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The Unseen
Meeting fellow urban explorers who dedicate themselves to perusing the utility areas, abandoned storage rooms, and other hidden regions of public buildings, Lucas Freund is appalled by a group of associates that uses its position to voyeuristically observe the private lives of people, a club Lucas is compelled to infiltrate when he is approached by a federal agent. Reprint.
388 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2008
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159 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Hines
5 books65 followersTL Hines writes "Noir Bizarre" stories, mixing mysteries with oddities in books such as Waking Lazarus, The Dead Whisper On, and The Unseen, Faces in the Fire, and The Falling Away.
Currently, he’s writing and directing a feature film adaptation of his first novel, Waking Lazarus, with a Kickstarter campaign currently active at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
Currently, he’s writing and directing a feature film adaptation of his first novel, Waking Lazarus, with a Kickstarter campaign currently active at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 3, 2011
Have you ever felt being watched?
You had this creepy feeling all of a sudden, so you turn around. Unsatisfied, you scan every face in the room until you eased back.
But what if you’re alone?
That creepy feeling is exactly the connection Lucas Freund wants from the dwellers he observes. It’s like an electric wave of excitement radiating through him. He hides in any possible hidden place in their office buildings; observing and fabricating their identities and making vivid histories for them. But never in their homes.
Adding to this strangeness, Lucas would slip into their office spaces and take a memento of any sort and place them in a minishrine wherever his present nest is. He had always been lost and alone, even at the orphanage. Participating in the lives of those people, represented by all those mementos, had erased the fears and longings he’d felt. This hobby and lifestyle had filled a purpose, in those moments he felt a Connection.
Sad to say, soon his traceur abilities and observation techniques was discovered. As the story developed, he was hunted by several people; while being used by some. The creeper became endangered. Then, more strange things came his way.
Bizarre as it was, this book hooked me from the beginning. It’s that kind of book I look forward to reading before I went to bed. Hines has this ability to draw his readers and make them appreciate strangeness; then totally embrace his characters. Again, his book made me look into my own life while reflecting on the lives of others around me. What made a connection so important? Is my choice and reasoning between right and wrong affecting others? How?
As a suspense mystery, there are plenty of actions and twists. And although it’s reeling, I didn’t find myself flipping back pages to reevaluate my understanding of the story. Hines’ masterful story-telling skills helped me move along fluidly. And just like his first book, Waking Lazarus, I did not read any foul language despite the violence in some action scenes. But unlike his first book, science fiction was inserted in this plot to complete it. I was suddenly reminded of Cobra Commander, one of G.I. Joe’s villains. Well, anyways, my want to know the truth behind all of it won over the unrealistic parts.
The Unseen is a well-written book. While the last parts were unrealistic for me, I did enjoy reading this. So, reading this depends on your taste; you’ll either like Noir Bizarre or you’ll hate it.
You had this creepy feeling all of a sudden, so you turn around. Unsatisfied, you scan every face in the room until you eased back.
But what if you’re alone?
Back to the redheaded receptionist. “I… don’t know,” she stammered. “I just feel like… someone’s watching.”
That creepy feeling is exactly the connection Lucas Freund wants from the dwellers he observes. It’s like an electric wave of excitement radiating through him. He hides in any possible hidden place in their office buildings; observing and fabricating their identities and making vivid histories for them. But never in their homes.
His forays into the dark, hidden spaces were always in public buildings, never private residences. He wasn’t a Peeping Tom, or a stalker, or anyone sick and demented like that.
He was an artist.
Adding to this strangeness, Lucas would slip into their office spaces and take a memento of any sort and place them in a minishrine wherever his present nest is. He had always been lost and alone, even at the orphanage. Participating in the lives of those people, represented by all those mementos, had erased the fears and longings he’d felt. This hobby and lifestyle had filled a purpose, in those moments he felt a Connection.
They were all here, these totems of Happy Places. And they were here to comfort him. To let him know Happy Places did, in fact, exist.
Sad to say, soon his traceur abilities and observation techniques was discovered. As the story developed, he was hunted by several people; while being used by some. The creeper became endangered. Then, more strange things came his way.
Humpty dumpty had some great falls.
Bizarre as it was, this book hooked me from the beginning. It’s that kind of book I look forward to reading before I went to bed. Hines has this ability to draw his readers and make them appreciate strangeness; then totally embrace his characters. Again, his book made me look into my own life while reflecting on the lives of others around me. What made a connection so important? Is my choice and reasoning between right and wrong affecting others? How?
Folks get too caught up on what they want, they don’t ever hear what they need.
As a suspense mystery, there are plenty of actions and twists. And although it’s reeling, I didn’t find myself flipping back pages to reevaluate my understanding of the story. Hines’ masterful story-telling skills helped me move along fluidly. And just like his first book, Waking Lazarus, I did not read any foul language despite the violence in some action scenes. But unlike his first book, science fiction was inserted in this plot to complete it. I was suddenly reminded of Cobra Commander, one of G.I. Joe’s villains. Well, anyways, my want to know the truth behind all of it won over the unrealistic parts.
