“Edgy and complex.”
—People, Best New Books

“Sisterhood is powerful in surprising ways in this twisty, satisfying thriller.”
—Kirkus starred review

“This highly original, cleverly plotted mystery will keep listeners glued to their earbuds.”
—Kirkus, Earphones Award Winner

“Unger understands perfectly how to craft an irresistible thriller... she masterfully builds a multigenerational tale of herb lore, suspense, and female rage. Served Him Right had us completely under its spell.”
—Apple Books

“Revenge is said to be best served cold, but in Lisa Unger’s engrossing supernatural-esque thriller Served Him Right, payback is ladled out red-hot, no holds barred, with no mercy.”
—Sun Sentinel

“Irresistible thriller... And that wild but satisfying ending? Chef’s kiss”
—Tampa Bay Times, Colette Bancroft

“Readers will find themselves breathlessly turning pages until reaching the satisfying conclusion, confirming once again that Unger is a master in the art of suspense.”
—Winnipeg Free Press

“Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena—and angry women everywhere.”
—Booklist

“Nobody writes psychological thrillers better than Lisa Unger and the reasons why are all on display in her latest deviously dark tale Served Him Right, which finds Unger at her twisty-turny best.”
—Jon Land, BookTrib

Recently in my writing, I was surprised to discover that a character I was getting to know on the page was in a wheelchair due to an accident. Theo is resourceful, an accomplished gamer, with a huge social media following where her platform is about body positivity and empowerment for folks with disability. Realizing that I had a deep responsibility as a writer and as a person to portray Theo with as much authenticity and empathy as possible, I started a deep dive into research.

I found the talented writer, editor, and educator Allison Kirkland right here on Substack and reached out to her. Not only did Allison connect me to the equally insightful and generous author Emily Ladau, who offered to (and did!) consult, but Allison also agreed to this interview so that I could share her insights with other writers.

Here, we peel back the layers of writing about characters who do not share the author’s lived experience. Stay with us! It’s long! But if you don’t have the attention span to explore this important topic with us, then you might want to take a look at that. (In other words: Get off TikTok and learn yourself something.)

Lisa Unger:

Diversity in crime fiction deeply enriches the stories we tell — because the world is a mosaic and every piece has its unique place and contributes to the whole. (Fiction is just like life, right?) But writing about someone who doesn’t share your lived experience requires more than great care.

You’ve written beautifully and are a passionate advocate for people with disabilities in the arts. Can we start the conversation with my asking what would you like writers to consider before they include a character with a disability in their work, specifically if they don’t share that experience?

Allison Kirkland:

First of all, Lisa, thank you so much for this thoughtful question. I look forward to digging into this topic with you. I want to preface this conversation by recognizing that the topic of writing outside one’s lived experience, particularly when writing fiction, is an ever-evolving conversation, one that will continue to change. I also want to caveat that I don’t speak for every disabled writer – however, I have been thinking and writing deeply on this subject for a number of years.

When thinking about character development when it comes to disability, I invite writers to think about how their fictional character might view their disability. Do they view it as part of their identity – and if so, how? How has their disability shaped their worldview, and the ways they move in the world? Do they hang with lots of other disabled people? Or not? Do they use the word disabled to describe themselves? Or do they prefer “person with a disability”?

And who are they outside of their disability? What else do they think about, care about, love, hate, wrestle with? Taking some time to answer these questions could give you a more well-rounded view of your character and their internal world as well as how their identity is being shaped.

Occasionally I’ll read a great fiction book and feel that the disabled character is being used solely to make the main character look especially kind or accepting. Example: let’s say the main character is set up to be a rule breaker, or especially mean and closed off. But all of a sudden, we see that he’s a caretaker for his disabled younger brother. Suddenly we see him in a new light! He’s patient and kind, willing to caretake in a way that others are not. But where does this leave the disabled character? Does the disabled character have other functions outside of telling us more about the main character? Do we get to see their inner life?

Historically, disabled characters in fiction have often functioned to uphold existing stereotypes: devoid of sexuality, requiring extreme levels of care, stripped of their own agency, or seen as unusually angelic and “inspirational.” It has been heartening to see this change as writers and readers continue to educate themselves. TV shows like “Breaking Bad,” “Sex Education” and “The Pitt” are known for really nuanced portrayals of disability.

In reality, disabled people are as varied and complex as any other human being. Let’s show these characters in all their complexity!

