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Pictures of You
Win a free print copy of this book!
16 days and 22:26:27
10 copies available
U.S. only
A woman becomes the subject of an artist's mysterious experiment in this intense and dreamlike supernatural thriller from Josh Malerman, bestselling author of Incidents Around the House
Emily's picture of her life is about to She's madly in love with her new boyfriend, Jack. And they are about to embark on a life together.
But then everything She wakes up from an ecstatic night out with Jack to find herself in a strange hotel room, with Jack nowhere to be found. When she tries to leave the room, she discovers it's inside a picture frame.
And on the other side of the frame is a strange woman who says she is an artist—and that Emily is her work of art, her masterpiece.
Now Emily must find Jack and escape from the painting and the artist's diabolical vision. Before she was trapped in this nightmarish experiment, Emily's life was about to begin—but is she now doomed to her life becoming someone else's creation?
Josh Malerman's unforgettable and terrifying Incidents Around the House changed the game for horror—and now Malerman has done it again. Pictures of You is a spine-chilling tale of terror that will keep you guessing until the last page—and thinking of the heroine's search for love and meaning of art long after.
Emily's picture of her life is about to She's madly in love with her new boyfriend, Jack. And they are about to embark on a life together.
But then everything She wakes up from an ecstatic night out with Jack to find herself in a strange hotel room, with Jack nowhere to be found. When she tries to leave the room, she discovers it's inside a picture frame.
And on the other side of the frame is a strange woman who says she is an artist—and that Emily is her work of art, her masterpiece.
Now Emily must find Jack and escape from the painting and the artist's diabolical vision. Before she was trapped in this nightmarish experiment, Emily's life was about to begin—but is she now doomed to her life becoming someone else's creation?
Josh Malerman's unforgettable and terrifying Incidents Around the House changed the game for horror—and now Malerman has done it again. Pictures of You is a spine-chilling tale of terror that will keep you guessing until the last page—and thinking of the heroine's search for love and meaning of art long after.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Josh Malerman
92 books9,185 followersJosh Malerman is the New York Times best selling author of BIRD BOX, MALORIE, GOBLIN, PEARL, GHOUL n THE CAPE, and more.
He's also one of two singer/songwriter for the rock band The High Strung.
He's also one of two singer/songwriter for the rock band The High Strung.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Pictures of You by Josh Malerman
2🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey
Creatively devious…
💡 Orbs Prologue: A still life, the creative essence captured within the wooden frame of my choosing. People moving, destinations unknown. However, within that split second, that moment, I have created a masterpiece. A small tilt here and there, framing the environment just so, with the inevitable hope of creating art on a much broader scope than just a simple Rembrandt or Picasso painting. While they require the canvas and the oil, I use my spirited jealousy and resentment to present a piece far more fascinating to speculate on…
🧐 A small glimpse: Cue the John Cougar Mellencamp. Here is a little ditty about Jack and Emily…Author Josh Malerman deposits readers in the beach town of Chaps, Michigan. We tag along with Jack and Emily, a new couple looking for a bit of R&R. During a night of bar hopping and unabashed drunkenness, Emily divulges shocking news that leaves readers in suspense. Unfortunately, the couple awakens to a completely different reality. One where Jack awakens to Emily missing. Emily has been abducted and remains perplexed as to the intentions of a rather “interesting” perpetrator. Malerman begins to provide us with small bits of backstory. Slowly, readers begin to gain momentum and piece together what might be behind the meaning of this blasphemy.
👍 Orbs Pros: Location! The quaint, peaceful beach town community remains a favorite setting of mine. Likeable main characters! A unique experience!
👎 Orbs Cons: Unfortunately, I must hand you a seatbelt to endure the bumpy ride. Buckle up! The villain was anything but scary. The elements of horror were absolutely missing. And when I say the most horrific thing I encountered during my read-through was a spider crawling on the opposite side of my living room wall, you know I was struggling. Am I being a bit harsh? Not at all, dear readers! When I picked up this Malerman arc, I had high hopes. Do I need the plot to be believable? Hmm, good question! Sort of! I would love to give you an exact number of times that I wrinkled my forehead at some of the decisions Malerman made. But I value your time, and let us just say none of this made any sense!
Skip! In Orb’s humble opinion, you can confidently skip this one and concentrate on a novel more worth your time. I shouldn’t have said anything about having such an exceptional reading year. I knew it! On to the next!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: One must have subjects to use. Normally, this remains quite simple, for most love the attention of an artist of my caliber to whisk them away, brush strokes casually enhancing their features while erasing their imperfections. Yet, I tell them this is not how it will be. There is no paint, only the environment. And thus, I must do my handpicking in secrecy. Creepy? Yes, but with a prodigal authenticity that only comes through the neurotransmitters of a mastermind. And oh, do I have ideas. As the film projector rolls through reels of my most scornful scenes, I am reminded of where my hateful attention should lie…
Many thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
2🔮orbs
Pub. Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey
Creatively devious…
💡 Orbs Prologue: A still life, the creative essence captured within the wooden frame of my choosing. People moving, destinations unknown. However, within that split second, that moment, I have created a masterpiece. A small tilt here and there, framing the environment just so, with the inevitable hope of creating art on a much broader scope than just a simple Rembrandt or Picasso painting. While they require the canvas and the oil, I use my spirited jealousy and resentment to present a piece far more fascinating to speculate on…
🧐 A small glimpse: Cue the John Cougar Mellencamp. Here is a little ditty about Jack and Emily…Author Josh Malerman deposits readers in the beach town of Chaps, Michigan. We tag along with Jack and Emily, a new couple looking for a bit of R&R. During a night of bar hopping and unabashed drunkenness, Emily divulges shocking news that leaves readers in suspense. Unfortunately, the couple awakens to a completely different reality. One where Jack awakens to Emily missing. Emily has been abducted and remains perplexed as to the intentions of a rather “interesting” perpetrator. Malerman begins to provide us with small bits of backstory. Slowly, readers begin to gain momentum and piece together what might be behind the meaning of this blasphemy.
👍 Orbs Pros: Location! The quaint, peaceful beach town community remains a favorite setting of mine. Likeable main characters! A unique experience!
👎 Orbs Cons: Unfortunately, I must hand you a seatbelt to endure the bumpy ride. Buckle up! The villain was anything but scary. The elements of horror were absolutely missing. And when I say the most horrific thing I encountered during my read-through was a spider crawling on the opposite side of my living room wall, you know I was struggling. Am I being a bit harsh? Not at all, dear readers! When I picked up this Malerman arc, I had high hopes. Do I need the plot to be believable? Hmm, good question! Sort of! I would love to give you an exact number of times that I wrinkled my forehead at some of the decisions Malerman made. But I value your time, and let us just say none of this made any sense!
