Totally out of his element and haunted by his past, Teddy jumps into the investigation with both feet, mentored from a distance by Nash, a semi-retired defense attorney. He runs into Philadelphia District Attorney Alan Andrews who has just been raked over the coals in the press for convicting and executing a wrongly accused man. Andrews is certain that the mailman is the murderer, perhaps a serial murderer, and that this conviction will change public opinion of him.

Nothing Teddy can do will make Andrews consider that he may again have the wrong man in custody. Even a murder committed while the mailman is in jail won't move Andrews. Now Teddy is left with very little other than his gut feeling while he tracks down a serial killer and wrestles with his own demons of the past.

The Dead Room is a fast paced, brisk novel with an engrossing plot and well-developed, well-placed characters. Teddy is well-drawn as he attempts to take his place in the adult world while still haunted by childhood memories of his father, who was accused of murder many years ago and who died in jail. The mailman and the serial killer are an interesting pair, as are DA Andrews and Teddy's mentor, Nash. Each appears to be a pair of opposites, yet each is basically the same as the other, just on a different path in life.

Teddy's investigation is very complex and there are many different avenues to explore. Once the investigation has wrapped up and Teddy is comfortable once again, there is one last twist that twill leave readers a bit uneasy. The Dead Room is a brisk read for those who enjoy the legal side of investigating and murder.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry