Rock Paper Scissors
Author: Alice Feeney
Published by: Harper Collins
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★
Published by: Harper Collins
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★
Ten years of marriage.
Ten years of secrets.
An anniversary they’ll never forget.
Adam and Amelia are spending the weekend in the Scottish Highlands. The remote location is perfect for what they have planned.
But when their romantic trip takes a dark turn, they both start to wonder – can they trust the one they’re with?
Because every couple tells little white lies. Only for Adam and Amelia, the truth is far more dangerous.
Ten years of secrets.
An anniversary they’ll never forget.
Adam and Amelia are spending the weekend in the Scottish Highlands. The remote location is perfect for what they have planned.
But when their romantic trip takes a dark turn, they both start to wonder – can they trust the one they’re with?
Because every couple tells little white lies. Only for Adam and Amelia, the truth is far more dangerous.
My thoughts:
This month, one of the book clubs I attend dove into Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney, a psychological thriller with plenty of twists and secrets. While I didn’t love the book, it was certainly an interesting choice for discussion, sparking a variety of opinions within the group.
The story revolves around a struggling marriage, mysterious letters, and a remote getaway that quickly becomes unsettling. For a book that delves into the lives of writers and their creative struggles, I found the writing itself surprisingly underwhelming. Feeney’s style is simplistic, which can work well for thrillers that rely on pace and plot twists. However, in this case, the lack of depth in the prose made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters and their emotions. The writing often felt surface-level, skimming over opportunities to explore the psychological nuances that the story seemed to promise. As a result, some key moments lacked the emotional impact they could have had.
Admittedly, the first 100 pages were a bit of a slog for me. The pacing felt monotonous, and I struggled to stay engaged with the unfolding story. The repetitive nature of certain scenes—particularly the dynamics between the main characters—made it hard to feel invested early on. However, once the twists started coming, I found myself more intrigued. Feeney works hard at keeping readers guessing, and the latter half of the book did deliver some genuinely surprising moments.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the creepy location of the remote chapel in the Scottish Highlands. Feeney’s descriptions of the setting were very atmospheric, adding an eerie and isolating backdrop that complemented the story’s themes of secrecy and mistrust. The sense of place was so vivid that it almost felt like a character in its own right.
Despite its flaws, Rock Paper Scissors was a thought-provoking read for book club. It raised questions about trust, deception, and the complexities of relationships, which led to some fascinating discussions. I had hoped for more, but while this wasn’t a favourite for me personally, I can see why others might enjoy its clever twists and dark atmosphere.
If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with plenty of secrets to unravel, this might be worth a try. Just be prepared to exercise a bit of patience with the slow start and a writing style that may not resonate with everyone.
Overall reaction:
This month, one of the book clubs I attend dove into Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney, a psychological thriller with plenty of twists and secrets. While I didn’t love the book, it was certainly an interesting choice for discussion, sparking a variety of opinions within the group.
The story revolves around a struggling marriage, mysterious letters, and a remote getaway that quickly becomes unsettling. For a book that delves into the lives of writers and their creative struggles, I found the writing itself surprisingly underwhelming. Feeney’s style is simplistic, which can work well for thrillers that rely on pace and plot twists. However, in this case, the lack of depth in the prose made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters and their emotions. The writing often felt surface-level, skimming over opportunities to explore the psychological nuances that the story seemed to promise. As a result, some key moments lacked the emotional impact they could have had.
Admittedly, the first 100 pages were a bit of a slog for me. The pacing felt monotonous, and I struggled to stay engaged with the unfolding story. The repetitive nature of certain scenes—particularly the dynamics between the main characters—made it hard to feel invested early on. However, once the twists started coming, I found myself more intrigued. Feeney works hard at keeping readers guessing, and the latter half of the book did deliver some genuinely surprising moments.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the creepy location of the remote chapel in the Scottish Highlands. Feeney’s descriptions of the setting were very atmospheric, adding an eerie and isolating backdrop that complemented the story’s themes of secrecy and mistrust. The sense of place was so vivid that it almost felt like a character in its own right.
Despite its flaws, Rock Paper Scissors was a thought-provoking read for book club. It raised questions about trust, deception, and the complexities of relationships, which led to some fascinating discussions. I had hoped for more, but while this wasn’t a favourite for me personally, I can see why others might enjoy its clever twists and dark atmosphere.
If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with plenty of secrets to unravel, this might be worth a try. Just be prepared to exercise a bit of patience with the slow start and a writing style that may not resonate with everyone.
Overall reaction:
