In Rock Paper Scissors, a married couple travels to Scotland to attempt to salvage their relationship. Instead of being the free, cozy vacation they were hoping for, they find themselves stranded by a snowstorm in a creepy old church. Can their marriage survive? Can THEY survive?

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This is a fun one.

I’ll begin with a quick Rock Paper Scissors summary.

Amelia Wright wins a free stay at a hotel in a remote part of Scotland. Things have been strained between her and her husband Adam, and she’s hoping a getaway together will be an opportunity to get back what they once had. She won the trip at work and didn’t do any research about where they would be staying, so she and Adam go in blind. (Spoiler: she should have done the research.)

When they arrive in the area, they’re a little confused by the tiny cottage they see. Surely this isn’t where they’ll be staying. They were expecting a hotel. But they’re able to drive past the little house when they see a larger structure looming in the distance.

This other building is equally puzzling. It’s an old church that’s been converted to some sort of living space, however, when they finally find an unlocked door, there’s no one to greet them. In fact, there are no signs of life, just a well-stocked freezer and wine cellar.

And then the lights go out.

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Things go downhill quickly. A blizzard leaves them stranded, none of the utilities work, Amanda sees a face in the window, their dog goes missing, and it’s clear that someone has been messing with their stuff, including taking Amanda’s inhaler. When they try to go for help, they find all four tires of their car have been slashed. This is the vacation from hell, but then things get even worse…

While Amelia and Adam are stuck in the former church, they discover clues about what is happening to them. Many of the clues are behind previously locked doors that were mysteriously unlocked, and they provide hints about the owner’s identity and why the two were pulled into this unfolding nightmare.

Clues also are revealed in anniversary letters. These are never given to Adam because they are more like long journal entries that chronicle the decline of a marriage. The letters from the early years document companionship and special moments, but then the two grow apart over the years as he becomes absorbed in his career as a Hollywood screenwriter, and she grows resentful of being his lower priority.

The pieces of the puzzle all converge in the end with several stunning plot twists. So good!

The cleverly constructed storyline is the main star of Rock Paper Scissors, followed closely by the bleak, spooky atmosphere. Sometimes I felt like I was listening to a paranormal haunted house story, however the plot is 100% thriller. The only “ghosts” are the secrets everyone is keeping that come back to haunt them.

I didn’t really care for any of the characters in Rock Paper Scissors. At times I felt like I was listening to a “crazy lady” thriller, and I thought Adam is too self-absorbed.

The readers of the audio book version of Rock Paper Scissors are terrific. Actor Richard Armitage, of The Hobbit fame, has a deep, resonant voice that he uses to portray Adam as resigned and slightly churlish. And the other narrator, who voices the women, portrays them perfectly as a tiny bit unhinged.

I would say that if likeable characters are one of your must-haves, this might not be the suspense novel for you. But if you get a rush from a well-crafted thriller with plenty of twists and surprising reveals, I think you’ll love Rock Paper Scissors.

Have you read Rock Paper Scissors? I’d love to hear your opinion!