Book: Rock Paper Scissors
Author: Alice Feeney
Pages: 320
Read on: Kindle
Read in: ~3 hours
Plot Summary:
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.
Things I Liked:
1. Marriage is a fascinating subject. There is so much that goes on in a marriage that is endlessly interesting. Couples keep secrets- they don't have to be big, life altering secrets- which can lead to lies, more lies and, sometimes, to deadly consequences. So, in this book, we have a couple that has a lot of secrets and who have lied a lot to each other. When the wife- Amelia- wins a raffle during her office Christmas party, her prize is a weekend getaway to a far-flung church-turned-B&B in the Scottish Highlands. Since her marriage has been a bit rocky, Amelia jumps at this opportunity to get away from London with her husband, Adam. During the journey and at the B&B, we see, from both Amelia and Adam's perspectives, about how their marriage is not what it used to. We also see how they both have been keeping secrets and lying to each other.
2. Apart from the secrets and lies, there is also something not-very-kosher in Amelia's past. The author drops some very interesting breadcrumbs about Amelia as well as about Adam. Both are not what they seem, but, unlike a lot of books about unreliable narrators, where it is so obvious who they are, in this book it is not-that-easy, which is always a good thing.
3. The book is very atmospheric. The isolation of the B&B, the storm, incessant snowfall, the creepy history of the church where the B&B is housed- all of it adds to the story. There is something sinister about the B&B, which Adam and Amelia sense as soon as they arrive there, but given it is snowing and they have nowhere to go, they decide to stay there. Apart from the creepy vibe and isolation of the Blackwater Inn, there is also a mysterious, reclusive woman, who lives close to the B&B and has been spying on Adam and Amelia. Robin- the reclusive woman- has something sinister planned for this couple and she is determined to ensure only one of them survives the weekend.
4. The book moves back and forth in time- between present day in the B&B in Scotland and to various points over the past 10-odd years of Amelia-Adam's marriage via annual anniversary letters written by Amelia to Adam. Via the letters, we can see the growing distance and discontent between Adam and Amelia. We also get to see Robin's home, her simple, off-the-grid life and her plans for Adam-Amelia. There are some nice not-so-obvious breadcrumbs laid out by the author about Robin and her involvement with Adam-Amelia.
5. The reveal is very, very interesting and nicely done! I don't want to give anything away but you will enjoy the little twists in the ending. Even once the book ends, there is yet another interesting reveal. Again, not very obvious, but the author has dropped some subtle breadcrumbs, so that this does not come out of the blue!
6. The book is set against the backdrop of the publishing and media (Hollywood) industry and the drama and dynamics of this business is also well captured in this book. It adds another layer of interest in an already interesting book.
Rating: 4/5
This is a good, atmospheric thriller about relationships, lies and secrets.
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