Mystery
The Mask In Us
by Adelle Douglass
5
Readers
3
Reviews
4.3
Avg rating
About the book
“Two things can be true at once.” Everyone wears masks to hide who they truly are. Mal became aware of that fact ever since she enrolled herself in the famous Science & Technology school, in hopes of fulfilling her wishes to help her corrupted society understand criminal minds, to see what causes them to commit unspeakable crimes, and to help stop murder crimes across the nation. Except that, when she looks at the file in her hand one day, to read about the prisoner assigned to her for her graduation project, she goes into full shock mode. Hunter Ward, barely eighteen, who murdered his parents one fateful night, has been assigned to the scientist for her to research what caused him to commit such an unspeakable crime. He had spent two years in prison, arrested when he was sixteen, and was treated like a criminal, less than human, ever since his arrest. He begins to lose hope in ever being treated fairly, and he knew that with most of the years in his life would be spent in prison, he might just print the word ‘criminal’ to his forehead, as people would take one look at his profile and stare at him up and down in shame. With Mal’s full determination and curiosity to figure out why people kill, she brings out her and her step-brother’s graduation project invention, the NeuroVisual Decoder, and gets to work. A wide screen with too many wires to count, and with the miraculous ability to read minds in the shape of encrypted video files. An invention that had just been approved by the government, and was guaranteed a bright future in criminal justice, just like her. But everything comes with a price. And having full access to her prisoner’s thoughts, feelings, and intentions might just be the price she could never afford.
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Reader reviews
Andy
The title is what caught my intrest about the masks we all hide behind or is within us. The story line was intresting about new scientific way to go inside a killers mind to better understand what led them to commit murder. In search for the truth so many other truths and shocking twists unfold. It's a decent read but got a bit confusing in the end.
Jack
The Mask In Us — ★★★★★ This one grabbed me from the first chapter and didn't let go. The premise alone sold me students studying convicted prisoners as part of their coursework is such a sharp, unsettling concept, and Adelle Douglass runs with it in a way that feels genuinely fresh for the genre. Mal's dynamic with Hunter has real tension from the start, and the NeuroVisual Decoder gives the story a clever sci-fi edge without losing the psychological thriller core. Dark, twisty, and thought. Highly recommend for anyone who likes their mysteries with a moral gray area.
Kelly
This book completely pulled me in! From the unique premise to the mystery, secrets, betrayal, romance and twists, there was always something happening that made me want to keep reading. What I loved most was that just when I thought I had something figured out... I absolutely did not! The twists kept me guessing and some had me sitting there thinking, WAIT... WHAT?! Hunter's story was heartbreaking and as more of his past was revealed, I found myself becoming so emotionally invested and desperately wanting to know the truth. I also really enjoyed the connection between Mal and Hunter, along with the friendships and found family moments throughout the story. This book has mystery, suspense, secret identities, shocking betrayals and forbidden romance, with plenty of emotional and darker moments woven throughout. I was lucky enough to read the first half through, now I'm left with SO many questions! I desperately need to know what happens next and cannot wait to see how everything unfolds. If you love twisty mysteries, secrets, romance and books that keep you guessing, I definitely recommend giving The Mask In Us a read! Such an addictive and enjoyable read! I can't wait for more!
Author thank-yous & replies
From the author to Andy
Hi, thank you so much for your review! I'm curious, which part did you find confusing? I would love to know.
9/16/2026
From the author to Kelly
Thank you so much for your beautiful review 🥹♥!
9/11/2026
From the author to Jack
Thank you so much for review! It means a lot 🥹♥
9/5/2026