The Unseen is a well-written book. While the last parts were unrealistic for me, I did enjoy reading this. So, reading this depends on your taste; you’ll either like Noir Bizarre or you’ll hate it.
January 5, 2009
We've all had those moments when we felt like we were being watched--unseen eyes hovering nearby, taking in our every move.
That creepy feeling becomes reality in T. L. Hines latest novel, The Unseen.
The main character, Lucas, has an interesting hobby. He likes to watch people without them knowing it. He is a loner who spends his free time sneaking into places that most people don't even know exist. From his unseen vantage points, he quietly watches people go about their every day lives.
Within a few pages, things get turned around, and Lucas gets drawn into a world of espionage and danger, losing the anonymity that he feeds on.
T.L. Hines is a skilled expert at enticing the reader into the story and compelling us to empathize with Lucas in spite of his questionable activity. All the characters are portrayed as unique individuals, clearly drawn and brought to life on the pages. In a word, they are unforgettable.
Before the book is over it has turned into a fast-paced, high-action suspense thriller that you can't put down. As I read the book I could see the scenes playing out in my mind, much like pictures on a giant movie screen.
The story won't just tug at you a little; it will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go until the last page is read. T. L. Hines not only puts the reader in the mind of the character, but in his skin.
After reading only a portion of the story, I found myself checking to see if someone was watching me. I even examined walls in public places to see if there were suspicious-looking holes, and I locked doors behind me in my own home (after checking all possible hiding places, of course)!
The Unseen by T. L. Hines is my third review for Thomas Nelson Publishers. Though it is not a typical read for me, it will become so after reading this book. I look forward to reading more novels by T. L. Hines.
The fact that the author was able to write such a compelling story without the use of profanity or sexual content makes this book a big winner. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good read.
That creepy feeling becomes reality in T. L. Hines latest novel, The Unseen.
The main character, Lucas, has an interesting hobby. He likes to watch people without them knowing it. He is a loner who spends his free time sneaking into places that most people don't even know exist. From his unseen vantage points, he quietly watches people go about their every day lives.
Within a few pages, things get turned around, and Lucas gets drawn into a world of espionage and danger, losing the anonymity that he feeds on.
T.L. Hines is a skilled expert at enticing the reader into the story and compelling us to empathize with Lucas in spite of his questionable activity. All the characters are portrayed as unique individuals, clearly drawn and brought to life on the pages. In a word, they are unforgettable.
Before the book is over it has turned into a fast-paced, high-action suspense thriller that you can't put down. As I read the book I could see the scenes playing out in my mind, much like pictures on a giant movie screen.
The story won't just tug at you a little; it will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go until the last page is read. T. L. Hines not only puts the reader in the mind of the character, but in his skin.
After reading only a portion of the story, I found myself checking to see if someone was watching me. I even examined walls in public places to see if there were suspicious-looking holes, and I locked doors behind me in my own home (after checking all possible hiding places, of course)!
The Unseen by T. L. Hines is my third review for Thomas Nelson Publishers. Though it is not a typical read for me, it will become so after reading this book. I look forward to reading more novels by T. L. Hines.
The fact that the author was able to write such a compelling story without the use of profanity or sexual content makes this book a big winner. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good read.
April 7, 2023
This is well worth a read if you want something different. I hadn't heard of TL Hines myself. This book was a present. It's a creepy mystery which keeps you guessing up until the end. It's hard to describe anything much without giving things away. The main character is a creepy, messed up homeless orphan with unpleasant habits who gets drawn into a strange web of intrigue. I found it a slow starter but I enjoyed it though.
March 15, 2022
T.L Hines is one of my favorite authors. Waking Lazarus by far was is my favorite book!
This book is creepy, in a good way! It had a good story behind it but i kept feeling like i needed “more”. That being said, it was still a good read and i would read it again.
This book is creepy, in a good way! It had a good story behind it but i kept feeling like i needed “more”. That being said, it was still a good read and i would read it again.
March 3, 2017
What is this? I don't even...
Seriously, this book is just absurd, and not in a good way. And to think I was excited about this one...
Seriously, this book is just absurd, and not in a good way. And to think I was excited about this one...
December 20, 2008
The Unseen
By T. L. Hines
Thomas Nelson
386 Pages
The Unseen – Eerily Weird! Strangely compulsive! No matter how you describe T. L. Hines’ latest book to other readers, you’re going to fumble on adjectives. It’s not the typical horror, nor is it suspenseful or a good mystery. It has great action and keeps you turning the pages and in many ways it’s fascinating! But it is definitely—weird!