Skip! In Orb’s humble opinion, you can confidently skip this one and concentrate on a novel more worth your time. I shouldn’t have said anything about having such an exceptional reading year. I knew it! On to the next!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: One must have subjects to use. Normally, this remains quite simple, for most love the attention of an artist of my caliber to whisk them away, brush strokes casually enhancing their features while erasing their imperfections. Yet, I tell them this is not how it will be. There is no paint, only the environment. And thus, I must do my handpicking in secrecy. Creepy? Yes, but with a prodigal authenticity that only comes through the neurotransmitters of a mastermind. And oh, do I have ideas. As the film projector rolls through reels of my most scornful scenes, I am reminded of where my hateful attention should lie…
Many thanks to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I see a new book by Josh Malerman, my reader brain basically turns into a reckless toddler in a candy store. No hesitation. No questions. Just smash the request button and deal with the consequences later. After all, this is the author who gave us the unsettling brilliance of Incidents Around the House and the wildly iconic Bird Box.
So of course when Pictures of You appeared, I didn’t just request it—I practically pounced on it like a caffeinated raccoon guarding a donut.
The premise? Deliciously bizarre. A woman wakes up in a strange room she doesn’t remember entering. Her fiancé is missing. A mysterious voice instructs her not to move. And in front of her sits an empty frame… except it isn’t empty at all. Somehow, impossibly, she herself is the subject of the “art.”
Excuse me? Psychological horror mixed with surreal artistic madness? Sign me up immediately.
Sadly… this is where my enthusiasm starts quietly packing its bags.
Let me be clear: the idea behind this story is fascinating. A nightmare scenario where someone becomes part of an artist’s disturbing creation could have been incredibly tense and claustrophobic. The setup promises something eerie, cerebral, and deeply unsettling—like being trapped inside a living nightmare painted by someone with a very questionable relationship to reality.
Unfortunately, while the concept intrigued me from the start, the execution never quite grabbed hold of me.
And believe me—I tried.
I started reading. Stopped. Restarted. Took another run at it later. Put it down again. Returned once more because my stubborn reader brain refused to give up. Somewhere around my fiftieth attempt (yes, I’m exaggerating… but also not really), I finally pushed through to the end purely out of respect for the author and sheer determination.
The biggest issue for me was that the story felt oddly flat despite its wildly imaginative premise. Instead of building tension, the narrative often circled around the same ideas without moving forward in a way that pulled me deeper into the mystery. I kept waiting for the moment where everything would click into place—the point where the dread would tighten like a noose and the story would explode into something unforgettable.
That moment never really arrived.
Rather than feeling trapped in a terrifying artistic experiment, I often felt like I was wandering through a maze that looked intriguing from the outside but didn’t have much happening inside its walls.
Which honestly surprised me, because Malerman is usually brilliant at creating atmosphere. His previous work knows how to crawl under your skin and stay there. Here, however, the story never quite reached that level of tension or emotional pull for me.
The book itself isn’t very long, yet somehow it felt much heavier to get through than expected. By the time I finished, I felt less like I had experienced a gripping psychological thriller and more like I had completed a literary endurance challenge.
And listen—this hurts me to say because I genuinely admire Malerman’s work. He’s one of those authors whose new releases usually go straight onto my auto-approved author list. I will absolutely continue reading whatever he writes next without hesitation.
But this particular story just didn’t connect with me the way I hoped it would.
That said, the premise itself still deserves credit for being bold and unusual. There is creativity here, and readers who enjoy more experimental storytelling might find something to appreciate that simply didn’t resonate with me personally.
In the end, I’m giving this one three stars (rounded up from 2.5)—and honestly, most of that rating comes from the originality of the concept rather than the reading experience itself.
Sometimes even authors we adore write a book that doesn’t quite land for us. It happens. And I’m still very much looking forward to whatever Malerman dreams up next—preferably something that terrifies me so much I have to sleep with the lights on again.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sharing this mystery written by one of my favorite auto-approved authors in exchange for my honest feedback. 📚
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So of course when Pictures of You appeared, I didn’t just request it—I practically pounced on it like a caffeinated raccoon guarding a donut.
The premise? Deliciously bizarre. A woman wakes up in a strange room she doesn’t remember entering. Her fiancé is missing. A mysterious voice instructs her not to move. And in front of her sits an empty frame… except it isn’t empty at all. Somehow, impossibly, she herself is the subject of the “art.”
Excuse me? Psychological horror mixed with surreal artistic madness? Sign me up immediately.
Sadly… this is where my enthusiasm starts quietly packing its bags.
Let me be clear: the idea behind this story is fascinating. A nightmare scenario where someone becomes part of an artist’s disturbing creation could have been incredibly tense and claustrophobic. The setup promises something eerie, cerebral, and deeply unsettling—like being trapped inside a living nightmare painted by someone with a very questionable relationship to reality.
Unfortunately, while the concept intrigued me from the start, the execution never quite grabbed hold of me.
And believe me—I tried.
I started reading. Stopped. Restarted. Took another run at it later. Put it down again. Returned once more because my stubborn reader brain refused to give up. Somewhere around my fiftieth attempt (yes, I’m exaggerating… but also not really), I finally pushed through to the end purely out of respect for the author and sheer determination.
The biggest issue for me was that the story felt oddly flat despite its wildly imaginative premise. Instead of building tension, the narrative often circled around the same ideas without moving forward in a way that pulled me deeper into the mystery. I kept waiting for the moment where everything would click into place—the point where the dread would tighten like a noose and the story would explode into something unforgettable.
That moment never really arrived.
Rather than feeling trapped in a terrifying artistic experiment, I often felt like I was wandering through a maze that looked intriguing from the outside but didn’t have much happening inside its walls.
Which honestly surprised me, because Malerman is usually brilliant at creating atmosphere. His previous work knows how to crawl under your skin and stay there. Here, however, the story never quite reached that level of tension or emotional pull for me.
The book itself isn’t very long, yet somehow it felt much heavier to get through than expected. By the time I finished, I felt less like I had experienced a gripping psychological thriller and more like I had completed a literary endurance challenge.
And listen—this hurts me to say because I genuinely admire Malerman’s work. He’s one of those authors whose new releases usually go straight onto my auto-approved author list. I will absolutely continue reading whatever he writes next without hesitation.
But this particular story just didn’t connect with me the way I hoped it would.
That said, the premise itself still deserves credit for being bold and unusual. There is creativity here, and readers who enjoy more experimental storytelling might find something to appreciate that simply didn’t resonate with me personally.
In the end, I’m giving this one three stars (rounded up from 2.5)—and honestly, most of that rating comes from the originality of the concept rather than the reading experience itself.
Sometimes even authors we adore write a book that doesn’t quite land for us. It happens. And I’m still very much looking forward to whatever Malerman dreams up next—preferably something that terrifies me so much I have to sleep with the lights on again.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sharing this mystery written by one of my favorite auto-approved authors in exchange for my honest feedback. 📚
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Most of the time that I land on Outlier Island it's because I dislike something most other Readers are enjoying, but in this case it's the opposite.
Almost everyone I know who has read this, has hated it. It's with pride I say, I really enjoyed it.
Am I deluding myself thinking I'm right though, and everyone else wrong? Not at all. I understand why people aren't having a great time with it. Further, reading is subjective. IMO, there's no right or wrong.
This story follows a couple, Emily and Jack, who are in a fairly new relationship and they've taken a weekend trip to a small Michigan town for a little fun and romance. They head out on the town, bar-hopping, having drinks and that's when their nightmare begins.
The next morning, as Emily wakes up, she finds herself in a strange room with no memory of how she got there. She may be groggy, but it's pretty clear it's not their hotel room and Jack is nowhere to be found.
