A review by eli_93
Hidden Pictures: ‘The boldest double twist of the year' The Times by Jason Rekulak

dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I was, at first, skeptical about the book, solely because I usually grow bored of the whole "scary kids" trope. However, I have to admit I was intrigued as the chapters progress and the characters and plot start to take shape. Even though the characters felt a little too cliched (sometimes to the point of being an offensive cliche, especially towards the POC characters...), I was somewhat curious by the not-so-often used "marriage" of a who-done-it murder mystery and investigation with the supernatural.
I'm also always partial towards female ghosts who are not malevolent, but are instead seeking justice and retribution
. However, by somewhere along the middle, the characters became predictable and a tad boring, and by the time the big final reveal happens, nothing made a lot of sense nor did the characters sound like themselves. There is the classic, but most of the times completely unnecessary, sexual harassment of a woman, a woman being rescued by a man (one of which, the man who harasses her), the random (and again unnecessary and oddly timed) implicit sex scene... This book is a pool of cliches. And they're not even well explored.
To make matters worse, the author adds transphobia and not so cleverly disguised compliments to J.K.Rowling to the initial stereotypes. I think it is safe to say I'm not reading this author again, nor would I recommend it.
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