of a reread.

Underwhelming narration

I may have liked this story better if it weren't for the terrible narration. I envisioned listening to an old episode of Scooby Doo, with it's quirky cast of characters. The sound was very dull and antiquated and the performance followed suit.

really great

Just another great read I just loved it makes me need more of Heather Graham's books she is really an amazing writer I am a big fan

I HEARD THAT

I loved this book, there is a sequel to it, that was left open ended. I am hoping that there will be another sequel. The reading was very well done.

good read

good book. good plot with a little bit of hesitancy in parts. very good narrator. Surprise ending

I should have seen it coming.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book even though the ending aggravated the heck out of me.

THIS ISN'T THE WAY A ROMANCE ENDS!!!

Would you try another book from Heather Graham and/or Joyce Bean?

Yes, I absolutely adore Joyce Bean's readings. Her vocal talents for male & female characters breathe life into every story she narrates without sounding like a gushing, breathy twentysomething who needs help with understanding the big words.

I mostly enjoy Heather Graham's earlier books so it's nice to see some of those books appear in Audible's recent book list. I'd be a very happy listener if Audible would acquire Ms. Graham's Civil War Trilogy involving the Cameron Family - "One Wore Blue, And One Wore Gray, And One Rode West." Joyce Bean would be a perfect match because she does a terrific southern accent withou going overboard.

Has The Dead Room turned you off from other books in this genre?

No chance of that happening.

Which scene was your favorite?

No one scene stands out as a favorite. It's was the journey and the overall anticipation of the story's happy ending.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Dead Room?

I'm pretty sure it's an unwritten rule in the romance genre that no matter the subgenre - contemporary, suspense, historical, etc. - that the couple you've been rooting for throughout the entire book, always ... ALWAYS, gets their happily ever after. When an author has given EVERY indication that the main characters are or will be a couple, what dyed in the wool romance reader wants to become emotionally invested if they are not going to get the inticipated payoff?

Any additional comments?

If you're okay with an unconventional ending, The Dead Room is a well-written story, beautifully narrated by Joyce Bean.