Staring at her through an empty picture frame is a woman who claims she's an artist, and that Emily is her latest masterpiece. Emily is trapped. For reasons I won't go into here, she's unable to free herself, and where is Jack?
As mentioned above, I enjoyed my time with this. I felt it was unique, and yes, macabre, a goal of the artist in the story. I was fully committed to this story once I started and man, did it make me think.
By this I mean, I was putting myself in the shoes of these characters. What would I do if I was Emily? It's something you could actually picture ((no pun intended)) happening. The world is strange, with a lot of strange people in it and you just never know, do you?
As a Horror novel exploring a nightmare scenario, I feel like Malerman did a great job bringing this to life. Sure, there's a lot of artsy talk in it, but I do tend to enjoy narratives following artists, so that wasn't really a bad thing for my tastes. Even though I'm by no means an artist, the process and psychology behind art and artists does fascinate me.
I read the majority of this in a day. It's the type of weird I enjoy, and explored topics I enjoy. I also liked Emily and Jake's relationship. It brought me back to the early years in my own relationship, when the world was our oyster.
Overall, not everything Malerman writes may be for me, but in this case, I consider this a win; a work of art.
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Malerman certainly took a risk with this one, and I appreciate the efforts.
Most of the time that I land on Outlier Island it's because I dislike something most other Readers are enjoying, but in this case it's the opposite.
Almost everyone I know who has read this, has hated it. It's with pride I say, I really enjoyed it.
Am I deluding myself thinking I'm right though, and everyone else wrong? Not at all. I understand why people aren't having a great time with it. Further, reading is subjective. IMO, there's no right or wrong.
This story follows a couple, Emily and Jack, who are in a fairly new relationship and they've taken a weekend trip to a small Michigan town for a little fun and romance. They head out on the town, bar-hopping, having drinks and that's when their nightmare begins.
The next morning, as Emily wakes up, she finds herself in a strange room with no memory of how she got there. She may be groggy, but it's pretty clear it's not their hotel room and Jack is nowhere to be found.
Staring at her through an empty picture frame is a woman who claims she's an artist, and that Emily is her latest masterpiece. Emily is trapped. For reasons I won't go into here, she's unable to free herself, and where is Jack?
As mentioned above, I enjoyed my time with this. I felt it was unique, and yes, macabre, a goal of the artist in the story. I was fully committed to this story once I started and man, did it make me think.
By this I mean, I was putting myself in the shoes of these characters. What would I do if I was Emily? It's something you could actually picture ((no pun intended)) happening. The world is strange, with a lot of strange people in it and you just never know, do you?
As a Horror novel exploring a nightmare scenario, I feel like Malerman did a great job bringing this to life. Sure, there's a lot of artsy talk in it, but I do tend to enjoy narratives following artists, so that wasn't really a bad thing for my tastes. Even though I'm by no means an artist, the process and psychology behind art and artists does fascinate me.
I read the majority of this in a day. It's the type of weird I enjoy, and explored topics I enjoy. I also liked Emily and Jake's relationship. It brought me back to the early years in my own relationship, when the world was our oyster.
Overall, not everything Malerman writes may be for me, but in this case, I consider this a win; a work of art.
Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Malerman certainly took a risk with this one, and I appreciate the efforts.
June 19, 2026
⭐️ 1/2
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped inside of a painting? No? Well, you’re in luck. Prepare to get thumped over the head with the most repetitive plot ever imagined in the history of things that have been imagined.
Literally nothing happens for 75% of the book and by the time we finally start to get some answers, I found myself wishing I was trapped inside of a painting so I wouldn’t have to finish this book.
I really like Malerman, and I recognize that even the greats have bad games, but this felt like a 0-12 shooting night, with 20 turnovers, lazy defense, and an asshole temperament.
Better luck next time
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped inside of a painting? No? Well, you’re in luck. Prepare to get thumped over the head with the most repetitive plot ever imagined in the history of things that have been imagined.
Literally nothing happens for 75% of the book and by the time we finally start to get some answers, I found myself wishing I was trapped inside of a painting so I wouldn’t have to finish this book.
I really like Malerman, and I recognize that even the greats have bad games, but this felt like a 0-12 shooting night, with 20 turnovers, lazy defense, and an asshole temperament.
Better luck next time
September 8, 2026
Welp! Picture this, Pictures of You was not the book for me. Or perhaps, I was not the right reader for this book. I tend to enjoy Josh Malerman's books. This is the 12th book I have read by this author. Unfortunately, this book just did not work for me.
Emily and Jack go out in hopes of painting the town red! They meet people and party, but when Emily wakes up the next morning, Jack is nowhere in sight, and she is in a bit of a pickle. She is in a big room in a bed with a frame nearby and a woman who acts as if Emily is the work of art. Is she? Is she trapped in a painting? Jack wakes up and Emily is nowhere to be seen. Worried, he calls the local police and tries to piece together the night before in hopes of finding Emily.
This book was a bit slow, a bit repetitive, and bit out there. One thing that I have always enjoyed in Malerman's books is his creative and unique plots. I have never begun one of his books and feel as if I have read this plot before. I enjoy how he thinks outside the box and creates highly original and atmospheric books. This is a unique book. It is original and it is atmospheric. It is also creepy and has a sense of unease. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Emily and Jack go out in hopes of painting the town red! They meet people and party, but when Emily wakes up the next morning, Jack is nowhere in sight, and she is in a bit of a pickle. She is in a big room in a bed with a frame nearby and a woman who acts as if Emily is the work of art. Is she? Is she trapped in a painting? Jack wakes up and Emily is nowhere to be seen. Worried, he calls the local police and tries to piece together the night before in hopes of finding Emily.
This book was a bit slow, a bit repetitive, and bit out there. One thing that I have always enjoyed in Malerman's books is his creative and unique plots. I have never begun one of his books and feel as if I have read this plot before. I enjoy how he thinks outside the box and creates highly original and atmospheric books. This is a unique book. It is original and it is atmospheric. It is also creepy and has a sense of unease. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 6, 2026
reading this book felt like staring at an art piece that tries to convince you it’s a masterpiece, but really you’re just looking at it like “what the hell even is this?”
➸ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Del Rey for the arc, all opinions are my own.
➸ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Del Rey for the arc, all opinions are my own.
September 27, 2026
This review PAINS me as a fan of Josh Malerman. I consider him to be one of my favorite horror authors, so I was deeply disappointed that I didn't love this one. I spent most of this book feeling confused or underwhelmed. It never really pulled me in, and if I wasn't reading this during a 24 hour reading challenge, I would've been tempted to DNF. There was nothing moving the plot forward for me in an interesting way, and the reveals later on in the book were either obvious or so ridiculous it felt silly.
Here's the vlog where I read this one and a few others: https://youtu.be/kg2nVMvRMsI
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
Here's the vlog where I read this one and a few others: https://youtu.be/kg2nVMvRMsI
Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review in the July 2026 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2026/07... (link live on 7/8/26 at 7am central)
Three Words That Describe This book: art horror, oppressive tension, psychological suspense
The set up is all you need to know, the story reveals itself from the framing (word choice is important) and the way Malerman delivers it. That is why you will want to read it.
