Alice Feeney| 2021 | 294 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5)
Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Adult, Mystery
SUMMARY
Think you know the person you married? Think again…
Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. A self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter, Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family or even his own wife.
Every anniversary, the couple exchanges traditional gifts—paper, cotton, pottery, tin—and each year, Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read—until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.
Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.
MY THOUGHTS & OVERVIEW
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney is a gripping domestic thriller that follows Adam and Amelia Wright, a couple on the brink of disaster. When they win a weekend away at a remote chapel in the Scottish Highlands, they hope the time together will salvage their crumbling marriage. But as the snow traps them in, secrets begin to unravel, leaving them questioning everything they thought they knew about each other—and themselves.
Plot:
Adam and Amelia Wright are in serious trouble. Adam, a successful screenwriter, suffers from face blindness—a condition that makes it impossible for him to recognize anyone, even his own wife. Over the years, he's learned to compensate by relying on voices, scents, and body language. His early success came from a screenplay called Rock Paper Scissors, but despite the accolades, it never got made, and Adam has since turned to adapting other writers’ work. Amelia, meanwhile, is growing increasingly frustrated with their marriage, feeling neglected and unimportant as Adam’s career takes center stage.
The couple’s trip to Blackwater Chapel is supposed to be a chance to reconnect. The chapel on the remote Blackwater Loch in the Scottish Highlands is beautiful but eerie. The power is unreliable, the weather is treacherous, and they quickly find themselves snowed in. But the real tension comes from within their relationship, as old wounds are reopened and long-buried secrets come to light.
The story is told through alternating perspectives—Adam’s, Amelia’s, and a third character, Robin, who lives nearby and seems to have her own agenda. Feeney’s clever use of structure, including letters Adams's wife writes to him every year on their anniversary but never gives him, adds depth and insight into their troubled marriage. These letters and the couple’s interactions at the chapel gradually reveal the extent of their issues and the dark secrets they’ve both been hiding.
Thoughts:
Alice Feeney absolutely nails the atmosphere in this book. The isolated Scottish Highlands, the spooky old chapel, and the raging winter storm all create the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama. The setting mirrors the isolation and tension in Adam and Amelia’s marriage, making you feel every bit of their discomfort. Adam’s face blindness adds a fascinating layer of complexity—imagine being unable to recognize your spouse in a situation where trust is already shaky at best.
The motif is woven throughout the story, not just in Adam’s screenplay but also in their relationship. It’s a game with severe stakes for them, and Feeney uses it to underscore the power dynamics and mind games between the characters.
Bob, their loyal black lab, adds warmth and fun to the story, which is much needed in this otherwise dark and twisty tale. I couldn’t help but smile every time he made an appearance.
The plot twists come fast and furious, and while some of them are a bit over-the-top, they definitely kept me hooked. The big twist genuinely surprised me, and while the final reveals might stretch credibility a bit, they’re still wildly entertaining. Just be ready to suspend some disbelief.
Ending and Conclusion:
As the novel races toward its conclusion, the twists grow increasingly intense, pushing the tension to an almost unbearable level. The main twist left me reeling, though some of the later revelations felt a bit too outlandish. Yet, the ending still brought a smile to my face with its unexpected blend of absurdity and humor—a fitting close to a story that kept me on my toes from start to finish.
Rock Paper Scissors is a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. The isolated, eerie setting perfectly complements the tension between Adam and Amelia, creating a claustrophobic and unsettling read. While the characters aren’t always likable, their complex dynamics and the story’s twisty structure make it impossible to look away. The twists and turns are wild, and even if some feel far-fetched, they’re all part of the ride. If you’re into domestic thrillers that keep you on edge and constantly second-guessing, this one’s for you—just be ready to be thrown for a loop, maybe even more than once.
- STOP - MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
CHARACTERS
Robin Wright
Robin Wright is introduced by name in Chapter 14 of Rock Paper Scissors, though her presence is felt earlier through love letters addressed to Adam. Initially, these letters seem to be from Amelia, Adam's second wife, but they are actually written by Robin. Her character is gradually revealed as Adam's first wife and the daughter of the acclaimed horror novelist Henry Winter. Robin's life with Adam was marked by a series of personal disappointments and strained relationships, including struggles with infertility and emotional distance.
Robin lives a reclusive life in a small cottage on the grounds of Blackwater Chapel. She is depicted as an isolated figure with only a rabbit named Oscar for company. Her interactions with the couple staying at the chapel create an atmosphere of suspicion, adding an unsettling layer to the story.
Amelia Wright
Amelia Wright appears to be the novel’s main protagonist, narrating much of the story. She is Adam's current wife, and their relationship is fraught with tension, leading them to seek counseling. Amelia hopes that their trip to the Scottish Highlands will help renew their marriage, though she harbors doubts and alternative plans.
As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Amelia is Adam's second wife and was once best friends with Robin, Adam’s first wife. This backstory adds complexity to Amelia’s character, highlighting her troubled past and current struggles within her marriage.
Adam Wright
Adam Wright is the central figure in the love triangle with Robin and Amelia. He is a screenwriter whose career has experienced ups and downs. His aspiration to turn his script, Rock Paper Scissors, into a film is a major focus of his professional life. Adam suffers from prosopagnosia, which affects his ability to recognize faces, symbolizing his emotional distance from those around him.
Initially portrayed as somewhat resentful of the trip to Scotland meant to save his marriage, Adam grapples with his own doubts and the challenges in his relationship with Amelia.
Henry Winter
Henry Winter is a reclusive and celebrated horror author whose decision to allow Adam to adapt one of his novels is significant. Henry’s past and his relationship with Robin add depth to his character. As he ages, Henry retreats to Blackwater Chapel, where he continues his life in relative isolation. His complex history with Robin and his influence on her life play a crucial role in the unfolding narrative.
THEMES
The Poisoning of Relationships
Alice Feeney's Rock Paper Scissors takes us deep into various relationships, all seeming to falter. We see Adam's troubled marriages to Robin and Amelia, but Feeney also explores father-daughter and mother-son dynamics through Henry, Robin, Adam, and his mother. There's also a look at the mentor-protégé bonds between Henry and Adam and the friendship between Robin and Amelia. What's striking is that each of these relationships faces significant challenges and often fails. The novel's title, 'Rock Paper Scissors ', serves as a metaphor for the power dynamics and decision-making processes within these relationships.
Robin and Amelia's friendship takes a dramatic turn for the worse when Robin discovers Amelia with her husband. The professional relationship between Henry and Adam starts on shaky ground, influenced by deception from the start. When Adam learns about Henry's true feelings through a TV interview, it creates more distance between them. Adam's relationship with his mother is marred by her attempts to mask her numerous lovers as "friends." Similarly, Robin struggles with her father's dismissive explanation of her mother's death. Ultimately, Adam's marriages are tainted by secrets and unspoken intentions.
Feeney doesn't offer a clear picture of a relationship that triumphs in the end. Instead, she portrays how deceit and dishonesty can taint every connection. Amelia even wonders the secret behind enduring love when she sees older couples still together. This raises a thought-provoking question: Are honesty and integrity essential for relationships to truly thrive?
Isolation as a Blessing and a Curse
Rock Paper Scissors could be subtitled 'A Study in Isolation.' Each of the four main characters experiences isolation in some form—self-imposed or otherwise—and it affects them in unique ways. This theme of isolation invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the ways it shapes our lives and relationships.
With Robin's help, Adam retreats to a "writing shed" where he escapes daily. Despite his success in creating award-winning screenplays, he avoids the social circles tied to his work. On the other hand, Henry isolates himself at Blackwater Chapel, going to extremes to keep the world at bay. His isolation becomes so complete that his death goes unnoticed for years, leading to others capitalizing on his work.
While the men choose isolation, the women face it as a consequence. Amelia, orphaned before birth and raised in foster care, ends up friendless and scheming to find companionship and security through unconventional means. When Amelia takes Adam, Robin loses everything, including her sense of belonging. For Robin, isolation starts with estrangement from her father and culminates in a meticulously planned attempt to reclaim her life. Feeney portrays isolation as both a source of creativity and a barrier to meaningful human connections.
The Invisible Woman
Feeney's narrative starkly contrasts Robin and Amelia: the loyal wife versus the opportunistic rival. Yet, both women share a common experience of being overshadowed by Adam. Each feels invisible, taken for granted and used by him. This portrayal evokes a sense of empathy and understanding for the women's plight.
Robin's anniversary letters repeatedly highlight Adam's neglect and indifference. From missing crucial appointments to disrespecting their special moments, Adam's actions reveal his lack of priority for Robin. Amelia's experience is similar; she feels that Adam's passion for his work overshadows his commitment to their relationship. When Amelia tries to rekindle their connection, she's met with indifference.
Feeney demonstrates that both women, despite their flaws, are equally mistreated by Adam. The cynical view might be that Adam returns to Robin not out of love but because she offers a better deal than Amelia, who demands more from him.
Men as Boys
In Rock Paper Scissors, the women—Amelia and Robin—are the driving forces. Robin shows her dedication by seeking her father's help for Adam's career, while Amelia strategically positions herself to become Adam's new wife. Ironically, Adam criticizes their ambition despite their significant achievements.
The men, in contrast, are portrayed as immature and self-centered. They struggle with intimacy and tend to put their own needs first. Sam, the detective, is easily offended and acts out of spite. If Robin is to be believed, Henry resorts to extreme measures to get his way and undermines Robin's talent. From pouting to pulling away from Amelia, Adam's behavior showcases his lack of commitment and emotional maturity.
Amelia and Robin each scheme to change their circumstances, but they show more foresight and persistence than the men. Feeney's portrayal of the men as childish and dependent highlights a stark contrast to the women's more complex and driven characters.
WHERE TO READ / BUY
Paperback: $11.89
Hardback: $14.40
Kindle: $9.49
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