Lucas is a great main character, though he doesn’t have a last name, since he grew up in an orphanage. We meet him as he hangs in a hammock-sort of bed as he’s looking down on a lovely woman who is working at her desk. Lucas doesn’t have a steady job, he doesn’t have a home and he usually steals his meals out of break-room refrigerators. Right now he’s working temporarily as a dishwasher—he doesn’t need much money of course, so he stashes his pay in various abandoned buildings, where he’s found a cubbyhole that is safe. Right now, Lucas is living in a place near Howard University. He spends most days watching... After the offices close, he leaves his home to rummage in the refrigerator for dinner and he steals a picture of the young woman, with her two beautiful kids. The picture will become a symbol of family for him—a totem that he can look at, remember and with it be happy.
Lucas has no friends, except Sarea, who works at the same restaurant where he washes dishes. At the end of the day, they share a cigarette before leaving and going to their respective homes. This is the extent of the relationship.
Readers will compulsively become involved in Lucas’ life!
Deep in the middle of one night, Lucas awakes to a scraping sound! Someone has invaded his place—he is currently staying inside one of the underground tunnels attached to the university’s steam plant. Seeing a light, he moves to find the infiltrator. He realizes right away that the individual is a creeper. “A creeper is someone who loved to explore the hidden spaces” in buildings.
And that’s when he met Donovan...
A member of the Creep Club...
The Creep Club infiltrates private homes as well as public buildings. They tape occupants. And if they happen to see domestic violence happening, they hope the get to tape a murder...
As you can imagine the characters in the creep club...are creepy...
But so are the “good guys!” In fact, Lucas has a hard time deciding who the good guys are! Especially when he meets two that have his face! Or the ghost that is singing to him from the grave! Readers will be caught in the same guessing game, trying hard to keep up with what is going to happen next, especially when Lucas has a bomb attached to his leg, which is set to go off at a certain time unless it is reset!
I admit it...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this weirdly wonderful book! Somehow all of these strange characters are molded together, resulting in a unique story that is captivating! In many ways, it is a “good over evil” kind of book, but no matter what...it’s still weird!
If you liked my review...I highly recommend you get the book! You’ll be glad you did!
G. A. Bixler
For Thomas Nelson
By T. L. Hines
Thomas Nelson
386 Pages
The Unseen – Eerily Weird! Strangely compulsive! No matter how you describe T. L. Hines’ latest book to other readers, you’re going to fumble on adjectives. It’s not the typical horror, nor is it suspenseful or a good mystery. It has great action and keeps you turning the pages and in many ways it’s fascinating! But it is definitely—weird!
Lucas is a great main character, though he doesn’t have a last name, since he grew up in an orphanage. We meet him as he hangs in a hammock-sort of bed as he’s looking down on a lovely woman who is working at her desk. Lucas doesn’t have a steady job, he doesn’t have a home and he usually steals his meals out of break-room refrigerators. Right now he’s working temporarily as a dishwasher—he doesn’t need much money of course, so he stashes his pay in various abandoned buildings, where he’s found a cubbyhole that is safe. Right now, Lucas is living in a place near Howard University. He spends most days watching... After the offices close, he leaves his home to rummage in the refrigerator for dinner and he steals a picture of the young woman, with her two beautiful kids. The picture will become a symbol of family for him—a totem that he can look at, remember and with it be happy.
Lucas has no friends, except Sarea, who works at the same restaurant where he washes dishes. At the end of the day, they share a cigarette before leaving and going to their respective homes. This is the extent of the relationship.
Readers will compulsively become involved in Lucas’ life!
Deep in the middle of one night, Lucas awakes to a scraping sound! Someone has invaded his place—he is currently staying inside one of the underground tunnels attached to the university’s steam plant. Seeing a light, he moves to find the infiltrator. He realizes right away that the individual is a creeper. “A creeper is someone who loved to explore the hidden spaces” in buildings.
And that’s when he met Donovan...
A member of the Creep Club...
The Creep Club infiltrates private homes as well as public buildings. They tape occupants. And if they happen to see domestic violence happening, they hope the get to tape a murder...
As you can imagine the characters in the creep club...are creepy...
But so are the “good guys!” In fact, Lucas has a hard time deciding who the good guys are! Especially when he meets two that have his face! Or the ghost that is singing to him from the grave! Readers will be caught in the same guessing game, trying hard to keep up with what is going to happen next, especially when Lucas has a bomb attached to his leg, which is set to go off at a certain time unless it is reset!
I admit it...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this weirdly wonderful book! Somehow all of these strange characters are molded together, resulting in a unique story that is captivating! In many ways, it is a “good over evil” kind of book, but no matter what...it’s still weird!
If you liked my review...I highly recommend you get the book! You’ll be glad you did!
G. A. Bixler
For Thomas Nelson
December 15, 2008
Have you ever felt like someone was watching you? Have you ever looked up or turned around and found no one there? Have you ever felt the eyes of someone who wasn’t there boring into you? T.L. Hines has brought new meaning to these feelings of paranoia.
