3.5 stars!! thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

i was really excited going into this and i wasn’t disappointed. i think this is my favorite alice feeney novel i’ve read so far. i loved how atmospheric it was in regard to the setting of the isolated scottish island because the author did really well in emphasizing the remoteness of the island and its inhabitants. this emphasis truly enhanced my enjoyment of the book and even though i had my suspicions as to where the mystery/reveals were headed, i still found myself impressed with some of the twists and all the elements combined within the story.

the audiobook was so fun to listen to due to the added sound effects and a special shoutout to richard armitage’s voice because i fell in love with how he sounds his narration was genuinely so good!! overall, both narrators did such a great job that if i were solely rating the narration it would be 5/5!

i couldn’t put this down because i wanted to know what was really going on and i honestly had not experienced that from reading an alice feeney book until this one. i would definitely recommend to any alice feeney fans or mystery-thriller readers.

Before I even start talking about the plot, I just want to make the point that this has to be my absolute favorite Alice Feeney book cover. Just stunning.

Beautiful Ugly follows Grady Green, a writer whose wife disappeared a year before the events of the book and has not been seen or heard from since. At the suggestion of his agent, Grady travels to the remote island of Amberly with the hope of clearing his mind enough to begin writing again. The island's residents seem kind, if a bit wary of an outsider, but Grady is having a hard time forgetting his missing wife when he seems to be seeing her everywhere on the island.

The rest of this review will be discussing the plot of the book with some potential spoilers. Please stop here if you do want to go into this book with a fresh perspective.

While I am a massive fan of Alice Fenney's works, this was not my favorite of her books. My biggest issue is that it just felt like there were too many balls in the air to keep track of. In the book we have:

- Grady's missing wife, Abby
- The island residents acting suspicious
- The guy who washes up dead on the shore of the island
- The author that previously stayed in the writing cabin

For a bit, I'll be honest and say that I wasn't entirely sure what the big mystery was supposed to be. Was it Abby's disappearance? The weird circumstances surrounding the previous writer? These all seemed like compelling mysteries on their own, but it was just kind of a lot when they were all thrown together. Things got muddled.

The pacing of this was a lot slower than a lot of other Alice Feeney books, which isn't a bad thing on its face. It's definitely a slow burn and reminded me more of A Slow Fire Burning than Daisy Darker. I can absolutely get into a slow burn, and if you enjoy them, this definitely has the eerie atmosphere and creeping sense of dread that you expect from a book like this.

After all that waiting, though, I found the ending to be a but lackluster. The twists were fairly satisfying, but they were revealed via a very long exposition dump. I guess that is technically how a lot of twists are revealed - through explanation - but this one felt way too long.

The audio of this book was truly exceptional and may go down as one of the best narrations I've heard this year. Richard Armitage could narrate the soundtrack of my life if he wanted to, and the added sound effects really brought this story to a new level. The crackling radio sounds made me jump on multiple occasions, even when I was expecting them.

The heart of this story is interesting and great for the rainy, gloomy time of year we're all in. There were some great points brought up about marriage and how, sometimes, couples who promised each other "forever" may be better served apart. This is still a perfectly good thriller that I would recommend to those that are fans of other books by this author.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC audiobook for review. I have read multiple Alice Feeney books and this may tied for my favorite! Author Grady Green’s wife, Abby, went missing a year ago. He is lost without her. He can’t seem to focus and write and he misses her like crazy. No one’s how his wife went missing and there’s been no sign of her. His publisher sends him to a remote Scottish island to grieve and in hopes of finding a way to find the inspiration to write again. On the ferry ride to the island, Grady sees a woman who looks like his missing wife. But it can’t be, right? When Grady questions someone when he gets in town, he is told it’s a woman by a different name. Grady continues to feel haunted by his missing wife as he settles into living on the island. This book drew me in at once and I definitely did not see that twist coming ending…. Alice Feeney will continue to be on my must read thriller list!!

3.5/4*
I like the writing and pace. I’d read more books by this author.
It has a bit of a mashed-up version of the shining vibes, not totally but it reminded me of that with a unique spin. It’s a far-fetched premise but still an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audio version.

Ummm wow, she has done it again.

