The Dead Room

by Catriona McPherson

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.

335 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 1, 2026

About the author

Catriona McPherson (she/her) was born in Scotland and immigrated to the US in 2010. She writes: preposterous 1930s private-detective stories about a toff; realistic 1940s amateur-sleuth stories about an oik; and contemporary psychothriller standalones. These are all set in Scotland with a lot of Scottish weather. She also writes modern comedies about a Scot-out-of-water in a “fictional” college town in Northern California.

She has won multiple Anthonys, Agathas, Leftys and Macavitys for her work and been shortlisted for an Edgar, three Mary Higgins Clark awards and a UK dagger

Catriona is a proud lifetime member and former national president of Sisters in Crime.

Reviews

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a fairly good psychological thriller about a young widow returning to her home and native country seeking to heal her grief and get a fresh start

Atmosphere is everything in this book. Lindsay Hale returns home to her brother in Scotland. She meets an elderly widow who befriends her and offers her emotional support. Then she finds her dream home. But suddenly the widow is missing and no one but Lindsay seems to notice. She starts forgetting familiar faces and recognizes unfamiliar ones. But worse than that, she experiences strange dreams in her new home. Is she losing her mind or is it something else?

The book gives you goose bumps. It’s chilling and teases you as it does Lindsay as she starts to realize things aren’t what they seem and, of course, there are secrets to unravel.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.
Lindsay Hale has returned from Hawaii after her husband's death, to stay with her brother and family back in Scotland. She is heartbroken and finds it difficult to navigate life.
She buys a home for herself and eventually finds a boyfriend, but she feels off mentally and she has strange episodes.
The suspense ratchets up slowly but surely and I loved it so much I had to stop reading before my head exploded!
Even with all the suspense, there were parts that made me snicker; there's some good humor sprinkled in there. All in all I enjoyed the heck out of the book, which is beautifully written as well

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

New widow Lindsey returns home to Scotland after many years away, but as soon as she gets home, she starts experiencing strange, inexplicable moments that those around her are quick to attribute to grief. McPherson noted that she was going for a Gaslight-style book, and that claustrophobic air pervades the book. The beginning third is slightly disjointed, but I was glad I kept reading, and found it to be an ultimately satisfying tale. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy!

[Angelynn23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An atmospheric thriller that is packed with suspense and buried secrets unravelling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and loved the story and characters. The setting was amazing too that it adds this thrilling element to the story.

Thank you NetGalley and to Thomas & Mercer for the advance readier copy.

[taylor:)]

this was so all over the place that half the time I didn’t even know what the hell was happening. at first I thought maybe that was the point!!! like confusing the reader would really help them understand what the character is going through once the twist was revealed, NOPE!!!!! not even close, 283 pages that were not worth it for the “twist” at the end😣 1/5

[Jemma Roe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsay has returned to Scotland after her husbands death, she meets a new boyfriend and buys a new home but keeps having weird episodes. This book was full of Suspense and tension. First read from this author and it was a thrilling read. I was hooked from the start and barely put this book down