Heidi Bjornson seems to have it all: beauty, popularity, talent, and a picture-perfect family.
But beneath the surface, a darkness simmers, watching, waiting, threatening to destroy everything.
A darkness which will pull her down to the deepest depth of despair, spit her out, and only when she thinks she’s free of its grasp will it pull her down again.
Cracks in the Mirror is the first book in the Betrayal Series.
Betrayal: Cracks in the Mirror is now complete. The story continues in book 2, The Walls She Built.
Contents
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 1, 14th May 1990
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 2, Lela
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 3, Lars
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 4, Velvet Dress
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 5, Party
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 6, Chocolate and Red Wine
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 7, The Boathouse
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 8, Breakfast
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 9, Loganberry Tea
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 10, The Staircase
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 11, Rye Bread and Smoked Salmon
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 12, Broken Boxes
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 13, Arctic Howl
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 14, Half Eaten Pizza and Chicken Legs
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 15, Khaki Duffle Bag
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 16, Cracks in the Wall
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 17, Rusty Tap
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 18, Smashed Plates
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 19 – The Frozen Window
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 20, The Icy Road
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 21, Kristina
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 22, Wind of Change
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 23, The Unmade Bed
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 24, Silver Feathers
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 25, Fallen Angel
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Betrayal Part 1 – Chapter 26, Flickers on the Screen
In an era where mainstream psychological thrillers can occasionally feel sanitized and formulaic, Maya Robertson offers a refreshing, dark, and unapologetically gritty alternative. Publishing primarily as a serial author on her own platform, Inside Maya’s Mind (insidemayasmind.com), Robertson bridges the gap between traditional Scandi-noir suspense and the fast-paced, visceral energy of internet creepypasta culture.
While her work carries the minor structural blemishes typical of unedited indie fiction, her sharp eye for atmospheric dread makes her a compelling voice for fans of the macabre.
Robertson’s greatest asset as a writer is her ability to weaponize environment.
In her standalone folk-horror piece, The Myling, the freezing, unforgiving wilderness of Finnmark, Norway, acts as a secondary antagonist. Robertson does an excellent job of juxtaposing a historical 1865 tragedy with modern-day dread. The transition from a bleak survival story into a blood-soaked slasher narrative feels earned, largely because the setting is established with such tactile, freezing coldness.
Robertson’s bibliography effectively explores the two distinct faces of horror:
The Supernatural Threat: In The Myling, the horror is external and monstrous, a physical manifestation of historical guilt and folklore vengeance. She does not shy away from gore, making it an excellent fit for purists of the genre.
The Human Threat: In the Betrayal series, she pivots to psychological trauma. The horror here is grounded in betrayal, gaslighting, and the lingering PTSD of captivity. Robertson is at her best when exploring the “cracks in the mirror”, the terrifying reality that the people closest to us are often the ones wearing the most dangerous masks.
Maya Robertson is a talented, hidden gem in the independent horror community. Her work may lack the glossy, meticulous polish of a big-budget publishing house, but it more than makes up for it with raw tension, genuine atmospheric dread, and a refreshing commitment to dark, uncompromising storytelling.
For readers looking for a fast, chilling escape outside the mainstream mainstream thriller loop, Maya and insidemayasmind.com is well worth checking out.