Some thrillers slowly pull you in. Others drop you straight into the tension and refuse to let go. Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney is the kind of psychological thriller that keeps you questioning everything and everyone from the very beginning.
This book plays with perception, secrets, and the fragile nature of relationships in a way that makes every chapter feel like another layer of the truth being peeled back.
And just when you think you have it figured out, the story shifts again.
The Foundation of the Story
At the center of Rock Paper Scissors is a married couple whose relationship has clearly reached a breaking point.
Adam and Amelia Wright have been struggling for years. Communication has faded. Resentment has quietly built up. The connection they once had feels distant, almost unrecognizable.
In a last attempt to fix what’s left of their marriage, they win a mysterious weekend getaway to Scotland. The trip is supposed to be an opportunity to reconnect, reset, and decide whether their marriage still has a future.
But from the moment they arrive, things feel off.
The secluded chapel turned vacation home sits in the middle of nowhere. A snowstorm quickly rolls in, cutting them off from the outside world. And what was meant to be a peaceful retreat begins to feel increasingly unsettling.
Because it quickly becomes clear that this trip may not have been as random as it seemed.
Secrets Begin to Surface
As the weekend unfolds, the story moves between perspectives and timelines, revealing that this couple’s relationship holds far more secrets than either of them is willing to admit.
Alice Feeney masterfully weaves in letters written to Adam on each of their anniversaries, slowly exposing the cracks that have existed in their marriage for years.
These letters are some of the most fascinating parts of the book because they add emotional depth while also raising new questions.
You start to realize that neither Adam nor Amelia is telling the full truth.
And they are not the only ones hiding something.
The Connections You Don’t See Coming
One of the most compelling aspects of this story is how the characters are connected in ways you don’t initially realize.
As the narrative moves forward, pieces of the puzzle start to come together. Small details that once felt insignificant suddenly take on new meaning.
People who seemed unrelated begin to share surprising ties to the couple and their past.
It becomes clear that this weekend away was never just about fixing a marriage.
Someone planned this.
Someone wanted them there.
When the Story Starts to Turn
Then the tension truly begins to escalate.
The isolated setting becomes more claustrophobic as the snowstorm traps everyone inside. The eerie quiet of the remote location starts to feel threatening rather than peaceful.
And then there’s the stranger.
Someone appears to be lurking around the property. At first, it seems like an intruder. Someone unexpected. Someone dangerous.
But as the story progresses, you begin to question whether this person is actually a stranger at all.
Because the deeper the story goes, the more it becomes clear that the past is catching up to everyone in that house.
And nothing about this weekend is accidental.
Why This Thriller Works So Well
Alice Feeney has a unique way of building suspense through atmosphere and psychological tension rather than relying solely on shocking moments.
The isolated setting, the unreliable perspectives, and the slow reveal of hidden motives all contribute to a story that keeps readers guessing.
What makes Rock Paper Scissors particularly compelling is how it explores the complexity of relationships.
Marriage, trust, resentment, and miscommunication all play major roles in the narrative. The story asks an uncomfortable question: how well do we really know the person we share our life with?
And what secrets might they be hiding.
The Twist
Without giving anything away, the twist in this book is one of those moments that completely reframes everything you’ve read.
Alice Feeney carefully plants clues throughout the story, but they are subtle enough that many readers won’t catch them until the reveal happens.
When it does, you suddenly see the entire story differently.
It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to flip back through the book just to see what you missed.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy psychological thrillers filled with secrets, unreliable narrators, and complex relationships, Rock Paper Scissors is absolutely worth adding to your reading list.
The combination of an isolated setting, layered storytelling, and a twist that changes everything makes this one of those books that stays with you after you finish it.
Alice Feeney once again proves why her thrillers continue to capture the attention of readers across BookTok and beyond.
Your Turn
Have you read Rock Paper Scissors yet?
Did you see the twist coming, or did it completely surprise you?
And if you’re a fan of Alice Feeney’s work, I’d love to know which of her books you recommend next.
Until next time, that’s the chapter I’m in.
Find this book and more on my list.
