A review by lexilusk
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This read was an absolute head-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story revolves around Mallory, our complex female main character, who is a recovering addict seeking a fresh start. She takes a job with what initially appears to be an ordinary family's summer routine: Caroline, Ted, and their young son, Teddy.

Mallory is hired to babysit Teddy over the summer, a role that quickly unravels into a bizarre and chilling mystery. As the weeks go by, Teddy begins to produce an alarming series of drawings. At first glance, these pictures seem innocuous, but upon closer inspection, they depict a violent murder — the gruesome death of a woman who is initially believed to be Annie Barrett, a figure from the 1940s whose tragic story has long been buried in the annals of local history. The central question hangs in the air: why is Annie haunting this seemingly typical family, and what unresolved issues from the past are spilling into the present?

As Teddy's drawings become increasingly disturbing, the atmosphere thickens with tension. Mallory finds herself drawn deeper into the mystery, she begins to uncover hidden truths about the family’s history and the dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface. With each revelation, she pieces together an intricate puzzle that is both shocking and unsettling.


If I could drop one major spoiler to pique your curiosity, 
it’s this: despite all the initial appearances and assumptions, it is not Annie who is haunting the family. This twist adds an unexpected layer to the story, revealing that things are far more complicated than they seem.
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