Rock Paper Scissors: A Novel
Rock Paper Scissors is the exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney.
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. 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 exchange 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books
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Rock Paper Scissors is the exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney.
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. 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 exchange 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books
Cyferguson –
A Mind-Bending Thriller.
“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.
Deborah Innes –
Strange
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.
Amazon Customer –
enjoyable
A good book to listen to while doing chores. I wasn’t too surprised by any of the twists but it was well written and thought out
Dan Ramm Author –
Kept me guessing.
I very much enjoyed this book. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. I also really enjoyed this author’s method of storytelling. The end was a surprise, just like I like.
Terri Steele –
A GREAT RIDE WORTH TAKING!
Exciting book that was hard to put down. The twists and turns kept me reading. However, the relationship and dialog between the characters was sad and uncomfortable. The tension at times was just mean.
Lauren –
Extremely good read
Fascinating book, unbelievable ending. Gets you hooked from the start. Great characters and storyline. You think it’s going one way, and it twists the other.
PaigeinABook88 –
Rock, Paper, Scissors
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.
Becca –
3.5 ⭐️ So many twists
This was an exciting read and moved along fairly quick. I didn’t like any of the characters (besides Bob), but I suppose that’s the point in this psychological thriller. It was quite suspenseful at times. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure it out. I rarely stay up trying to finish a book (mom needs sleep! 🙃), but I couldn’t stop once I got near the end.I found some of the quirky sayings fitting in the story.There were sooo many twists! It was exciting and sometimes was a nice shock 🤯What I didn’t like was the many times where it just didn’t add up.Adam had prosopagnosia, face blindness, yet he couldn’t recognize someone’s signature style/look? He wasn’t blind!Feeney made it seem like Adam knows more about the church, like he’s been there before, by having him miss the squeaky steps and opening the locked doors, etc. But then nothing came of that and he never was there before.There were other loose ends, aspects that were so unrealistic (but didn’t ruin the story imo) and puzzling, and there wasn’t much of a closure.The ending ruined it a bit. The ghostly aspect was redeeming for Robin, perhaps those tales (especially about her father) were true after all? However, the box with the trinkets on the grave made sense in referencing rock paper scissors, but made absolutely no sense why they were there and on that grave. That part seemed unnecessary. But I could have totally missed the connection.This story was good, had more potential, but I felt like the author got so caught up in twists that she got lost in where she was headed.
The Cookster @ Reviewer ranking #31 –
Rating: 4.6/5My 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.
caroab6 –
Full of surprises and unexpected twists – an original storyline and some well rounded characters, I was hooked from the start 🙂
Waheeda Hassan –
Absolutely enjoyable. 💯
Kindle Customer –
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.
Nisha Singh –
Rock Paper Scissors is one of those thrillers that completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I absolutely loved this book and tore through it in no time. The setting plays a huge role—the icy cold, snowbound atmosphere feels claustrophobic and unsettling, perfectly mirroring the tension simmering beneath the surface. Alice Feeney uses multiple points of view to great effect, gradually layering the story and keeping you constantly reassessing what you think you know.The pacing is sharp, with short chapters that make it dangerously easy to keep reading “just one more.” What truly elevates the novel, though, is the twist—clever, shocking, and deeply satisfying without feeling gimmicky. The subtle hint of paranormal spookiness adds an eerie edge, heightening the mystery rather than overpowering it.Smart, atmospheric, and brilliantly plotted, this is a standout psychological thriller that fully earns its five stars.