Darkview: Psychosis Book Tour Authors: R.J. Bathgate & M.J. Hall

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About the Book
Title: Darkview: Psychosis
Author: R.J. Bathgate & M.J. Hall
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Horror

Synopsis

Jack Cyrus is in damnation! After witnessing the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, he has become plagued by dark memories and devilish visions, the result of post traumatic stress. Compounding his trauma, he is faced with the sudden death of his wife, from cancer, after returning home to Scotland. Lost and alone, and struggling to forget the horrific circumstances surrounding her passing, Jack has developed schizophrenia, experiencing chaotic, disturbed thoughts and demonic hallucinations.

On the sixth anniversary of his wife’s death, Jack receives a cryptic, hand written letter from her, telling him she is still alive. Suffering and held captive, she pleads with him to return to Darkview, the place she spent her last days, and rescue her from purgatory. Upon arrival in Darkview, strange things start happening, and what appears to be a centuries old mystery, starts unravelling itself. Jack must piece together the clues and lost fragments of his sanity to solve the unravelling mystery. Is any of it real, or is it just a manifestation of Jack's mind, or another facet of his schizophrenia?

Teaser
 
Take a journey into the disturbed, delusional mind of Jack Cyrus … take a journey into Darkview … a small, remote coastal town, deep within the Scottish Highlands. The sleepy, isolated spot bears a sinister, horrific history, shrouded by a chilling secret. A secret one man must unveil, which will ravage his soul … and sanity!

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Excerpt

​Jack tightly grasped the cold wrought-iron gates and sighed, though not in relief. A dark, intruding thought had instantly crossed his mind. What was my evil? Burt, Jake, and Ann, had all committed despicable acts. Their punishment: trapped in this sombre dimension of Darkview. So why was he trapped here too, surrounded by the damned?
 
Jack couldn’t contemplate, nor fathom why he was here. He had spent his whole life helping people who couldn’t help themselves. It didn’t make sense. He could not visualise causing harm or suffering to another human being. The only exception had been Samson. Jack knew Samson would have killed A’isha, and himself, had he not acted. His actions that day were justified, but at the back of his mind, something else continued to trouble him.
 
As his hands pressed against the cold metal, he scanned beyond the gates. It was the first time he had seen the amusement park. He had not been aware of its existence before today. It all seemed foreign, except for the gates, which Jack, to his chagrin, recognised from childhood.
 
Once, these gates had been the entrance to the Fearann an Dorcha Estate, where the Laird David McNab, his wife, and only daughter, had lived, in a mammoth, opulent mansion surrounded by Japanese water gardens. When the Laird and his family perished, in the 1930 Blackwood Dam disaster, their home had subsequently laid empty for many years. During World War II, the building became a military hospital. Following the end of the conflict, it turned into an orphanage, where Jack ended up after the death of his mother and the mysterious disappearance of his father.
 
Jack had spent his teenage years in the old manor, but had no fond memories. Demolishing the manor years ago was a necessity, following a mysterious blaze that ripped through the entire building deeming it structurally unsound. Jack was relieved. It pleased him that replacement of the bane of his youth was now a venue where children could have fun. All Jack could remember from his days at the orphanage was suffering, combined with the constant fear of bullying and physical torment.
 
After sorely contemplating the past, Jack pushed against the iron gates. They screeched open to reveal a large forecourt shrouded in mist. Shimmering through the nebulous vapour sprung the rotating lights of a carousel, and an old, wooden, rickety rollercoaster, towering high in the air. Although the park was illuminated, and all the attractions and rides seemed to be in motion, Jack noticed that nobody was around. The place was completely deserted.
 
Lisa had led Jack to this place. He was right where she wanted him. Jack felt angry and frustrated, standing alone in the middle of the forecourt, arms folded, and waiting for Lisa to reveal herself. He felt like his journey had taken weeks instead of days. Ultimately, he just wanted to find Chloe and go home. He was tired, exhausted. These endless games of cat-and-mouse had left his body drained…

About the Authors
R.J. Bathgate, born and bred in Scotland, is the creator and co-author of Darkview: Psychosis. A father of two, and enormously proud of his heritage, he has studied psychology, social sciences, and is currently working towards an advanced diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling and hypnotherapy. His heart lies with new experiences and an interest into the unknown, particularly with writing. He has travelled the world from the dusty, wildlife-filled plains of Zambia, to the glaciers of Alaska, and the soaring peaks of the Canadian Rockies. He is extremely fond of NHL ice hockey, video games, good films, fine wine, and Jack Daniels. He originally wrote Darkview as a screenplay when living in Canada, but upon returning to Scotland, researched mental health issues, namely psychosis and schizophrenia. Inspired by this research, he brought in his lifelong friend, M.J. Hall, to help create a more realistic take on Darkview. The result is a story that combines traditional Scottish history with real life, catastrophic world events, told through the eyes of the protagonist, Jack Cyrus.
 
M.J. Hall was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, at the turn of the eighties. Despite being born in England, he identifies more with his ‘adopted’ country, Scotland – he’s lived there since he was four, and his late maternal grandfather was Scottish, too. He presently lives in Edinburgh and is currently studying Environmental Science at the Open University, but has always dreamed of a career in music or writing, or both. He is vegetarian, loves animals (especially cats) and is devoted to his black and white moggy, Tahlula. He humbly admits being just a small voice in a big chorus, and his life changed for the better, or at least would never be the same, when his lifelong and best friend – R.J. Bathgate – invited him to collaborate on Darkview.
 
Links
 
Website:
http://darkview.wix.com/psychosis
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/rjbathgate.mjhall/?fref=ts
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/darkview_vol1

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