An epic game of 'hide and seek' has been going on recently in Melbourne, and in the process over 160 unique and hidden locations have beenuncovered. These funky spots have been carefully selected and reviewed, and packaged into four compact guides, which have found their way onto bookstore shelves this month. Readers should be aware that these Hide & Seek books are professional hiders, and will continue to exhibit hiding behaviour in bookstores. So keep your eyes peeled and put your seeking glasses on. Let the game begin!

The four books represent the top four categories of interest to any city lover: hidden and intriguing night spots (NIGHT OWL), unique shopping locations (TREASURE TROVE), delicious places to eat (FEELING PECKISH?) and unusual experiences and activities (HIT THE STREETS).

These pocket-sized books (140mm x 140mm) make the perfect companions on any exploratory mission in Melbourne. They can easily fit in a small handbag or large jacket pocket (or any other good hiding spot) and showcase around 40 under-the-radar locations in their 104 pages. Each place is featured over a double-page spread with a description, contact details, a handy location map and a collage of images.

The sneaky, hidden venues found in the books were selected by a panel of in-the-know Melburnians, who scoured the city, searching for new and eclectic locations. And boy, did they find some goodies!

Melbourne foodies will revel in FEELING PECKISH? with 40 new foodie haunts to visit, including a mobile burger van, a cafe that serves 'syphon coffee' and a restaurant with all-you-can eat yum cha on weekends. NIGHT OWL taps into Melbourne's love affair with great drinking holes, featuring a truly authentic Irish pub and a bar that manages to bring together retro, Art Deco and, um, rabbit aesthetics. HIT THE STREETS gives readers ideas for wacky and wonderful things to do in Melbourne, such as abseiling face forward and dance jams in the dark. Finally, TREASURE TROVE lists 41 of the most interesting and unique shops in Melbourne. There's a beanbag shop that has the perfect beanbag for both you and your pet, a Japanese kimono and textile store, and a vintage clothing - and drinking - fair. It doesn't get much better than that!

Editor, Melissa Krafchek, has a not-so-secret 'passion for finding undiscovered gems' and it is out of this passion that the books were born.  She found that the city of Melbourne naturally lends itself to the concept of the series; with its hidden laneways, eclectic foodie community, treasure trove of shops and abundance of cool drinking holes, Melburnians are spoilt for choice when it comes to unknown, funky and underground haunts. But as we all know, the best places aren't easy to find. Luckily the Hide & Seek series is here to lend a hand in that department.