Call number
MYST FEE
Collection
Publication
Flatiron Books (2021), 304 pages
Description
"Rock Paper Scissors is the latest 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"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Twink
I've read all of Alice Feeney's previous books, but I think her latest - Rock Paper Scissors - is my favourite. If you're looking for a book you can't put down 'til the last page is turned, you're going to want to pick this one up. I finished it in a day on the back deck.
Why is it so good you ask?
Mr. and Mrs. Wright's marriage hasn't been right for a long time. When Mrs. Wright wins a weekend getaway, it sounds like the perfect opportunity to rekindle things.
The getaway happens to be in a remote part of Scotland in a very old, renovated church. Cue the creepy vibe. The only other person in the area lives in a run down cottage down the road. (Check) Oh, and did I mention that Mr. Wright has face blindness? He literally cannot recognize faces, including his own. (Check) And both Mr. and Mrs. know there's much more than a happy marriage on the line this weekend.
As readers we are privy to both character's thoughts in alternating chapters. Mrs. also writes a yearly anniversary letter to her husband, but never gives it to him. It does give us more information though. And I quite like the yearly word and it's definition included in the letter as well. They're unusual words that tie right into the plot.
And the plotting is superb. That twist at the end had me rethinking what I'd read. It was there in front of me, but I didn't catch it. The atmosphere is perfect, isolated with a sense of eeriness that can't be defined. The characters are perfectly drawn. And there's a dog. :0)
Clever, clever, clever! I loved this one to bits.
Why is it so good you ask?
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Feeney deliciously and deviously hoodwinked me, turning all my assumptions upside down in the last pages. I well and truly appreciate not being able to predict what direction a plot is going to take. Mr. and Mrs. Wright's marriage hasn't been right for a long time. When Mrs. Wright wins a weekend getaway, it sounds like the perfect opportunity to rekindle things.
The getaway happens to be in a remote part of Scotland in a very old, renovated church. Cue the creepy vibe. The only other person in the area lives in a run down cottage down the road. (Check) Oh, and did I mention that Mr. Wright has face blindness? He literally cannot recognize faces, including his own. (Check) And both Mr. and Mrs. know there's much more than a happy marriage on the line this weekend.
As readers we are privy to both character's thoughts in alternating chapters. Mrs. also writes a yearly anniversary letter to her husband, but never gives it to him. It does give us more information though. And I quite like the yearly word and it's definition included in the letter as well. They're unusual words that tie right into the plot.
And the plotting is superb. That twist at the end had me rethinking what I'd read. It was there in front of me, but I didn't catch it. The atmosphere is perfect, isolated with a sense of eeriness that can't be defined. The characters are perfectly drawn. And there's a dog. :0)
Clever, clever, clever! I loved this one to bits.
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LibraryThing member mojomomma
I can't figure out why so many women want to marry the cranky playwright who has an inability to recognize faces. The first wife wants revenge on the second wife, and she gets it in spades. The questions is WHY does she want him back?2022-
LibraryThing member Carol420
's the story of an unhappy British couple who attempt to rekindle the magic of their marriage with a weekend trip to a remote spot in Scotland. I just read another Aice Feeny book and this one begs the same question...how and when is she going to trick me this time? Ms. Fenney is great at giving,
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what I call, "puzzle-box narratives". I was surprised.... we get only the facts...plain and simple. Amelia has won a weekend getaway in an office raffle, and as the story opens, she and her screenwriter husband, Adam, along with their dog, Bob, are miserably making their way through a snowstorm to a destination in the Scottish Highlands which, by no stretch of the imagination, is anywhere close to being a Ritz Carlton that's for sure. A freezing cold wind and snow...a barely converted church with many locked rooms...and the electricity problems that would make a saint cuss...is what they find for shelter. You know things are headed downhill like a snowball headed for Hell by this time. To make the events even worse...if that seems even possible... they also find that their host is a mysterious caretaker who has left firewood and a nice note but seems to be spying on them through the window. By this time both Adam and Amelia are considering this weekend the perfect occasion to end their struggling marriage by any means necessary...but then Bob disappears. The narrative between the unhappy couple goes back and forth through first-person chapters by both Amelia and Adam interwoven with a series of letters written to Adam by a much happier Amelia, on their anniversary through the years and themed to the traditional gifts: paper, cotton, wood, leather, etc. There's also a rock and scissors one, referencing the children's game of the book title "Rock, Paper, Scissors"...which the couple starting early on to use to make everyday decisions like "Should we name our dog "Bob"... Should we have jelly or jam" "Should we stay together or get a divorce?" References are also made about the famous writer, Henry Winter. Adam, it seems, has made a fortune adapting these novels through something that I didn't understand exactly but seem wasn't illegal. Ms. Fenney also weaves in some sometimes-grim observations about the literary life. I really liked this one. On meeting a cashier at the rural grocery store, that had had a bad moment that must have extended to include her entire life thus far: "The woman wore her bitterness like a badge; the kind of person who writes one-star book reviews." This isn't a one-star book review. This story will leave you questioning everything you think you know, and it earned every one of the 5 -stars I gave it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cherylk
Ok, so this is the second book I have read from this author. Sadly, I don't think this author is for me. Just like the prior novel, I found the book to be boring. The characters are not engaging at all. Thus, the story could be about anyone.
