Hidden Pictures: A Novel
Written by Jason Rekulak
Narrated by Suzy Jackson
4.5/5
()
Trust
Family
Mystery
Friendship
Self-Discovery
Haunted House
Fish Out of Water
Secret Identity
Supportive Friend
Power of Art
Time Pressure
Troubled Child
Prodigal Son/daughter
Creepy Child
Coming of Age
Childhood
Art
Deception
Mental Health
Supernatural
About this audiobook
“I loved it." —Stephen King
From Jason Rekulak, Edgar-nominated author of The Impossible Fortress, comes a wildly inventive spin on the classic horror story in Hidden Pictures, a supernatural thriller about a woman working as a nanny for a young boy with strange and disturbing secrets.
Fresh out of rehab, Mallory Quinn takes a job as a babysitter for Ted and Caroline Maxwell. She is to look after their five-year-old son, Teddy.
Mallory immediately loves it. She has her own living space, goes out for nightly runs, and has the stability she craves. And she sincerely bonds with Teddy, a sweet, shy boy who is never without his sketchbook and pencil. His drawings are the usual fare: trees, rabbits, balloons. But one day, he draws something different: a man in a forest, dragging a woman’s lifeless body.
Then, Teddy’s artwork becomes increasingly sinister, and his stick figures quickly evolve into lifelike sketches well beyond the ability of any five-year-old. Mallory begins to wonder if these are glimpses of a long-unsolved murder, perhaps relayed by a supernatural force.
Knowing just how crazy it all sounds, Mallory nevertheless sets out to decipher the images and save Teddy before it’s too late.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
Jason Rekulak
Jason Rekulak lives in Philadelphia with his wife and family. His novels include Hidden Pictures (winner of a Goodreads Choice Award), The Last One at the Wedding (winner of the ITW Award for Best Standalone Thriller), and The Impossible Fortress (an Edgar Award finalist). His books have been translated into more than forty languages.
More audiobooks from Jason Rekulak
The Last One at the Wedding: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Impossible Fortress Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for Hidden Pictures
2,180 ratings89 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a thrilling and captivating read. The book is praised for its unexpected twists, well-written characters, and addictive storyline. Many readers enjoyed the spooky vibes and psychological elements of the story. The narration is also highly praised. While some reviewers found certain chapters to be slightly dragging, overall, the book is considered a gem with a great ending. The twist at the end is particularly lauded, leaving readers shocked and wanting more. Despite a few criticisms about the protagonist's portrayal and some uncomfortable fat phobia, the majority of readers highly recommend this book and are eagerly awaiting more from the author.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5
Sep 26, 2023
It was a good read but not a best one but I didn't see the twist coming But the way the main character is portrayed kind of in a dumb way and she is annoying ?1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Sep 26, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't dragged out and I liked the twist at the end.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Sep 26, 2023
This book held my attention but it did get weird toward the end. I didn't care for the supernatural element. But overall I enjoyed it. Narration was great1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 26, 2023
Some chapters did drag a slight bit but the book was thrilling and the end was unsuspecting. Recommended read.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Sep 26, 2023
Book was a bit slow but the ending was really good1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Sep 26, 2023
If you are looking for a book that for 90% of it gives you that uneasy creep factor, you know the kind that just makes the hair on the back of your neck bristle every now and again, and a great atmosphere then I would recommend this book. It's not a horror book really though, in my opinion, I'd classify it as more mystery suspense. The ending blew the rating for me, but it was still an enjoyable listen. The narrator was great. Put on some tea, cuddle up under your favorite blanket, turn out the lights, listen, and prepare to be a bit creeped out. Perfect book for the end of Summer.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Feb 8, 2026
Quick read because it’s so good! There were so many plot twist and turns and I loved the characters. I was really surprised with all the plot twists and how wrong I was with what I thought was going to happen. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Nov 25, 2025
“Hidden Pictures” presents an intriguing premise with Mallory, a nanny, uncovering dark secrets through the unsettling drawings of young Teddy. While the eerie suburban setting piqued my interest, the fantastical elements felt bluntly introduced, making them hard to believe. Unlike magical realism, which gracefully accepts the presence of spirits, this story’s approach left me skeptical.
The main mystery unfolds slowly, and I found myself disconnected from some of the cringy character portrayals. Overall, while the story has its suspenseful moments, it didn’t fully resonate with me. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 26, 2025
Slow start but still fun to read. Loved the ending! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
May 19, 2025
Good Read! Intriguing from start to finish with a thrilling moments - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Apr 25, 2025
Exceptionally well written! Characters are well crafted and you "feel" for them and become immersed in their lives. I found myself shouting warnings to them! - Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5
Apr 9, 2025
I can’t believe that i forced myself to keep listening to this - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Mar 18, 2025
Decent read. Enjoyed the storyline. A twist at the end. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Feb 4, 2025
Wow what a twist, very unexpected. The narrator also did a great job… - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Nov 14, 2024
As you’re reading you think you know what is going to happen and then BAM! Nope you are on a whole different rabbit hole
Give it a read - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 30, 2024
Amazing audio book!! The narrator kept me feeling all of the emotions - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 27, 2024
I really loved the performance and the pace. The story was good and I NEVER saw the ending. I suspected the who, but never the why or what. Very good! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 22, 2024
Wow! I enjoyed this audiobook! Great story and awesome narrator. I finished it in less than 36 hours. The ending left me teary-eyed. Thank you! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Sep 12, 2024
I just started reading. The ending was so beautiful. The whole book had you guessing so many different things but I would have never guessed how it wood end up. If you are a Mom reading this, you will be so touched. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jul 20, 2024
A book hasn’t SCARED me this way since I naively read “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark” at age 8. ? I found myself having to turn lights on in my house, and I didn’t even want to put my sleep mask on at night. ? Horrifying and exciting and all of the above! This will absolutely end up on my Top 5 books to recommend to friends. ?? - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jul 15, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Lots of twist and turns with a shocking ending! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Apr 27, 2024
Great story and twist and turns in the story!!! Can't wait to read another by this author - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Apr 27, 2024
This was a really good book. I did not expect the plot twist at the end. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Mar 4, 2024
I enjoyed every page of this book! Literally read it in one day. I felt the main character Mallory pain during the book. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Mar 2, 2024
Never in a million years would I have guessed the ending!!! Captivating!!! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Feb 16, 2024
I liked this read, it was well paced and engaging. Some characters were a bit weird. Like they don't like the mc at first and in the next interaction when they meet again they are superfriendly, which seemed inconsistent. It is explained for one of them, but there were others where it just seemed they needed to be off-ish to have a variety in interactions. I really enjoyed the ending! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 19, 2024
Wow. That’s all I have to say. This book went left then right then up then right again. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Jan 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, it was made clear I didn’t. Pacing is decent, so I wasn’t ever really bored. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Oct 13, 2023
Great book kept my interest the whole time it also had a great ending I would have never guessed. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Oct 4, 2023
Fun thrilling read for October! Loved the story line and how they gave the main lead a second chance turning her life around. Loved the twist at the end!! Did not see that coming!