The set up-- a couple is on vacation on Lake Michigan, after a night of drinking they both wake up "hung over" and disoriented, but maybe it is more than a hang over because Emily went from being out to waking up trapped in a painting and being held hostage by an unhinged artist and Jack woke up alone in the hotel room, with both phones and no trace of Emily.
A great set up-- you want to read it. Awesome work there. Again, the way Malerman tells it, also increases your enjoyment.
We have multiple points of view here. Emily and Jack yes, but others are added as we go. Chapters alternate. Readers get information from one character and then we switch to another and we overlap in the time frame and get a little more. Back and forth.
The writing is tight. The pacing perfectly controlled to draw out maximum tension. You will squirm with that tension, but in a good way. Watching this spiral out of control, knowing just a little bit more than the characters, but not nearly as much as you want. Held hostage waiting for it all to resolve, but loving every minute of the feeling.
And when the tension is released and the story is closed, Malerman leaves you with just enough unease because readers will be thinking about the power of ART to make people not just feel real feelings but act in real ways. Ways that can be positive or negative. And that is the lingering horror that will not go away.
This one will make you literally beg for the tension to end-- and yet that is a lie because you are reading it for just that reason.
Fans of Malerman will love the easter eggs to his other work here. He is very good about connecting all of his books without making it look like he is trying to. Also, people new to Malerman don't feel like they missed something either.
For reader who like short, intense art horror such as Black Flame boy Gretchen Felker- Martin where you can feel the tension and the "art" and or artist themselves are destructive. But also for fans of oppressive and intense psychological suspense in the vein of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Three Words That Describe This book: art horror, oppressive tension, psychological suspense
The set up is all you need to know, the story reveals itself from the framing (word choice is important) and the way Malerman delivers it. That is why you will want to read it.
The set up-- a couple is on vacation on Lake Michigan, after a night of drinking they both wake up "hung over" and disoriented, but maybe it is more than a hang over because Emily went from being out to waking up trapped in a painting and being held hostage by an unhinged artist and Jack woke up alone in the hotel room, with both phones and no trace of Emily.
A great set up-- you want to read it. Awesome work there. Again, the way Malerman tells it, also increases your enjoyment.
We have multiple points of view here. Emily and Jack yes, but others are added as we go. Chapters alternate. Readers get information from one character and then we switch to another and we overlap in the time frame and get a little more. Back and forth.
The writing is tight. The pacing perfectly controlled to draw out maximum tension. You will squirm with that tension, but in a good way. Watching this spiral out of control, knowing just a little bit more than the characters, but not nearly as much as you want. Held hostage waiting for it all to resolve, but loving every minute of the feeling.
And when the tension is released and the story is closed, Malerman leaves you with just enough unease because readers will be thinking about the power of ART to make people not just feel real feelings but act in real ways. Ways that can be positive or negative. And that is the lingering horror that will not go away.
This one will make you literally beg for the tension to end-- and yet that is a lie because you are reading it for just that reason.
Fans of Malerman will love the easter eggs to his other work here. He is very good about connecting all of his books without making it look like he is trying to. Also, people new to Malerman don't feel like they missed something either.
For reader who like short, intense art horror such as Black Flame boy Gretchen Felker- Martin where you can feel the tension and the "art" and or artist themselves are destructive. But also for fans of oppressive and intense psychological suspense in the vein of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This might be one of my least favourite books this year.
I cannot get over how STUPID these characters are.
What’s it about? An art-obsessed woman abducts a woman to feature in her ‘still-life’ portrait. You get perspectives from Emily, the captive, and her boyfriend, Jack.
Emily is for sure the first to die in a horror movie. She is so naive and so simplistic in her thinking. For example:
"I’m going to step by you now," Emily said. "Don’t make it so I have to shove you. You need to step aside and do absolutely nothing more than that."
So, she warns her captive who we are supposed to believe is dangerous and deranged?
I was never horrified, terrified, or thrilled. Just annoyed and frustrated. The captor is a one-dimensional stereotype of a mad, fanatical woman. The atmosphere is laughable and odd rather than suspenseful or creepy.
The boyfriend, Jack has this annoying habit of making jokes every other sentence, even in tense situations. Also, finishing it with ba-dum tsss. 15 TIMES!
The twist was stupid. Maybe I should write a better review, but the book was infuriating. The twist had no foreshadowing and just felt awkward and forced. It also made absolutely no difference to the current timeline plot.
One of the only redeeming qualities was this quote:
"Everything’s art," the woman said. "God is art." So, she was religious. "A big narrative painting in the sky that we all did together." So maybe not. "We all make a picture. Some are pretty and some are mean. Some look good to you and some look good to me. You were a painting before I took you here." So, she took her here. Did she act alone? "Only, nobody had put a frame on you yet. That’s all. You looking back at me, I’m a picture to you too. Right? Exactly."
I haven’t read or watched Bird Box by this author, but I have to hope it was better written, had characters you rooted for, and a good plot.
This might have worked better as a novella with a gothic twist. I am giving it 1.5 stars 🌟 as there was nothing offensive about it: it was just so stupid….
Physical arc gifted by Pan Macmillan.
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I cannot get over how STUPID these characters are.
What’s it about? An art-obsessed woman abducts a woman to feature in her ‘still-life’ portrait. You get perspectives from Emily, the captive, and her boyfriend, Jack.
Emily is for sure the first to die in a horror movie. She is so naive and so simplistic in her thinking. For example:
"I’m going to step by you now," Emily said. "Don’t make it so I have to shove you. You need to step aside and do absolutely nothing more than that."
So, she warns her captive who we are supposed to believe is dangerous and deranged?
I was never horrified, terrified, or thrilled. Just annoyed and frustrated. The captor is a one-dimensional stereotype of a mad, fanatical woman. The atmosphere is laughable and odd rather than suspenseful or creepy.
The boyfriend, Jack has this annoying habit of making jokes every other sentence, even in tense situations. Also, finishing it with ba-dum tsss. 15 TIMES!
The twist was stupid. Maybe I should write a better review, but the book was infuriating. The twist had no foreshadowing and just felt awkward and forced. It also made absolutely no difference to the current timeline plot.
One of the only redeeming qualities was this quote:
"Everything’s art," the woman said. "God is art." So, she was religious. "A big narrative painting in the sky that we all did together." So maybe not. "We all make a picture. Some are pretty and some are mean. Some look good to you and some look good to me. You were a painting before I took you here." So, she took her here. Did she act alone? "Only, nobody had put a frame on you yet. That’s all. You looking back at me, I’m a picture to you too. Right? Exactly."
I haven’t read or watched Bird Box by this author, but I have to hope it was better written, had characters you rooted for, and a good plot.
This might have worked better as a novella with a gothic twist. I am giving it 1.5 stars 🌟 as there was nothing offensive about it: it was just so stupid….
Physical arc gifted by Pan Macmillan.
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August 3, 2026
The first few chapters pulled me in, but then the story became repetitive. It felt like the same scenes played out over and over with very little forward momentum. I kept waiting for the tension to build or for a twist that would make everything click, but it never really happened. I never formed much of a connection with the characters, so the emotional moments didn't land the way I'd hoped; the execution never matched the idea.
