ROCK PAPER SCISSORS BY ALICE FEENEY

Key Concepts and Themes

• The Unreliable Narrator & Multiple Perspectives: The story masterfully uses alternating points of view (Adam, Amelia, and a mysterious third character, Robin) and interspersed anniversary letters to control the flow of information, making the reader constantly doubt whose version of events is real.
• Prosopagnosia (Face Blindness): Adam's neurological condition is a crucial plot device, heightening suspense and playing on themes of trust and identity, as he cannot use facial recognition to verify who he is with or even who is a threat.
• Gothic and Isolated Setting: The remote, converted chapel in the Scottish Highlands, cut off by a snowstorm, provides a perfect, claustrophobic backdrop for murder and mystery, trapping the characters and increasing the sense of dread and isolation.
• Secrets, Lies, and Betrayal: The narrative focuses on the deep-seated secrets and betrayals within a long-term marriage, exploring the idea that we can be closest to someone and still have no idea who they truly are.
• The "Game" of Marriage: The title reflects the complex, strategic nature of relationships. Life and marriage are portrayed as a game where adaptability and knowing when to be "rock," "paper," or "scissors" is key to survival.
• Psychological Manipulation: The plot is rich with psychological manipulation and mind games, designed to keep both the characters and the reader off-balance with multiple, shocking twists.