Stigma

by Mark P Haskins

In the United Kingdom, glowing red letters are appearing above the heads of some of the population.

In a tense and gripping thriller, Stigma takes readers on a chilling journey through a United Kingdom gripped by fear and uncertainty. Glowing red letters hover ominously above the heads of select individuals, marking them in ways that society can’t ignore.

For Orville, the prospect of his secret being revealed forces him to flee the only home he’s ever known. Meanwhile, ruthless gang member Michael sees a chance to use the letters to take control, finally getting the power he craves.

Amidst the turmoil, Prime Minister Samantha Graveson finds herself cornered by an electorate that demands answers she cannot provide. Father Steven, a priest, on the verge of leaving the church, grapples with the appearance of the letters. If this is divine intervention, why punish the innocent?

As the letters spread, they ignite a nationwide crisis, leading many to question everything they thought they knew about their family and friends.

334 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

Mark is a life long geek. Getting his first computer at 12, he was writing software shortly afterwards.

After spending 12yrs in the Royal Corps of Signals, he returned to civilian life and gravitated back to his first love of technology. He currently works as a Software Development Manager.

Until he wrote his first novel, he filled his time with writing apps, wildlife photography, and building Lego.

Mark lives in Standon, Hertfordshire.

Reviews

[LJ 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This multi POV thriller immediately grabbed me, jumping right into the action. The short chapters and original storyline kept my interest throughout. The author does a good job of imagining the human response to essentially waking up with a target on your back that confessed your worst sin. With mass paranoia, panic, and a purge-like atmosphere, we would devolve into a mob mentality. I really wanted a conclusion at the end, but would we have gotten one if these events actually occurred? I was glad I had the opportunity to read this for Indie Author Month and will be keeping my eyes open for more from Mark P. Haskins!

[azu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5


What if one day, a glowing red letter appeared above your head?
What if that letter meant more than just a symbol? Is it the initial of your name? Your favorite letter? No, it’s a mark of a crime you once committed, a stigma.

Stigma explores this unsettling scenario across the UK. Through a choral narration, we meet a diverse cast of characters, each confronting the letters and their meanings in their own way.

I found the concept fascinating, like, the idea is bold, and the execution kept me engaged throughout. The ending, however, left me slightly disappointed, as I’m not a big fan of open endings.

The characters felt strikingly real: some I disliked intensely, others I empathized with, and a few left me indifferent. That variety was one of the book’s strengths, allowing me to experience multiple perspectives and choices surrounding the same event.

The narrative itself was compelling. The rhythm flowed naturally, and the tension built steadily, making it hard to put the book down.

Another aspect I liked was the moral criticism of the system. For instance, should someone receive an “M” (murderer) for acting in self-defense? And should that label influence their case in court? Questions like these came to my mind while reading, making the experience even more interesting.

So, overall, Stigma is a thought-provoking and original read. Despite my reservations about the ending, I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone interested in stories that challenge perception and morality.

[Mylife Style · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book and loved the concept of the Stigma's - it's so thought-provoking and open to interpretation! The multi-POV thriller grabbed me from the start, with short chapters and an original storyline that kept me hooked. Mark P. Haskins did a great job of exploring the human response to fear, paranoia, and mob mentality. While I was expecting a more concrete explanation for the Stigma's by the end, the ambiguous conclusion actually sparked more questions and discussion points - perfect for a book club! It felt like a realistic portrayal of how society might react in such a situation. I'm glad I got to read this for Indie Author Month and I'm looking forward to checking out more of Mark's work. Highly recommend for fans of thrillers and thought-provoking fiction.

[Kayla Philbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the idea of the Stigma’s. I like that there’s so many ways you could dissect this book and could be a good book club pick. I was kind of expecting to know in the end what was causing the Stigma’s to appear but I also understand that the way it ended could leave readers with a lot of questions and a lot of discussions.

[Laura Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had an interesting concept and I really enjoyed hearing the story through lots of different narrators and learning who was unreliable. It felt very real and it was interesting seeing how this would play out in real time.

[Rizky Maulida Harsono · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good book to read !!

Have you ever imagined for every sin we've made secretly, now being showed to the world by sign above your head ? It must be so embarrassing.
Following some criminals around UK got signs M P T R stand for murder, pedophile, terrorist, and rapist above their heads out of nowhere. This thing's happened in around UK only. Every people questioning abt this problem cos why it happens only in their country. Who makes this chaos ? It's punishment from God or some great technologies from government ? No one knows. If they already got one and try to leave the country, the sign will disappear itself. But there is no country who accept people from UK anymore after knowing abt this fact. The story got more exciting when the sign they get, change its colour from the red to the black one and in a few days they'll die.

