Rock Paper Scissors

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What did you like most and least about Rock Paper Scissors? 
• The novel’s conclusion has dramatic and violent action as well as several revelations. What did you make of this ending?
• Compare this novel to others by Alice Feeney and/or novels by authors who write in the same genre (for example, Agatha Christie, Ruth Ware, Riley Sager, Lucy Foley, Freida McFadden, Alex Michaelides, Liane Moriarty, Lisa Jewell, Michael Connelly, or Benjamin Stevenson). What are some similarities to the other works? What makes Rock Paper Scissors stand out?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Reflect on any part of Rock Paper Scissors that evoked a strong emotional response (for example, the face Amelia sees outside the kitchen window; Adam nearly falling from the bell tower; the dog’s disappearance; the events of the book’s conclusion; revelations about deception and secrets). Why did this scene resonate with you?
• Explore connections between your life and the experiences of the characters. For instance, have you ever stayed in a place that seemed haunted or occupied by an unfriendly presence? Have you ever used a vacation to help heal a relationship?
• One of the novel’s main themes concerns how Adam often makes both Robin and Amelia feel invisible; even his seemingly altruistic actions have selfish motivations. Have you ever experienced or observed this dynamic in your life?
• Another theme concerns the positive and negative aspects of isolation. Being alone provides space for self-reflection or productivity, but too much isolation can damage one’s ability to trust others or be comfortable in social situations. Have you experienced or observed this dynamic in your life?
• Yet another theme centers on the ways that people poison relationships through secrecy and deception. Does this theme relate to your personal views or experiences?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How does Rock Paper Scissors reflect or comment on current issues and ideas surrounding marriage and fidelity?
• The novel is set in an abandoned chapel. A chapel is typically a place of peaceful reflection where people seek spiritual help during difficult times. How does this ironic setting and cultural context affect the novel? Does the Scottish location add any additional context?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The book takes its title from one of Adam’s movie scripts, which was based on one of Henry’s novels. Examine the symbolic resonance of the title as it relates to the relationships and interactions among the characters.
• The story unfolds from the first-person perspective of the three main characters (Amelia, Adam, and Robin), interspersed with love letters to Adam. Analyze this narrative structure and its impact on the story.
• The letters provide much of the backstory. (For instance, they reveal that their author got the idea from Henry’s novel.) Did you guess that Amelia was not the author of the letters before the novel revealed this? If so, what were the clues?
• List the titles of the letter chapters and analyze their symbolic significance. How do they relate to the book’s title, characters, and thematic content?
• How do the book’s symbols and motifs (Animals and Objects, The Pervasive Color Red, and Prosopagnosia and Other Kinds of “Blindness”) work in the novel? Consider their relationships to specific characters or relationships. Discuss any other symbols or motifs you identified in the book.

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Create a playlist that captures the mood or themes of the book. Alternatively, create a playlist of selections curated to represent each of the novel’s characters.
• Imagine a sequel or continuation of the story. Do Robin and Adam stay together? Do they somehow find peace in their existence, or are they haunted by memories of the past?

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