Lisa Unger:

I love this answer. It seems like common sense (or should be), that people are just people. And that in any community — and in the human race at large — there’s a range of abilities, experiences, attitudes, identities. When we approach our characters with that understanding, it forces us to develop them beyond stereotypes, cultural bias, and tropes. For a character to come alive for the reader, she has to have her own journey. Taking the time to get to know what that is, can only enrich your writing — and your humanity. And maybe the humanity of your readers.

As a fiction writer, I feel the need to inhabit character, even those with whom I don’t share a lived experience. Talking to you and to Emily and digging into language and how it can be used to harm or heal, has been enriching. Thank you for helping me, and the other writers who will read this, get smarter, better at what we do and more awakened to the impact of our words, stories, and characters.

In an interview, famed actress Meryl Streep was asked how she could so totally inhabit the lives of people with whom personally she had not much in common. (I think it was an interview about “The Iron Lady.”) And she said (paraphrasing here) that she believed within every person is the seed of every other person. And that with empathy she could access almost everyone.

Fiction is an act of creation, at its best an act of empathy. A good story, a well-conceived character, can open eyes, open doors, illuminate different experiences.

But what is the line here? Or is there one? Is it ever just not acceptable to write about someone with whom you might not share lived experience?

Allison Kirkland:

This is such a good question, and it’s a big one. Here are a few thoughts that come to mind for me, especially when I’m considering this question through the lens of disability.

If you do decide to write outside your lived experience, the first step is to be honest about what you might not know about this particular identity. Question your own assumptions and be willing to get honest with yourself. Explore, and be open to new information.

Interrogate and be honest about your own creative motivation to include a character outside your lived experience. Why does this fictional character have to embody this identity that’s different from your own? And root your character exploration in our shared humanity: what might you have in common with this fictional character, even despite your differences?

And then, branch out into research. Speak with different people who share the lived experience of the character you’re writing. Use active listening skills when doing your research; more listening than talking. Which is harder than it sounds! Be open to gentle feedback, especially from those who might inhabit that lived experience.

And here’s some guidance that’s particular to disability: it’s important to learn from disabled adults. If you’re on social media you might have run across accounts from “autism moms” and parents who are displaying their medically complex or disabled children in the name of awareness. These parents of disabled kids are often well meaning, but some – not all! – might make assumptions about the inner lives of their children. Proximity to disability is not the same as lived experience of disability. So I think our best teachers, at this moment in time, are disabled adult activists. There are many of them! Emily Ladau, Carly Findlay and Rebekah Taussig are a few who come to mind.

There are many craft essays on this topic. I’ll direct you to one of my favorites: “There is No Secret to Writing About People Who Do Not Look Like You,” by the fiction writer Brandon Taylor. This essay is *mic drop*

Lisa Unger:

Brandon Taylor’s essay is powerful and moving. He has strong opinions about sensitivity readers and diversity panels which I understand. But I think my key takeaway is this: “You can’t write, if you can’t empathize.” This is true for any of our characters. Because no person has our same exact lived experience. Without empathy, we simply cannot imagine anyone and what their life might be like. Nor should we as writers be “allowed” say, in my case, to write only about white, cisgender, abled, middle-aged women from a background of moderate privilege (though my Brooklyn, blue-collar-raised Italian father, and my Irish mother who came from extreme poverty, would laugh at that word). How dull! Empathy is as key to writing well as it is to living well.

You’re a teacher of creative non-fiction, personal essays, and memoir, with an MFA from The New School and a Graduate Certificate from the Denver Publishing Institute. From our conversations and this exchange, I have experienced first-hand your kindness, thoughtfulness, and insights, so I imagine that the writers you teach benefit tremendously from all of those things, as well as your professional expertise. Talk a bit about your work with individual writers, as well your workshops, and what brings you the most joy and satisfaction in these enterprises. Also maybe say a few words about your Substack.

Allison Kirkland:

Taylor’s essay was published in 2016, and I think it’s important to contextualize it that way. Personally, I think Taylor is too tough on sensitivity readers and diversity seminars. I think they can be a first step toward greater empathy, and I think they are important for a variety of reasons – primarily because their very existence underlines the importance of thinking deeply about this topic. And because everyone is coming at this from different levels of knowledge and experience. And because, let’s be honest, empathy is hard work! But I think Taylor’s nuanced point is an important one too, which is that empathy is the first step toward understanding, and that in order to write the other we must first be capable of a deep understanding of ourselves.

