Missing

 I just finished a real page turner - Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney. Another new to me author. This book is what I’ve learned is called a domestic thriller? I’m gonna try and explain it without giving away too much. 

In the beginning we meet the married couple Grady and Abby. Grady is a book writer and Abby is an investigative journalist. Grady is anxiously awaiting a phone call from his agent to find out if his latest book is on the NYT bestseller list. He’s also waiting for Abby to come home so they can hopefully celebrate the good news together. When she doesn’t arrive after he gets the call, he phones her. She picks up as she driving. She’s on her way home. 

While they’re on the phone Abby sees someone lying in the road and stops her car. Grady hears what’s going on, tells her not to get out of the car, but she does. Grady doesn’t hear anything more from Abby.  She’s disappeared. Gone. 

Grady struggles to go on without Abby somewhat unsuccessfully. His writing is suffering and his agent calls him in for a meeting. Instead of dropping him from her client list, Kitty sends him to a remote island off the coast of Scotland which once belonged to another writer client of hers to get his head together and concentrate on his new book. The island is reachable only by ferry which sometimes runs once or twice a week. It is inhabited by just twenty five year round residents, no cars are allowed on the island, phone service (land and cell) is sketchy at best, and to top it all off, Grady thinks he sees his missing wife on the ferry ride over. Grief. Right? 

He settles in and tries to make the best of what’s been given to him in order to turn his life around. Find happiness again. He gradually meets the island’s residents, all of whom have their own particular quirks and know each other’s (and Grady’s)  business. While living in the cabin of the former author, Grady finds something hidden there that seems like it can be a lifeline to help with his writer’s block. Does he use it? He’s drinking too much. Thinks he sees his missing wife again. Is hearing things.

About half way through the book, when I was ready for the story to move along a little more, it does. And it keeps moving. Then it takes a turn I didn’t see coming. Had no idea. A good one too. Not just something you feel cheated by that comes from out of the blue. The story moves along explaining, and twisting, and … I don’t want to say any more that might ruin this reading experience, but the end is good.

 I enjoyed this book very much and appreciated it’s flow, and the unfolding of all the elements therein.  I’m looking forward to reading Alice Feeney’s other books and hope they’re all this good.