“Success is often the result of a series of failures. Try to remember that. You never learn anything from success, but failure can teach you everything about a person. Especially yourself.”
― Alice Feeney, Beautiful Ugly

Alice Feeney is one of my favorite thriller authors. She is a master of plot twists and mixing flawed characters together to create a messy story that requires atmosphere, secrets galore, and unreliable characters. Her 2025 release, Beautiful Ugly, is full of twists and turns that still have me wondering what exactly happened.

What should be the best day of Grady Green’s life ends up being his worst day. Expecting his wife home soon, Grady is anxiously awaiting news of whether or not his latest novel is a New York Times Bestseller. Calling to see where she is, Grady is stunned to hear Abby slam on the brakes, leave her car, and go completely silent. Concerned for her safety, Grady goes searching for Abby only to find her car on the cliff edge road with the headlights still on, the driver door open, and her phone sitting in the car. He combs the area looking, but Abby has disappeared.

Flash forward a year and Grady has hit rock bottom. He has lost his house, is unable to write, and struggles to sleep. His every waking moment is consumed with grief over what happened to Abby. When his agent suggests that he travel to a tiny Scottish island to focus on his writing, Grady takes her up on the offer. He is hopeful that he will be able to write while stranded on this picturesque island with no distractions. While on the ferry to the island, Grady is hit with his first inkling that something is wrong: he sees a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife. That’s impossible. Or is it? Could Abby be hiding out on this island? And if so, why hasn’t she contacted him? What is going on?

While I enjoyed Beautiful Ugly, I have to admit that this isn’t my favorite of Alice Feeney’s, but only because the ending isn’t as tidy as I would have liked. I will say that the ending completely fits with the themes of paranoia and misery that Feeney builds up throughout this novel. Readers are never quite sure who is telling the truth as the book progresses and the end will definitely leave you wondering what exactly has happened. Give this a read and then let me know what you think in the comments below!

This title is also available in large print, CD audiobook, and Playaway audiobook.