I’m glad you asked about my work because it brings up another way to foster empathy that I can’t believe I’m just now including: reading memoir, especially non-celebrity memoir. There are so many gorgeous, moving, memoirs written by disabled writers that illuminate their lives and show them in all their complexity. Truly, disability is not a monolith. I curated a list for Disability Pride that you can find on Bookshop.com if you want to diversify your reading list ...or just read some thoughtful, artful writing. I am also in the process of writing my own memoir.

I’m a voracious reader who loves books of all genres, but there’s something about memoir and personal essay that stands above the rest. There’s so much power in writing one’s own story, even if nobody else sees it. Writing my own story has helped me to understand myself better, and it’s also helped me gain empathy for my younger self and for the people in my life. (I wrote more about this in my essay for Brevity blog, Meet Me in the Middle: Reflections on 33,000 Words.)

Putting one’s life down on the page is incredibly empowering, so in my work as an instructor it’s rewarding to serve as a guide for those undergoing that transformation. I love witnessing my students’ growth – on a craft level, but also in the level of ownership they bring to their own lives.

The memoirist Jeannine Ouellette once wrote that writing personal essay leaves us “more able to live inside our own questions with less panic” and I find that has been the case for me. I also find it incredibly humbling and meaningful that so many people trust me with their most important personal stories. I don’t take that responsibility lightly.

When I graduated with my MFA I always knew that I wanted to teach as well as write. I launched my first workshops in 2018. I teach adult writers of all identities but primarily work with women writers of memoir and personal essay, both in person and online.

I launched my Substack, the intangibles, in June 2023. It grew out of a sense of impatience and has become an integral vehicle for my self-expression. I had been submitting essays to literary magazines, but the publishing world is so slow: it can sometimes take years (!) to find the right fit for your essay. But I had so much to say about what it means to live in my own unique body, and how it influences my creativity and my career. So I decided to launch my own reader-supported publication. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the conversation and building relationships with other writers who are passionate about exploring the intersections of creativity, discipline and difference.

Writing, and, to a lesser degree, publishing has taught me so much about myself and how I want to live in the world: I want to deeply observe the world, I want to become more comfortable with uncertainty, I want to remember the value of taking risks, I want to question my assumptions, and I want to live with more presence and greater empathy.

Allison Kirkland is smart, wise, and generous with her words and thoughts on this very important topic. Writers, if you want to learn more about Allison and her workshops visit allisonkirkland.com.

And subscribe to her Substack “the intangibles” at ; I guarantee you’ll discover something you never thought of before, hopefully about yourself.

Writer and educator Emily Ladau has penned a thoughtful and illuminating book DEMYSTIFYING DISABILITY: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally, with a new edition releasing this September. I learned a great deal from her book, and also on her Substack “Words I Wheel By” at .

These two women are truly remarkable in their talent, their generosity, and their patience. It has been an honor and a joy to get to know them both. I hope you’ll get to know them, too.

SHE WAS NEVER HERE

When a shocking accident costs a young nanny her job, a handsome stranger offers her a position at his isolated estate – in this electrifying psychological thriller from New York Times bestseller Lisa Unger.

When aspiring writer Ivy Chase loses her nanny job, she finds herself broke and with no place to go. Out of options, she has no choice but to accept an unexpected offer from handsome and wealthy widower Evan White. Soon, she’s on a private jet, heading towards the stranger’s isolated estate, Fox Glenn, to care for his two children.

Fox Glenn, lovingly restored by Evan’s late wife, Tess, is idyllic. But the children are haunted by their mother’s death. Lulu is tormented by a menacing imaginary friend named Lavender. Asher is sullen and angry. Almost as soon as Ivy arrives, the police are at the door. The former nanny, who Ivy has come to replace, has disappeared.

Meanwhile, Ivy’s previous employer has discovered shameful things about Ivy. She wants vengeance and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. As Ivy tries to unravel the mysteries of the White family while managing frightening threats of her own, she realizes she’s not safe anywhere – inside or outside the walls of Fox Glenn. Combining eerie gothic suspense with razor-sharp tension, Unger delivers an up-all-night, read-with-the-lights-on thriller about desire, deception, and revenge.

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Once you’ve finished reading, please leave your review at the following links below:

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Thank you so much and happy reading!

CBS New York with Mary Calvi!

Omg. Look how perfectly my outfit matched with the fabulous Mary Calvi’s outfit. No, we didn’t even it plan it. That’s how amazingly we were vibing!

