Rock Paper Scissors

"Rock Paper Scissors" by Alice Feeney is a gripping and mind-bending psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Feeney's third novel takes us on a chilling journey into the depths of human psychology, exploring the intricacies of relationships, trust, and the fragile nature of the human mind. The story revolves around Adam and Amelia Wright, a couple in crisis who embark on a secluded retreat in an attempt to salvage their failing marriage. Isolated in an eerie house in the Welsh countryside, they quickly realize that their decision may have dire consequences. As the tension rises and secrets come to light, the couple becomes entangled in a web of deception, manipulation, and paranoia. Through alternating perspectives and a non-linear narrative, Feeney skillfully constructs a tale that leaves readers questioning everything and everyone. Feeney's writing style is both evocative and addictive, drawing readers deeper into the twisted world she has created. The pacing is relentless, and the short, punchy chapters propel the story forward with a sense of urgency. The author's ability to maintain suspense and create a sense of unease is commendable, as she skillfully plays with readers' expectations, leading them down unexpected paths with surprising twists and turns. The characters in "Rock Paper Scissors" are flawed and complex, making them compelling and relatable. Adam and Amelia are deeply flawed individuals, each battling their own demons, and Feeney delves into their psyches, unraveling their pasts and their true motivations. The exploration of their fractured relationship is poignant and raw, adding an emotional layer to the otherwise tense and chilling narrative. One of the highlights of Feeney's novel is the exploration of the theme of perception and reality. As the story progresses, the line between truth and lies becomes increasingly blurred, and the reader is left questioning the reliability of the narrators. The author masterfully manipulates perceptions, making it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is a figment of the characters' imagination. This constant sense of doubt and uncertainty keeps the reader engaged, eager to uncover the truth hidden within the layers of the narrative. While "Rock Paper Scissors" is an engrossing and intricately plotted thriller, some readers might find the non-linear structure and frequent shifts in perspective slightly disorienting. The narrative jumps back and forth between past and present, and although this technique adds to the overall mystery, it may require readers to pay close attention to keep track of the events unfolding. In conclusion, "Rock Paper Scissors" is a thought-provoking and suspenseful thriller that showcases Alice Feeney's talent for crafting dark and twisted narratives. With its complex characters, unpredictable twists, and exploration of perception and reality, this novel will leave readers questioning their own assumptions and eager to unravel the secrets hidden within. Fans of psychological thrillers will undoubtedly find this book a gripping and satisfying read.

Rock Paper Scissors was a solid 4-star read for me. It kept me invested the whole way through, and the twist completely caught me off guard, but in the best way. I loved how tense and unsettling the story felt throughout. My only issue was the ending, which felt a little unrealistic compared to the rest of the book. Still, a very entertaining thriller with a twist that really delivered.

I read My Husband's Wife and absolutely loved it. It was full of twists and turns, so I though I'd try another by Alice Feeney. Well this one didn't have the depth like the other book. I didn't connect with the characters and plot wasn't too deep. It was ok; it wasn't terrible.

If you don’t like to be able to predict what happens in a book, then this is a book for you!

I loved His & Hers so I was excited to read another. This was a fantastic and easy read. Alice’s writing style is easy to follow and she is definitely the queen of twists. I loved learning about a prosopagnosia and new words along with the fabulous thriller story. I loved the narration as well. Stephanie Racine is a new favorite narrator for me now.

Read this book as part of a book club at work. This was my first story by Alice. The plot and multi-povs definitely add to the story. I enjoyed the twists and the build up to them.

I’m not sure what to make of this book but a friend said she couldn’t put it down so I wanted to try it. I actually couldn’t put it down either. I had to know what was going to happen. It was suspenseful. I found the couple confusing but I didn’t know what to make of Adam’s ex. My reaction was that she was a weird mean person. The ending certainly surprised me. All the characters were rather odd except the dog. I gave it 4 stars because it was suspenseful and had interesting twists.

Probably a testament to being well written, but the characters are all deplorable, lol. A good ride with a solid bit of twists at the end.

Rating: 4.6/5 My first experience of Alice Feeney's writing was her previous release, "His & Hers". Although I enjoyed it, I didn't think it ranked amongst the very best books in the genre. However, her latest offering, "Rock Paper Scissors" certainly does! It is difficult to go too far into the plot without giving away annoying spoilers and ruining other readers' enjoyment of the experience, so I will do no more than refer you to the official synopsis. As with the author's previous novel this is written in a style that is quite filmic. It doesn't surprise me in the least that the book has already been optioned and is going to brought to the television screen by Netflix. At its heart, this is essentially a domestic suspense thriller - and a very fine example it is too. When you read a lot of books from the mystery thriller genre you do tend to become quite adept at piecing together the various parts of the puzzle well before the solution is formally revealed. I can honestly say that I did not manage to achieve that with this novel. There were various tracks that I thought the story might go down, but Alice Feeney kept managing to surprise me by taking matters in a slightly different direction to the one I had envisaged. It has to be said that any misdirection is handled in a legitimate fashion, rather than cheating and simply pulling a rabbit out of the hat. This is much more a case of careful planning and plotting on the part of the author. I am not aware of the influences there may have been on Alice Feeney's writing, but at times I picked up hints of Stephen King, but I also sensed an atmospheric menace akin to the work of Daphne du Maurier. I can heartily recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys quality, suspenseful mystery writing and I will certainly be back for the author's next book.

Really recommend very good book and very good plot twists

Full of surprises and unexpected twists - an original storyline and some well rounded characters, I was hooked from the start :)

Absolutely enjoyable. 💯

This book kept me wanting to turn the pages. Lots of who's and what's and wondering what next...great easy read and short to give you enough without it being too much.