Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

This book opens with author Grady Green talking on the phone to his wife as she makes her way home to him. Suddenly, she comes across a woman lying in the middle of the road. Against Grady’s wishes, she gets out of the car to help the woman and is never seen again.

A year later, still devastated by her loss and unable to write, he is offered a cottage on a remote island to help him grieve, find some peace and write a new novel.

However, the island is not what it seems and the islanders become stranger and stranger. Grady begins to have hallucinations and he feels like he is losing his mind. But is this the case or is what he is seeing real?

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney offers a premise brimming with potential, yet ultimately falls short in its delivery. While the psychological twists are there, they often feel forced, relying too heavily on unrealistic scenarios and overly drawn-out declarations.

The writing itself can be sharp at times, but the characters lack depth, making it difficult to invest in their journey. The story feels like it’s trying to be more complex than it needs to be, resulting in a narrative that feels cluttered and confusing at times rather than compelling.

Fans of Feeney’s previous works may find this enjoyable, but for those unfamiliar with her style, Beautiful Ugly might leave more questions than answers. Having read two of her previous books I have always found something lacking and I had a similar feeling with this one. Unfortunately, this was my least favourite of hers. ⭐⭐ 2/5

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I have heard a lot of great things about the author and have been wanting to read her books for a while now, so when I saw an ARC for one of her books on NetGalley I knew it was the perfect way to start.

I found the start of the book a bit slow and boring, I wasn’t really hooked until the chapters from Abby’s perspective. After that I couldn’t put it down. Grady’s pov got veeeery reparative though: I miss my wife, I miss my wife, I can’t do anything without my wife… Very annoying (especially after the plot twists where we know what really happened to Abby). I liked the descriptions of the island and the eerie feeling about it and its inhabitants.
The plot twists were incredible, but the last chapter didn’t make any sense to me.

This book was okay, not the best thriller I have ever read. I liked the writing style, so I definitely will try other books from this author.

The day Grady Green officially becomes a New York Times best selling author, is also the day his wife disappears while on her way back home. A year later, he's still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so his agent suggests a working trip to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. There, he sees the impossible – a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

So beautifully twisted, hooked me from the very first page and it kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was just such a brilliant read, and I had the best time trying to figure out everything that was going on, and watching my every theory fall apart the more I continued reading. It's just so incredibly crafted, and some of the twists really got me good.

There was such an eerie feeling about the island and its inhabitants which I genuinely loved a lot. The setting is so beautifully and carefully described, it truly brings the place to life, and it makes it feel like the island is a character in itself, which also makes sense to the story itself. The characters are so vividly drawn, they feel so unique and easy to recognize.

Overall, it truly was just such a fun, fast paced, captivating read, and I would definitely recommend it. It was just so fun to watch as it all came together.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Excellent tension, mystery, suspense. I loved how the protagonist was trapped on the island and the eerie feel of the Scottish Islands.

“Marriage is made of a million beautiful and ugly moments stitched together into a shared tapestry of memories, all of which are viewed and remembered slightly differently, like two people staring at the same painting from opposite ends of a room”
Author Grady Green gets the good news that his latest book is a New York Times bestseller, but as he calls his wife to celebrate he hears the screeching of brakes and his wife disappears.
A year later and Abby still hasn’t been found. Grady is struggling to write a follow-up to his bestselling novel so his agent suggests a cabin on a quiet island off the highlands of Scotland, where he can focus on his novel. But when he spots a lady on the ferry who looks just like is missing wife, he starts to wonder if the island is all that it seems?
I struggled to like any of the characters, in fact, the only character I really cared about was Columbo. I did like the setting, the island was well drawn and atmospheric. Though I was getting Royston Vasey – The League of Gentlemen not Roy Chubby Brown - vibes.
The twist made me groan in frustration. I found the ending implausible and the twist felt totally random. I'm sorry, I wanted to love it, but for me it’s a 3/5.

What can I say about this book?
WOW. I first got into Alice Feeney’s books after all the TikToks about the twist in Rock Paper Scissors stopping you in your tracks and making you want to go back and re read everything up to that point. I got the book to see for myself and they weren’t exaggerating!

