Plot and Setting:
We find ourselves at an inn for the couple’s anniversary, but let’s be real—they aren’t exactly a happy couple. Visually, I struggled to pin down the setting, which made immersing myself in the story a bit of a challenge. I eventually said, "to hell with the setting," and imagined we were back at a slightly bigger BaneBerry Hall from Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark. It’s a bed and breakfast turned into someone’s home, and by the end, that’s where my imagination landed. There’s a little hut-like house down the road that gives off some serious creepy vibes, suggesting they’re either being watched or blatantly ignored while seeing things they definitely didn’t sign up for. Picture this: a small town trapped in a blizzard—classic setup for everything to go horribly wrong. And, of course, something happens to their car.
As we follow the couple’s misadventures, we also get snippets from letters written to Adam from his wife, revealing the slow decline of their relationship. These letters are inspired by Adam's unpublished screenplay, aptly titled Rock Paper Scissors, where the wife writes letters to her husband. It's almost like a cry for connection to her career-driven husband who’s as reachable as a high shelf.
Atmosphere:
A great way to build tension is to make the situation seem inescapable, or at least make the only escape option feel downright unsettling. With no car, no way to call for help, and a blizzard raging outside, they’re left to decide whether to stay and survive or brave the storm on foot. I can already picture myself walking miles through the snow in jeans and sneakers—my toes would definitely not survive. But honestly, would I survive anything? Do I even want to? That’s another story.
Character Development:
Adam:
Our husband is a screenwriter, but not the kind you see in the credits; he’s more of the “let’s turn successful novels into scripts” type. If you ask me, the struggle of being a writer is real, and I’d jump at the chance! But poor Adam is drowning in self-doubt about his original work, and that disappointment seeps into how he treats his wife. He’s borderline obsessed with this novel writer whose work he admires, clinging to any ounce of validation he can find.
A significant plot point is his face blindness, also known as prosopagnosia. This condition conveniently serves as a plot device to keep our protagonist from saving himself from harm. On top of that, Adam is haunted by the memory of his mother’s murder. The memory haunts him because he knows who did it, but can’t point them out even if he tried. She died after being hit by a car on a rainy night while walking a dog because her son, Adam, didn’t “feel like it.” Talk about guilt!
Switching between the couple's points of view makes it a struggle to figure out whose side you’re on. Not because Adam is innocent—he’s a neglectful husband—but because you just can’t tell if his wife is spilling truth or nonsense. Enter unreliable narration.
Amelia:
Amelia has been married to Adam for ten years and works at a dog shelter, a career that always feels inferior in comparison to her husband’s writing. She constantly finds herself defending it to him, which is a bit annoying, to be honest. Throughout the novel, she appears so calculated in her attempts to “save” their marriage that it’s hard to shake the feeling she might not like him at all. This leads me to wonder who to trust; I may not know the truth, but I definitely know this lady is hiding something.
Robin:
We eventually peek into Robin’s head, the woman lurking in the cottage and keeping an eye on the couple. But why? That’s the mystery! Robin seems to be a lone wolf type, living in a rundown cottage with nothing but a pet rabbit, baby food, and canned goods. Oh, and she happens to be the daughter of Adam’s highly admired author. And She has a plan to sabotage their attempts at saving their marriage.
Pacing and Plot Development:
The switching perspectives are executed well, each section pushing the narrative forward while leaving just the right amount of questions about what the heck is really happening. I appreciate how multiple reveals keep the story engaging rather than building up to one big twist at the end. Sometimes thrillers don’t bother with the reality of post-climax life for their characters, but this one keeps the suspense alive.
Strengths:
The driving force of this story lies in how the characters connect. Everyone mentioned has intent; no one is here to waste our time. It’s not complicated; it’s complex. The gradual unveiling of connections through each character’s perspective is a fun way to keep readers slightly ahead of the game.
Final Thoughts:
This is my first encounter with Alice Feeney, and I can confidently say I’m not disappointed. The clear language and well-structured plot showcase her hard work. However, I didn’t find the characters particularly compelling. Yes, I was curious about the drama, but a more complex cast would have made for a more intense twist. I can’t help but feel that Amelia’s character is just a bit too obvious in her weirdness. Robin strikes the right balance of mystery, and Adam offers just enough conflict, but Amelia could have been more likable for the intensity of the plot. Still, Alice has earned her spot on my list of authors worth reading. What do you think her best work is? Let’s read that next!
Ratings:
Author Writing Style: 3.5/5
Plot Development: 4/5
Character Authenticity/Attachment:3/5
Theme: 3/5
World Building: 4/5
Overall Enjoyability: 3.5/5
Where to Buy:
Works Cited:
Feeney, Alice. Rock Paper Scissors. HQ, 2021.
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