What an absolute thrill to sit down with this smart, funny, kind book lover and be featured on CBS New York. Mary Calvi and I talked about everything from my latest book SERVED HIM RIGHT to writing tips, from social media to sisterhood, and so much more. I felt like we could have kept talking for hours. I hope you’ll tune in and enjoy our conversation. Watch it here

Served Him Right

This little beauty hit the shelves on March 10th. And I’ve been on the road on and off since then. Wait! What? You haven’t read it yet? I think you’re going to love it. Run out and get your copy wherever you buy your books.

Here’s my favorite quote of the week:

“Deliciously twisty, you’ll like it if you like witches or just women who rhyme with them.” —Meredith Anthony, Deadly Pleasures magazine

It’s not really about witches. But it is most definitely about women who rhyme with “witches.” Ha!

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Post Your Review

After you’ve read SERVED HIM RIGHT, please post your review and let your friends know if you love it. There’s nothing nicer you can do for an author than to spread the word. Thank you!

Aw, Look. I’m a Cover Girl!

I didn’t wake up this morning expecting to be a cover girl, but here we are! I loved sharing my favorite Sunshine State adventures with the Tampa Bay Times in their brand new feature “My Favorite Florida.” This is such a wild and wacky place, likewise some of the things I’ve done here since moving from New York City — (gulp) 26 years ago. A walk through the Everglades, a baby alligator encounter, and the charter where I caught my first ever fish. Hint: It was a big one. Read the article

The Safe Room

Coming July 1, 2026. That is so soon!

I’m excited about my new short story, hitting digital shelves on July 1st. This one is deeply personal, and I can’t wait for you to read. I hope you love it.

Private investigator Rae Donovan’s relationship with her father is distant to the point of estrangement. But when she learns he’s dying in hospice, she drops everything to be at his side. By the time she arrives, he’s already too far gone to speak, and a doctor says his death is consistent with poisoning.

As she scours his isolated Adirondack home for clues, she discovers a hidden room filled with surveillance equipment, weapons, and a safe full of cash—maybe her father wasn’t the unassuming retiree she’d imagined. Rae must decide whether knowing the full truth about her family is worth the danger of tracking it down.

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Hamptons WhoDunit, Edgar Awards, and Thrillerfest

Holy wow. Did I mention that I’m an extreme introvert?! But here I am on the road attending conferences galore. Hamptons WhoDunit (amazing!), The Edgar Awards Banquet (Aw, THE KILL CLAUSE didn’t take the Edgar but I still had a blast), and of course the most fun, dynamic, fabulous ThrillerFest EVER. Can I just say that I love these people so much? What a joy to share this writing life with these amazing author friends. I am blessed beyond measure. And tired! I’m really tired. But so, so happy.

What I’m working on:

Oh wait. What’s the other thing I’m supposed to be doing? Does anyone remember? Oh, yeah. I’m a writer — not a party girl.

Of course, I’m writing. Always.

I’m putting the finishing touches on a project I have yet to announce for next year. So stay tuned about that. Let me just say that if you’re a fan of The Hollows, you’re going to be very happy.

I’m doing first pass (the final, final proofreading draft) on my 2027 novel. It’s called — no, not yet. It’s about — omg never! But I’m sure I’ll be doing at least a title reveal soon. Maybe. Haha. Stay tuned.

I’m writing my 2028 novel, which is number 25. I’ll be spending the summer head down on this. It’s a little bit strange because I actually know the ending to this one, or anyway how I think it’s going to end. Which is brand new for me. So I’ll keep you posted. But I’m getting in deep, getting to know the characters, watching their lives unravel. If you know me, you know that this part of my year, when I’m home and it’s all about the writing is all joy for me. So when you think of me, imagine me, nose to the keyboard click clacking way — and loving it.

What I’m reading and watching:

THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore is pure genius, character rich, layered, and haunting. A troubled young girl goes missing from the summer camp owned by her family, harkening back to the disappearance of her brother years earlier. Loving every minute of this, even though I’m late to the party. Moore’s gift for atmosphere, detail, and curiosity of character is mesmerizing.

I was lucky enough to score an early read of RAVEN by the inimitable Lyndsay Faye. I just started reading this gothic reimagining of Poe’s life and work through the story of an orphaned young woman, and I’m already hooked. This one doesn’t come out until October. But in the meantime, read any of Faye’s historical fiction — always with a dash of mystery, darkness, and the supernatural. She’s a gifted storyteller and you’re in for a treat if you’re just discovering her.