If you loved that too, then you NEED to read Beautiful Ugly.
It makes the twist in Rock Paper Scissors look predictable.

I’m not going to say too much about the actual plot of the book as I think it’s one of those you need to go into blind. But basically the main character is an author whose wife has gone missing a year earlier. He goes to a remote Scottish island to write, and on the boat there he sees someone who looks just like her.

You might think you can guess what’s going on from that - I did.
I was very wrong!

I loved this book and could not put it down.

A good psychological thriller – and yes, like most, it has a big twist.

Grady is a writer, who has had reasonable success and hopes to now break into the big league. His wife Abby is an investigative journalist. Abby has helped Grady in his career by introducing him to an agent. Grady is awaiting some big news from his publishers about his latest book. While he hoped Abby would be with him, she is on the way home. He calls her and she is only a short distance away. He hears her brake suddenly and she tells him that there is a woman lying on the road. He warns her not to get out and be careful. But she tells him, she has to help. Abby is not seen since that day, with her car still at the spot when Grady gets there.

A year later, Grady is in bad shape – he has not been sleeping well, nor writing. His publishers are now after him, having been patient for months. Grady meets his agent Kitty Goldman. She says he must get back on track – offers him the chance of recuperating in a cottage on Amberly Island in Scotland.

This is a very intriguing plot and the suspense of what happened to Abby holds till the last sections. There is a big twist, and a few smaller ones feeding to the plot towards the end. I liked the twist, though as is often the case, there are loose ends. The story ends well. There is a bit of a drag in the middle sections in the build-up to the reveal.

My rating: 3.75 / 5.

It's been a year since author Grady Green's wife Abby went missing. He is stuck in limbo and unable to write. His agent Kitty suggests he uses a cabin in Amberley in Scotland, which has been left to her by another writer.
When Grady arrives, strange things start to happen. The people who live on the island act weirdly. He thinks he sees Abby in her red coat on several occasions. Is he imagining it? Or is he hallucinating?
I thought the island itself sounded really creepy. The way the weather turned in a blink of an eye. The writing is very atmospheric. Feeney captures the surroundings where the cabin is deep in the woods and lures you in, not knowing what Grady is going to find when he returns each time.
Oh, the twist. Well, I wasn't expecting that!
I didn't think that this was as heart-stopping as some of her other books, but it was still a great read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in return for an honest review.

If there’s one thing you can always be sure of with Alice Feeney, it’s that you can never be sure of anything. And here, in Beautiful Ugly, she deploys all the tricks of her trade to keep you on the back foot until the very end.

With its atmospheric setting on a tiny, remote Scottish island, a pair of dubious, contradictory narrators, and a tight-knit community of seriously oddball characters, everything about this story is designed to make you uneasy.

Already the premise had my antennae twitching.

Struggling author Grady Green is still coming to terms with his wife Abby’s inexplicable disappearance 12 months previously, when his agent packs him off to the Isle of Amberley, with the hope that he will rediscover his writing mojo. What awaits him there, though, sends his brain into meltdown: fleeting glimpses of a woman he’s convinced is his missing wife.

Let me start by saying that this was seriously spooky, a slow burn that dripped foreboding like water from a leaky tap. If it wasn’t rolling mists, ‘singing’ sands, and mysterious messages, it was the increasingly unfriendly vibes radiating from the locals. And all this on an island with no communication with the outside world and no regular ferry service to the mainland. The term ‘locked room’ couldn’t be more appropriate.

Even at three-quarters’ through, I had no idea where the narrative was going, only that Feeney was misdirecting and obfuscating to the point that I no longer knew which way was up, and that Grady’s spiraling paranoia was close to boiling point.

The scene was set for one of Feeney’s trademark, out-of-nowhere twists, and she duly obliged, delivering a whole slew of them in a rapid volley of reveals.

The ending will no doubt split opinion. It pushes the bounds of credibility, which is usually a big no-no for me. Here, though, it worked. Yes, it’s extreme, and I won’t deny it made my blood run cold, but given the context and the themes of sisterhood and revenge, I was more than happy to go with it.

