Faces in the Snowstorm

Amelia and Adam Wright, a couple on the brink of separation, embark on a journey to a remote chapel in Scotland, hoping to salvage their marriage. The trip, suggested by their marriage counselor, is fraught with tension, exacerbated by Adam's prosopagnosia, a condition that prevents him from recognizing faces, including Amelia's. As they drive through a snowstorm, Amelia reflects on their past, her regrets, and the possibility of a future without Adam. The chapel, a prize from a work raffle, is their last hope to mend their fractured relationship. However, the journey is symbolic of their relationship—lost, cold, and fraught with unspoken fears.

Secrets Behind Chapel Doors

Upon arrival, the chapel's imposing structure and locked doors set a foreboding tone. The couple is greeted by an unsettling atmosphere, with the chapel's interior covered in dust and filled with strange artifacts. As they explore, they find a note welcoming them, but the lack of a clear host adds to the mystery. Adam's unease grows as he discovers a hidden room filled with newspaper clippings about a famous actress, October O'Brien, and a pamphlet detailing the chapel's dark history as a witch's prison. The chapel's secrets mirror the secrets in their marriage, hinting at a deeper, more sinister connection.

The Vanishing Dog Mystery

The couple's Labrador, Bob, mysteriously disappears, adding to the tension and fear. Despite the chapel being locked, Bob is nowhere to be found, leading to a frantic search. The snow outside is deep, and the possibility of Bob being trapped or worse looms large. As they search, Amelia and Adam's trust in each other is tested, with accusations and suspicions surfacing. The chapel's isolation becomes a metaphor for their emotional distance, and the search for Bob becomes a desperate attempt to find what is lost in their relationship.

Ghosts of the Past

Adam's nightmares about a woman in a red kimono resurface, revealing a traumatic event from his past—the death of his mother. These dreams blur the line between reality and memory, leaving Adam haunted by guilt and unresolved questions. Meanwhile, Amelia grapples with her own ghosts, including the loss of a child and the strain of infertility on their marriage. The chapel's history of hauntings and ghostly apparitions parallels their personal hauntings, suggesting that the past is never truly buried.

Unraveling the Truth

As the couple confronts the chapel's mysteries, they must also confront the lies and secrets in their marriage. Adam's discovery of the pamphlet and the newspaper clippings forces them to question why they were brought to the chapel. Amelia's suspicions about Adam's fidelity and his obsession with his work come to a head, while Adam questions Amelia's motives and her own secrets. The chapel becomes a crucible for their relationship, forcing them to face the truth about themselves and each other. The resolution of Bob's disappearance and the chapel's secrets will determine whether they can find their way back to each other or if their marriage is beyond repair.

Secrets in the Snow Unveiled

As Adam and Amelia search for their missing dog, Bob, they stumble upon a grave marked with the name Henry Winter, revealing that the famous author has been dead for two years. This shocking discovery raises questions about who invited them to the chapel and why. The eerie atmosphere and the mysterious disappearance of Bob heighten the tension, as the couple realizes they are not alone in the remote Scottish landscape. The revelation of Henry's death forces Adam to confront the possibility that someone else has been orchestrating their visit, leading to a deeper mystery about their past and present.

The Cottage of Shadows

Adam and Amelia's search for answers leads them to a nearby cottage, where they encounter a reclusive woman named Robin. Her presence is unsettling, and her connection to the chapel and its secrets becomes increasingly apparent. Robin's behavior and the strange artifacts in the cottage suggest she holds the key to the mysteries surrounding the chapel. As Adam and Amelia grapple with their suspicions, they must decide whether Robin is a friend or foe, and what role she plays in the unfolding drama.

Revelations and Deceptions

As the couple delves deeper into the chapel's secrets, they uncover a series of letters written by Robin, revealing her past relationship with Adam and her connection to Henry Winter. The letters expose a web of lies and betrayals, forcing Adam to confront his own past and the choices that led him to this moment. Amelia's role in the mystery becomes clearer, as her own secrets are brought to light. The revelations challenge the couple's trust in each other and their understanding of their shared history.

The Ghosts of Marriage

Adam and Amelia's marriage is tested as they confront the ghosts of their past relationships. The chapel becomes a symbol of their emotional isolation, mirroring the secrets and lies that have haunted their marriage. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, they must decide whether to confront the truth or continue living in denial. The chapel's history and its connection to their personal lives force them to reevaluate their commitment to each other and the future of their marriage.