Jordan Sawyer’s debut SPEECHLESS is riveting and original from page one. A coma patient, with the help of a communication facilitator, begins to offer chilling messages about the accident that caused his injuries. I have a ways to go with this one, but the unique voice and high concept are fully engaging.

The Netflix version of LORD OF THE FLIES, which Junot Diaz took issue with in his New York Times opinion piece and made some interesting points, was a visual feast, deftly acted by some very young and talented players, and still riveting despite the age of the material. I agree with Diaz that other choices might have been made, that the world is so much more violent, terrible, and strange now than Golding could have conceived when he first penned the iconic 1954 novel. But there’s a lot of beauty here, some interesting camera work, and the story remains a powerful exploration of humanity and civilization — and how quickly it all unravels.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 (in theaters) was total eye-candy, pure fun, and I think in many ways more layered and interesting than the first one, with more to say about art, beauty, body image, female power, and the cultural moment. Definitely lite, of course. But another brilliant performance by the great Meryl Streep. Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci were all fabulous. And the clothes!! Oh, the clothes!

WIDOW’S BAY on Hulu is totally bonkers and darkly funny. I adore Matthew Rhys, and his turn in this is notably different from his roles in “The Americans” (one of my all time favorite shows) or the more recent “The Beast in Me.” The talented young actor Kingston Rumi Southwick is a bright light. If you’re looking for some haunted island vibes with a little bit of fun, this one’s for you.

I always love sharing all my news with you. Thanks for being here.

Stay tuned for a little bit more about the upcoming 2027 book, and the deep dive I did into research for one of my characters, in a special edition of this newsletter — coming soon. In the meantime, happy reading!

Buckle up, because there is a lot to share, so I’ll get right to it.

Served Him Right

Wow, thanks, guys! You really knocked it out of the park. What an amazing outing, and still going strong. If you haven’t picked up your copy of SERVED HIM RIGHT, grab one from your favorite bookseller today.

Here are just a few of the exciting highlights since the release last month…

• USA Today Instant Bestseller

• People Best Book of March

• Amazon Editors’ Pick: Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense of March 2026

• Woman’s World Best New Mystery Books

• Kirkus Earphones Award Winner

• GoodReads Spring’s Most Unputdownable Mysteries & Horror Novels

• Bookbub Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2026

• Readworthy Best Thriller Books of 2026

• Hoopla Most Anticipated Read

“Edgy and complex.”
—People, Best New Books

“This highly original, cleverly plotted mystery will keep listeners glued to their earbuds.”
—Kirkus, Earphones Award Winner

“Lisa Unger understands perfectly how to craft an irresistible thriller...she masterfully builds a multigenerational tale of herb lore, suspense, and female rage. Served Him Right had us completely under its spell.”
—Apple Books

“Revenge is said to be best served cold, but in Unger’s engrossing supernatural-esque thriller Served Him Right, payback is ladled out red-hot, no holds barred, with no mercy.”
—Sun Sentinel

“Irresistible thriller... And that wild but satisfying ending? Chef’s kiss”
—Tampa Bay Times, Colette Bancroft

“Nobody writes psychological thrillers better than Lisa Unger and the reasons why are all on display in her latest deviously dark tale Served Him Right, which finds Unger at her twisty-turny best.”
—BookTrib, Jon Land

“Lisa Unger has done it again. This is another thrilling thriller that only she can write. This is one you will not want to put down.”
—Red Carpet Crash

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Post Your Review

After you’ve read SERVED HIM RIGHT, please post your review and let your friends know if you love it. There’s nothing nicer you can do for an author than to spread the word. Thank you!

Ana’s Angry Breakup Playlist

If you’re heart-broken, filled with rage over your disappointing ex and his bad behavior, here’s a music playlist to see you through. I loved putting this together for LargeHeartedBoy. Read more and listen

New York Times Article

Thriller writers love chaos. (Or maybe that’s just me.) And nothing offers more fearsome unpredictability than a raging storm. It’s a classic theme in literature: man (person!) vs nature. In the real world when the skies open, the best we can hope for is survival. In fiction, extreme weather asks our characters to rely on their wits, their inner reserves of strength, and their creativity to make it through the night.

For this New York Times article, I explored some of my favorite dark and stormy stories by some of my favorite writers. Read it now

Book Tour

The book tour for SERVED HIM RIGHT was an absolutely dream outing, characterized by packed events, reader pals lining up, amazingly kind booksellers and librarians, fabulous author pals, tattoos, and a puppy. I’ll have to hand it to my friend Debbie Kelley for the best ever book group gathering featuring an actual police officer showing up at the door (IFKYK), handmade protection effigies, a gathering of brilliant readers and so many flowers. I was blown away. All authors know that book tour has its crazy ups and downs. But this one was all joy.

Hamptons WhoDunit

Omg! I am so excited for this. What a thrilling weekend with author pals and readers in stunning East Hampton. I’m thrilled to be featured along with other guest of honors Jack Carr and Attica Locke, as well founder Alafair Burke, pals Gregg Hurwitz and Kate White, and other amazing writers. Big thanks to the wonderful Abby Dunn (nee Endler) for inviting me and for arranging everything. I can’t wait to attend next week.

The Kill Clause - Edgar Awards & The Best American Mystery Stories of the Year!

My Christmas short story The Kill Clause is nominated for a 2026 Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Short Story. AND it will be anthologized in THE BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR, edited by the legendary Tess Gerritsen and Otto Penzler. We write alone. And we’re never quite sure how the work will be received. I am honored and humbled by these acknowledgements.

Beautiful Lies 20th Anniversary

On April 18th, Beautiful Lies will turn twenty! Holy cow. How is this even possible? When it first published my daughter Ocean was four months old. We embarked as a family on a two-week book tour — yes, that’s right I went on the road with a nursing infant. (Read about book travels with my daughter here.) This book, after four published under my maiden name, was my first New York Times and international bestseller. (This after being rejected by my publisher at the time, forcing me to find a new one for this release.) It was 2006, before social media, before smart phones, when ebooks were still a fractional part of overall sales. Goodreads did not exist. Amazon was pretty new to the business. Simply put, it was a different time. And this book still remains one of the top sellers of my career.

Buy Now

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What I’m working on:

Oooh, I have lots to share here in spite of being on the road for the last couple of weeks. But Substack is already telling me that this newsletter is too long. The nerve! So, stay tuned for next time when I’ll have lots of news about what I’m writing, and some exciting projects coming up this year, including an exciting collection of my short fiction and a new story.

What I’m reading and watching:

Just a quickie here, too. SOMETHING VERY BAD IS GOING HAPPEN, on Netflix, was completely bonkers. Also, in the darkly funny and weird category COLD STORAGE, and GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, AND DON’T DIE (both wherever you rent for a stupidly high price because you convince yourself it’s cheaper than going to the movies). If you enjoy sitting on your couch, thinking: What did I just watch? — these are for you. In books, STAY BURIED by Jennifer McMahon (coming in August) was riveting folk horror. ANTIHERO by Gregg Hurwitz was a stellar installment to one of my favorite series. And Mary Kubica’s IT’S NOT HER was dark and twisty.

Thanks, my wonderful readers, for making the release of my 23rd novel an absolute blast. I’m so grateful that you continue to let my stories into your hearts and minds. The truth is that I couldn’t do this without you. Happy reading!

And now the book is yours!

It’s mine while I’m writing, editing, rewriting but then it goes out into the world and hopefully finds its way into your hands. Then the story belongs to my readers. And that is such a beautiful thing!

Visit your favorite bookstore today, or come out and see me on the road, and grab your copy! And THANK YOU for welcoming my stories and characters into your hearts and minds. And thank you, as always, for reading!

Served Him Right

I’m so honored by all of the amazing reader feedback and early praise. Here are just a few of the latest:

• Amazon Editors’ Pick: Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense of March 2026

• Bookbub Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2026

• BookTrib Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers Coming in 2026

• Woman’s World Best New Mystery Books

“Breaking up isn’t just hard to do—it can be fatal. Unger keeps the suspense in high gear, skillfully swinging among several vividly portrayed first-person narrators... Sisterhood is powerful in surprising ways in this twisty, satisfying thriller.”
—Kirkus starred review

“Unger’s latest mystery is an exploration of the patriarchy through the lens of female rage, with some witchy vibes added for extra fun. The combination of revenge, generational trauma, and girl power makes this a fun and twisted tale. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena—and angry women everywhere.”
—Booklist

“Nobody writes psychological thrillers better than Lisa Unger and the reasons why are all on display in her latest deviously dark tale Served Him Right, which finds Unger at her twisty-turny best.”
—Jon Land, BookTrib

