Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - Hidden Pictures: A Novel

The way the author made the atheist characters caricatures of atheist people and the bad guys, while the racist side character is a victim by the end. A lot of the shocking stuff they do sounds a lot like what conservatives claim about drag shows and (other) LGBT communities (seriously who would buy a 5yr old a book that discussed anal and oral sex????). It didn’t really sit well with me considering the other themes in the book

It’s a well written and spooky book with some really good pictures hence my original rating but part of it did read like right wing fear mongering with some light fatphobia sprinkled in.

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amodernhobbitslibrary's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

High marks because I definitely could not anticipate the outcome of this one!

I was rooting for the MC the whole time, easily relating to her through my time as a nanny. I loved the addition of all the pictures, that really helped sell the story — and drive the point home towards the end.

Writing was so excellent, that I’ll be looking into more works from this author. Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an eerie suspenseful, murder mystery.

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theskyylife's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved loved loved this book! I love the writing I like how there was a twist or two in the book. I couldn’t put it down! I love the illustrations throughout and the action that took place and I loved the ending!! Highly recommend!!

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somebodys_fool's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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vivisms_82's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

21 yr old, several months sober Mallory gets a job as a nanny to a 5 year old child named Teddy. Mystery and strange occurrences ensue. I truly liked this book. An unexpected page turner for me - it is part paranormal/part domestic thriller and I was quite ok going along for the ride and buying it. Is it perfect? No. I mean

The red herring mystery of Annie and Willie was a bit bonkers. I mean two mysteries?? I don't like rubbish coincidences like that. Weird.

I have noticed on a few platforms this book has been given low ratings due to

Teddy really being a girl

I can respect people being pissed if this was used as a comment on

children and transgender

, however I don't believe this is so - this is quite important in bringing the story together and (to me at least) makes it plausible ie

is used to protect Caroline and Ted from detection should the police come knocking - I mean a child goes missing, the first thing they broadcast is the gender "missing 2 year old girl" etc. They are on the run and by making Flora appear like a boy is to keep their crime safe for goodness sakes! Not some hidden anti-trans meaning!

. It completely makes sense and is not some leftist author preaching his anti-woke views. I think some folks have read too much into that. I also don't like JK Rowling or agree with any of the harmful narrative she feels compelled to expel - HOWEVER I don't think a reference to Harry Potter is the author giving a nod to her or the hidden spoiler showing support to her either. I think it is simply used so the plotline works. I work with books all day - HP is a go to even for people that don't read at all - they will pick it up for a gift, for themselves or read it to someone. My point is I think it is used simply due to its huge popularity - everyone has heard of it even if they have never read it; the author was just trying connect those scenes to the reader.

I will say I do however agree that the casual fat shaming with the mamma was weird and uncool.

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katiedoesntftba's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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devonsonnessa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this book because it took place in New Jersey and Philadelphia, so I was able to relate a lot and it made me feel like I was really there. This book was really good! The only thing is that the twist was a little odd.

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juliarenae's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

honestly, didn’t really see the ending coming, but I have never read anything like it.

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