At first, I thought the book was abt a murder cos why a person suddenly die haha but I was wrong. I love the sensastion of reading this one, absolutely became my one of best reads this year. It wont make you bored cos the book is so page turner and every chapter has short pages which is makes it even better hahaha. If I was not that busy, I'm sure I could finish it in one sitting.

[Pulung Dwisari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stigma was honestly a really interesting read. The story jumps between different characters, and I actually liked that because it shows how everyone reacts differently to the same weird situation. Some characters freak out, some try to use it for power, and some just want to hide. It keeps things unpredictable. Recommended if you want something different!

[Gabi (gabichandesu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews for books. I'm not that great at it nor motivated to write them. But as this book was self-published in 2025 and hasn't gotten much traffic on Goodreads, I wanted to leave one.

I really enjoyed reading this! I'm into sci-fic, futuristic, dystopia, and fantasy books, so this was right up my alley. The mystery of the Stigmas, the different POVs, how there was never an explanation, etc (not sure if that's a spoiler?)

I can't recall if I saw an ad on FB or Amazon, but I read the description, added it to my cart, and then didn't end up buying it for maybe a week. I'm so glad I did, I definitely recommend this!

[Shadrack Antwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a remote corner of Scotland, a red, holographic letter ‘P’ appears over Orville, a cottage dwelling wildlife-photographing guy, who is then accosted by a crowd from his village about the weird letter hanging over his head. Meanwhile a flight attendant thinks she momentarily notices a similar red holographic letter ‘T’ over the head of a passenger on a flight landing in the UK. Beginning in Scotland and then gradually moving south through England, these letters start appearing over some people and it’s not very long before people come up with a meaning for each letter. But the origin of the letters, and how they are being displayed, are as yet unknown.

As these holographic letters or Stigmas as they are soon called spread over the next few days, starting as mere curiosities and then growing into some sort of endemic panic, for Orville and others with stigmas, the only choice seems to flee southward ahead of the stigmas (because it is not displayed when someone is out of its current coverage area) and away from the village gossips and news reporters.

Stigma the novel is written from the point of view (POV) of several characters: Rachel the owner and manager of a refuge for abused women, Samantha the Prime Minister of UK who has to wonder, in metaphorical ways, what these Stigmas mean for her political career, Michael a high ranking member of a Manchester gang who is looking for opportunities to advance further up in the gang, Father Steven the Catholic priest who is starting to doubt his faith and is looking to quit the priesthood before the Stigmas showed up, as well as other characters whose momentary POV helps to relate the plot of the novel. This method seems to work for the novel; the reader gets a holistic view of the unfolding story, and how different people in different stations of life similarly or differently view and act in such a crisis.

The novel is written at a steady pace, and the author employs a slightly detached writing style which is probably fitting for capturing the various characters’ interesting behavior in the circumstances; human behavior, in groups and as individuals, are explored in this novel. The reader might wonder, would the characters and people react differently if such a crisis occurred in real life? But that may require scientists like those in the novel trying to figure out the Stigmas to simulate the various ways in which people may react in the crisis. I believe the POVs and the writing style serve the story well; my only gripe is that there are one too many proofreading and editing errors that interrupt and slightly mar the reading experience.

The main premise of Stigmas the novel is creative and intriguing in its own right, and the proceeding story is deftly handled. Humans at our worst and best moments are examined in this novel in an interesting way. Counter-intuitive personalities, such as Rachel, who seems quite a worrywart for a person who stands for and looks after abused women, are found in this novel. Stigmas is about a crisis and human reactions, and it is also about human resilience and creativity. Overall, I enjoyed the novel: it feels like the interesting crisis novel that lovers of thrillers about the human condition and experience should read.

[Best-Beauty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stigma presents a compelling initial premise: the sudden appearance of visible letters above people's heads in the UK, seemingly revealing their hidden wrongdoings. As someone who often gravitates towards speculative and dystopian narratives, I was immediately intrigued by this concept and its potential to explore societal reactions to the extraordinary. The unfolding scenario, where private sins become public knowledge, certainly sets the stage for a fascinating exploration of human behavior and social dynamics.

However, as I progressed through the book, my personal engagement was somewhat nuanced, possibly due to elements that resonated differently with my cultural perspective. While the central mystery surrounding the origin and meaning of the stigmas is a driving force throughout the narrative, I found myself occasionally wishing for a deeper exploration of certain aspects. Additionally, while the protagonist's internal journey and psychological state are effectively conveyed, there were moments where the narrative felt a little drawn out, particularly during extended periods of introspection.

In considering who might connect with this book, I believe readers who are drawn to speculative thrillers that examine societal responses to unprecedented events, especially within the context of the United Kingdom, would find it interesting. Furthermore, those who appreciate stories delving into themes of guilt, judgment, and the potential breakdown of social norms might find its exploration thought-provoking, even if their own cultural interpretations of these themes might vary.

