Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 ⭐s
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak is a fresh spin on the haunted-house/creepy-kid trope, and it really works. The setup—a young woman fresh out of rehab becoming a nanny to a little boy whose drawings turn disturbingly sinister—hooks you right away. The illustrations woven into the story are such a cool touch, making it feel immersive and adding an extra layer of dread.
Rekulak balances suspense with character development really well. Mallory, the protagonist, is flawed but relatable, and her bond with Teddy feels genuine and tender, which makes the eerie twists hit harder. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere unsettling, and the “is it supernatural or not?” tension keeps you turning pages.
If anything, the ending feels a bit rushed and leans into melodrama more than it needed to, but it doesn’t undo how fun and chilling the ride is. Overall, Hidden Pictures is a smart, spooky page-turner with heart—perfect for thriller fans who like their scares with some substance.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak is a fresh spin on the haunted-house/creepy-kid trope, and it really works. The setup—a young woman fresh out of rehab becoming a nanny to a little boy whose drawings turn disturbingly sinister—hooks you right away. The illustrations woven into the story are such a cool touch, making it feel immersive and adding an extra layer of dread.
Rekulak balances suspense with character development really well. Mallory, the protagonist, is flawed but relatable, and her bond with Teddy feels genuine and tender, which makes the eerie twists hit harder. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere unsettling, and the “is it supernatural or not?” tension keeps you turning pages.
If anything, the ending feels a bit rushed and leans into melodrama more than it needed to, but it doesn’t undo how fun and chilling the ride is. Overall, Hidden Pictures is a smart, spooky page-turner with heart—perfect for thriller fans who like their scares with some substance.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5⭐️ – A Fantastic Read!
If The Sixth Sense and Mary Poppins ever decided to collab, you’d probably get something like Hidden Pictures. Jason Rekulak gives us a story that’s equal parts creepy, charming, and compulsively readable.
Why It Works:
- 🖼 The Hook: A recovering young woman takes a nanny job for a sweet boy whose “innocent” stick-figure drawings suddenly take a turn toward the disturbingly detailed. Let’s just say crayons shouldn’t be able to pull that off.
- 📖 The Vibe: Rekulak balances suspense with heart. One moment you’re bracing for goosebumps, the next you’re rooting for the characters like they’re your own family.
- 🎨 The Twist: The drawings themselves (yes, they’re included) add an extra layer of shivers. It’s one thing to read about creepy sketches—it’s another thing to actually see them staring back at you.
The Verdict:
It’s not a blood-soaked horror novel—it’s more of a clever, spine-tingling ghost story that sneaks up on you. A perfect pick if you like your scares with a side of heart and humor.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes