The White Room Runs Cold: A Psychological Horror

by Matt Shaw

"The White Room Runs Cold" is the sequel to "The White Room Runs Red"; a psychological horror from Matt Shaw.Dr. Schwartz struggles to find her place in the world after recent revelations and fears for her life. In her brain, she knows the sensible thing is to leave but also knows, they'll never let her "just" walk away from everything. Not with all that she knows. Feeling trapped, she also contemplates packing a bag and just running but - to where exactly? Her funds are limited and she knows it would only be a matter of time before they found her and ensured she didn't spill the secrets they'd worked so hard to keep buried. But what if, a thought that came to her in the dead of night, she played "nice" and did everything they instructed before fulfilling her earlier plan; to go public with all that she knew in an effort to bring the corporation down? Surely they would be so busy trying to put out the metaphorical fires she'd be able to slip away into the shadows and rebuild her life elsewhere?

Dr. Henderson can't make sense of where she is either. With a small cut on her finger, her life had come crashing down around her and so no longer knew who or what she was. All she knew was, she wouldn't let those responsible for her predicament get away with what they'd done to her. Working from within, she would ensure her secret stays buried while seeking retribution for those who'd betrayed her.

Unaware of the cracks forming within, Sam Schlecht continues to manage with an iron-fist while trying to perfect the experiment ahead of the big roll-out. No one will stand in her way.

In "The White Room Runs Red" the blood flowed freely. Now, with opinions being divided and cracks showing, "The White Rooms Run Cold" and it's only a matter of time before Hell does indeed freeze over.

Please This is a short story intended for those on Kindle Unlimited

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2026

About the author

Biography

MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.


Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.

Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.

Reviews

[vampcherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea that the whole company and the cloning is just a never-ending cycle is seriously so sickening to think about. It left me with so many questions and left me wanting more, wish there was another book after! Also side note, Henderson’s logic is so flawed. The rage I felt from her actions was so strong LOL

[Eunice Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes the unsettling atmosphere of the first book and pushes it to a whole new level. I actually enjoyed this second installment even more because there's noticeably more action and the pacing feels stronger. The tension builds in a way that kept me turning the pages, wanting to see what would happen next. What really stands out in this book is how much more disturbing the situation becomes. As the story unfolds, you start to realize just how terrifying and hopeless the characters' circumstances really are. The idea of trying to escape something that feels completely inescapable creates a very intense psychological nightmare.
Matt Shaw does a great job making the reader feel that sense of dread and helplessness while still keeping the story gripping and engaging. It’s dark, unsettling, and definitely memorable.
I'm now fully invested in the series and looking forward to the third book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie is in a daze since her discovery. She is going through the motions, ever mindful of the fate that awaits her if they suspect.

Java is reeling, she understands what she needs to do and what is at stake.

Catapulted straight back in, this conclusion challenges the complexities of choice; of doing the right thing where tacit acceptance is the road most travelled.

But Shaw has done it again - that epilogue broke me. Remember Winston’s mathematical solution at the end of 1984? Well, you are almost there!

[Marktroth · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE WHITE ROOM RUNS COLD

Not as good as some of the books from Matt shaw I’ve read but I do think a lot of people would enjoy both books in this series