Above ceiling tiles, behind closet doors, and atop elevators hides Lucas; watching. Lucas watches others while they work and interact. He creates histories and stories for these individuals. He takes a memento from each of his targets; a picture, a favored scarf, some precious object.
Raised in an orphanage outside the Washington D.C. area, Lucas discovered his love of watching others from the roof outside the windows of the orphanage. He watched as the children interacted and played. He watched as the caregivers searched for him. Always watching, never being. Lucas does not technically exist. However, the life Lucas has always known is about to change drastically and his existence will no longer be hidden. A chance encounter begins to unravel a world of deceit, conspiracy, and treachery that Lucas never believed could exist. Lucas discovers that he is not the only person who watches. He finds a group of people who have crossed the line and who must be stopped.
Lucas is quickly submerged into a world of lies, creepers, and murder. His existence is made extremely public. He has become the target. The deception peels away like layers of an onion and finally reveals a terrifying link to Lucas’s past.
When I started this book I couldn’t help but look up at my heating vents. I am thankful that I do not have tiles in my ceiling. The book began to drag in the middle but picked up shortly after I got bored. Once the tangle of lies began to be unknotted I could not put the book down. I also can’t stop thinking about it! I think everyone must read this book. Maybe these people are really out there.
To read this book is to look over your shoulder. Each turn of the page makes the reader feel less and less alone. Each new description of the “observation decks” created by these people instigates another bout of paranoia and raises questions. Am I being watched? Is someone there? Someone who wishes to remain…unseen?
Above ceiling tiles, behind closet doors, and atop elevators hides Lucas; watching. Lucas watches others while they work and interact. He creates histories and stories for these individuals. He takes a memento from each of his targets; a picture, a favored scarf, some precious object.
Raised in an orphanage outside the Washington D.C. area, Lucas discovered his love of watching others from the roof outside the windows of the orphanage. He watched as the children interacted and played. He watched as the caregivers searched for him. Always watching, never being. Lucas does not technically exist. However, the life Lucas has always known is about to change drastically and his existence will no longer be hidden. A chance encounter begins to unravel a world of deceit, conspiracy, and treachery that Lucas never believed could exist. Lucas discovers that he is not the only person who watches. He finds a group of people who have crossed the line and who must be stopped.
Lucas is quickly submerged into a world of lies, creepers, and murder. His existence is made extremely public. He has become the target. The deception peels away like layers of an onion and finally reveals a terrifying link to Lucas’s past.
When I started this book I couldn’t help but look up at my heating vents. I am thankful that I do not have tiles in my ceiling. The book began to drag in the middle but picked up shortly after I got bored. Once the tangle of lies began to be unknotted I could not put the book down. I also can’t stop thinking about it! I think everyone must read this book. Maybe these people are really out there.
To read this book is to look over your shoulder. Each turn of the page makes the reader feel less and less alone. Each new description of the “observation decks” created by these people instigates another bout of paranoia and raises questions. Am I being watched? Is someone there? Someone who wishes to remain…unseen?
May 1, 2010
The premise of the story, a man (Lucas) who lives vicariously by spying on people from inside walls, duct work, and crawl spaces, making up complicated histories/lives for them in his mind, sounds interesting enough. Add in the wrinkle that he runs into a group of people called the “Creep Club” who seem to share his peculiar interest. Throw in the twist that our “hero” has a mysterious background (was he really an orphan? was he part of some weird scientific study he can’t remember?) and is being pursued by some shadowy government organization, “mad” scientists and even the Chinese and this should be great, right? Wrong.
Some how, some way this manages to be unbelievably boring! The book at times goes for pages and pages with no character interaction whatsoever, only tediously detailed descriptions of what the main character is seeing and thinking. This might be ok if Lucas was charismatic or compelling in some way, but unfortunately he’s just…. boring. He has no home, wandering from building to building setting up his bivouac in perfect position to spy on his chosen subject. He has no family or friends and works at a menial job as a dishwasher. There is absolutely nothing about him that inspired me to “connect” with him, which is rather ironic considering he explains his behavior (to himself) as searching for that “electric connection” that he gets every so often while spying on someone who seems to sense him watching them.
The conclusion was unsatisfying and, ultimately, I found the book to be much ado about nothing once all was said and done. It wasn’t “bad” per se, just not my cup of tea.
Some how, some way this manages to be unbelievably boring! The book at times goes for pages and pages with no character interaction whatsoever, only tediously detailed descriptions of what the main character is seeing and thinking. This might be ok if Lucas was charismatic or compelling in some way, but unfortunately he’s just…. boring. He has no home, wandering from building to building setting up his bivouac in perfect position to spy on his chosen subject. He has no family or friends and works at a menial job as a dishwasher. There is absolutely nothing about him that inspired me to “connect” with him, which is rather ironic considering he explains his behavior (to himself) as searching for that “electric connection” that he gets every so often while spying on someone who seems to sense him watching them.