It’s another cracker in the bag for Feeney.

*Beautiful Ugly* by Alice Feeney is a psychological thriller that blends suspense, emotion, and sharp character exploration in a way that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Known for her ability to craft dark and twisty narratives, Feeney delivers a chilling and thought-provoking story that explores the complexities of beauty, identity, and deception.

### Plot Overview

*Beautiful Ugly* follows the life of its protagonist, **Clementine**, a woman whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel in the most unexpected ways. Clementine is a successful, well-known social media influencer who thrives on portraying an image of perfection. However, beneath the surface, she is dealing with significant personal demons, including feelings of self-worth, jealousy, and a tragic secret from her past. The novel’s tension arises as Clementine's world begins to crack when a stranger threatens to expose her darkest secrets.

As the story progresses, Clementine's carefully curated life is stripped away, revealing the deeply troubled and complex person beneath. The novel plays with the concept of "beauty" — both the literal kind, seen through the lens of social media, and the uglier, darker aspects of human nature that lurk beneath the surface.

### Strengths

1. **Psychological Depth**: Feeney’s talent for creating multifaceted characters is evident in *Beautiful Ugly*. Clementine is a fascinating protagonist who is simultaneously sympathetic and unsettling. Her inner conflicts — about beauty, self-image, and the pressure to maintain an illusion of perfection — are rendered with emotional depth. Feeney successfully dives into the complexities of modern identity, especially within the realm of social media, where everything is filtered and curated.

2. **Unpredictability and Twists**: Feeney is known for her mind-bending twists, and *Beautiful Ugly* does not disappoint. The story continually pulls the rug out from under the reader, with unexpected turns that keep the suspense high. Feeney expertly plays with unreliable narration and misdirection, so that just when you think you’ve figured things out, another revelation flips everything on its head.

3. **Themes of Beauty and Self-Image**: At its core, *Beautiful Ugly* explores society's obsession with beauty and how it affects people's sense of self-worth. Clementine’s journey is one of self-acceptance, and the book raises important questions about how much we rely on external validation — particularly in the age of social media. The novel doesn’t shy away from the darker side of this obsession, exposing the psychological toll it takes on individuals.

4. **Atmosphere and Writing Style**: Feeney’s writing is sharp and immersive, with a knack for building tension. The atmosphere is dark and claustrophobic, perfectly reflecting Clementine’s internal turmoil. There’s a persistent sense of unease that keeps readers hooked, and the pacing never lags, ensuring that the narrative moves forward with a sense of urgency.

### Weaknesses

1. **Pacing Issues in the Middle**: While the beginning and end of the book are incredibly strong, some readers might feel that the middle drags a bit. The story occasionally loops around Clementine’s psychological state, which may feel repetitive at times, and some may wish for more external action to balance out the introspection.

2. **Unlikable Characters**: While the characters are well-developed, Clementine herself can be hard to root for at times. Her flaws, while central to the story, make it difficult to empathize with her. This might alienate some readers who prefer characters they can connect with more easily. However, this could also be seen as a strength, as it forces readers to reflect on their own perceptions of beauty and identity.

3. **Predictable Ending for Some**: While the final twist is likely to shock most readers, some may find it a bit predictable if they’ve read other books in the genre. The story does rely on familiar thriller tropes, which might feel a bit too on-the-nose for seasoned thriller fans.

### Conclusion

*Beautiful Ugly* is an absorbing psychological thriller that pulls readers deep into the psyche of its flawed, complicated protagonist. Alice Feeney’s exploration of the modern obsession with beauty, identity, and the darker aspects of fame is both timely and insightful. The book is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing, and its deep character study of Clementine offers a fresh and critical lens on how we present ourselves to the world. While the pacing may falter in places and the characters may be difficult to relate to, the novel’s final reveal is worth the ride, offering an unsettling and ultimately thought-provoking conclusion. Fans of psychological thrillers and readers who appreciate character-driven narratives will find much to admire in *Beautiful Ugly*.

