BOOK REVIEW: Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
A creepy and creative masterpiece that will keep you reading through the night!
What a Spooktacular roller coaster! I’m not a huge thriller reader, so many times I feel that they are a little formulaic for my liking. But, wow, Rekulak hit this one out of the proverbial ballpark and right into the supernatural, creepy, ‘I know this sounds crazy’ wonderland.
In summary, Mallory, who just recently found herself clean from a drug addiction, lands herself a nannying job for a 5year old little boy in a small, beautiful All-American community. The perfect way to get back on her feet and at 21, she has her whole life ahead of her. However, immediately she is thrown into the confusing and complicated mind of a child who draws creepy pictures with a really demonic looking Imaginary Friend in them. The situation escalates as Mallory, with the help of the good looking Adrian, digs deeper and deeper into the secrets of the family and the town.
I’ll be completely honest. I was initially drawn to the book because I heard about the pictures in it and how much they contributed to the overall story. Reading the descriptive imagery surrounding little Teddy’s drawings is one thing, something that is done well, but it’s a whole other thing to actually see the visual, artistic representations. I can’t even express how impactful it is. The story just wouldn’t be the same without them. It’s one of the key reasons I chose to have the tangible book versus the audio. As the plot evolves and the situation gets out of Mallory’s control, the drawings change and evolve. It really is pretty creepy, but the creepier the better!
The setting couldn’t have been better. Nothing says freaky #@!& is going to happen more than an upper class, quiet suburban community with, what I envision to be, large house on large lots surrounded by woods. It takes a lot to make me uncomfortable, but Mallory’s little cottage on the edge of the family’s property at the edge of the forest line would be a deal breaker for me. I hear too much in the silence. So, yes… A+ on the setting.
The characters are well developed and individual. There is definitely more to all of them than what meets the eye. Mallory is a great character from the beginning, she is flawed and may not be seen as the most reliable narrator due to her past, but she holds true to who she is, who she wants to be, and what she knows to be true. I love how she evolves, how she rises above the doubts of those from her past and is smart in how she handles relationships in the present.
Now the couple she is nannying for…they are an interesting pair. When we first meet them, we perceive them one way, but then at least the father, Ted, seems to go through 180 degree personality change from the time Mallory interviews to the time she moves in. The mother, Caroline, is pretty static throughout. She maneuvers through daily life with single minded effectiveness. Even as we hit the climax of the book, her demeanor never really changes. It adds the creepiness of the entire situation.
Teddy is the perfect 5 year old to have a psycho imaginary friend. He seems like a normal kid who loves playing in the pool and going on adventures with Mallory. And all the supporting characters achieve their purpose to perfection. From Adrian to crazy neighbor, Mitzi. They may have slightly minor and seemingly insignificant roles, but they are developed for a clear purpose that is essential for the story's progression.
The twists and turns and developments along the way, enhanced by the drawings, build to surprising and very fulfilling conclusion. I got to the point where I was like, one more page, one more chapter. I know it’s 1:00 in the morning, but I can do it! I appreciated the believability of the final chapter in how these characters end this story. It made sense to reality and to the way the characters were developed.
Finally, there are some great topics to think about here. First off, you have Mallory, a recovering drug addict. You learn about her past and how her addiction took hold of her. There is a lot to say about grief and self-hate. The struggles of dealing with tragedy and how it’s ok to ask for help. This is also paired with self acceptance and honesty. Secondly, Intuition. There are those times when you just FEEL something is going on or something is not right. Trusting your gut and your instincts should never be diminished. Lastly, the vulnerability and resilience of children. This is paralleled throughout the book, like yin and yang. While trauma is heartbreaking for everyone involved there seems to be a resilience that children have when supported and given the time and space they need.
Where does this book land on my bookshelf?
It should be obvious that this is front and center on my top shelf. I absolutely LOVED this book. As a non-avid thriller/horror reader, this one stole the show for me. From the pacing of the plot and conflict to how the character development mirrored the events logically and perfectly, I wouldn’t change a thing about this. The puzzle aspect in Mallory trying to figure out what is going on is supported by the drawings throughout the book. I love a good puzzle in a book, so this was fun to simply be the observer while she and Adrian tried to piece all the clues together. In the end, I want to read more books just like this. My 6th grade self wanted to pull out a Ouija Board and see who would talk to me. There is definitely a market for creepy adult picture books, and I’m more than ready to embrace it as a new favorite genre.
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