Rock Paper Scissors

 Alex Feeney

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

Having already read Daisy Darker, I went into Rock Paper Scissors with a clear sense of what to expect from Alice Feeney—twists, secrets, and a narrative that plays games with the reader. The story is about a troubled married couple (Adam and Amelia) who spend their weekend in a remote chapel in Scotland trying to fix their failing marriage. Right from the beginning, you will feel there is something wrong with this marriage and that it was built on a weak foundation.

As you progress in the story, the narration changes a bit with the timeline shifting between past and present, and also POVs keep changing. I feel the present-day narrative was more tense and atmospheric as the couple was trapped in this eerie and isolated place. The author did a great job there and also in blurring the lines between the past and present.

What stood out to me the most in this book is how incredibly atmospheric it is. The remote, snow-covered setting, the quiet isolation of the chapel, and the constant sense of unease create a strong mood that carries the entire story. It’s the kind of book where the environment itself feels like a character, pressing in on the story and amplifying every secret and suspicion.

The pacing is another strong point. If you are looking for a fast read, this is definitely one. The chapters are short, and there is enough going on to keep things moving. It’s easy to fall into that “just one more chapter” loop, especially as the narrative starts layering revelations on top of each other. While some sections take their time building up the mystery, I never found myself bored—there was always a sense that something was about to click into place.

I appreciated the twists even though they lean more toward withholding information from the reader. Normally, that kind of approach can feel a bit manipulative, but here it worked for me because it fits the tone of the story. The book isn’t trying to be a traditional puzzle, it’s more about perspective and control over what is revealed and when.

Despite all these pros, I’d have to say that with multiple timelines and shifting viewpoints, it can sometimes be a disorienting experience. Maybe at times you will need to pause and reorient yourself so you won’t get lost. It’s not as detracting as it may sound, but I had to mention it. 

This story is not meant to have likable characters. They are people with lots of flaws, secrets, and emotional distance. This is what they are supposed to have, and all this fits the theme of the story. Rather than rooting for them, I found myself trying to understand them—and more importantly, trying to figure out what each of them was hiding. That sense of mistrust is one of the book’s strongest elements.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read for me and a solid 4-star experience. It delivered exactly what I was hoping for after “Daisy Darker”: a fast-paced, twisty story wrapped in a thick, atmospheric setting.

Key Themes

• Secrets
• Deception
• Failed Marriage
• Emotional Distance
• Manipulation
• Isolation
• Control