The conclusion was unsatisfying and, ultimately, I found the book to be much ado about nothing once all was said and done. It wasn’t “bad” per se, just not my cup of tea.
April 7, 2017
I'm a big fan of thrillers, and this book is touted as a supernatural thriller - right up my alley! It was certainly intriguing from page one! Also, it contains many twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the plot twisted, and I was left guessing again. I really like this feature in a book! While the content is a little dark, the geographical details a bit confusing and the end a little too fantastical, the action kept me on the edge of my seat, and the book is clean. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes unique thrillers!
January 26, 2010
This book was an interesting concept. Never read anything like it. I liked the story overall and I love the writer. The plot was a bit of a stretch...but it's not supposed to be realistic anyway. If you like weird...go for it!
June 19, 2019
Urban explorer. Started off pretty good but basically fell apart at the end. Could have been better.
August 7, 2011
This is a really creepy if it actually happens. It makes you wonder what really goes on!!
January 27, 2016
Very different type of book; but, interesting. You don't want to put it down.
July 26, 2017
I really wanted to love this book. I think TL Hines is a good story-teller, but to me the writing felt flat. I am not a big fan of 3rd person narratives that delve too much into the inner mind of the psyche of the character. If it's going to be 3rd person, the narrative needs to be limited to the actions of the characters and the dialogue. This book might have been much more intoxicating into the inner mind of Lucas had it been told from his first-person perspective, with 3rd person limited narratives for the back stories interwoven. Justin Cronin is a master of this in his "The Passage" series.
Ultimately, the book kept me turning to see how it would unfold, and the twists were good and kept me guessing. Again, Hines is a good storyteller, but there was too much exposition included, as if he were concerned that every 30 pages the reader would forget what had happened so far so he continues to remind us of all we've already read. I almost get the impression that he had a certain word-quota to fill for the publisher.
It is a good read and a good mystery. Good storytelling, and it did keep me interested. And I would try another one of Hines' books.
Ultimately, the book kept me turning to see how it would unfold, and the twists were good and kept me guessing. Again, Hines is a good storyteller, but there was too much exposition included, as if he were concerned that every 30 pages the reader would forget what had happened so far so he continues to remind us of all we've already read. I almost get the impression that he had a certain word-quota to fill for the publisher.
It is a good read and a good mystery. Good storytelling, and it did keep me interested. And I would try another one of Hines' books.
January 30, 2020
The blurb attracted me to this book, although initially when I started reading it I was getting a distinct Kepnes 'You' vibe. This soon shifted though into something... well all together different.
Having finished the book I'm not entirely sure how to even describe the course of events beyond that it was certainly both interesting and an unexpected course of events that unfolded. Entirely and utterly unrealistic, but then realism isn't the goal of this book, so I can't fault it for that.
Overall, whilst it's a pretty quick read, it's a good story with an ending that whilst unexpected is entirely suited to the novel that comes before it.
Having finished the book I'm not entirely sure how to even describe the course of events beyond that it was certainly both interesting and an unexpected course of events that unfolded. Entirely and utterly unrealistic, but then realism isn't the goal of this book, so I can't fault it for that.
Overall, whilst it's a pretty quick read, it's a good story with an ending that whilst unexpected is entirely suited to the novel that comes before it.
April 29, 2019
This book is just crazy throughout the whole book. There sad parts of the story, terrible parts of the story and good parts of the story to. You can sometimes predict what will happen next and other times
you have no idea what will happen. Over all it's a really good book, and I recommend this to anyone.
you have no idea what will happen. Over all it's a really good book, and I recommend this to anyone.
August 23, 2021
The concept is a bit weird for this one. I found myself getting bored with the plot and not wanting to return. I did power through, but admittedly had lost interest. Maybe I'll have to revisit another time when I'm more in the mood for it. Overall not terrible, just not as thrilling as I was hoping for like previous books I've read by the same author.
November 19, 2018
Boring it did not hold my interest at all
November 30, 2023
Interesting idea that I found fresh.
February 1, 2009
If you've ever felt like you're being watched, but no one is there take a closer look. It could be, you aren't alone. Someone like Lucas could be lurking behind that wall or above the ceiling tiles, observing you as you go about your daily tasks or your job.
That's what Lucas does. He watches people when he's not working as a dishwasher at a local Washington DC restaurant. He's an urban explorer, as familiar with Washington's underground network of tunnels and abandoned buildings, as most people are with city streets and their homes and places of employment.
Lucas does this because he longs for human contact, but doesn't know how to make and keep that contact. He's a man with no past; he can't remember his childhood or ever having a family. All he can recall is the line "Humpty Dumpty had some great falls."
So Lucas spends his days spying on people with normal lives, making up stories in his head about who they are and how they spend their days. Lucas is also a petty thief, not above swiping tokens from his unknowing subjects, and using them to build precise shrines in whatever place he currently calls home.
