They Prefer It Hidden

by Kenneth Falb, George Jreije (Editor), Driss Chaoui (Illustrator)

Looking for purpose isn’t easy, but finding it is even harder. New questions arise from it. How will I make money? Who am I doing this for? Now imagine asking all that while fighting zombies and invisible monsters.

They Prefer It Hidden is about Jonathan Whitlock, who inherits the job of occult investigator from his late uncle. Now he has to defend the unfamiliar town of Helford, whose need for normalcy requires someone like Jonathan. With the help of his warlock friend Tomas, find out how Jonathan learns to navigate the strange and secretive.

424 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2025

Reviews

[Abhijeet Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Matilda shimmied over to the door and skipped out of view. Tomas looked like he was watching his daughter grow up and go to college.”

They Prefer It Hidden by Kenneth Falb is an urban fantasy adventure set in a magical (and weird) small town. I received a review copy, and here goes my review.

This unapologetically fun story is about Jonathan (who “inherits” the responsibility of safeguarding Helford town after his uncle’s death) and Tomas (his warlock neighbour). Together, they’re fighting off supernatural threats and unsettling secrets lurking beneath the town’s surface.

It’s really a humorous, light-hearted, crazy adventure of two friends... planned by an imaginative author. Loved the whimsical world-building, as if Kenneth is finessing it on the go. The characters and setup are anything, everything you can imagine.

The book is fast-paced with witty dialogue. And the scenes are descriptive but not overwhelming. Just enough to set the mood.

Kenneth managed to blend humour and action while keeping the story engaging throughout. The town of Helford itself has a delightfully eerie personality. And the banter between Jonathan and Tomas adds charm to the story.

Matilda (the doll and the duo’s sidekick) is also worth mentioning. I found her both intelligent and charming. She contributes to the whimsiness of They Prefer It Hidden.

It’s entertaining and almost cosy for the most part, despite its monsters and paranormal characters. A M/M romantic side plot has also been added towards the end. However, the adventure thrives on friendship and teamwork.

That said, there’s one thing that distracted me from being fully immersed. Scene breaks. Some chapters picked up immediately where the last one left off, while others jumped ahead by weeks (without a clear sign). Chapter subheadings mentioning the timeline jump could have been helpful.

Just this issue isn’t a deal-breaker, though. I’ll recommend They Prefer It Hidden to anyone looking for a light, easy-to-read fantasy with a straightforward timeline. Keep in mind, however, that it might be more suited to a YA audience.

[Matthew Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun light read that gives me the same type of vibe as Gravity Falls. Definitely looking forward to any future books Kenneth writes!

[Victoria Neault · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Took me a second to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. Kenneth Falb definitely knows how to keep his readers entertained. Love that the main storyline was about the working relationship the two MMCs had, and it wasn’t until towards the end that a romantic interest was discussed. The descriptions and figurative language used while writing was delicious.

Definitely a story for paranormal lovers and even those who are relatively new to paranormal/fantasy/supernatural stories.

[William Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Packed with witty comedy. Really enjoyed the balance of action and humor. Recommending it to my family and friends. Fingers crossed for a sequel!

[Bug Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read! The vibes are the same as an early 2000’s monster hunting show along the lines of Gravity Falls as stated by another commenter. If you enjoy some cryptid’s and a fun eerie small town vibe this is for you!! I enjoyed the plot, characters, side characters (Matilda being my favorite so far), and the hints of romance. Looking forward to anything else Kenneth puts out and will surely support!

[Chloe the Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping in mind that this book is intended for younger audiences and is the author’s debut novel, I give it a 3.5/5 stars, rounded up.

This book follows a 22 year old man who is thrust into a role as an occult investigator after his uncle dies, leaving him a house and a reputation. He meets a friend who is also interested in the occult and together, they begin to unravel the town’s mysteries. This was a fun and lighthearted read, peppered with humor and adventure. I can easily see early teenage boys enjoying this book!

[BookwyrmBri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

The story was very fast-paced, with lots of fun whimsical moments and ideas. I did sometimes find myself wishing that the plot moved a little less quickly, but it was still a good time.

The characters were great! Everyone in this story was some variation of weird, which I loved. Both of the main characters were very fun to read about, and their dynamic with each other worked really well.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, quick read full of wacky supernatural hijinks and a quirky found family.

[Gwendolyn Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun read I enjoyed every twist and turn. The book had lots of cryptid monsters as well as a cryptid sidekick which has to be my favorite so far. The book was fast paced and perfect read during this spooky season. I enjoyed the hints of romance and thought the duo was very entertaining together. The book over all was hilarious but also kept the sense of mystery highly recommend for any cryptid small town fans!

[Blake Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenneth Falb’s debut novel, They Prefer It Hidden, tackles urban fantasy and early adulthood angst in equal measure as its two protagonists amiably shoot, stab, spell, and sleuth their way through the ostensibly normal town of Helford at a pace both easily and rapid enough to keep any reader invested for the duration of the deceptively swift read.

[Sandy Potokar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

I am not usually a fan of Science Fiction, but this book kept my interest. The imagination of the author is amazing. I am looking forward to his next book.