The Hidden Things

Fourteen-year-old Carly Liddell survives a violent attack in her apartment building hallway, captured by a security camera. When the footage ends up online, it attracts attention from strangers with connections to her stepfather's past. Three people recognize a painting visible in the video's background - an artwork that disappeared along with $50,000 in cash from an unsolved heist years ago. Carly finds herself caught between her stepfather's former associates who converge on her home in suburban Colorado. The novel alternates between multiple perspectives as Carly's family deals with unwanted visitors and mounting revelations. The narrative explores how past choices echo through time and how secrets thought long-buried can resurface in unexpected ways. The Hidden Things examines questions of identity, reinvention, and whether anyone can truly escape their history. Through its taut narrative structure, the book considers how art, greed, and human connection intersect in both destructive and redemptive ways.

Readers describe this as a slow-burning thriller with rich character development and complex family dynamics. The parallel storylines and multiple perspectives create tension, though some note the pacing takes time to build. Readers appreciated: - The unique premise based on viral video surveillance - Realistic portrayal of teenage protagonist Carly - Nuanced handling of complicated relationships - Clean, sophisticated writing style - Satisfying resolution Common criticisms: - First third moves too slowly - Too many character perspectives early on - Some plot points feel contrived - Secondary characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (230+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (90+ ratings) "The slow build pays off beautifully," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review counters: "Takes too long to get going and loses momentum." Several readers mention struggling through the beginning but finding the second half "impossible to put down."

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🎬 The book's plot is triggered by a home invasion caught on video that goes viral - reflecting our modern reality where security cameras and social media can turn private moments into public spectacles. 🎨 Author Jamie Mason worked as a visual artist before becoming a novelist, which influences her vivid descriptive style and attention to visual details throughout the narrative. ⚡ The title "The Hidden Things" refers to both a literal stolen painting and the metaphorical secrets each character keeps, creating multiple layers of meaning throughout the story. 🖼️ The painting at the center of the plot is inspired by real-world art heists, including the infamous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft where $500 million worth of artwork remains missing. 👥 Mason crafted the character of Carly Liddell, a 14-year-old protagonist, after observing her own daughter's age group, lending authenticity to the teenage perspective in the novel.