There are flashes of creepy atmosphere, and Malerman can absolutely create an unsettling image. Still, the pacing dragged so much that I found myself wanting the story to move instead of wondering what would happen next. By the time the answers finally came, I was more relieved to be finished than impressed by the payoff.
If you enjoy very slow-burn psychological horror, you may have a better experience than I did. I wanted something much tighter, body horror, creepier, and more suspenseful.
While there were some genuinely creepy moments and the atmosphere had that signature Josh Malerman unease, I spent much of the book feeling disconnected from what was happening. Instead of building tension, I found myself trying to piece the story together, which took away from the suspense. By the final chapters, I was more relieved to have reached the ending than excited to discover it.
I can definitely see this finding an audience, especially for readers who enjoy surreal, experimental horror, but it just wasn't the right fit for me. It's a book I'll remember for its originality more than for the reading experience itself.
The mystery surrounds a woman who is abducted and the person who took her, and why, which led me to expect a good, solid psychological thriller, but I felt more frustrated than anything else. It was more mystery suspense than horror.
The characters felt underdeveloped, which made it difficult to connect with any of them or really care about their outcomes. The story moved from plot point to plot point rather than building emotional investment and never really gave the characters the depth needed to make the moments impactful.
Available in Canada and the USA on September 8, 2026
Thanks to Del Ray | Random House Worlds for providing an advanced reader's copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
There are flashes of creepy atmosphere, and Malerman can absolutely create an unsettling image. Still, the pacing dragged so much that I found myself wanting the story to move instead of wondering what would happen next. By the time the answers finally came, I was more relieved to be finished than impressed by the payoff.
If you enjoy very slow-burn psychological horror, you may have a better experience than I did. I wanted something much tighter, body horror, creepier, and more suspenseful.
While there were some genuinely creepy moments and the atmosphere had that signature Josh Malerman unease, I spent much of the book feeling disconnected from what was happening. Instead of building tension, I found myself trying to piece the story together, which took away from the suspense. By the final chapters, I was more relieved to have reached the ending than excited to discover it.
I can definitely see this finding an audience, especially for readers who enjoy surreal, experimental horror, but it just wasn't the right fit for me. It's a book I'll remember for its originality more than for the reading experience itself.
The mystery surrounds a woman who is abducted and the person who took her, and why, which led me to expect a good, solid psychological thriller, but I felt more frustrated than anything else. It was more mystery suspense than horror.
The characters felt underdeveloped, which made it difficult to connect with any of them or really care about their outcomes. The story moved from plot point to plot point rather than building emotional investment and never really gave the characters the depth needed to make the moments impactful.
Available in Canada and the USA on September 8, 2026
Thanks to Del Ray | Random House Worlds for providing an advanced reader's copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not every story from a stand out author can be a hit, and this one is proof.
By the end, the biggest surprise wasn't the plot.. it was how often the book managed to sabotage its own suspense.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
By the end, the biggest surprise wasn't the plot.. it was how often the book managed to sabotage its own suspense.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2026
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy!
Okay, this book had me until that ending. I was totally along for the ride, thinking maybe I’d finally found a Josh Malerman novel to beat Unbury Carol. The setup is classic Malerman: tense and strange and psychologically involved, often living in what’s happening just outside your periphery vision. He sometimes reminds me of Ramsey Campbell in that way (though I will always prefer Campbell over Malerman, no questions asked). What this story has to say about obsession and art really spoke to this reader, and I was getting a lot of what I love in horror fiction.
The setting is also a plus. A small beachside town where everything just feels a little … off … is rendered well enough by the author. I could’ve gone for even more development of the town and its inhabitants, but hey.
I thought Jack as a character was a total goof, and I’m not sure how much I bought into his relationship with Emily, but that might be due to my perspective as an aromantic person. I just didn’t quite buy they had been together for six months; it felt more like a relationship of years. It all felt a bit cornball, especially in the end.
I’m conflicted! Hence my rating. 3.75 stars feels fair. The negative reviews of this one are valid, but I enjoyed myself … for the most part … though sometimes I wanted Malerman to get his head out of his ass and just SAY WHAT HE’S TRYING TO SAY. I have that issue with his writing quite frequently, actually, but he’s usually able to swing it on back around. I just can’t stand when he gets caught up in his own style. Sometimes a thing is just a thing, you know? At least I didn’t have to read the word “Daddo” this time.
Overall, a pleasant and strange and moody little claustrophobic thriller. You could do worse this Halloween season.
Okay, this book had me until that ending. I was totally along for the ride, thinking maybe I’d finally found a Josh Malerman novel to beat Unbury Carol. The setup is classic Malerman: tense and strange and psychologically involved, often living in what’s happening just outside your periphery vision. He sometimes reminds me of Ramsey Campbell in that way (though I will always prefer Campbell over Malerman, no questions asked). What this story has to say about obsession and art really spoke to this reader, and I was getting a lot of what I love in horror fiction.
The setting is also a plus. A small beachside town where everything just feels a little … off … is rendered well enough by the author. I could’ve gone for even more development of the town and its inhabitants, but hey.
I thought Jack as a character was a total goof, and I’m not sure how much I bought into his relationship with Emily, but that might be due to my perspective as an aromantic person. I just didn’t quite buy they had been together for six months; it felt more like a relationship of years. It all felt a bit cornball, especially in the end.
I’m conflicted! Hence my rating. 3.75 stars feels fair. The negative reviews of this one are valid, but I enjoyed myself … for the most part … though sometimes I wanted Malerman to get his head out of his ass and just SAY WHAT HE’S TRYING TO SAY. I have that issue with his writing quite frequently, actually, but he’s usually able to swing it on back around. I just can’t stand when he gets caught up in his own style. Sometimes a thing is just a thing, you know? At least I didn’t have to read the word “Daddo” this time.
Overall, a pleasant and strange and moody little claustrophobic thriller. You could do worse this Halloween season.
September 4, 2026
So…Im truly speechless on this one. Josh Malerman usually delivers terrifying and psychologically thrilling stories, but Pictures Of You was such a disappointment. The story was lackluster, at best. I was rather bored 90% of the time. It’s repetitive. It’s confusing. I don’t understand the purpose of the book. Im flabbergasted by how much I dislike this entire experience. I dreaded having to continue reading this book. I hate to be so direct and have nothing good to say, but it’s the truth. The concept—an artist driven to obsession and maybe even total possession---could have been vividly horrific. But the substance and meaning were just…missing. Kind of like the empty space in all the picture frames in the story. I can’t recommend this one. But thank you to NetGalley and Random House & Ballentine, Del Rey for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think. All opinions are my own.
Read
August 20, 2026this was so ass
Did Not Finish
October 6, 2026I'm absolutely gutted about this but this one just truly wasn't for me. The constant repetition of words was driving me nuts. 🙈
July 28, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for the pre-release copy of Pictures of You by Josh Malerman. Below is my honest review.
Not sure how I feel about this one. I enjoyed it. The tension was good, the buildup was strong, and the characters were decent. But I also didn't enjoy it. It got very repetitive and the ending wasn't super satisfying.
I've read some of his other books, and Bird Box and Incidents Around the House were both so good that I had high expectations going into this one, and I think that might have clouded my enjoyment a little.
