Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney follows the story of Grady Green, an author whose book has just made the bestseller list. Excited to share the news, he calls his wife, Abby, as she’s driving home. But their conversation is abruptly cut short by the sound of squealing brakes. Grady hears Abby get out of the car to investigate an accident—then nothing. Her car is later found abandoned, her phone still inside, but Abby has vanished without a trace.

One year later, a grief-stricken Grady is struggling to write his next novel and fulfill his contract with his publisher. Desperate, his publisher offers him the chance to stay in a cabin on a remote island, a distraction-free retreat where he can focus on his work. But as soon as Grady arrives, he begins to catch glimpses of his missing, presumed-dead wife.

The secluded island is the perfect setting for a thriller: no way off, no contact with the outside world. Grady starts to experience strange and unsettling phenomena—seeing things that vanish when he looks again—and, along with the reader, begins to question his sanity. The island itself is a bizarre and eerie place, and its inhabitants are just as unsettling. Nothing is as it seems.

Alice Feeney’s skillful writing pulls the reader into Grady’s unraveling world. Just when I thought I had a grasp on the story, she’d twist it in a new direction, leaving me questioning Grady’s reality as much as he does. The pacing is engaging, with each chapter compelling me to keep going to see where the story would lead next.

It’s not a perfect novel. There were moments where I had to suspend disbelief, but it’s a well-crafted thriller that balances tension and twists to make it worth the ride.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, and their performances were outstanding. Armitage, in particular, excels at bringing Grady’s inner turmoil and confusion to life, making his struggles all the more vivid. If you’re deciding between the print and audio versions, the audiobook won’t disappoint.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It’s compelling, twisty, and while some parts required me to roll with the narrative, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. If you’re a fan of Alice Feeney or thrillers in general, this book is definitely worth checking out.

★★★★