I loved the setting in a remote Scottish island, the *spoiler* female revenge fantasy is also a fun twist but overall I felt the book was just ok. It reminded me a lot of the movie Wicker Man.

4.5-Star rounded up

“Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney is a twisty psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page— and maybe even longer. I listened to this one on audiobook, and I can't imagine a better pairing than Feeney's gripping narrative combined with Richard Armitage's exceptional narration. His voice alone adds so much tension and atmosphere to the story. Tuppence Middleton also did a stellar job portraying layers of complexity to the characters and their emotions.

Feeney’s use of oxymorons, both in the title and each chapter heading, is clever and thought-provoking. The title, “Beautiful Ugly”, encapsulates the contradictions explored in the novel, and by the time I reached the final twists, I realized that the real oxymoron was man himself—particularly how men can simultaneously be seen as figures who are supposed to protect women, yet can also be the source of danger or violence against them

Feeney's trademark twists are present here, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was blindsided around 80% through the audiobook. The way she weaves in misdirection, all while layering in emotional depth and some social commentary, made “Beautiful Ugly” not just a twisty thriller but a book that lingered with me long after it was over. It’s not often that a thriller leaves you with something to ponder about human nature and society, but Feeney pulls it off brilliantly.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a bit of substance, “Beautiful Ugly” is a must-read (or must-listen). The combination of a tight, unpredictable plot and insightful commentary makes this one stand out in the genre. Highly recommend! Alice Feeney will forever and always be an auto-read for me.

📕Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Grady Green, an author, was overjoyed when his publisher informed him that his new novel had made it to the New York Times Bestselling list. Excited, he called his wife, Abby, to share the good news.

At that moment, Abby was on her way home. While talking on the phone, she suddenly stopped her car and told Grady that a woman was lying on the road. Grady, alarmed, instructed Abby to stay in the car and lock the doors while he called the police.

However, Abby, feeling empathetic and unable to ignore the situation, decided to help the woman. Despite Grady's repeated warnings, Abby stepped out of the car, leaving the phone line open as per Grady's request.

Later, Abby’s car was found near the edge of a cliff with its headlights still on. The car doors were open, and her phone was left behind. Abby, however, had vanished without a trace.

Since Abby’s disappearance, Grady struggled to focus on writing. He became withdrawn, unable to function properly, and his finances were running low.

Unable to watch Grady spiral further, his agent arranged for him to stay in a house on a remote Scottish island, hoping it would help him regain his focus and write again.

Upon arriving at the island, Grady discovered that it was inhabited exclusively by women. Interestingly, the house he was staying in had previously been occupied by another author.

As he spent time on the island, Grady encountered a woman who resembled his wife, Abby, and began investigating further.

Was Grady merely losing his grip on reality?
Was Abby truly alive and living on the island?
What was the connection between the island’s women and Abby’s past?

As he uncovered the secrets of the mysterious women on the island, Grady had to confront whether he could ever leave the island alive.


---

My Point of View (P.O.V)

The story’s plot and structure feel weak. The reasoning behind the events, such as something from Abby’s past affecting Grady’s present in this way, lacks meaning.

The twists are unremarkable, and it doesn’t feel like a gripping thriller.

The inclusion of wave sounds between audiobook chapters adds a soothing element for the listener.

Initially, I had high expectations from the first few chapters, but as I continued, I found the characters, plot, and twists lacking in depth.

The audiobook narrator did a good job, but the story, despite being labeled as a thriller, doesn’t live up to that genre and feels more like a domestic mystery.

📌Thank you Macmillan for the Audiobook ARC via NetGalley.

Dec 30, 2024
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
AudioBook Review by Bookish In Fiction Land

On the day author Grady Green finds out his new novel is in the New York Times bestseller list, his wife disappears. Without his wife and muse he can no longer write, or sleep, and loses everything. Then his agent gives him the keys to a cabin on a remote Scottish island to try to write again. Except when he arrives on this island, everything is just off. There are no birds, no children, and it is inhabited by just 25 people, all women, and Grady is constantly seeing his lost wife.

So twisty and dark and dark that you are constantly questioning what is real and not. It’s a tale of marriage, revenge, and the dark and twisted things people will do when pushed to the edge.

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This one started out SO GOOD. The atmosphere was deliciously creepy on that island. But as the story went on, it required more and more and more suspension of belief. Eventually, the amount of "ok well I guess that could maybe happen if these 5000 things were true" justifying I was having to do kind of ruined the story for me. I was laughing at the "twists" by the end, which was disappointing.

I read this one on audio and it wasn't my favorite. The narrator did a great job, but I like to listen to my books sped up to 2.5-3x, so the sound effects drove me absolutely batty, unfortunately. I presume they won't be so annoying if you listen to books at 1x.


