Masked: A Psychological Horror

by Michael Robertson

MASKED - SOMETIMES IT’S BETTER TO NOT KNOW WHAT'S UNDERNEATH.

Jacob Davies is an alcoholic who’s been sober for twenty years. When he watches his dad lose his battle against pancreatic cancer it sends his life into chaos and the cravings return stronger than ever. Lost in his grief, he starts to see visions of a masked man that no one else can see. A man who knows things Jacob is yet to find out. A man who has answers to questions Jacob didn’t realise he had.

Lucy, Jacob’s wife, stood by him the first time he fell into alcoholism. As he starts to drink again, she makes it perfectly clear she won’t do it a second time. Not now they have two teenage children.

The visions and Jacob’s grief send him on a journey that leads him to the brink of losing both his family and sanity. As he tries to hold everything together, maybe his only way out is to understand why he’s seeing the masked figure.

Although maybe it will make everything a hell of a lot worse ...

Masked is a psychological horror about grief, addiction, and deceit.

Genres: Horror

298 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2018

About the author

Michael Robertson is an author and blogger. He has had several short stories published, including one with HarperCollins. He is the author of Crash - http://michaelrobertson.co.uk/crash--...

You can connect with Michael on Twitter at @MicRobertson, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRober... and you can also contact him through his website at www.michaelrobertson.co.uk

Reviews

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel blew my mind away, it is a psychological thriller about addiction, grief and abuse and it is written so well I felt all the pain Jacob was going through when his father died. A father he idolised and tried to emulate but always felt he fell short compared to this great man. The roller coaster ride which his addiction took him on drove me crazy as I could see how his life was hitting a downward spiral totally out of his control. Jacob had a family who loved him but his wife had already experienced and seen him through his alcoholism before, he had come clean with his father's help and her own twenty years before but this time she felt she could not go through all that again. His biggest fear was the masked man he kept seeing looking at him in every corner, making him question his very own sanity and keeping him from trusting his wife and asking for help. When he finally removes the mask though what he finds destroys Jacob completely!! Michael Robertson has done it again, but this story hits so close to the truth, many unfortunately are going to be able to relate to the horror of this story and like me feel devastated at the end of the book!! It is not an easy read but really worth reading, I think it is one of Robertson's very best books and he is a favourite author of mine so I rate all his books very highly!

[D.S. Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written masterpiece about addiction, guilt pain and grief.

From the very start to the shocking ending I was completely immersed in this book.

Probably the best I have read this year.

[Oralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. Reaching deep into the psychological dark of a tormented soul this story takes on a dark discovery of Jacobs Davis' mind and the things we hide from ourselves.
An alcoholic, Jacob has not had a drink in 20 years not until his fathers death and the appearance of the Masked man drive him back to the lure of alcohol. Nobody else see's the masked man and as Jacobs paranoia and drinking drive him on he finds himself losing not only his job and his family but maybe his mind.
Really well written and suspenseful Michael Robertson pulls his reader along on a twisted ride right to the very end. The scariest things we have are the things we hide from ourselves

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masked literally frightened me so much I was afraid to turn the page, in SEVERAL different scenes. The tension is incredible and I was completely surprised by the conclusion. It is very well-written and the characters are well crafted and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves a true thriller. This one is as good as any horror written by King or Koontz.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author and wanted to post this review so that as many people as possible could be scared as much as I was.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masked was my introduction to Michael Robertson’s writing, based on this book I’ll be reading more of his work in the near future. Masked is advertised as a psychological horror book and it certainly delivers on both counts. While I just knew what was going on by the middle of the story, when it suddenly took a hard turn in the story line the true psychological horror component became obvious and proved my previous idea of what was going on to be erroneous. I received a review copy from the author and chose to provide this review after reading the book.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, dark novel. When a masked figure not only invades your dreams, but your waking moments then you know you’re entering a living nightmare. The book traces the living horror of Jacob as he battles with alcohol abuse and a demon from his past. Not only is at risk of losing his family, but his own mind as well. A well written book. My only criticism is that I did feel at certain times the swearing was excessive and unnecessary.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stress. Tension. Anxiety. Trauma. And that's just me as the reader, you should see what the main character Jacob has to go through. I suppose we all have our demons. But some of us have more serious demons than others. Michael Robertson wins the prize for creating the creepiest of demons. This book seriously creeped me out! Robertson slowly burns Jacob's world to the ground in one suspenseful chapter after another. You will have to read the book for yourself to find out if Jacob can rebuild it.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book and found it to be a disturbing yet cleverly written story.

Much of the time, I thought Jacob was annoying even though I could understand his mixed feelings and fear. I did suspect the truth, if not in its entirety.

Well-written, fast-paced and gritty.

Recommended.

[Janis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just wanted to slap the guy through the whole book!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author describes grief and terror very well. However, the “surprise” at the end of this book was not surprising at all. I did enjoy that the book didn’t have a hallmark ending.

[Rhona Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book! A flawed hero who is doomed by a real demon beyond his control. Cleverly written and well-structured. Finally, also a stand-alone novel.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book.

[Laura Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, sad, scary, brilliant - five stars