The Dead Room - by Catriona McPherson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this atmospheric thriller from Catriona McPherson, a young widow seeking refuge from her grief wades into the mists at the far end of memory lane--where something even darker awaits.

Reeling from the death of her husband, thirty-something audiobook narrator Lindsay Hale retreats to her Scottish hometown and the comforts of old times. The bungalow where she grew up is just as she left it, next to the scrapyard her family still owns. But something is wrong...something beyond grief.

Something she can only glimpse from the corner of her eye.

Lindsay's brother and best friend are there to welcome her back. An elderly widow helps Lindsay make sense of her new normal, and a kind man hints at unexpected possibilities. But when her widow friend vanishes, only Lindsay seems to notice. And while she starts "recognizing" strangers, she begins forgetting familiar faces.

Every night, as Lindsay's dream house fills with nightmares, she wonders whether she's truly unraveling--or if something more sinister's at play. Buried secrets surface and reality bends, forcing Lindsay to face the terrifying truth that her new haven isn't so safe after all.

Review Quotes

"What an absolute treasure--and a joy to read. Completely engrossing--Catriona McPherson is a genius with dialogue and ingenious with suspense, and her deeply emotional and utterly relatable story made me neglect my own responsibilities--I could not wait to get back to the pages. Haunting, cinematic, clever, and wholly original--and beautifully written--you'll be captivated from the first page to the perfect conclusion." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of All This Could Be Yours

"With The Dead Room, Catriona McPherson proves once again why she's one of the top crime fiction authors writing today. As usual, she seamlessly blends complex characters with a smoldering tension that amps up with each chapter. A must-read for anyone who loves an atmospheric, slow-burn thriller." --Kellye Garrett, award-winning author of Missing White Woman

"The Dead Room is a masterclass in suspense...Every page leads the reader on a twisted journey full of dread, with tension taut enough to leave your nerve endings singing. Catriona's best book yet." --Lisa Hall, author of Eight Years of Lies and winner of the CWA Whodunnit Dagger Award 2025

"Catriona McPherson delivers a masterclass in psychological suspense with The Dead Room, a haunting tale of a distraught young widow returning to her Scottish hometown. Grief warps the edges of reality--familiar places feel off-kilter, memories flicker, and paranoia takes root. The eeriness of a home seen through a Dutch angle and the precision of Highsmith-like tension are expertly woven together by McPherson's remarkable storytelling prowess. A deliciously complex, unforgettable thriller." --John Copenhaver, award-winning author of Hall of Mirrors

"This book kept me up night after night, disturbing my dreams and rattling my bones. The moment I finished it, I wanted to reread it. That almost never happens, but when it does, it's because the story is as haunting as this, keeping its grip on my imagination long after I've turned the final page. It's so brilliantly woven you won't even see the threads pulling tighter and tighter until it's too late. There's a darkness at the heart of it, which I found truly chilling, and redemption too, although if I tell you much more, I'll be giving it away. What I will say is beg, steal, or sell your soul to get ahold of a copy. Catriona McPherson is one hell of a writer, and this is one extraordinary book." --Amanda Lees, author of The Key to the Island House