A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I listened to the audiobook of this one and I loved it. Not only were the narrators great, but I loved the sound effects that were placed well to bring the story to life. I felt like a lot of the story moved slower than it needed, and I wasn’t as shocked by the big twist as I thought I would be. I did find the ending very interesting and dark and it’s one that will stick with me for a bit. Abby and Grady don’t have a perfect marriage, but they love each other. Until the day Grady gets everything he’s dreamed of and loses everything all at once. Grady is talking to his wife when she slams on the breaks and describes seeing a woman laying on the road. Abby goes missing that night and is never seen and a year later Grady is still drowning in his grief. He’s struggling to write and his editor suggests he go stay in the writing cabin on a remote Scottish island she inherited from one of her writers. Once the pace picks up this book moves insanely fast and twists and turns quickly, but prepare for some slow and spooky lead up.

I have been a diehard Alice Feeney fan since Rock Paper Scissors. Every book of hers I’ve read has been an easy five-star read. I’m so devastated that this one missed the mark for me.

A year after the strange disappearance of his wife, Abby, Grady isolates himself on a Scottish island at the suggestion of his agent. He’s hoping to start writing again and get used to a life where Abby isn’t by his side, but the island brings more confusion. He feels almost haunted and is certain that there is a woman there who looks just like his wife.

And that’s pretty much it until the last 15% of the book. From there, the disjointed plot becomes downright bizarre and, frankly, convoluted. Nothing made sense and I didn’t care at all what happened to either of the main characters. Their lives up until that point had been random backstories that kind of sort of came together in the chaotic ending. It, overall, felt like I was reading a different author.

Thankfully, the quality of the audiobook made up for some of the disappointment. The narrators did a wonderful job, and the small touches of sound effects added a lot to the atmosphere.

I'm hoping this book was just a bump in the road. I am glad to see that there are some others who have enjoyed this because I know the feeling of loving Alice Fenney's stories. I still look forward to whatever comes next, albeit, with some trepidation. I was surprised by the sexual content in this book as I don't recall much (if any) in the other books I've read by her. I didn't care for it.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for inviting me to listen to a free audiobook ARC of the book.

This was a captivating mystery as Grady Green searches for answers about his wife's sudden disappearance. The story effectively draws you in and I was hooked! However, the ending feels unrealistic and far-fetched and falls short of the story's buildup, leaving a sense of disappointment despite the otherwise engaging journey. The audio was fantastic on this book and I loved the setting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read/listen to this ARC.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to the advanced listening copy for this book!

It has been a little while since I've read a true mystery/thriller and Beautiful Ugly did not disappoint.
Alice Feeney just has a way with storytelling. She leaves the littlest crumbs that keep the reader engaged and questioning where the story is leading. And when the ending comes? She always delivers twist after twist after twist.
One aspect of Beautiful Ugly that I found to be unique was the way in which Feeney makes the setting of the story into a character. She describes the scenery in ways that paint such a vivid picture for the reader, illustrating with words the most picturesque vistas, while also finding ways to turn the beauty of the setting into an unsettling setting. I hope Feeney leans into this talent in future novels because. I found this book's setting to be such a benefit to the overall plot and ambiance of the story.
Our characters: They can be unlikeable. Some of that is trickery employed by the brilliant Feeney, but some of it is genuine. What's most intriguing to me is how Feeney leans into developing depth of character while also serving the plot, which can be difficult in a mystery/thriller. And in doing this, she really can change the reader's perspective on a character in an incredibly effective way.
I usually listen to Alice Feeney's book and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do that with Beautiful Ugly. The narrators used for the audiobook are both fantastic. The addition of snippets of music and making it sound as if characters are on the phone or speaking through a radio also adds to the immersive experience of listening to this audiobook, which I really appreciated as a listener.
Feeney is just such a solid writer and you're going to get a truly solid mystery/thriller if you give this book a read.

Popular author, Grady Green is talking to his wife, Abby, on the phone when she stops her car to help a person lying in the middle of the road. The line goes dead and Abby vanishes without a trace. Devastated by grief and unable to move on, Grady travels to a remote Scottish island. However, his attempt at healing is disrupted when he encounters a woman who looks nearly identical to Abby, leaving him questioning reality and desperately searching for answers.

This just reminded me how much I love Alice Feeney. It has been a bit since I read anything from her, but now I need to make sure I finish her entire catalog. I devoured this audiobook. I loved everything about this book from the setting, the plot, the characters, and the overall atmosphere. I never knew which way it was going and it surprised me all the way to the last page. This may have moved to the top of my favorites from Alice Feeney. I was completely captivated the whole time! What a fantastic thriller!

I love Alice Feeney. I was unsure where this book was going, and at one point I thought I was going to be really disappointed. But then wow does she know how to through twists in there. And of course the ending was amazing. I thought the narrators did a great job and helped to distinguish who was talking, but at the same time not give too much away as to what was actually happening.

Beautiful Ugly
By Alice Feeney

Wow! This book took an unexpected turn and I absolutely loved it! I could not stop listening to it every chance I got!