The Final Confrontation

The tension reaches a climax as Adam and Amelia confront Robin, demanding answers about her role in the events at the chapel. Robin's revelations about her past and her connection to Henry Winter provide a shocking twist, forcing the couple to reconsider everything they thought they knew. The confrontation becomes a turning point, as Adam and Amelia must decide whether to trust Robin or continue their search for the truth on their own. The outcome of this encounter will determine the fate of their marriage and their future.

Truths Buried and Exposed

As the dust settles, Adam and Amelia are left to piece together the final truths about their past and the events at the chapel. The revelations force them to confront their own demons and the choices that have shaped their lives. The chapel's secrets are finally laid bare, providing closure for the couple and a path forward. The resolution of the mystery offers a chance for redemption and a new beginning, as Adam and Amelia decide whether to rebuild their marriage or go their separate ways.

Characters

Amelia Wright

Amelia is a woman on the edge, desperate to save her marriage but haunted by past traumas and unfulfilled dreams. Her husband's inability to recognize her face symbolizes the emotional distance between them. Amelia's longing for a child and her feelings of invisibility drive her actions, leading her to orchestrate the trip to the chapel as a last-ditch effort to reconnect with Adam. Her internal struggle between hope and despair is palpable, as she grapples with the possibility of a future without the man she once loved.

Adam Wright

Adam is a successful screenwriter whose inability to recognize faces, including his wife's, adds a layer of complexity to their troubled marriage. His past is marred by the traumatic death of his mother, a memory that haunts his dreams and influences his relationships. Adam's obsession with his work and his secretive nature create tension with Amelia, as he struggles to balance his career ambitions with the needs of his marriage. His journey to the chapel forces him to confront his past and the lies that have eroded his relationship with Amelia.

Bob

Bob, the couple's beloved Labrador, represents the unconditional love and loyalty that is missing in Amelia and Adam's marriage. His mysterious disappearance at the chapel heightens the tension and serves as a catalyst for the couple to confront their issues. Bob's presence, or lack thereof, symbolizes the emotional void in their relationship and the desperate search for what is lost.

Robin

Robin is Adam's first wife, who has been living in isolation at the chapel. Her connection to Henry Winter and her role in orchestrating the couple's visit reveal a complex web of motivations. Robin's actions are driven by a desire for revenge and closure, as she grapples with the betrayal she experienced in her marriage to Adam. Her character embodies the themes of deception and redemption, as she seeks to rewrite her own story and find peace.

Henry Winter

Although dead, Henry Winter's presence looms large over the events at the chapel. His relationship with Robin and his influence on Adam's career are central to the unfolding mystery. Henry's character serves as a catalyst for the revelations and confrontations that drive the narrative, highlighting themes of legacy and the impact of the past on the present.

Plot Devices

Prosopagnosia

Adam's neurological condition, prosopagnosia, serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional disconnect in his marriage. His inability to recognize faces, including his wife's, symbolizes the lack of intimacy and understanding between them. This plot device highlights the theme of identity and perception, as Adam struggles to reconcile his internal world with the external reality of his failing marriage.

The Chapel

The remote chapel, with its dark history and eerie atmosphere, serves as a physical manifestation of the couple's emotional isolation and the secrets that haunt their marriage. Its transformation from a place of worship to a prison for witches mirrors the transformation of Amelia and Adam's relationship from love to entrapment. The chapel's mysteries force the couple to confront their own hidden truths and the ghosts of their past.

The Vanishing Dog

Bob's disappearance acts as a catalyst for Amelia and Adam to confront the underlying issues in their marriage. The search for their missing dog becomes a metaphor for their search for lost love and trust. This plot device heightens the tension and urgency of their situation, pushing them to face the reality of their relationship and the choices they must make.

Letters

The letters written by Robin serve as a key plot device, revealing the hidden truths and motivations of the characters. These written confessions provide insight into the past and present, challenging the characters' perceptions of themselves and each other. The letters drive the narrative forward, offering a path to resolution and closure for the characters.

Analysis

"Rock Paper Scissors" by Alice Feeney is a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of identity, trust, and the nature of truth. Through the lens of a troubled marriage, the novel explores how secrets and lies can erode relationships and the lengths individuals will go to protect their own narratives. The use of the chapel as a symbol of isolation and the haunting presence of past traumas highlight the theme of confronting one's demons to find redemption. The story challenges readers to consider the impact of perception on reality and the possibility of forgiveness and renewal in the face of betrayal.