There were many opportunities where the story could have
Additionally, the animosity that Amelia and Adam had for one another did not make for an enjoyable reading experience. Lastly, the ending was a disappointment. Sorry but this book was not for me.
There were many opportunities where the story could have
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built on intensity. So that each moment stacked on top of each other. Yet, those moments did not happen. Each time that Amelia and Adam had something happen to them, it was over too quickly. Additionally, the animosity that Amelia and Adam had for one another did not make for an enjoyable reading experience. Lastly, the ending was a disappointment. Sorry but this book was not for me.
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LibraryThing member DrApple
This was a real page turner. It had a twist that made me go back and re-read to make sure it all made sense. A fun read!
LibraryThing member huntersun9
I read this in a day and enjoyed getting absorbed in a book. The story is well-plotted with a couple of good twists, but I don't care for the writer's style which doesn't have much depth or warmth to it. This could very well be due to the format of the book which was told from the characters'
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points of view and their "voices". I would try another by this author because the story itself was good. Show Less
LibraryThing member brangwinn
Feeney has written one of the most unsettling books I have read. Amanda won a getaway weekend to a refurbished ancient chapel in Scotland. There’s a catch. It is good for one weekend only. Amanda sees it as a chance to rekindle the relationship she has lost with her husband. But when they get
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there, the place is so dusty and uninviting they were going to leave immediately if it hadn’t been for the heavy snow. If you’re looking for a book with mega-misdirection, this is it. Even when I found out why the strange and frightening this were happening, it took my brain awhile to catch on. Interspersed with the storyline are letters written to Adam from his wife celebrating another year of marriage. This is a book in which the first reading of it will be the shocker and any more I say about it will ruin for the next reader. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
Very solid modern gothic, but a tad slow at the beginning.
LibraryThing member BONS
There is much to like about this story. I like the ever changing chapter titles, but when they stopped being in the husband & wife's name what did that mean? Then chapters were sometimes written in epistolary style too. Well, ok, I love that style of writing. A creepy setting in Scotland was spot
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on for me. Now add the legit condition of face blindness. Yes, I was trying to speed-read while also feeling like I was creeping around in cob webs waiting to hear my own scream. I read in less that 24 hours but that very last chapter......I'm not sure about it belonging. Show Less
LibraryThing member zhoud2005
A superbly constructed mystery novel. The end is great, I didn't see that coming.
LibraryThing member froxgirl
With a scary, twisty atmosphere and setting, plus three, count 'em, three, unreliable narrators - this is everything you'd want in a domestic thriller. Start with husband Adam living with prosopagnosia (face blindness), his unhappy spouse Amelia, and their very nice dog Bob, and send them on a
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getaway weekend to an isolated creepy old church inn near a loch in rural Scotland. When things start going bump in the night, each tells their side of the story, along with his first and ex-wife. There's also the letters a wife writes to her husband on each anniversary. This is great big unpredictable scary fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member LindaLoretz
Amelia Wright likes animals more than people. As in the screenplays he writes, Adam Wright prefers fiction to real life. Their marriage is in trouble, and they decide to spend a weekend away at a secluded home in Scotland. The house was formerly a church, and it is eerie in more ways than one. Adam
Alternate chapters tell the story of each year’s anniversary and the gifts that Mr. and Mrs. Wright give each other. The more we learn, the more we wonder, and this psychological thriller was pure escapism and quite enjoyable.
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suffers from prosopagnosia—face blindness. As a result, he cannot see the facial features of people. Adam’s face blindness serves to underscore how marriage partners become blind to each other’s needs and emotions over the years of a relationship. Alternate chapters tell the story of each year’s anniversary and the gifts that Mr. and Mrs. Wright give each other. The more we learn, the more we wonder, and this psychological thriller was pure escapism and quite enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member ToriC90
4.5, but rounded up for this one! Would've been a five but there are minor things that bugged me a small bit. I listened to this on audio and followed along in the physical book occasional but I would DEFINITELY recommend the audio. The narrators really set the scene and made some of the small
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nuances in the writing come to life. I personally really enjoyed this and was drawn in every moment. I liked how every chapter kind of ended on a creepy cliffhanger. It's one of those thrillers I can't wait to go back to reread now that I know the twists so I can see what I didn't catch the first time. Such a fun read! Definitely recommend. Show Less
LibraryThing member rmarcin
I typically like Alice Feeney books, and I was really looking forward to reading Rock, Paper, Scissors. However, I was disappointed. I thought it was pretty obvious what was happening, especially as you read the anniversary letters. I felt the story was quite predictable, and the final chapter
The premise is that a husband, a writer, and his wife go off for a weekend to a secluded Scottish chapel. Each of them is keeping secrets, and there is a stranger that is determined to ruin their weekend.
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added nothing to the story. The premise is that a husband, a writer, and his wife go off for a weekend to a secluded Scottish chapel. Each of them is keeping secrets, and there is a stranger that is determined to ruin their weekend.