Grady’s wife is missing and his life begins to fall apart after. He moves to a remote island in Scotland to write his next novel and turn his life around and that is where things start to take an unexpected turn for the worse! It is suspenseful and intense! The ending blew my mind!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the digital advanced readers and listeners copy!! The narrators of this audiobook - Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton were amazing to listen to! This novel will be published January 14, 2025! Add it to your TBR!!

I have to admit that I DNF this one. I put it aside at about 75% and just couldn't find the interest to go back to it. I didn't enjoy the storyline as it was going and I had already forgotten half of the story after just a couple of weeks. I've really enjoyed Feeney's work in the past and I am hopeful that this is just a one off for me. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

I received the audio of this one from Macmillan Audio and the narration was well-done, but I was not a fan of the added sound effects. They did nothing to add to the story for me.

Alice Feeney’s Beautiful Ugly is a masterfully twisted psychological thriller that delves deep into the unsettling nature of grief, secrets, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. The novel follows Grady, a man reeling from the sudden disappearance of his wife, who is left to grapple with his overwhelming sorrow and confusion. In an effort to move forward, his publisher suggests he retreat to a small, quiet town, hoping a change of scenery will help him break through his writer’s block. But what Grady finds there is anything but peaceful.

The small town, at first seeming like a refuge, soon reveals itself to be a place where nothing is as it seems. As Grady immerses himself in writing his story, the lines between his personal reality and the strange happenings around him begin to blur. Feeney does an exceptional job of crafting a world that is as eerie as it is enigmatic, creating an atmosphere of tension and suspense that keeps readers on edge throughout.

The novel is full of unexpected twists, each chapter unraveling a new layer of mystery. Feeney’s ability to weave together complex, unreliable narratives makes for a reading experience that is both disorienting and captivating. As Grady delves deeper into the secrets of the town, the true nature of his wife’s disappearance—and his own involvement—becomes increasingly murky. The layers of deception and psychological manipulation will leave readers questioning everything they thought they knew.

At its core, Beautiful Ugly is a dark exploration of loss, guilt, and the lengths people will go to escape or confront their past. With its chilling atmosphere and unpredictable twists, Feeney delivers a story that is as mind-bending as it is haunting. This is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave intricate plots, unreliable characters, and a healthy dose of suspense.

Feeney’s signature style—sharp, atmospheric, and full of dark secrets—shines in this novel, making Beautiful Ugly an unforgettable and thought-provoking thriller that will leave readers thinking long after the last page.

Wow! I just finished the book and the adrenaline is still pulsing through my body. This thriller is full of twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a few times it actually scared me and I’m not sure I’ve ever had an audio book do that before.

The writing & narration took me to the island. I could see the trees & town in my head and hear the ocean waves.

I’ve read several books by Alice Feeney before and really enjoy her writing. So far this one is my favorite. Richard Armitage & Tuppence Middleton did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a wild unhinged ride in a really good way! Grady is a writer who ends up becoming a NY times best seller on the same day his wife goes missing and from there I was just for surprise after surprise. The build up to what actually happened was so great. I didn’t even think our narrator would be an unreliable narrator, I was starting to feel sorry for him, which I didn’t want to, and bam, Alice Feeney hit us with the shocks and twists she is so good at delivering. Everyone on the island where he was willingly sent to was so creepy and I couldn’t figure out if they were all dead, if he was loosing his mind or what! Fantastic read, thank you for this ARC audiobook!

A writer's wife disappears and he struggles to move on. He travels to a very remote island to work on his next book and he begins seeing his wife in different places around the island.

What worked for me:
- a beginning that grabbed my attention from the first page
- interesting chapter titles
- an intriguing setting - this atmospheric island, cold and creepy
- a twist I didn't see coming

What didn't work for me:
- a plot that was just a bit too twisted for me to fully sink into but still I was intrigued enough about what was going on to keep going


3.5 stars rounded up

This is now one of my favorite audiobooks! Alice Feeney is the master of keeping you guessing. This is similar to Daisy Darker with dark, mysterious undertones. If you love eerie suspense- pick this up!

9/10 rounded up - i was on the edge of my seat the entire time, i wanted so badly to finish this one to know what happens.
gone girl, with cult vibes?

i think my only complaint is the reveal felt very rushed and less suspenseful than i would have liked, after the entire book was filled with suspense.
the actual one year later and that ending had me with my mouth hanging open.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced audio copy of “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney in exchange for a review.

I both read and listened to Beautful Ugly (I had a physical copy from my BOTM subscription). The audio was very well done. I liked the background noises, like the ocean, that really added to the atmosphere of the story.

Now the story itself…wasn’t my favorite. It started strong and I was all in on the mystery, but once the pieces started coming together it just became too wild…too out there…too farfetched.

There were a few twists at the end I won’t spoil here, but instead of giving shock and awe, I was just annoyed. Again…too out there for me.

All this to say…not my favorite Alice Feeney, though it was face paced and I moved through it quickly