Exploring Grief and Isolation in Alice Feeney's *Beautiful Ugly*

Beautiful Ugly
by
Alice Feeney

⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3 out of 5.

In her latest thriller, Beautiful Ugly, Alice Feeney takes readers to the atmospheric isolation of Amberly, a small island in Scotland. As an avid fan of Feeney’s previous works, I was drawn in by the cover and the intriguing premise, making it a fitting choice for my recent literary excursion.

The Premise

The story revolves around Grady Green, a writer grappling with profound grief following the mysterious disappearance of his wife, Abby, an investigative journalist. With a year having passed and no substantial leads on her case, Grady struggles to find inspiration, much to the dismay of his agent Kitty, who insists he must produce a new novel.

Kitty sends Grady to her inherited writing cabin on Amberly, aiming to ignite his creativity away from the distractions of modern life. The island, with its twenty-five residents and minimal technology, provides a rare opportunity for reflection. Grady arrives weary and desperate for a drink, yet the solace of the location does not come without its own set of challenges. Without a reliable ferry service or phone signal, he finds himself increasingly cut off from the outside world.

The Island and Its Inhabitants

Amberly’s tight-knit community is depicted with an unsettling charm. Grady’s interactions with the locals, while initially benign, become increasingly eerie as the plot unfolds. The eerie ambiance heightens as he begins to see apparitions of Abby, leading him to question his own sanity amidst the alcohol and stress. Cora, a resident who runs the general store, offers him herbal tea that raises further questions about his mental state.

A Writer’s Journey

Despite his tumultuous emotional landscape, Grady starts to write again, crafting a novel that he believes will equal the success of his previous bestseller. However, once he sends it off with the mail boat, apprehension creeps in. Has he drawn too liberally from his own experiences? As the days linger on the isolated island, Grady’s reality becomes increasingly opaque. The need for a ferry back home grows urgent, yet every attempt to discern its schedule is met with confusion and mysterious reluctance from the locals.

A Tension-Building Turn

Here’s where the novel veers into unexpected territory. The pacing accelerates, and the plot twists become more convoluted, ultimately signaling a shift from psychological suspense to a concentrated effort to deliver a thematic message. While I appreciate the attempt to weave in deeper reflections on grief and artistry, the latter part of the story felt burdened by an agenda that detracted from the suspense established in the earlier chapters.

As a heavy believer in the importance of character-driven storytelling, my connection to Grady began to wane during the book's final act. Events felt almost forced, pushing towards resolutions that compromised the narrative’s earlier momentum. After reaching the conclusion, I noted similar sentiments in reviews from other readers, recognizing that this trend of tied-up endings sometimes risks sacrificing the complexity that drew us in.

Final Thoughts

While I found the initial sections of Beautiful Ugly richly atmospheric and engaging, the final chapters left me with a sense of disillusionment. I rate the book three stars, not because it lacks merit, but because it didn’t quite fulfill the promise hinted at throughout the first two-thirds. That said, I remain a fan of Feeney’s work and plan to explore her other novels more cautiously, looking into reviews before diving in.

If psychological thrillers are your go-to, consider Alice Feeney’s previous offerings, such as Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. They exemplify her ability to weave intricate plots with well-developed characters, and I’d recommend them wholeheartedly for those seeking suspenseful literature.

Thanks for visiting — I look forward to sharing more book insights soon!

Rock Paper Scissors
Daisy Darker
Sometimes I Lie

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