Three stars. I'd still recommend it, but people need to know it's not really horror.
Not sure how I feel about this one. I enjoyed it. The tension was good, the buildup was strong, and the characters were decent. But I also didn't enjoy it. It got very repetitive and the ending wasn't super satisfying.
I've read some of his other books, and Bird Box and Incidents Around the House were both so good that I had high expectations going into this one, and I think that might have clouded my enjoyment a little.
Three stars. I'd still recommend it, but people need to know it's not really horror.
May 8, 2026
I’m a pretty big fan of Josh Malerman, and I tend to like anything involving artists in fiction. If it’s horror, that’s just a huge bonus. So I was excited for this one. It was quite an experience, and I think it was pretty on par for Malerman as far as how dark and stressful his novels can be. This plot in particular felt so…mean spirited? If I go into detail as to why, it would be spoilery. But it’s very much a “bad things happen to good people” kind of story, and as much as I love horror, those stress me out the most.
I’ve definitely heard somewhere that it’s good advice not to begin a story or a book with your character waking up, or worse yet, waking up confused. Well, many very successful authors do that exact thing and Josh Malerman is one of them. “Pictures of You” can be a frustrating read at times because just like main character Emily, you will desperately want answers but those answers will not be given to you for a long time. And you may find yourself thinking that you would behave a lot differently if you found yourself in this same situation, but I think Malerman did consider this and addressed it.
Both Emily and Jack were very likable main characters, Jack especially. (What a great example of character work! I had a crush on him instantly because I do love a goofball.) Without giving too much away, it’s tough to see good characters treated in a frightening and cruel way. The threat in this story is well crafted and easy to hate. Setting something so dark and ominous in a cute and charming little lake town was great. I knew exactly what this place looked like and felt that I’d been there before.
One thing that bugged me, though: there’s a plot device that’s used repeatedly, almost to the point that it starts to become comical, (to keep it vague I’ll just say it involves darts), and there are numerous reasons why I took issue with this not being considered as maybe being relied on a bit too much, considering the circumstances.
The book does get a bit wordy near the end. But that ending gave an entire star back to the rating. A good conclusion in horror is so tough to pull off. I liked it a lot! As I mentioned before, I like anything having to do with art horror, and this book mixed the two in a new and interesting way. The thriller elements did keep me reading and wondering what was going to happen next. (Also, worrying.)
Parts of this kind of reminded me of that film “One Hour Photo” with Robin Williams. Remember that?
Other Josh Malerman books that I loved: Birdbox, Incidents Around the House, Daphne.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Drinking while potentially pregnant/Harm to a potentially pregnant woman, *Domestic abuse (child)
I’ve definitely heard somewhere that it’s good advice not to begin a story or a book with your character waking up, or worse yet, waking up confused. Well, many very successful authors do that exact thing and Josh Malerman is one of them. “Pictures of You” can be a frustrating read at times because just like main character Emily, you will desperately want answers but those answers will not be given to you for a long time. And you may find yourself thinking that you would behave a lot differently if you found yourself in this same situation, but I think Malerman did consider this and addressed it.
Both Emily and Jack were very likable main characters, Jack especially. (What a great example of character work! I had a crush on him instantly because I do love a goofball.) Without giving too much away, it’s tough to see good characters treated in a frightening and cruel way. The threat in this story is well crafted and easy to hate. Setting something so dark and ominous in a cute and charming little lake town was great. I knew exactly what this place looked like and felt that I’d been there before.
One thing that bugged me, though: there’s a plot device that’s used repeatedly, almost to the point that it starts to become comical, (to keep it vague I’ll just say it involves darts), and there are numerous reasons why I took issue with this not being considered as maybe being relied on a bit too much, considering the circumstances.
The book does get a bit wordy near the end. But that ending gave an entire star back to the rating. A good conclusion in horror is so tough to pull off. I liked it a lot! As I mentioned before, I like anything having to do with art horror, and this book mixed the two in a new and interesting way. The thriller elements did keep me reading and wondering what was going to happen next. (Also, worrying.)
Parts of this kind of reminded me of that film “One Hour Photo” with Robin Williams. Remember that?
Other Josh Malerman books that I loved: Birdbox, Incidents Around the House, Daphne.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Drinking while potentially pregnant/Harm to a potentially pregnant woman, *Domestic abuse (child)
September 12, 2026
3,5*
We all know that the ending of a book, especially a horror/mystery book, can truly change everything. Seems I am not alone with this one and many of us were having a good time up until the ending. The story felt so unique and intriguing and I was hooked but it was a bit bitter to then get to the last stretch and be disappointed.
The beginning was very intriguing. We follow a couple that are on holidays together and very much in love. After a wild party night in which both end up drunk, Emily wakes up in a room, just not her hotel room. Where is she and what happened last night? Where is Jack? The psychological horror of not knowing where you are and what will happen to you and the tension of being isolated with no means to escape or call for help. What a great start to a book it was.
Maybe this story could have been a short story. To be honest, even though I really enjoyed the book up until the 85/90% mark, it felt like it could have been edited down and perhaps it could have then had a bit more of an impact. When you are building a story for 200 pages, I expect a more powerful ending. So gutted about the disappointing ending.
It is one of those books in which the concept and the set up is really good but the character development and twist fail to deliver.
We all know that the ending of a book, especially a horror/mystery book, can truly change everything. Seems I am not alone with this one and many of us were having a good time up until the ending. The story felt so unique and intriguing and I was hooked but it was a bit bitter to then get to the last stretch and be disappointed.
The beginning was very intriguing. We follow a couple that are on holidays together and very much in love. After a wild party night in which both end up drunk, Emily wakes up in a room, just not her hotel room. Where is she and what happened last night? Where is Jack? The psychological horror of not knowing where you are and what will happen to you and the tension of being isolated with no means to escape or call for help. What a great start to a book it was.
Maybe this story could have been a short story. To be honest, even though I really enjoyed the book up until the 85/90% mark, it felt like it could have been edited down and perhaps it could have then had a bit more of an impact. When you are building a story for 200 pages, I expect a more powerful ending. So gutted about the disappointing ending.
It is one of those books in which the concept and the set up is really good but the character development and twist fail to deliver.
October 9, 2026
3.5 stars
Pictures of You by Josh Malerman follows Emily and her fiancé, Jack, who enjoy a night out together, but the next morning, Emily wakes up alone in an unfamiliar room with no memory of how she got there. A strange woman named Helen tells Emily to remain in bed, while an empty picture frame on an easel sits before her. It soon becomes clear that Emily has been kidnapped and is being forced into the center of a disturbing artist’s vision. With Jack’s life also in danger, Emily must figure out how to escape before she and Jack become the final pieces of someone else’s twisted masterpiece.
I actually enjoyed this one more than the ratings seem to suggest! Pictures of You had an intriguing premise and enough going for it to keep me interested, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
I wanted this one to be a little darker, a little more twisted, and a whole lot more thrilling. There were moments when I felt like the story could have pushed things further, and I kept waiting for that extra layer of tension and intensity that would have taken it to the next level.
Honestly, I almost wonder if this was a case of too much being taken out during the final editing process. It felt like there was potentially more to this story than what ultimately made it onto the page, if that makes sense. I would have loved a little more depth, darkness, and suspense to really make the most of the premise.
