Review of Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
As a dedicated fan of Alice Feeney, I couldn’t help but eagerly anticipate her latest novel, Beautiful Ugly. With prior books like Sometimes I Lie and I Am Watching You leaving me spellbound, my excitement reached fever pitch for this new release. The intriguing title paired with the promise of a dark mystery had me counting down the days until I could dive into its pages. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me an advanced copy—what a treat to explore this story ahead of its official debut!
That said, I’m afraid to report that my journey through Beautiful Ugly wasn’t the dazzling experience I had hoped for. While Feeney has a masterful way with words, this newest endeavor left me feeling a bit miffed. The plot revolves around Grady Green, a struggling author whose wife mysteriously disappears, plunging him into a spiral of despair and confusion. As Grady retreats to a secluded island to find his muse—and hopefully his missing wife—chaos ensues. But rather than feeling enraptured by the unfolding mystery, I found myself increasingly disenchanted.
Grady, the male protagonist, turned out to be one of the most frustrating characters I’ve encountered. Initially, I sympathized with his situation; however, as the narrative progressed, his astounding ignorance to the eerie occurrences around him became grating. An author who couldn’t decipher obvious clues? A puzzling choice. The repetitive emphasis on his love for solitude and writing started to feel tedious, turning what should have been character development into filler. Just as infuriating was Abby Green, Grady’s wife, who felt more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out character. Though her tragic backstory brought some emotional weight, it wasn’t enough to truly endear her to me.
Despite these criticisms, I can’t overlook Feeney’s signature writing style. Her ability to weave a web of suspense is second to none, and even amidst my frustrations, I found myself eagerly flipping pages, determined to uncover the truth. One quote that struck me was, "There’s no need to be afraid of the dead, it’s the living that you have to watch out for." It encapsulated the chilling atmosphere of the story and kept me questioning the motivations of each character.
Unfortunately, the plot felt overly complex, filled with twists that often left me scratching my head in confusion instead of delight. I yearned for that classic Feeney twist—the one that leaves you breathless—but it didn’t materialize this time. The story felt like it had immense potential, but it fell short, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste. Overall, I rated Beautiful Ugly a modest 3 out of 5 stars, primarily due to my unwavering appreciation for Feeney’s talent.
If you enjoy a thriller that keeps you guessing and appreciate nuanced prose, you might find some merit in this book. Just be prepared for a more complicated narrative structure and characters that may not resonate as deeply as you’d hope. While this wasn’t the blockbuster hit I dreamed it would be, the reading experience has only strengthened my resolve to continue exploring Feeney’s remarkable body of work. She’s a writer who consistently captures my imagination, and while Beautiful Ugly didn’t quite hit the mark, I look forward to her next venture with wide-eyed anticipation. Happy reading!