Then he discovers the Creep Club, a group of urban explorers just like him, he thinks. At last the contact he's longed for. But his sense of connection is short-lived when he realizes this group of people takes their spying farther than his moral code will allow. They delight in watching and filming the dark side of human nature--plans for a murder, a husband abusing his wife.
But when Lucas tries to stop the murder, he finds himself the prime suspect. He also becomes one of the watched and finds himself drawn into events he can't control. He wants to flee, but knows there is no where to go. Those that pursue him have already proven they can and will find him no matter where he goes. He's forced to play a game in which he doesn't have the winning move and has no way of playing a winning move.
Even though some parts of the book left me a little murky as to what was going on, the rest of the novel forced me to read to the end of the book.
"The Unseen" raises some disturbing privacy questions, especially regarding government and how far it may go in the name of security.
So the next time you feel like someone may be watching, but you're fairly certain you're alone, look again. Push aside the ceiling tiles or look for a small hole in the wall of the janitor's closet that faces the main room. Or not, if you'd rather not know.
That's what Lucas does. He watches people when he's not working as a dishwasher at a local Washington DC restaurant. He's an urban explorer, as familiar with Washington's underground network of tunnels and abandoned buildings, as most people are with city streets and their homes and places of employment.
Lucas does this because he longs for human contact, but doesn't know how to make and keep that contact. He's a man with no past; he can't remember his childhood or ever having a family. All he can recall is the line "Humpty Dumpty had some great falls."
So Lucas spends his days spying on people with normal lives, making up stories in his head about who they are and how they spend their days. Lucas is also a petty thief, not above swiping tokens from his unknowing subjects, and using them to build precise shrines in whatever place he currently calls home.
Then he discovers the Creep Club, a group of urban explorers just like him, he thinks. At last the contact he's longed for. But his sense of connection is short-lived when he realizes this group of people takes their spying farther than his moral code will allow. They delight in watching and filming the dark side of human nature--plans for a murder, a husband abusing his wife.
But when Lucas tries to stop the murder, he finds himself the prime suspect. He also becomes one of the watched and finds himself drawn into events he can't control. He wants to flee, but knows there is no where to go. Those that pursue him have already proven they can and will find him no matter where he goes. He's forced to play a game in which he doesn't have the winning move and has no way of playing a winning move.
Even though some parts of the book left me a little murky as to what was going on, the rest of the novel forced me to read to the end of the book.
"The Unseen" raises some disturbing privacy questions, especially regarding government and how far it may go in the name of security.
So the next time you feel like someone may be watching, but you're fairly certain you're alone, look again. Push aside the ceiling tiles or look for a small hole in the wall of the janitor's closet that faces the main room. Or not, if you'd rather not know.
September 23, 2015
This was an interesting book. I have never thought about, or considered the possibility, that there might be some subset of society involved in watching others from above ceiling tiles, in heating ducts, under the floor, etc. The possibility is fairly chilling.
Initially, I thought the main character was a seriously disturbed social misfit who had clearly suffered trauma in his lifetime, and had taken to "creeping" to fulfill his fantasies of a normal life. As the book evolved, however, Lucas' reactions to the disturbing events he was witnessing, and his interactions with the various other characters in the book, made him seem more like a typical "hero" character. For me, that made his chosen lifestyle, and his odd habit of collecting "tokens" of others' lives, less believable. He seemed too normal!
Lucas is fond of noting that "People hear, but they don't listen," and "People look, but they don't see." The examples of the truth of those statements are thought-provoking.
Lucas' struggle to draw his own moral line is interesting because he knows that the spying he does would be considered by most to be morally wrong, but he does have boundaries . . . he doesn't spy on people in their homes, and he cannot merely observe when he knows someone is going to be hurt. He feesl so strongly about those boundaries that he is willing to move outside his comfort zone to prevent what he views as a misuse of creeping, even though he feels the pull to cross the line himself.
Much of Lucas' motivation is to "do something." He feels he is nothing. He has no past, no family, no mainstream life. He wants to make a mark.
The resolution of the story was, to me, confusing. Lucas becomes caught up in a web of spies, some who look exactly like him (for an odd reason), and he has no idea who is good or bad. The explanation of an "experiment" gone awry, and a "good twin" followed by a swarm of wasps who wants to give Lucas memories which had been taken from him, was all too "out there" for me. But in all, a good read.
Initially, I thought the main character was a seriously disturbed social misfit who had clearly suffered trauma in his lifetime, and had taken to "creeping" to fulfill his fantasies of a normal life. As the book evolved, however, Lucas' reactions to the disturbing events he was witnessing, and his interactions with the various other characters in the book, made him seem more like a typical "hero" character. For me, that made his chosen lifestyle, and his odd habit of collecting "tokens" of others' lives, less believable. He seemed too normal!
Lucas is fond of noting that "People hear, but they don't listen," and "People look, but they don't see." The examples of the truth of those statements are thought-provoking.