Another engrossing read that will capture the readers right from the first page. An enticing story with a shocking twist

Wow. This is DARK. I am a big Feeney fan but this has blown all of their previous work out of the water. It’s layered, captivating, and a lot claustrophobic. I loved it so much

Beautiful Ugly tells the story of a fictional isle off the coast of Scotland as the author Grady Green takes some time to write a novel after a year off struggling to write. Grady's journalist wife Abby was on her way back home to him as he became a New York bestseller when she stopped to help a woman lying down in the road apparently injured. Grady doesn't hear from her after that and it appears that she has left for good.
A year later, Grady is failing to write and sleep, so in a last attempt to help him, his agent Kitty, lends him her cabin on the Isle of Amberley, a cabin the old writer Charles Whittaker apparently used before he died.

A little like Rock Paper Scissors, in that we never know who is who, this mystery is told through the eyes of Grady as he uncovers strange goings on. The local people seem very sure of who he is but he can never seem to leave the island or contact the outside world. And everywhrre he goes he sees Abby, but that's just a trick of the mind right?! Or is it the dodgy tea they keep giving him?

I really enjoyed this thriller. It felt a little too similar to Rock Paper Scissors for my liking so I wonder if her other novels have a similar mark. But those Scottish isles are perfect for thrillers and I was suitably impressed with this one!

I am speechless. This book was suspenseful and the twists had my jaw on the floor. I binged it in less than 24 hours. Definitely a triller to pick up!

As a fan of Alice's previous work, I was ecstatic to be able to read Beautiful Ugly early and it did not disappoint. The book kept me guessing throughout and I didn't see the plot twists coming. I was even very creeped out at points! It had me hooked.

This is a well-written and ingenious suspense novel with a touch of the folk-gothic about it. Set mainly on the fictional island of Amberly off the coast of Scotland, there is a strong sense of place. The island setting also provides a paradox: the claustrophobic atmosphere of a place which is at once natural and open but also contained and secretive.

There are a number of sections that are specifically written so as to mislead the reader but I can’t talk about them too much without adding spoilers. However, suffice it to say that every fictional narrator isn’t entirely reliable and our views of reality often differ depending on our viewpoint!

I suspect that the final quarter of the book will divide reader opinions and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the rest of the book. Overall, it’s still a pretty good read but I think that the ending good have been better handled and achieved that 5th star.

With thanks to NetGalley, Alice Feeney and Pan Macmillan for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thank you for this arc!
To be honest, Alice Feeney's books are a hit or miss for me. I loved His & Hers, but Rock paper scissors wasn't it for me. This book was a bit of both. I found the first 60% of the book a bit tedious and there wasn't a lot happening. After that, the pace definitely picked up which I really liked! There were a few major plottwists, of which I guessed one, which in my opinion was very obvious, but I was definitely shocked by the other ones!
Overall it was a good book, but I didn't love it as much as I had hoped, so I rate it 3.5/5

Another masterpiece from Alice Feeney, full of twists. Grady Green finally gets a call from his publisher with the news he has been waiting for. He calls his wife, Abby who is driving home, to share the news when he hears her veer off the road. The car is found by the cliff edge, but no sign of Abby, she has complete disappeared.
Grady goes to a Scottish island to recover from the trauma of losing his wife, but a lot of the locals are acting strangely, they never disclose how he can get off the island and hindered by no Wi-Fi signal. To add to Grady’s confusion, he keeps seeing a figure remarkably like Abby...
There is something quite sinister about the island, lots of layers and unanswered questions which makes Grady begin to doubt reality. An eery read for any Feeney fan and definitely worth a read.

I have read a number of Alice Feeney books now- they never disappoint. The twists and turns are always a surprise and so hard to predict. This book didn’t disappoint. The big shocker of a twist was as good as they get- no spoilers here- just read the book- it’s worth the wait.
The plot was good, husband looses wife - tries to rebuild life, etc etc. But the plot twist was amazing.
Well worth a read.

This is a delightfully intriguing story which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. There are a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Very well constructed and skillfully plotted.
Bestselling author Grady Green is struggling after his wife disappeared. He takes the opportunity to go to a remote cabin to work on his next book. Grady goes off with his dog to write the book but the next chapter of his life could not be more surprising. I highly recommend this fantastic book.