“A twisty and pacy thriller told through multiple points of view, Served Him Right reveals that betrayal is the most bitter poison of all.”
—Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid series

“A break-up brunch goes terribly wrong in this deliciously twisted tale of revenge. The fast-paced plot pulled me in and the tangle of secrets and lies kept me guessing until the very end! Lisa Unger always delivers.”
—Ashley Elston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins

“Only Lisa Unger could turn a breakup brunch into a ticking time bomb. Deliciously wicked, with a slow drip of dread that builds to a boil, Served Him Right is darkly funny, deliciously twisted, and entirely addictive. I devoured it.”
—Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author

“Served Him Right is a page-turner starring complex characters that you love and hate. Does this story offer an incredible plot, unrelenting twists—of course! This IS a Lisa Unger story, after all. But as I gasped, ‘OMFG’ over and over again, and flipped pages with wide eyes, I learned the best kinds of dangerous stuff! I absolutely devoured this book.”
—Rachel Howzell Hall, New York Times bestselling author

“Lisa Unger is a consummate storyteller. With luminous prose, intricately developed characters, and elegantly crafted plots, her work captivates from the first page to the last.”
—Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author

“Served Him Right delivers a compelling plot filled with suspense, unexpected turns, and a strong emotional core. It’s a bold, dramatic story that keeps you guessing while offering a fresh twist on the psychological thriller genre.”
—Crimespree Magazine

“Lisa Unger has done it again. This is another thrilling thriller that only she can write. This is one you will not want to put down.”
—Red Carpet Crash

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Book Tour

Will I be in your area? If so, please come visit with me in person.

March 9 at 7pm ET. Tombolo Books. St. Petersburg, FL. Get Tickets

March 10 at 7pm ET. Main Street Books. St. Charles, MO. Get Tickets

March 11 at 7:30pm ET. M. Judson Booksellers. Greenville, SC. Get Tickets

March 12 at 6pm ET. Page 158 Books. Wake Forest, NC. Get Tickets

March 13 at 6:30pm ET. Midtown Reader. Jacksonville, FL. Get Tickets

March 15 at 4pm ET. Oxford Exchange with Roxanne Wilder. Tampa, FL. Get Tickets

March 25 at 6:30pm PT. A Slice of Literary Orange with Gregg Hurwitz. Orange County, CA

March 28. Keynote Speaker. A Day of Authors. Fullerton, CA

April 16-19. Guest of Honor. Hamptons WhoDunit. East Hampton, NY

May 5-9. Thrillerfest. New York, NY

As writers, we only control what we do at the keyboard, so this is a heady time where the book goes from being mine, to becoming yours. I can only hope that you’ll love reading it as much as I loved writing it.

I’ll be back on the road soon, visiting some of my favorite stores, and hopefully connecting with you. Keep reading to see my schedule. And if you see that I will be in your area, come out to say hello!

There is a lot to share, so let’s get to it!

Served Him Right

I’m so thrilled by the early reader feedback. Here are just a few of the wonderful comments…

“This is my 1st 5 star read of the YEAR. It’s like Desperate Housewives meets Big Little Lies, but darker and spikier. Fast, fun, and a little wicked—SERVED HIM RIGHT is the kind of thriller you devour in one sitting.”

“Unger’s writing is sharp and immersive, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love psychological thrillers with heart, SERVED HIM RIGHT is a must-read!”

“Lisa Unger has done it again. SERVED HIM RIGHT pulled me in from the very first chapter and didn’t let go… I loved how Unger wove together sisterhood, suspicion, and vengeance in such a sharp, emotionally charged way.”

PRE-ORDER NOW!

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop

Book Tour

March 9 at 7pm ET. Tombolo Books. St. Petersburg, FL. Get Tickets

March 10 at 7pm ET. Main Street Books. St. Charles, MO. Get Tickets

March 11 at 7:30pm ET. M. Judson Booksellers. Greenville, SC

March 12 at 6pm ET. Page 158 Books. Wake Forest, NC. Get Tickets

March 13 at 6:30pm ET. Midtown Reader. Jacksonville, FL

March 15 at 4pm ET. Oxford Exchange with Roxanne Wilder. Tampa, FL. Get Tickets

March 25 at 6:30pm PT. A Slice of Literary Orange with Gregg Hurwitz. Orange County, CA

March 28. Keynote Speaker. A Day of Authors. Fullerton, CA

April 16-19. Guest of Honor. Hamptons WhoDunit. East Hampton, NY

May 5-9. Thrillerfest. New York, NY

Other appearances

February 11 at 7pm ET. Tombolo Books. In Conversation with Kara Rouda. Get Tickets

February 12 at 6:30pm ET. Oxford Exchange. In Conversation with Adele Parks. Tampa, FL. Get Tickets

Goodreads Giveaway

Less than two months to go until SERVED HIM RIGHT is released, but if you can’t wait that long, click here for your chance to win an early copy on Goodreads.