That said, I don't think this deserves quite as much criticism as the ratings might suggest. I found it to be a solid read with an interesting concept, even if it didn't completely live up to its potential for me. Overall, I enjoyed it more than I expected to, but I couldn't help wishing it had gone a little further into the darkness! Because of these issues my rating stays right down the middle, at 3 stars! 🤔
Pictures of You by Josh Malerman follows Emily and her fiancé, Jack, who enjoy a night out together, but the next morning, Emily wakes up alone in an unfamiliar room with no memory of how she got there. A strange woman named Helen tells Emily to remain in bed, while an empty picture frame on an easel sits before her. It soon becomes clear that Emily has been kidnapped and is being forced into the center of a disturbing artist’s vision. With Jack’s life also in danger, Emily must figure out how to escape before she and Jack become the final pieces of someone else’s twisted masterpiece.
I actually enjoyed this one more than the ratings seem to suggest! Pictures of You had an intriguing premise and enough going for it to keep me interested, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
I wanted this one to be a little darker, a little more twisted, and a whole lot more thrilling. There were moments when I felt like the story could have pushed things further, and I kept waiting for that extra layer of tension and intensity that would have taken it to the next level.
Honestly, I almost wonder if this was a case of too much being taken out during the final editing process. It felt like there was potentially more to this story than what ultimately made it onto the page, if that makes sense. I would have loved a little more depth, darkness, and suspense to really make the most of the premise.
That said, I don't think this deserves quite as much criticism as the ratings might suggest. I found it to be a solid read with an interesting concept, even if it didn't completely live up to its potential for me. Overall, I enjoyed it more than I expected to, but I couldn't help wishing it had gone a little further into the darkness! Because of these issues my rating stays right down the middle, at 3 stars! 🤔
September 24, 2026
I really enjoyed Incidents Around the House, but Pictures of You didn't quite work. Maybe because there was just a lot happening and shifting between Emily and Jack after a while didn't work. And the ending felt like a cop-out (sorry, not sorry). The horror aspect was just not quite there. Definitely a lot of dread was going on, but I had a hard time with Emily and her connection to redacted and there were too many plot holes for me after a while to even work through.
Pictures of You follows couple Emily and Jack. They have been dating for 6 months and have some potential news that may change their lives. And then Emily wakes up in a room, in a bed, dressed in clothes not her own, being told to not move or she will ruin the picture. From there follows some psychological back and forth with Emily and her unnamed captor as she tries to figure out what is going on, what happened to Jack, and how this person has a connection to her.
As I said, the book shifts back and forth between Emily and Jack. And honestly, I don't know if they are a good couple or not. The book makes clear they drink and seem like kind of annoying (not mean) drunks. And Emily has not introduced her family to Jack. The other characters in the book were not developed very well IMHO.
The main setting of this book is just Emily alone in a room with her captor with shifts to Jack and another character.
The ending as I said, felt like a big cop-out. I legit went what the heck was this all for then?
Pictures of You follows couple Emily and Jack. They have been dating for 6 months and have some potential news that may change their lives. And then Emily wakes up in a room, in a bed, dressed in clothes not her own, being told to not move or she will ruin the picture. From there follows some psychological back and forth with Emily and her unnamed captor as she tries to figure out what is going on, what happened to Jack, and how this person has a connection to her.
As I said, the book shifts back and forth between Emily and Jack. And honestly, I don't know if they are a good couple or not. The book makes clear they drink and seem like kind of annoying (not mean) drunks. And Emily has not introduced her family to Jack. The other characters in the book were not developed very well IMHO.
The main setting of this book is just Emily alone in a room with her captor with shifts to Jack and another character.
The ending as I said, felt like a big cop-out. I legit went what the heck was this all for then?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was intriguing in the beginning, but then I slowly lost interest in it. It is very mysterious and dark. It is a psychological thriller novel that is a quick read. It is under 300 pages long. I will say it did have a great ending! I feel that the characters were not fully developed and were unlikable. It is mixed with both plot and character driven. This is set in an isolated setting and had a very atmospheric setting. It definitely gave me the book “Bird Box” vibes. Overall, I give this a 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Josh Malerman and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review and rating. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book releases on September 8, 2026!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Josh Malerman and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review and rating. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book releases on September 8, 2026!
September 23, 2026
this should’ve stayed in the drafts
September 14, 2026
Artists had a way of thinking their work, and artwork in general, was something of a passage to another, deeper world. He wondered if that’s why people literally framed their work.
The thing about Josh Malerman is, he always has unique ideas. I will regularly read one of his books and think to myself, “I have never read anything like this before.” And sometimes I respond positively to that, like with Bird Box and Incidents Around the House and several of his other novels; but other times the response isn’t so positive (I’m looking at you, Pearl!).
As for Pictures of You, I found myself somewhere in the middle. This is a high-concept, sort of Hitchcockian thriller, in which a woman is trapped in a room as the subject of a living painting. She spends the book trying to figure out why the artist holding her hostage seems vaguely familiar and contemplating her relationship with art.
It’s such a bold, experimental concept, with the potential to be terrifying – but instead, it’s kind of forgettable. The narrative is repetitive and drawn out, and the plot takes a passive backseat to Malerman’s philosophical musings about the meaning of art. It lacks tension, it lacks an emotional connection to the characters; it all just feels kind of…flat. It’s like a painting with one layer of color – a brilliant color that makes you want to study it more, but you when get up close, there’s no depth, no texture.
If anyone asked me, I would place Malerman in the top five of modern horror writers, even though I don’t always enjoy his books. And that hasn’t changed, even if Pictures of You was one of the ones I didn’t really enjoy. 2.5 stars rounded up – thank you to Del Rey for the complimentary reading opportunity.
October 1, 2026
Josh Malerman delivers the goods yet again with this twisted hostage horror. While it doesn't quite hit the dizzying heights of Incidents Around the House, Malerman masterfully cranks up the tension and sheer uneasiness.
As is typical for his work, there is very little to nitpick, but the unique writing style and divisive ending make this a "love it or hate it" novel.
All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable, gripping read from start to finish.
As is typical for his work, there is very little to nitpick, but the unique writing style and divisive ending make this a "love it or hate it" novel.
All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable, gripping read from start to finish.
September 6, 2026
I love Malerman’s strange, twisty little brain and will definitely read anything he releases.
PICTURES OF YOU started out in the setting of a living nightmare and the creepiness just continued from there. Malerman’s ability to create such unsettling atmospheres remain unmatched, and I could easily picture the small Northern Michigan town.
I was so enthralled by most of this story regardless of its slower pacing and easily made my way through it in just a few sittings. That being said, I did feel like the police POV was completely unnecessary and contained a lot of somewhat unrelated fluff that I fully skimmed through his chapters.
This was strange in the best way, slower paced to help build tension, and parts of the ending had me reading with my jaw dropped - so it didn’t feel right at anything less than a 3. If you like slower-pace, psychological horror I recommend giving this one a try🎨
PICTURES OF YOU started out in the setting of a living nightmare and the creepiness just continued from there. Malerman’s ability to create such unsettling atmospheres remain unmatched, and I could easily picture the small Northern Michigan town.
