Chapter summaries Rock Paper Scissors Alice Feeney

Chapter 34 — Adam: Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Chapter 34, told from Adam's point of view, opens with him retrieving his mobile phone and using its torch to investigate the trapdoor in the chapel. He descends the stone steps, but finds only dusty wine racks and a dirty, homemade-looking pamphlet on the floor titled "The History of Blackwater Chapel." He is certain the pamphlet was not there before. He returns upstairs, distracted by the paper in his hands.

Amelia confronts him immediately, noting that he had claimed he couldn't find his phone. Adam admits he noticed her removing it from the car before they left. He accuses her of lying and acting strangely for weeks, even questioning whether Bob is really missing. Amelia defends herself, saying she loves Bob, and explains that she took the phone because Adam spends so much time on it that she feels invisible. She begins to cry, and Adam, recognizing this as her usual way of defusing conflict, forgives her. He admits that he has not been entirely honest either.

Adam then confesses that the previous night he had not come downstairs for a glass of water. He had seen something in the crypt before bed and returned later to investigate, not wanting to scare her after the earlier crypt incident. He opens a kitchen drawer crammed with old newspaper articles about actress October O'Brien. Amelia recognizes the name immediately, and her reaction is sharp. Adam also shows her the pamphlet he found, suggesting they are not welcome at Blackwater Chapel. He questions who invited them, but Amelia does not answer. She picks up the pamphlet and reads it in silence while Adam watches.

Key Events

  • Adam discovers a homemade pamphlet titled "The History of Blackwater Chapel" on the floor of the crypt, which he insists was not there before.
  • Amelia confronts Adam about lying about his phone; he admits he knew she had taken it.
  • Amelia confesses she took the phone because Adam's constant screen time makes her feel invisible, and she cries.
  • Adam forgives her and admits he had secretly returned to the crypt the previous night after seeing something there.
  • Adam reveals a kitchen drawer full of newspaper clippings about actress October O'Brien.
  • Adam shows Amelia the pamphlet, and she reads it silently, leaving the chapter on a tense, unresolved note.

Character Development

Adam shows a mix of guilt and anger. He feels betrayed by Amelia's deception but also acknowledges his own dishonesty. His decision to hide the pamphlet initially, then reveal it, highlights his internal conflict between protecting Amelia and respecting her dislike of secrets. His observation that "trust can't be borrowed" (paraphrased) underscores his growing disillusionment with their marriage.

Amelia is portrayed as manipulative yet vulnerable. She uses tears as a way to deflect Adam's anger, which Adam cynically notes as her "Get Out of Jail Free card." Her admission about taking the phone reveals her deep insecurity and need for attention, but her sharp reaction to the October O'Brien clippings suggests she is hiding something significant. Her silence while reading the pamphlet leaves her motivations ambiguous.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and Deception: The chapter is built on mutual lies. Adam hides his nighttime investigation; Amelia hides the phone theft. Their exchange reveals that trust, once broken, cannot be easily restored.

Marital Breakdown: The couple's inability to communicate honestly is central. Adam's accusation that Amelia has been "acting strange for weeks" and her complaint that she feels invisible show how far apart they have grown.

Hidden Secrets: The pamphlet and the newspaper clippings are physical symbols of buried truths. The crypt, a place of death and mystery, becomes the repository for these secrets, suggesting that the past will not stay buried.

Isolation: Blackwater Chapel is remote, and the lack of phone signal traps the couple both physically and emotionally. Their inability to call for help mirrors their inability to reach each other.

Manipulation: Amelia's crying is a deliberate tactic, and Adam's awareness of it shows how their relationship has become a series of calculated moves rather than genuine connection.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 34 is a turning point in the novel's mystery. It introduces the pamphlet, which likely contains crucial information about Blackwater Chapel's history and its connection to October O'Brien. The discovery of the newspaper clippings in the kitchen drawer suggests that someone—possibly the chapel's owner or a previous guest—has a deep interest in the actress. Adam's confession about the crypt incident adds another layer to the supernatural or psychological tension. Most importantly, the chapter exposes the fragility of Adam and Amelia's marriage, making them unreliable narrators and deepening the reader's uncertainty about what is real and what is manipulated.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Adam decide to show Amelia the pamphlet after initially considering hiding it?

Adam knows Amelia dislikes secrets, and he has already been caught lying about his phone. He realizes that further concealment would only worsen the distrust between them. By revealing the pamphlet, he attempts to be transparent, even though he suspects the information will upset her.

2. What does Amelia's reaction to the October O'Brien clippings reveal about her?

Amelia's sharp response—"I know who she is, Adam. It's not something I'm likely to forget"—indicates a personal connection to the actress. Her defensiveness suggests she has been affected by October O'Brien in a way she has not disclosed to Adam, hinting at a hidden history that may explain her strange behavior throughout the weekend.

3. How does the lack of phone signal contribute to the chapter's tension?

Adam checks his phone and finds no signal, which means the couple cannot call for help or verify any information. This isolation amplifies their vulnerability and forces them to rely solely on each other, even as their trust is crumbling. It also makes the mysterious pamphlet and clippings their only sources of truth, heightening the suspense.

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