Lucas' struggle to draw his own moral line is interesting because he knows that the spying he does would be considered by most to be morally wrong, but he does have boundaries . . . he doesn't spy on people in their homes, and he cannot merely observe when he knows someone is going to be hurt. He feesl so strongly about those boundaries that he is willing to move outside his comfort zone to prevent what he views as a misuse of creeping, even though he feels the pull to cross the line himself.
Much of Lucas' motivation is to "do something." He feels he is nothing. He has no past, no family, no mainstream life. He wants to make a mark.
The resolution of the story was, to me, confusing. Lucas becomes caught up in a web of spies, some who look exactly like him (for an odd reason), and he has no idea who is good or bad. The explanation of an "experiment" gone awry, and a "good twin" followed by a swarm of wasps who wants to give Lucas memories which had been taken from him, was all too "out there" for me. But in all, a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2009
Before reading The Unseen, I had never read a “noir bizarre” book. In fact, I can’t say that I knew there even was such a genre (which I guess isn’t so unusual, since T. L. Hines might be the only writer of said genre). I also had no idea there was a culture of “creepers,” people who crawl around in unseen spaces, spying on people in their workplaces, restaurants, and even their homes.
Because I know little about this culture, I have no idea whether or not T. L. Hines’ descriptions of these groups of people are accurate; however, for the most part, I found the book fairly believable and even enjoyable at times, if bizarre.
My initial impressions of The Unseen were fairly positive. I liked the main character, Lucas, from the get go. He was strange, yes—a man with no memory of his early years who spies on strangers and events histories for them—but likable. The more I read, however, the less I connected with Lucas’ increasingly complex story. I was bothered by the author’s capitalization of such abstract concepts as “The Dark Vibration” and “The Connection,” not simply because of the random capitalization but because their significance was never fully explained or justified. Though Hines does a nice job of weaving a tale of action, intrigue, and suspense that did keep me reading, in the end I felt that many loose ends were left untied.
All in all, I think Hines is a good writer. I wouldn’t be opposed to reading a book from him in the future. Unfortunately, though, The Unseen left me lukewarm.
Because I know little about this culture, I have no idea whether or not T. L. Hines’ descriptions of these groups of people are accurate; however, for the most part, I found the book fairly believable and even enjoyable at times, if bizarre.
My initial impressions of The Unseen were fairly positive. I liked the main character, Lucas, from the get go. He was strange, yes—a man with no memory of his early years who spies on strangers and events histories for them—but likable. The more I read, however, the less I connected with Lucas’ increasingly complex story. I was bothered by the author’s capitalization of such abstract concepts as “The Dark Vibration” and “The Connection,” not simply because of the random capitalization but because their significance was never fully explained or justified. Though Hines does a nice job of weaving a tale of action, intrigue, and suspense that did keep me reading, in the end I felt that many loose ends were left untied.
All in all, I think Hines is a good writer. I wouldn’t be opposed to reading a book from him in the future. Unfortunately, though, The Unseen left me lukewarm.
November 10, 2013
There is someone watching you as you work.
He is there in the ceiling above you at your desk, he's behind the wall as you go to the bathroom.
His name is Lucas and he's a creeper.
I'm a big fan of T. L. Hines. His first two novels, and Waking Lazarus and The Dead Whisper On were great stories. His work is considered Noir Bizarre.
In The Unseen, Lucas spends his life, observing people in public places. However, Lucas is behind the walls and ceilings of buildings. He never goes into a private residence until he meets the members of The Creep Club.
These members, set up video cameras and record the inside life of their "projects".
Once Lucas meets The Creep Club, things go downhill. Suddenly there are people trying to kill him and he doesn't know who to trust.
This is Hines' first work with a new publisher, Tommy Nelson. The book is much longer than the others and I think it hurts the story.
There are so many characters that come in and out of the plot. He tried to make this a twist-and-turn surprise thriller but it ended up being a confusing, "who really cares" story.
I think it would be better for the editors to slim down the next novel. Keep to telling these stories, just shorten them up a bit.
March 3, 2014
Lucas is a loner, but he's never alone.
From page one, this novel pulls you in. It's interesting to learn how this man sneaks around and spies on others. How he longs for a connection, but pushes those people he knows in person away. He's afraid for a "real" connection, so he settles for the lives he creates for those he spies on.
When someone shows up near his current living space things start to turn around. He goes from being the spy to being spied on.
With such an intriguing start I was keyed up for an intriguing story to test my intelligence and challenge me. The story did deliver many twists and turns, unexpected story turns, and side plots.
Unfortunately for me, after so many twists and turns I felt it fell a bit flat. With so many plot threads to keep track of, several were never wrapped up. The ending had me staring at the book saying, "All of that for...what?"
An intriguing start with a muddled middle, and a disappointing end. Even the action packed sequence before the final shoe dropped didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.
In the end I really WANTED to like this book. I'm afraid it didn't happen.