We meet Grady a best selling author his dream comes true, he’s on the phone with his wife Abby when he finally gets notified but his best night turns in to his worst night. His wife goes missing, fast forward to a year later Grady after losing everything, gets the opportunity to go to amberly island in the Scottish highlands to write a book and turn his life around. After he arrives to the ferry he see Abby, his runs after her but it ends up being someone else. When he arrives to the island where no one is allowed to be on but the people who live there, he granted entrance because of the cabin he is staying in. When he enters the cabin who is was own to another famous author he find a book and Grady decided to make it his own. However as this is going on the whole town knows who he is, and what he is there for. However Grady sees his wife everywhere and things start getting super strange and he can’t explain it. He is warn to leave but can’t.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC Audio, I couldn’t stop I think I listen to this in a day, she always has twist I can’t figure out and I adore it! Why you still reading go get it and see for yourself!!!

It appears that I'm in the minority here, but I did not enjoy this book (which is really disappointing because I loved Rock, Paper, Scissors and was really excited about this one!)

The prologue was captivating. The next 60% of the book was BORING. God, I did not care about Grady's writer's block at all. The next 20% was interesting. However, the twists in the last 20% were awful and I lost my interest again.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. The audiobook narration was excellent!

I felt a lot of gone girl vibes from this book as well as vibes from her previous book his/hers. It was really interesting but just felt “done” before from her and other authors. I was hoping the ending or plot twist would be unique but the twist was SO far fetched it dramatically changed the rating of the book from a 4 star- good and enjoyable but also not unique… to almost 2.5-3 stars. Overall I loved the audio for this and would recommend it to others!

Gosh I love Alice Feeney! Especially on audio! This one had me doubting ever character and wondering what in the hell was going on. The twist at the end was out of left field and I never saw it coming! PSA for dog lovers: the dog doesn’t die.

Holy guacamole! Haha
This one was wild! Buckle in babes, because it is a doozy of a plot twist. It does slow down in some places but stick with it because it is absolutely amazing. I was grinning like a madman when it was all revealed. Brilliant!
The narrator’s, Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton were amazing!! Together they brought this world to life. Just amazing.

A Mixed Bag with an Enthralling Setting!

Beautiful Ugly is a rollercoaster of suspense, intrigue, and psychological drama, with a setting that’s so vivid it practically leaps off the page. The atmosphere is absolutely brilliant—proper Daisy Darker vibes here.

The audiobook deserves a special mention—it’s a real treat. The narration is spot-on, and the sound effects add an extra layer of tension and immersion that makes you feel like you’re right there on the island.

The story itself is classic Feeney: twists galore, complex relationships, and a big dollop of “what on earth is going on?” The themes of beauty and ugliness—both inside and out—are interesting, but the execution doesn’t always stick the landing.

Some characters feel a bit over-the-top, like they’ve wandered in from a soap opera, and a few plot twists don’t entirely earn their keep.

That said, the prose is as sharp as ever, dripping with tension and atmosphere. It pulls you in and dares you to put it down. Long-time fans will likely enjoy the familiar ride, but if you’re new to Feeney’s work, this might not be the best introduction.

Beautiful Ugly follows Grady, an author who wants nothing more than to see his works on the bestseller lists, whose world is shaken when his wife disappears. A year after her disappearance, he is sent by his publicist to a small island to focus on his writing and find inspiration. There he encounters a woman who looks exactly like is wife and is sent in a tailspin wondering what exactly is going on on this island.

I enjoy Alice Feeney’s writing and overall had a good time with this book! I liked learning about the island inhabitants best and felt they were all well characterized. The plot was a bit predictable and I don’t think any new twist mechanics are created in this book, but that didn’t stop it from being an easy and enjoyable read!

I read this via audiobook and thought the two narrators did a great job. Recommended for fans of isolated thrillers and fans of Feeney’s prior works.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Beautiful Ugly from Macmillan Audio was one of my favorite books by Alice Feeney. The suspense and intricacies of the characters and story she woven together kept me hooked and I finished it within a day. This book will definitely be recommended to others! Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Pub Date: Jan 14 2025

Always love Alice Feeney! At first this book did not seem to read as a typical Fenney book, but once the character point of viewed swapped it was a roller coaster from there! It definitely gave me Stephen King vibes and I loved it!

