Hidden Pictures

 

By Jason Rekulak

Review

A 2023 Top Rated Read

Recovering drug addict Mallory is 18 months sober when she's given the chance of a fresh start. Her sponsor has secured an interview for a nannying position with the Maxwell family, who have a 4-year-old son called Teddy. Teddy's father has reservations but his wife Caroline is convinced Mallory will be perfect. The decision is made and Mallory throws herself into her new job with enthusiasm. She's also given a place to live — a tiny cottage in the Maxwells' garden to which she can escape at the end of each day. 

To begin with everything is fine. The Maxwells are a nice, welcoming family. Teddy bonds well with Mallory and she enjoys looking after him. But it soon becomes apparent there's something very strange happening to Teddy. He starts drawing pictures of Anya, his imaginary friend. As time passes, the pictures grow more disturbing. Mallory is seriously concerned something sinister is inside the house channelling itself through Teddy. There's no way a 4-year-old child could draw with such incredible detail — but if it isn't Teddy who's doing the drawings, who is? And what are they trying to tell Mallory about the Maxwells' home?

Oooh this was a great read; very creepy and unputdownable. Teddy's drawings are included in the book, which added an interesting and unusual aspect to the story. The growing sense of unease is executed so well by the author that it really is palpable. There are many twists and turns along the way and one shocker that I really didn't see coming! Characters are well-developed and the storyline is a spooky page-turner. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured the entire book in just a few sittings. A fantastic read.

★★★★★

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Sphere
• Publication Year: 2022
• Author: Jason Rekulak
• Genre: Horror, Thriller, Paranormal

Synopsis

Mallory is delighted to have a new job looking after gorgeous four-year-old, Teddy. 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.

That is until Teddy starts to draw disturbing pictures of his imaginary friend, Anya. 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.

Teddy's crayons are confiscated, and his paper locked away. But the drawings somehow keep coming, telling a frightening story of a woman murdered... and they're getting more sophisticated. But if Teddy isn't drawing the pictures anymore, who is? And what are they trying to tell Mallory about her new home?