Beautiful Ugly
By Alice Feeney

Wow! This book took an unexpected turn and I absolutely loved it! I could not stop listening to it every chance I got!

Grady’s wife is missing and his life begins to fall apart after. He moves to a remote island in Scotland to write his next novel and turn his life around and that is where things start to take an unexpected turn for the worse! It is suspenseful and intense! The ending blew my mind!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the digital advanced readers and listeners copy!! The narrators of this audiobook - Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton were amazing to listen to! This novel will be published January 14, 2025! Add it to your TBR!!

I have to admit that I DNF this one. I put it aside at about 75% and just couldn't find the interest to go back to it. I didn't enjoy the storyline as it was going and I had already forgotten half of the story after just a couple of weeks. I've really enjoyed Feeney's work in the past and I am hopeful that this is just a one off for me. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

I received the audio of this one from Macmillan Audio and the narration was well-done, but I was not a fan of the added sound effects. They did nothing to add to the story for me.

Alice Feeney’s Beautiful Ugly is a masterfully twisted psychological thriller that delves deep into the unsettling nature of grief, secrets, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. The novel follows Grady, a man reeling from the sudden disappearance of his wife, who is left to grapple with his overwhelming sorrow and confusion. In an effort to move forward, his publisher suggests he retreat to a small, quiet town, hoping a change of scenery will help him break through his writer’s block. But what Grady finds there is anything but peaceful.

The small town, at first seeming like a refuge, soon reveals itself to be a place where nothing is as it seems. As Grady immerses himself in writing his story, the lines between his personal reality and the strange happenings around him begin to blur. Feeney does an exceptional job of crafting a world that is as eerie as it is enigmatic, creating an atmosphere of tension and suspense that keeps readers on edge throughout.

The novel is full of unexpected twists, each chapter unraveling a new layer of mystery. Feeney’s ability to weave together complex, unreliable narratives makes for a reading experience that is both disorienting and captivating. As Grady delves deeper into the secrets of the town, the true nature of his wife’s disappearance—and his own involvement—becomes increasingly murky. The layers of deception and psychological manipulation will leave readers questioning everything they thought they knew.

At its core, Beautiful Ugly is a dark exploration of loss, guilt, and the lengths people will go to escape or confront their past. With its chilling atmosphere and unpredictable twists, Feeney delivers a story that is as mind-bending as it is haunting. This is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave intricate plots, unreliable characters, and a healthy dose of suspense.

Feeney’s signature style—sharp, atmospheric, and full of dark secrets—shines in this novel, making Beautiful Ugly an unforgettable and thought-provoking thriller that will leave readers thinking long after the last page.

Wow! I just finished the book and the adrenaline is still pulsing through my body. This thriller is full of twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a few times it actually scared me and I’m not sure I’ve ever had an audio book do that before.

The writing & narration took me to the island. I could see the trees & town in my head and hear the ocean waves.

I’ve read several books by Alice Feeney before and really enjoy her writing. So far this one is my favorite. Richard Armitage & Tuppence Middleton did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a wild unhinged ride in a really good way! Grady is a writer who ends up becoming a NY times best seller on the same day his wife goes missing and from there I was just for surprise after surprise. The build up to what actually happened was so great. I didn’t even think our narrator would be an unreliable narrator, I was starting to feel sorry for him, which I didn’t want to, and bam, Alice Feeney hit us with the shocks and twists she is so good at delivering. Everyone on the island where he was willingly sent to was so creepy and I couldn’t figure out if they were all dead, if he was loosing his mind or what! Fantastic read, thank you for this ARC audiobook!

A writer's wife disappears and he struggles to move on. He travels to a very remote island to work on his next book and he begins seeing his wife in different places around the island.

What worked for me:
- a beginning that grabbed my attention from the first page
- interesting chapter titles
- an intriguing setting - this atmospheric island, cold and creepy
- a twist I didn't see coming

What didn't work for me:
- a plot that was just a bit too twisted for me to fully sink into but still I was intrigued enough about what was going on to keep going


3.5 stars rounded up

This is now one of my favorite audiobooks! Alice Feeney is the master of keeping you guessing. This is similar to Daisy Darker with dark, mysterious undertones. If you love eerie suspense- pick this up!

9/10 rounded up - i was on the edge of my seat the entire time, i wanted so badly to finish this one to know what happens.
gone girl, with cult vibes?

i think my only complaint is the reveal felt very rushed and less suspenseful than i would have liked, after the entire book was filled with suspense.
the actual one year later and that ending had me with my mouth hanging open.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced audio copy of “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney in exchange for a review.

I both read and listened to Beautful Ugly (I had a physical copy from my BOTM subscription). The audio was very well done. I liked the background noises, like the ocean, that really added to the atmosphere of the story.

Now the story itself…wasn’t my favorite. It started strong and I was all in on the mystery, but once the pieces started coming together it just became too wild…too out there…too farfetched.

There were a few twists at the end I won’t spoil here, but instead of giving shock and awe, I was just annoyed. Again…too out there for me.

All this to say…not my favorite Alice Feeney, though it was face paced and I moved through it quickly

I usually write a review immediately after I finish a book, but in this instance, I let the book wash over me, I sat with my thoughts, before I tried to put in order how I felt. This is an incredibly hard book to review, without giving away spoilers. There is so much more I want to say, but am unable to.

Grady Green is an author, desperate to be acknowledged as a New York Times bestseller. So much so, that all he is, all he feels is dependent on whether this dream is realised. On that highly anticipated day, the highest of highs, is followed very quickly by the lowest of lows. His wife, Abby, disappears on her way home. Her car, with their fish and chip supper, is found abandoned on a remote cliff top road. Fast forward a year, and Grady’s life is understandably in tatters.