I was so enthralled by most of this story regardless of its slower pacing and easily made my way through it in just a few sittings. That being said, I did feel like the police POV was completely unnecessary and contained a lot of somewhat unrelated fluff that I fully skimmed through his chapters.
This was strange in the best way, slower paced to help build tension, and parts of the ending had me reading with my jaw dropped - so it didn’t feel right at anything less than a 3. If you like slower-pace, psychological horror I recommend giving this one a try🎨
May 29, 2026
⭐ 1 Star (ARC via NetGalley)
I was genuinely excited to read Pictures of You because I enjoyed Incidents around the house and was hoping for another creepy, compelling thriller. Unfortunately, this one was a major disappointment.
The premise initially grabbed my attention, a woman is abducted, and the mystery surrounding who took her and why promises psychological suspense and intrigue. But as the story unfolded, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated rather than invested.
The biggest issue for me was the characters. They felt flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with anyone or care about their outcomes. Instead of building emotional investment, the story seemed to move from plot point to plot point without giving the characters enough depth to make those moments impactful.
The narrative itself also lacked the tension and momentum I was expecting. Rather than delivering a gripping psychological thriller, it felt unfocused, and the eventual reveal involving the childhood babysitter's obsession with art didn't land for me. By the time the story reached its conclusion, I was more relieved to be finished than satisfied by the journey.
For a book built around mystery and suspense, I wanted stronger character development, more emotional stakes, and a payoff that felt earned. Instead, the story never fully came together.
Overall, this was a miss for me and one of my more disappointing reads of the year.
Tropes & Themes:
• Psychological thriller
• Obsession
• Kidnapping
• Childhood connections resurfacing
• Unreliable motivations
• Art & identity
• Dark secrets
• Character-driven suspense
While I loved Incidents around the house, this one simply didn't work for me. Not every book is for every reader, and unfortunately, Pictures of You wasn't for this one.
I was genuinely excited to read Pictures of You because I enjoyed Incidents around the house and was hoping for another creepy, compelling thriller. Unfortunately, this one was a major disappointment.
The premise initially grabbed my attention, a woman is abducted, and the mystery surrounding who took her and why promises psychological suspense and intrigue. But as the story unfolded, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated rather than invested.
The biggest issue for me was the characters. They felt flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with anyone or care about their outcomes. Instead of building emotional investment, the story seemed to move from plot point to plot point without giving the characters enough depth to make those moments impactful.
The narrative itself also lacked the tension and momentum I was expecting. Rather than delivering a gripping psychological thriller, it felt unfocused, and the eventual reveal involving the childhood babysitter's obsession with art didn't land for me. By the time the story reached its conclusion, I was more relieved to be finished than satisfied by the journey.
For a book built around mystery and suspense, I wanted stronger character development, more emotional stakes, and a payoff that felt earned. Instead, the story never fully came together.
Overall, this was a miss for me and one of my more disappointing reads of the year.
Tropes & Themes:
• Psychological thriller
• Obsession
• Kidnapping
• Childhood connections resurfacing
• Unreliable motivations
• Art & identity
• Dark secrets
• Character-driven suspense
While I loved Incidents around the house, this one simply didn't work for me. Not every book is for every reader, and unfortunately, Pictures of You wasn't for this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
August 25, 2026DNF@ 30%
I can't even.
I appreciate the opportunity, but sorry, this is just not for me. I loved Birdbox and Incidents Around The House and was excited to receive an early copy of this book. It is so repetitive, and to me, Jack is the kind of annoying, corny jokester that women avoid. I am not engaged with the characters enough for it to matter to me what the outcome is.
I can't even.
I appreciate the opportunity, but sorry, this is just not for me. I loved Birdbox and Incidents Around The House and was excited to receive an early copy of this book. It is so repetitive, and to me, Jack is the kind of annoying, corny jokester that women avoid. I am not engaged with the characters enough for it to matter to me what the outcome is.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
All art has a beauty to it: whether it’s visual, prose, or music. And sometimes, that beauty is all-encompassing and has to be brought to life. No matter the cost.
When Emily and Jack spend a weekend away on a romantic get-away to a coastal town, they have no cares in the world. Full of love, hope for the future, and lots of laughter, they are absolutely made for each other.
But the next morning, Jack wakes in a hotel room alone, Emily’s phone left behind. And Emily? She wakes to find herself in a strange room, watched over by a strange woman determined to make Emily the focus of her latest artwork…and nothing short of perfection will do.
The beauty of this story comes from the perspective shifts that lay the story bare in fragments, before pulling everything together in a thrilling climax. The mix of perspective is beautifully highlighted through the dialogue, with every character having really clear and unique quirks. There is no gore in this book, and very little violence: instead the horror of this tale is brought with atmosphere, tension, and the chilling realisation that nothing is scarier than an unhinged person.
My criticism of the book would be that some elements of it feel disjointed, almost placed for convenience. But in a lot of ways, this just shows how Malerman lines up the story to create the final tableau with the ending.
This story is visual, it is erratic, it is thrilling, and it will make you think and feel. This story is art.
When Emily and Jack spend a weekend away on a romantic get-away to a coastal town, they have no cares in the world. Full of love, hope for the future, and lots of laughter, they are absolutely made for each other.
But the next morning, Jack wakes in a hotel room alone, Emily’s phone left behind. And Emily? She wakes to find herself in a strange room, watched over by a strange woman determined to make Emily the focus of her latest artwork…and nothing short of perfection will do.
The beauty of this story comes from the perspective shifts that lay the story bare in fragments, before pulling everything together in a thrilling climax. The mix of perspective is beautifully highlighted through the dialogue, with every character having really clear and unique quirks. There is no gore in this book, and very little violence: instead the horror of this tale is brought with atmosphere, tension, and the chilling realisation that nothing is scarier than an unhinged person.
My criticism of the book would be that some elements of it feel disjointed, almost placed for convenience. But in a lot of ways, this just shows how Malerman lines up the story to create the final tableau with the ending.
This story is visual, it is erratic, it is thrilling, and it will make you think and feel. This story is art.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have read a handful of books written by Josh Malerman and enjoyed them all and following Incidents Around The House (2025) I had high expectations for Picture of You which will be released September 8 2026.
Unfortunately this one just did not click with me but others may like it. The plot was strange and a bit too abstract for me. I felt a bit lost throughout the book. It’s takes a twist about 75% through which was interesting but leading up to that not much action took place. Many of the chapters were very uneventful and the ending left me questioning what the point of the story was.
This story was not for me but don’t be discouraged to give it a go if you are in the mood for something more abstract and heady or a Malerman fan. I give him kudos for being able to write something so different from his other novels. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.
Unfortunately this one just did not click with me but others may like it. The plot was strange and a bit too abstract for me. I felt a bit lost throughout the book. It’s takes a twist about 75% through which was interesting but leading up to that not much action took place. Many of the chapters were very uneventful and the ending left me questioning what the point of the story was.
This story was not for me but don’t be discouraged to give it a go if you are in the mood for something more abstract and heady or a Malerman fan. I give him kudos for being able to write something so different from his other novels. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.
September 15, 2026
A slower start but the last three chapters are worth it!
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