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LibraryThing member bblum
If you want a psychological thriller, not too deep with a troubled marriage, a man who can’t see faces, and a spooky setting in the Scottish highlands this works. Writing is interesting but not literary, story has interesting plot twists , just not my genre.
LibraryThing member quirkylibrarian
A little too manipulated and convenient, but pleasantly dark and twisted, a manageable fright level for intro-to-thriller readers.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
Delightfully twisty and a perfect fall read. A troubled married couple ends up on a weekend getaway in a remote spot in Scotland. I loved the rotating POV and short chapters. I was completely pulled in and didn’t want to put it down. NO SPOILERS because the story is just too fun!
LibraryThing member bearette24
This was a thriller about a troubled marriage, with two big twists near the end.
LibraryThing member gpangel
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney is a 2021 Flatiron publication.
Mr. and Mrs. Wright- Amelia and Adam- and their dog, Bob, are having a weekend away, knowing this is a last-ditch effort to salvage their marriage. Adam is a workaholic screenwriter who has lived with face blindness his entire
Once they arrive at their destination, which is a remote Chapel of all places, things go awry from the get-go. The tension between the couple, brought on by mistrust, lies and secrets, only intensifies when a series of odd occurrences soon becomes an edgy cat and mouse game. Someone lured them to this exact location, and now they want them to stay…
Indefinitely…
Ha! This is my third book by this author and so far, we are three for three. Very clever, well executed, and it held my undivided attention from start to finish.
Overall, a solid, twisty- (and twisted)- psychological thriller with a chilling conclusion!
4+ stars
Mr. and Mrs. Wright- Amelia and Adam- and their dog, Bob, are having a weekend away, knowing this is a last-ditch effort to salvage their marriage. Adam is a workaholic screenwriter who has lived with face blindness his entire
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life. Amelia works at a dog shelter, which is where she wins this getaway trip in a raffle drawing. Once they arrive at their destination, which is a remote Chapel of all places, things go awry from the get-go. The tension between the couple, brought on by mistrust, lies and secrets, only intensifies when a series of odd occurrences soon becomes an edgy cat and mouse game. Someone lured them to this exact location, and now they want them to stay…
Indefinitely…
Ha! This is my third book by this author and so far, we are three for three. Very clever, well executed, and it held my undivided attention from start to finish.
Overall, a solid, twisty- (and twisted)- psychological thriller with a chilling conclusion!
4+ stars
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LibraryThing member jenn88
A well-written, atmospheric book with some clever twists. I loved Bob the dog!
LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
Really entertaining. Personally I think she should have not gone back to Adam - he was such a dick to do what he did, she deserves more loyalty than that. And I think leaving Amelia’s finger in the box was so dumb, it’s like they want to get caught.
LibraryThing member GeauxGetLit
I love a book that keeps you grabbing at straws trying to figure out what truly is really happening. This is told from 3 POVs and also has anniversary letters from Mrs Wright to Mr Wright, which also included a word of the year (hello who loves learning new words
LibraryThing member StressedRach
Wow! what a phenomenal read!
This book starts with, and continues throughout, with letters written from a wife to her husband every wedding anniversary.
Amelia has won a stay at a converted chapel which is very remote, her marriage with Adam has not been as it could have been for a while and she is
As soon as they arrive strange things start happening…I am not going to write any more about the plot as I do not want to give anything away. YOU NEED TO READ IT!!!
This is full of twists that I didn’t want to put the book down. It was intense, chilling and like nothing I have read before.
Alice Feeney wrote such an amazing book that I had a huge book hangover afterwards.
I would say this is her best book to date!
This book starts with, and continues throughout, with letters written from a wife to her husband every wedding anniversary.
Amelia has won a stay at a converted chapel which is very remote, her marriage with Adam has not been as it could have been for a while and she is
Show More
hoping this will help ‘fix’ things.As soon as they arrive strange things start happening…I am not going to write any more about the plot as I do not want to give anything away. YOU NEED TO READ IT!!!
This is full of twists that I didn’t want to put the book down. It was intense, chilling and like nothing I have read before.
Alice Feeney wrote such an amazing book that I had a huge book hangover afterwards.
I would say this is her best book to date!
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
Alice Feeney leads her readers on a merry chase in this suspenseful thriller. The title may be a game, but the story is anything but a game, as the threat of murder abounds in the Scottish Highlands. After winning a trip for a weekend away, Amelia and Adam are off on an adventure, hopefully to save
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their rocky marriage. Each has a plan of sorts, and each has secrets from the other. What they don’t know is that someone else has secrets, too, and a plan of her own. Be prepared for a twisty road ahead, and remember, whatever is, may not be. The characters may not be likable, but their story is compelling and intriguing. This well written thriller will keep you turning pages faster and faster as you read on to the exciting conclusion. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kiaya40
Alice Feeney is good at twists and turns and surprising you at the end with things you never see coming. She's becoming one of my go-to authors for thrillers and amazing thrillers with great twists.
Awards
International Thriller Writers Award (Nominee — 2022)
This Mystery is Amazing! (#8 — 2023)
Pages
304
ISBN
1250266106 / 9781250266101