From my own cultural standpoint, some of the immediate and widespread societal responses depicted in the book felt somewhat heightened compared to how I might envision similar events unfolding. This difference in cultural framing, along with certain character portrayals that occasionally felt more symbolic than deeply intricate, contributed to a reading experience where I admired the premise but didn't always feel a complete emotional immersion.

The narrative structure, with its shifts in time and focus on internal thoughts, effectively mirrors the protagonist's mental state, and the shorter chapters do contribute to a sense of forward momentum. However, I personally experienced the pacing as being somewhat uneven, with periods of intense focus followed by moments where the story seemed to linger.
Ultimately, while "Stigma" offers a unique and imaginative dystopian scenario with some compelling character insights, certain cultural nuances and pacing elements meant it wasn't an entirely seamless fit with my reading preferences.

[Blackrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Black Mirror, The Handmaid’s Tale, and a crime thriller walked into a bar and brewed a social commentary cocktail, Stigma would be the result. Mark P. Haskins' speculative debut delivers a hauntingly plausible tale where glowing letters float above people’s heads branding them with secrets they never asked to have exposed. Orwellian? Yes. Chillingly relevant? Also yes.

Imagine waking up one day with a glowing red letter floating above your head, broadcasting your darkest secret to the world. That’s the eerie premise of Stigma, a genre-bending thriller that’s equal parts dystopia, crime drama, and gut-punching social commentary.

The story kicks off with eerie sightings aboard a plane, and from there, the narrative snowballs into a full-blown societal meltdown. At its core is Rachel, a former lawyer turned women’s shelter founder, whose personal trauma intersects with the mysterious appearance of the stigmatic letters. What follows is a deftly plotted thriller with a conscience blending suspense, social critique, and psychological tension with the finesse of a seasoned author.

Haskins excels at capturing the quiet desperation of his characters, particularly Rachel, whose inner battle is equal parts brutal and inspiring. He doesn’t shy away from sensitive themes; misogyny, race, abuse, media sensationalism but instead weaves them into something that is both gripping and uncomfortably real. The sci-fi premise never overpowers the very human drama at the centre. It just happens to glow a threatening red.

Some scenes may be hard to stomach, graphic content is handled unflinchingly yet it serves the narrative's intent: to provoke, to challenge, to hold up a mirror. Yes, it juggles a lot multiple POVs, social critique, a sprinkle of sci-fi but somehow, it works. The pacing occasionally stutters, but the payoff is worth it. Think The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report, but make it British, modern, and unapologetically fierce.

By the end, you're left asking: what if our worst secrets weren’t secret at all? Would society collapse… or finally evolve? Highly recommend to fans of thought-provoking thrillers who like their fiction dark, their themes timely, and their moral dilemmas disturbingly relatable.

Verdict: Stigma isn’t just a thriller; it’s a philosophical slap in the face about the labels society pins on people. Clever, bold, and devastatingly timely, it forces readers to ask: if our worst traits were visible for all to see, would we change or just hide better?

4.5 out of 5 glowing red letters.

[Romina Fucà · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review – Stigma by Mark P. Haskins

by Romina Fucà

“The Scarlet Letter meets modern dystopia in this chilling near-future tale.”
“Stigma is both a gripping dystopian thriller and a haunting meditation on shame, justice, and the fragile fabric of human community.”
Mark P. Haskins’ Stigma is a gripping near-future thriller set in the United Kingdom, where a mysterious phenomenon turns daily life upside down: glowing letters appear above people’s heads, soon known as “Stigmas.” Within two weeks, the signs spread across the nation, baffling scientists, alarming politicians, and terrifying ordinary citizens. Despite satellite tracking, environmental testing, and emergency COBRA meetings, no explanation is found. Fear and speculation fill the void.
The premise recalls Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter (1850), where private sins were made public through visible symbols. Here too, letters mark people with their crimes — “M” for murderer, “P” for pedophile, “R” for rapist — echoing centuries of branding and public shaming, from Roman slaves to James Nayler’s forehead “B” in 1656, and even the yellow stars forced on Jews during the Shoah. As Kathryn Dauge-Roth notes in Stigma: Marking Skin in the Early Modern World (2023), such marks create “dehumanization [that] holds a powerful aura.”
The story unfolds through multiple characters: a flight attendant who witnesses the first glowing “T”; Rachel Murphy, a former lawyer running a women’s refuge, who must face trauma and guilt; Father Steven, a priest consumed by a crisis of faith; and Orville, marked with a “P,” who spirals into shame and isolation.
The reaction is swift and divisive: media frenzy, public violence against the marked, and desperate government measures. At its best, the novel combines thriller suspense with social commentary, showing how fragile institutions and communities become when fear and judgment rule.
For readers who enjoy dystopian thrillers with supernatural elements — but also want deeper historical and social resonance — Stigma is both unsettling and rewarding.