Beautiful Ugly
Alice Feeney
Grady Green’s wife is on her way home when she disappears. He calls her with good news, his book made the New York Times bestselling list. During their conversation she tells him she sees a body in the middle of the road. He hears her slam on the brakes and leave the car. Grady rushes out to find her. That was his last conversation with her. Her car is found abandoned, it is by the edge of a cliff, the headlights are on, the driver’s door is open, her phone is there but she isn’t.
A year later: Grady is devastated and desperate to learn what happened to his wife, Abby. He can’t focus on anything. He can’t write or sleep. His agent arranges for him to stay in a cabin on Amberly, a tiny Scottish Island. All expenses paid. The cabin belonged to a popular deceased author.
The setting is a beautiful island off the coast of Scotland. The characters are odd. There are two timelines intertwined. The characters all stand out because they are eccentric behavior. The narrator is inconsistent. The island has a personality of its own and becomes one of the characters. The description of the island is vivid, I felt as if I were transported to the island, I could see the misty of the fog rolling in and I could smell the salt water.
There was a foreshadowing and a threatening feeling. The reader knows there is something wrong but what is the question. Author Alice Feeney offers readers twists and turns that kept this reader guessing. This thought provoking book by author Alice Feeney will please her fans.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Alice Feeney's Beautiful Ugly is an absolute triumph in psychological suspense, and the audiobook format elevates it to new heights. With masterful narration that brings every twist and emotional beat to life, the story grips you from the very first chapter. Feeney's signature style of layered storytelling and shocking reveals is in full force here, weaving a tale that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is chilling. The characters are deeply flawed yet compelling, and the intricate plot will keep you guessing until the jaw-dropping finale. This audiobook is an unforgettable experience—perfect for fans of thrillers that linger in your mind long after they end.

Rounded up from 3.75 stars.

Book #119 in 2024: "Beautiful Ugly" by Alice Feeney

This is a review copy, thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio .

My star rating (out of five): 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The first 80% of this book was great, but towards the end, I was disappointed at the outrageous twists and unbelievable ending.

"He's chasing something he will never find, but we're all guilty of that."

"It's a human affliction to see what we want, instead of what's really there."

"I keep my thoughts to myself because silence can't be misquoted."

"Guilt is such a sticky emotion. You can't wash the damn thing off."

"I guess sometimes we only see what we expect to see."

"Old age sneaks up on us all, like an unwelcome thief."

There is one r-rated sex scene that I could have lived without, but it went by quickly and wasn't lingered over.

One thing mystery authors do that drives me crazy is to repeat information. Trust me, I'm not stupid. I've picked up on the fact that the people on the island are strange, weird, or odd. I also understand that this is a key piece of the story. I can put this together if scenes are well-written.

This story is crazy! I think it's my favorite by Alice Feeney, so many twists and turns, you don't know what's real! The story is about a married couple, he is a writer, waiting for his wife to get home, she's late. Not only is she late and he's not happy about this, but on her way home, there's something or somebody in the road and she stops to see if she can help. That's the last her husband sees of her, she never got home to hear his news, he's got severe writer's block now, has to move because he can no longer afford his rent, it's just a nightmare for him. Little does he know, his agent will come to his rescue but, should he accept the proposal? The audio was well done with the many different voices of the characters.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is a fantastic psychological thriller in which Grady, a NYT bestselling author is lost after his wife Gabby disappears. Grady can't sleep or write. A year later he goes to a small Scottish Island to try to get his writing career going again, but strange things begin to happen. He thinks he sees his wife and the twenty-five inhabitants of the island are very peculiar. This book has so many twists and turns. Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton bring the audiobook to life. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook. This book will be published on January 14, 2025.

I think this was one of my best reads this year. This is my 2nd book by Alice Feeney and I absolutely loved it. I could not stop listening to it and had to finish it. I loved the Audiobook

First off, the audiobook production of this novel is simply fantastic. Richard Armitage does an amazing job narrating-- his pacing added so much to the mystery and build of suspense. I think I could listen to him read me anything and I'd love it! I loved the addition of sound effects, which brought the story to life.

The story was atmospheric, eerie and felt quite sinister at times. Occasionally it felt a like a bit of a genre bender as it made me question the existence of potential elements of the supernatural-- contributing to the creep factor. The characters were mysteriously flawed and Feeney was able to build suspense gradually with this slow burn of a dark thriller. While the suspense building captivated me from the beginning, I did feel a little let down by the ending. The twist didn't feel shocking enough, and I felt like the conclusion was explained in a rush at the very end, which was in stark opposition to the pacing of the rest of the book.