Inspired by the real-life unsolved theft of a 17th-century painting, this is a “smart and hugely entertainingly thriller, with so many sharp twists and hairpin turns that you’ll need to hold on for dear life” (Lou Berney, author of November Road) from the acclaimed author of Three Graves Full. Twenty-eight seconds. That’s all it takes for a home-security camera to capture the hidden resolve in … it takes for a home-security camera to capture the hidden resolve in fourteen-year-old Carly Liddell as she fends off a vicious attack just inside her own front door. The video of her heroic escape appears online and goes viral. As the view count climbs, the lives of four desperate people will be forever changed by what’s just barely visible in the corner of the shot.
Carly’s stepfather is spurred to protect his darkest secret: how a stolen painting–four hundred years old, by a master of the Dutch Golden Age–has come to hang in his suburban foyer. The art dealer, left for dead when the painting vanished, sees a chance to buy back her life. And the double-crossed enforcer renews the hunt to deliver the treasure to his billionaire patrons–even if he has to kill to succeed.
But it’s Carly herself, hailed as a hero, whose new perspective gives her the courage to uncover the truth as the secrets and lies tear her family apart.
A suspenseful and edgy mystery, “Hidden Things is a treat: a heist story taken to pieces and expertly put back together at off-kilter angles into a startling, smart, vivid book” (Tana French, New York Times bestselling author).
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The Hidden Things is a model for superb thriller writing. It checks all the boxes: Grabbing us on the opening page, sending us on a roller coaster of plotting, taking us deep into a world (fine arts) that most of us only glimpse from the outside, and offering up a cast of brilliantly drawn characters, noble and evil and everything in between. Mason also proves to be an ace wordsmith, whose sharply drawn prose elevates the novel to an even higher peak.
The Hidden Things confirms Jamie Mason’s prodigious and wholly original talent. In a world of copycat writers chasing trends, she does her own thing — and it’s magnificent.
Hidden Things is a treat: a heist story taken to pieces and expertly put back together at off-kilter angles into a startling, smart, vivid book.
I love how Jamie Mason writes – it’s original and fresh and she has a great ability to keep you on the edge of your seat. I got an early look at this one and can’t wait till more people get to read it! Definitely add it to your list!
A smart and hugely entertainingly thriller, with so many sharp twists and hairpin turns that you’ll need to hold on for dear life. But it’s the compelling, nuanced characters — dark, light, and every shade in-between — who will stay with you long after the last page.
Jamie Mason is a great writer. And a better storyteller. Edgy and on point. The Hidden Things is a perfect example. The characters, typical of Mason’s other works, are well-drawn and deeply flawed. In this story, they find themselves in the midst of an art heist that goes very wrong. Not immediately, but years later when home-invasion assault during which fourteen-year-old Carly Liddell fends off her attacker. The entire event is captured by home security cameras. The video finds its way to the cyber world and becomes a sensation. Everyone watches, cheers her courage and resolve. Well, not everyone. Something is buried at the corner of the video. Something that means nothing to most viewers but to a few it means lies, deceit, and greed. To Carly’s stepfather, it means his dark past has come calling. What follows is a convoluted story that will keep you on edge until the end.
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series
So gorgeously written! A terrific story, and a plot that’s clever and surprising. But the best part is the characterizations–Mason is so skilled at using quick brush strokes to illustrate emotions and motivations. It’s a thrilling page-turner, but heartbreaking and memorable. Loved it.
A tense and captivating story of things both lost and found, The Hidden Things puts an entirely unique twist on the aftermath of an art heist. A sharp, atmospheric thriller that lingered long after I turned the final page — I couldn’t put it down.
I didn’t think it was possible, but Jamie Mason just gets better and better. The Hidden Things is so layered, nuanced, and delicious. Each sentence is crafted to perfection, making the story come alive and the pacing feel like a ticking time-bomb that could set off a cascade of events at any second. Mason’s characters were so well defined and whole, taking up every inch of space they were allotted. Our hero, Carly, grips you from the opening page and never gives up the strangle hold until you’re at “The End”. She’s easily my favorite female protagonist of 2019. If you’re looking for a modern mystery with hairpin turns and amazing character development, The Hidden Things is where it’s at! I loved this one. You will, too.
A riviting book about a missing 17th century painting and those involved in the theft and double cross.
Carly is attacked in her home and it is caught on the home cameras. It goes viral and the truth of the family starts to come out. Old partners and now adversaries find her stepfather . will she be able to unravel the secrets and save her family life befroe its too late. It was a great read very well thought out and characters well written. As they say secrets and lies will always come out. Well worth reading.
I love everything about this book–the characters and their relationships, the complex plot and syncopated pacing, the red herring that launches everything, the credible conflicts and mounting tension, and especially the small observations and clever turns of phrase that give the prose so much depth and personality. The story flirts with being ludicrous but never falls off that cliff, imbuing a sense of fun to the whole endeavor, punctuated with poignant moments of raw emotion. A rare combination of action-filled page-turner with beautiful writing about genuine characters.