Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

Hey, it’s Diego.

After what feels like too long, I finally picked up Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak this week.

And it’s not what I expected.

Let me give you my spoiler-free unbiased review.

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Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak Review

In Hidden Pictures we follow Mallory, a recovering addict who gets a fresh start as a nanny for Teddy, a sweet 5-year-old boy living with his parents in a quiet suburban neighborhood. What starts as a seemingly perfect arrangement quickly takes a sinister turn when Teddy's drawings shift from innocent scribbles to eerie, detailed depictions of violence. Mallory is left questioning whether these drawings are tied to the house’s dark past or something even more chilling.

Hidden Pictures leans into the domestic thriller subgenre, with supernatural and horror elements woven throughout. Most of the story unfolds in a suburban family home in Spring Brook, New Jersey.

I found the writing style simple and functional — it could be described as a dear diary style — which works well for the fast pace and suspense. What sets this book apart are the illustrations included in the book — disturbing and detailed drawings that Teddy, the 5-year-old draws in the story.

Told from Mallory’s perspective, the single timeline helps the suspense build effectively as we discover things as she does. The book starts as a slow burn, focusing on Mallory’s adjustment to her new role and the subtle hints that not everything is as it seems. I did find myself drawn to how she was adjusting to life as a recovering addict, but I also wondered when the thrills were going to start. At about 30% of the book, I was still waiting for the story to pick up.

But as the story progressed, I picked up that this was going to be a supernatural story with ghosts. (I’m not used to reading these so this was a surprise). The story was interesting enough though to keep me invested throughout.

That said, there weren’t many twists. The plot focusing mostly on the character’s actions and reactions as things happened. I did like that Mallory is a very proactive character.

There’s a romantic subplot involving Mallory, which adds some softness to the otherwise intense narrative, but don’t expect anything spicy—it’s more about emotional connection than physical intimacy.

The tone of the book was not what I expected. It reads as a teen drama with some (rare) creepy scenes peppered in, leaning into very light horror vibes. The violent illustrations, help set the mood though.

So, what about the ending? (No spoilers obviously)

I thought that the ending landed well. The denouement also gave us a good enough time with the characters to decompress and learn how each one adjusted after the ending. I’m not a total fan of supernatural thrillers but I’m glad I picked this one up. If you’re looking for a creepy, twisty thriller with a unique format, give Hidden Pictures a try!

Similar Books to Hidden Pictures

• The Whisper Man by Alex North

That’s all for this week.

See you next time.

— Diego Dunne

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