The central gimmick of Rock Paper Scissors is actually its most interesting discussion point: prosopagnosia, or face blindness. The protagonist, Adam Wright, literally cannot recognize faces—not his wife’s, not his own. This isn't just a quirky character trait; it’s the engine of the entire plot.

When Adam and his wife, Amelia, win a weekend getaway to a remote, converted chapel in the Scottish Highlands to "save their marriage," the isolation and Adam’s inability to see who is actually standing in front of him create a level of tension that most teen slasher novels can't touch. It’s less about "who is the killer?" and more about "who am I even talking to?"

You might wonder why a 15-year-old wants to read about a crumbling ten-year marriage. It’s because Alice Feeney writes "domestic noir" with the same frantic energy as a heist movie. The book is structured around anniversary letters written by the wife to her husband over the years—letters he’s never read.

For teens, this hits the same "secret history" vibe they love in shows like Pretty Little Liars. It’s about the gap between what people say and what they do. The gaslighting in this book is elite-level; it’s a masterclass in how information can be weaponized in a relationship. If your kid is already navigating the drama of high school social circles, the "who can you trust?" theme in Rock Paper Scissors will feel very familiar, just with higher stakes.

Let’s talk about the "adult" factor. Rock Paper Scissors is an adult novel, but it’s remarkably restrained compared to something like Gone Girl.

If your teen closes Rock Paper Scissors and immediately asks for more, skip the generic "thriller" shelf and go for these specific vibes:

This is the natural next step. It’s another "remote location, everyone has a secret, someone is dead" mystery. It’s atmospheric, slightly more ensemble-based, and perfect for readers who like the "isolated setting" of the Scottish chapel.

If the "unreliable narrator" was their favorite part, this is the gold standard. It’s about a woman who shoots her husband and then never speaks another word. The twist in this one is legendary and hits that same "I need to go back and re-read the whole thing" itch.

For the teen who is also obsessed with true crime podcasts. It’s a meta-thriller about a podcaster who gets too close to a subject. Like Feeney’s work, it’s dark, twisty, and very "of the moment."

If they want to see the "twisty mystery" vibe on screen without the heavy marital depression, this is the move. It’s fun, clever, and proves that the "whodunnit" genre is very much alive.

Find more thrillers for mature readers

The hardest part of Rock Paper Scissors isn't the content—it's the onboarding. The book starts a bit slow as it establishes the "he said/she said" dynamic through those anniversary letters.

Pro-tip: If your teen starts it and says "it’s just a bunch of people complaining about their marriage," tell them to get to the 25% mark. Once the power goes out in that chapel and the first major "wait, that’s not right" moment happens, the book shifts gears into a full-blown sprint.

Q: Is Rock Paper Scissors appropriate for a 13-year-old? It’s a stretch. While the content isn't "obscene," the themes of marital breakdown and the complexity of the gaslighting might feel more like a chore than a thrill for a middle-schooler. It lands much better for 14 or 15-year-olds who have the emotional context for the drama.

Q: Are there any "triggers" I should know about? The book deals heavily with prosopagnosia (face blindness), which is fascinating but can be disorienting. There are themes of infidelity, the death of a parent (in the past), and some animal peril (the dog is a major character, and yes, there is tension there).

Q: Is it better than Alice Feeney’s other books? Most fans consider this her best work because the "face blindness" hook is so unique. If they like this, they’ll likely want to check out His & Hers or Daisy Darker, but Rock Paper Scissors is the strongest entry point.

Q: How does it compare to YA thrillers like One of Us Is Lying? It’s "darker" in tone but not necessarily "more inappropriate." YA thrillers often focus on high school stakes (grades, popularity, college). Rock Paper Scissors deals with life-and-death stakes and the idea that you can live with someone for a decade and not know them. It’s a "level up" in terms of psychological complexity.

Rock Paper Scissors is a solid, smart thriller that respects the reader's intelligence. It’s a great choice for intentional parents who want to move their teens away from "formulaic" kid lit and into stories with more atmosphere and mechanical complexity. It’s dark, yes, but it’s the kind of dark that sparks great conversations about trust, perception, and why we keep secrets.