This is exactly the type of thriller with a supernatural edge to it which would be popular with readers who are not attracted to more traditional horror fiction.

Most years there is a breakout ‘supernatural thriller’ hit and Hidden Pictures is clearly that book for 2022, which it will surely carry into 2023 with the momentum gathered from the surprising Goodreads victory.īut is it any good and worth the hype? Yes, and definitely yes. It also has this cool Stephen King quote on the front cover: “I loved it… the surprises really surprise, and it has that hard to achieve propulsiveness that won’t let you put it down.” Other quotes from Grady Hendrix, Ransom Riggs, and major UK newspapers The Times and The Daily Mail back up the fact it clearly did pick up mainstream coverage (even if it passed me by for whatever reason). The horror genre bubble is miniscule in comparison to the mainstream publishers which dictate the tastes of a massive percentage of the book buying public and as Hidden Pictures is released by Sphere, it certainly had one of the bigger boys promoting it. Interestingly, subsequent conversations with authors, bloggers and fellow reviewers revealed that others were equally mystified how a novel which had clearly picked up next to zero attention in the horror press could win such a big award. It is rare for a horror novel to do so outstandingly well in a major book competition without it appearing on my radar, so I had to track it down to satisfy my curiosity. Destined to be a classic of the genre.I had never previously heard of Jason Rekulak or his second novel Hidden Pictures until it reached the latter stages of the 2022 Goodreads Choice Award, eventually winning the horror category. Truly fantastic.' The Times 'Whip-smart, creepy as hell, and masterfully plotted, Hidden Pictures is the best new thriller I've read in years.

But if Teddy isn't drawing the pictures anymore, who is? And what are they trying to tell Mallory about her new home? ' gets points for attempting from the high board what must be the boldest, if least likely, double twist of the year. But the drawings somehow keep coming, telling a frightening story of a woman murdered. Teddy's crayons are confiscated, and his paper locked away. It is quite clear to Mallory and to Teddy's parents, even in his crude childlike style, that the woman Teddy is drawing in his pictures is dead.

That is until Teddy starts to draw disturbing pictures of his imaginary friend, Anya. She's been sober for a year and a half and she's sure her new nannying role in the affluent suburbs will help keep her on the straight and narrow. And the pictures are terrific!' Stephen King WINNER OF THE GOODREADS CHOICE AWARDS FOR BEST HORROR AND AN AMAZON.COM BEST MYSTERY/THRILLER OF THE YEAR Mallory is delighted to have a new job looking after gorgeous four-year-old, Teddy. The surprises really surprise and it has that hard-to-achieve propulsiveness that won't let you put it down.

Hidden pictures by jason rekulak