[Mercy Presh · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW ON STIGMA BY MARK P. HASKINS

Stigma by Mark P. Haskins is a potent piece of social speculative fiction that successfully merges a high-concept Sci-Fi premise with the urgency of a political thriller. The novel’s primary structural achievement is the utilization of a single catalyst—the glowing red letters—to rigorously test the limits of institutional competency, religious interpretation, and social tolerance within a volatile political environment.
​The strength of the narrative lies not in the scientific discovery of the letters’ origin, but in the relentless focus on the subsequent societal and personal reaction. By following the four diverse character arcs—Graveson (political impotence), Steven (spiritual crisis), Orville (personal flight), and Michael (criminal exploitation)—Haskins provides a comprehensive, panoramic view of a society undergoing rapid fragmentation.
​The novel is an incisive contemporary critique of prejudice, suggesting that deep-seated human tendencies toward judgment are always latent, needing only a definitive, visible marker to erupt into chaos. Stigma concludes as a relevant commentary on institutional failure and the inherent fragility of communal trust in an era defined by political polarization and the growing fear of inescapable data exposure.

[Jack Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stigma follows the haunting psychological unraveling of a man grappling with buried trauma and the external pressures of a judgmental society, as he confronts a series of events that challenge his grip on reality. Through a layered narrative and sharp character studies, Haskins explores how shame and mental illness collide with cultural expectations and personal identity.
Haskins effectively captures the inner turmoil of the protagonist, making the mental and emotional descent both compelling and painfully authentic. Themes of shame, alienation, and societal judgment are handled with nuance, adding depth to both the characters and plot. However some sections drag, particularly in the middle chapters, where introspective passages occasionally become repetitive and slow the momentum. While the protagonist is richly drawn, secondary characters sometimes feel one-dimensional, serving more as symbolic devices than as fully realized people. This is balanced out with the nonlinear timeline and internal monologues offering a rich, textured experience that mirrors the protagonist's fractured psyche.

[Fatih Sever · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning when I started to read the book I realized it has different type then others because there was a few pages as a chapter and each chapter for different people. Topic is so unique, it is a hovering stigma which exposes your crime. If you are a murderer there's M, if you're Terrorist there's T.
You try to understand what is going from different perspective for example in one chapter you become political leader in other a gangster and you observe all aspects of this stigma things
Reading different scenarios for different worlds is good but that can cause surface-level knowledge because you jump from one person to other person and you can't deeply dive into a specific story that cause to loose attention or interest sometimes and at the end of the book there's still uncompleted parts and questions in my head

[Priyadarshini Dutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read of the year and what a great one at that! There are multiple storylines happening simultaneously, but because of how the chapters are named and arranged, it was super easy to follow all the storylines. The plot makes one think about society and morality, and if such a thing were to happen in real life, what would you do!
The way the story followed, it was almost like watching a thriller/sci-fi mini series, rooting (or not rooting) for all the different characters.
Few grammar mistakes here and there, but hopefully they will be removed in future drafts of the book.
Definitely left me a happy reader!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gritty thriller, and I liked the dark tone of the writing. I sensed danger; something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. The individual chapters were quite short, and that kept me turning the pages. There were some great characters. Some of them were maybe a little bit unlikeable, but still intriguing. In particular, I really liked Rachel as a character. She was a very strong character, and I was keen to see what would happen next for her.

If you like reading thrillers, and you're looking for a dark, gritty read, this is a good one to choose.

[Avighet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It definitely turned out to be something different and something I hadn't come across as an idea. It also came out at the exact moment I was studying about "stigma" and "stigmatisation" at university. Perfect timing. I liked the characters and as rarely as it happens to me, I liked a sci-fi book. But purely and simply because of the genre, which is not my favorite - 4⭐️

[EdenB15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paced Thank you booktasters and the author for providing me with a copy of this book to review. I was genuinely hooked throughout.The thrilling multiple POVS leaving us wanting more from each character who was careful development , the fast paced short chapters and the action spread throughout kept me on the edge of my seat. As readers we often expect a neatly tied up ending and i must admit i was interested to find out what caused the stigmas to appear but it fit well and left the reader asking questions and left it open for interpretation. This book examined some of the horrific challenge and struggles s that people face in society and opens questions as to what could be done better and/or differently to support these people experiencing these traumas. If you are a fan of the handmaids tale id recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m really excited for what Mark writes in the future