From page one, this novel pulls you in. It's interesting to learn how this man sneaks around and spies on others. How he longs for a connection, but pushes those people he knows in person away. He's afraid for a "real" connection, so he settles for the lives he creates for those he spies on.
When someone shows up near his current living space things start to turn around. He goes from being the spy to being spied on.
With such an intriguing start I was keyed up for an intriguing story to test my intelligence and challenge me. The story did deliver many twists and turns, unexpected story turns, and side plots.
Unfortunately for me, after so many twists and turns I felt it fell a bit flat. With so many plot threads to keep track of, several were never wrapped up. The ending had me staring at the book saying, "All of that for...what?"
An intriguing start with a muddled middle, and a disappointing end. Even the action packed sequence before the final shoe dropped didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.
In the end I really WANTED to like this book. I'm afraid it didn't happen.
November 4, 2008
"They" are watching... Are you being watched as we speak?
If you read CREEPERS by David Morrell (and if you didn't and are in the mood for great suspense, then run to your nearest library and get it!), then you will again be drawn into the world of urban explorers, aka infiltrators--that is those who find their way into abandoned buildings, condemned areas, and other sites that are off-limits to anyone human. However, these creepers go into further chilling territory: they spy on people in their workplaces, or worse, in their homes. What happens to a lone wolf creeper and how he becomes involved in darker nefarious schemes with others of his ilk makes this book unbearably suspenseful at times.
I'm not sure how happy I was with the ending but it may have been that I was trying to finish it on my break and I may not have completely understood how all of the loose ends tied together.
If you read CREEPERS by David Morrell (and if you didn't and are in the mood for great suspense, then run to your nearest library and get it!), then you will again be drawn into the world of urban explorers, aka infiltrators--that is those who find their way into abandoned buildings, condemned areas, and other sites that are off-limits to anyone human. However, these creepers go into further chilling territory: they spy on people in their workplaces, or worse, in their homes. What happens to a lone wolf creeper and how he becomes involved in darker nefarious schemes with others of his ilk makes this book unbearably suspenseful at times.
I'm not sure how happy I was with the ending but it may have been that I was trying to finish it on my break and I may not have completely understood how all of the loose ends tied together.
June 5, 2013
I stand by my earlier comments. I didn't like the book; repetitive and needlessly over-long.You could tell it was written by a male techno geek with James Bond like fantasies. Didn't anybody but me notice that the main character has coffee and a pastry every ten pages? I would go back and count, but off hand I can remember a danish, an old fashioned donut, and a scone, for Pete's sake! Have him get a burger once in a while! After going on and on and nowhere and all over the place, the whole book wraps up in the last 20 pages. At least it had a happy ending, and I'm a sucker for happy endings, but not that much of a sucker to give this anything more than 1 star. I'm also left wondering if the people on Good Reads who rated it so highly actually read it, were paid off, or friends of the author?
February 6, 2011
I didn't care for this book very much. Although, it was nothing like what I thought it would be, I continued to read it and give it a fair chance. This book was extremely odd and at times fairly creepy as well. Even though I didn't care for the story very much, it did keep me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Lasty, as in this book, the idea of people in the walls of my home or work is enough to give me nightmares. This book was creepy but also weird...Way too weird for me.
January 2, 2010
This is another book that really should get 3.5 stars, but won't.
Gah...a GREAT writer...yet how can a book be so well written but say so little??
Great set up, great characters, great twists...yet the payoff was so 'oh' as opposed to "OH!!!!" when you finally get to the gist of what is really going on.
Waking Lazarus was sooooooo good. Hines other books so far have been good, but really lack the 'oomph' that makes a great 'bizarre noir' novel (not that i'm an expert or anything.)
Gah...a GREAT writer...yet how can a book be so well written but say so little??
Great set up, great characters, great twists...yet the payoff was so 'oh' as opposed to "OH!!!!" when you finally get to the gist of what is really going on.
Waking Lazarus was sooooooo good. Hines other books so far have been good, but really lack the 'oomph' that makes a great 'bizarre noir' novel (not that i'm an expert or anything.)
November 3, 2012
For me, the mystery of this book began with how it came to be in my possession. I found it in a pile of books I brought home from a used book store, with no memory of buying it. The blurb on the back made it seem like a type of book I wouldn't really enjoy, though fluffy enough that I might as well try it anyway.
However this book made it to my hands, I'm glad it did. Creepy, mysterious, and full of twists, I found it well worth my time (and the $2 I apparently spent on it).
However this book made it to my hands, I'm glad it did. Creepy, mysterious, and full of twists, I found it well worth my time (and the $2 I apparently spent on it).
August 12, 2016
You can read my full review at Quieted Waters.
The Unseen by T. L. Hines started with a strange protagonist living out strange fantasies, and the plot never looked back. The author self-describes his genre as “noir bizzare,” and the book lived up to the genre.
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