When I started to listen, I was thrilled to find that one half on the dual narration was voiced by Richard Armitage. I know Tuppence Middleton as an actor, though I haven’t listened to her audio portrayal previously. The cadence of both voices suited the mood of the words perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed letting their wonderful storytelling fill my mind.

I found this character driven thriller to be very intense. It is brimming over with locked room claustrophobia. The characterisation is deep, the Isle of Amberly itself is a rich, brooding landscape. So much time is spent within Grady’s head. I questioned his perception of the events surrounding him continuously.

As I’m sitting here, the significance of a small detail towards the end of the book has just registered with me, though I can’t share this with you sadly.
There are so many different elements to the book, so many story strands; that it is only when everything is drawn together by the conclusion, that I understood how intricately woven the plot was.

I wholeheartedly agreed with some of the sentiments expressed by the characters. Authors are my rock stars, and I do enjoy a revenge thriller.
I thought I was reading a book about an author trying to piece his life back together, but the reality was, I was reading an entirely different book; and I loved it. 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

I was so looking forward to this book but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I love Feeney’s books but this felt slow for most of it and then it the ending felt so fast and all of a sudden. I truly appreciate the ARC of this book! Thank you!!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen this book.

WOW! This book was phenomenal.
A quick recap how the story starts. Author Grady Green is waiting for his wife to return home. He is about to find out if he is a NY Times bestseller. On her drive home to him, she finds a person lying in the road, and things go wrong from here.
This story had lots of twists of and turns. It was enjoyable to follow, and not confusing, but had me on my toes wanting to know what happens next.. A great plot, and ending. This is one of best thriller/suspense books I have read in quite some time, definitely a must read!!!

The narration on this audiobook was stellar - Richard Armitage breaks the book to life! I was pulled into the story and did not want to turn away until
I found out what happened. Some dark themes,

Mysterious read filled with ominous creepy vibes throughout. The twist at the end in didn’t see coming which I love in a thriller and the narrator was awesome

I flew through this book! Wow! I'm still reeling from the ending. Alice Feeney doesn't disappoint. The story starts with a mystery almost immediately, and quickly takes an atmospheric and eerie turn. There is something sinister happening on this secluded island, and it is unsettling. No phones, no internet, and no connection beyond the island except for mail. I don't like knowing too much going into a book, so I will just say that if you enjoy a fast paced, suspenseful story, you need to read this one. So well done!

I was very fortunate that Netgalley and Macmillan Audio allowed me to listen to an advance audio copy of Beautiful Ugly. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook when this fantastic book releases! Richard Armitage can read the phone book and I will listen intently to every word. He is the perfect narrator for Alice Feeney's books. The added sound effects were also perfection. The setting of a spooky Scottish Island full of very quirky people and two very unreliable narrators spinning the story will keep you glued to the pages. I won't spoil the plot but you likely won't see the twists or the end coming.

I love Alice Feeney! I love her characters, the writing, the settings she chooses, all just great. This audio was top notch ad well, not only did it tell an amazing story with two narrators- it included quite a bit of audio effects that really enhanced the story. Richard Armitrage is a great pick for this story. Tuppance Middleton also hit it out of the ball park. Both narrators read with feeling and really brought the characters to life. It was well paced and transitioned smoothly through out the audio. I highly recommend the audio version of this story.

Set on a creepy secluded island off the coast of Scotland, a writer (Grady Green) with a complicated past, moves to the island to attempt to write another best seller. The island- with a population of 25, seems to have plenty of secrets. Grady has secrets of his own. Grady's wife Abby disappeared on her way home from work one night. Vanished. Grady has been tormented over the last year trying to find Abby. Turning to his writing he moves to the remote island.

I couldn't put this one down! Highly recommend.

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for a copy of this title. All my reviews are unbiased.

It pains me to say this, because Alice Feeney has always been one of thriller authors, but unfortunately I didn't love this one. Don't get me wrong, I liked the story but I did feel a bit disappointed with it.

My main issue with Beautiful Ugly was the extremely slow pacing. It felt like nothing exciting whatsoever happened in the book up until 80% of the way in.

The redeeming part of the book was the twists. Alice Feeney isn't known as the Queen of the Thriller Twist for nothing. Beautiful Ugly delivers multiple twists towards the end, and that last one, completely changes everything (in the best way)!

Maybe I got myself too psyched up or maybe my expectations were too high going into this one. Or maybe I’m still not over my thriller slump. Even though this one didn't blow me away, I will still continue to read whatever Alice Feeney writes in the future and I also recommend Beautiful Ugly to thriller readers (as well as Feeney’s backlist).

Many thanks to NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

When his wife mysteriously vanishes, a grieving husband—a writer struggling to reclaim his passion—seeks solace in a secluded island cabin. But as he settles into the eerie quiet, it becomes clear that he’s far more isolated than he ever imagined. Strange occurrences blur the line between reality and paranoia, leaving him questioning everything, including himself.

This gripping and atmospheric thriller delves into the haunting power of secrets—those shared, those buried, and the chaos unleashed when they’re finally brought to light. It’s a chilling journey that keeps you on edge, unraveling one dark twist at a time.

Love Alice Feeney for her book twists! And her writing style .. and her characters. This novel sees Grady, an author, experience the worst best day of his life; he reached the best seller list but his wife disappears. A year later Grady has lost everything and clings to the hope of writing when his agent, Kitty, offers him her place on a small Scottish Island with the hopes that Grady will be able to produce another best seller. Despite the beautiful location, strange things are happening. And is Abby, Grady’s missing wife here also? Wonderfully written, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!