This book is best consumed in the print version in my opinion because of the numerous pictures included within the book. The creepiness of how they looked like a child’s drawings with an ominous figure always lurking in them set the tone of the story. The pictures noticeably transitioned into these hauntingly beautiful scenes that alerted the reader to a tonal shift. I really enjoyed Mallory as a character. I feel like she was super likable and relatable. I loved the sinister vibe, even though I wasn't 100% on what I should be afraid of at first.

this book would be nowhere as thrilling without the illustrations. they elevate the story to a new level and really create an immersive quality that gives the plot its spookiness. i loved them! At first, I hope that the plot choices were unintentional missteps of the author, but I sadly don't think that's the case. However, Rekulak absolutely got me with the twists! I didn’t see ANY of them coming, which is difficult for a prolific thriller reader not to spot! However, I did subtract a star for believability. I am all for suspending my belief in the name of fiction, but several of the reveals didn’t feel very authentic. With the help of her sponsor, and his encouragement to return to the sport she loves, Mallory has made huge strides. Now it is time to secure some independence. Also, the whole plot relies on a pretty big coincidence. They just happen to live in a house where a woman called Annie went missing, had a secret daughter and was also an artist?Using their visual discrimination skills, kids search for the hidden pictures in illustrated books filled with both adventures and learning concepts. Little kids making creepy artwork is a common trope because that shit is irresistible. Kids can be creepy anyway, but pair it with weird, dark drawings that may or may not depict a murder and hearing voices that may or may not be the ghost of the murdered... let's just say I needed to know how this would all resolve. I laughed and my eyes rolled because it was so absurd. Along the way the author threw in a kitchen sink full of social issues, and not-as-subtle-as-he-thought political and religious jabs. I wish I could give details (i.e. rant) but no spoilers here. Thank you so so so much to my fellow bookstahoe for gifting me this book. While I didn't love it as much as you... I think we're even because you disliked my rec Find Her LOL. Soon after that, a “story” from Anya begins appearing in these drawings, appearing to show a violent crime, involving a man and a woman, presumably Anya. This is where the author effectively deploys various red herrings, which fooled me for most of the book, even if my subconscious was warning me that this simple explanation for Teddy’s drawings wasn’t the whole story.

This is what the Maxwells' new babysitter Mallory is confronted with when she is employed to look after 5 year old Teddy. He has an imaginary friend called Anya who he talks to and loves to draw-- complete with long straggly hair and mouth open in a terrifying expression --but is Anya really imaginary? Or could she have something to do with Annie Bennett, the ghost said to haunt the guest cottage where Mallory is staying? Anya drew these. Not me.”I received a free ARC of Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a house of cards, built upon flimsy right-wing dog whistles, hoping no one puts together the pieces to realize just how hateful it is. A wildly inventive spin on the supernatural thriller, about a woman working as a nanny for a young boy with strange and disturbing secrets. To his parents chagrin, Teddy is also receiving advice from an imaginary friend. When this ‘friend’ begins exerting too much influence, Mallory decides to look deeper which changes the trajectory of the plot.