A Look Back on 2025

Wow, is it just me, or did 2025 pass by in a blur? But on New Years Eve, when my daughter, husband, and I went through all our photos (our yearly ritual), I realized that even in the midst of all the challenging moments, there was still a lot of joy. Here are just a few of the many bookish highlights:

The Kill Clause

Wow! What an outing. THE KILL CLAUSE was a Amazon First Reads pick back in November, then became a #1 Bestselling Kindle Single and made it’s way onto a billboard on 7th Ave in NYC in December, and is still a bestseller now in January. Thank you so much to you my wonderful readers, and to Amazon Original Stories, for knocking this out of the park!

What I’m working on:

This is that crazy moment in time when I’m getting ready to launch SERVED HIM RIGHT, editing my 2027 release (UNTITLED), and writing the novel that will release in 2028! How do I keep all these balls in the air?

Well, of course it’s those golden early morning hours for the creative. Writing or editing first thing, always.

Then, in the afternoons, I attend to the marketing of the book about to hit the shelves. I schedule any interviews, meetings, or even things like writing this newsletter after the real, deep work is done. Because if you start the day with the business of publishing, very little writing will get done. Trust me!

I just finished up copyedits on a new short story coming out this summer called THE SAFE ROOM. It is about a grieving private investigator who is forced to investigate her estranged father’s mysterious death, and finds that her dad’s retirement as a birdwatcher was not what it seemed. More on this soon.

And there’s a very exciting project that will release in the fall. All of my short stories and novellas will be collected in one gorgeous, slipcovered, illustrated, signed PRINT edition! If you have been reading me for a while, you know that most of my short stories are only available in either ebook or audio formats. So, I’m really geeked out about this. This will be a limited edition run, so you’ll want to be the first to place your order. Stay tuned here in the coming months for a link to get your copy.

What I’m reading and watching:

THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore. When a Barbara Van Laar disappears from summer camp, long buried secrets and dark truths come to back to haunt. I’m late to the party on this one. I love a real book, written with care, rich with character and atmosphere, a slow burn into story, something you can really sink your teeth into. This is all of that and more. Smart, engrossing, all too human.

ANTIHERO by Gregg Hurwitz. What can I say? Gregg is my bestie, my co-prez, and truthfully one of my favorite writers. He only gets better with each book and the Orphan X series is just stellar, with gorgeous writing, beautifully drawn characters, breakneck pacing, cool tech, and — vodka. If you’re a fan already, you’ll love it. If you haven’t read — what are you waiting for?

THE AWAKENED BRAIN: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life by Dr. Lisa Miller. Mind blown. I heard Dr. Miller on Martha Beck’s podcast, The Gathering Room, and her wisdom and insights resonated deeply with me. This is on my list of books that have changed the way I see the world, right up there with THE FOUR AGREEMENTS by Miguel Ruiz and A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle. Life changing if you’re ready for it.

PLURIBUS on Apple TV. This was deeply weird. A virus takes over the planet, turning everyone happy and connected (like literally sharing one mind, all knowledge and skills). And one of the only people who finds themselves immune is Carol (Rhea Seehorn), a middle aged, bestselling romantasy author. Created by Vince Gilligan of “Breaking Bad,” this show has all the great writing, character depth, and assured plotting you would expect. I’m still puzzling over some of the elements. This is a thinker’s show — funny, intelligent, observant, and with lots of unsettling commentary about human nature, what we want — and don’t.

THE DAY OF THE JACKAL on Peacock. This is a modern spin on the 1970 Frederick Forsyth thriller THE DAY OF THE JACKAL. Written by Ronan Bennett and starring the magnificently talented actors Eddie Redmayne and Lashanda Lynch, it is a sumptuously shot, gorgeously written, and binge-worthy series that gets in deep to the origin story of a trained killer and the woman hunting him. Screenwriter Ronan Bennett wrote an excellent article for The Guardian about being asked to access this iconic novel and the resulting films and make it fresh. Read it here.

THE BEAST IN ME on Netflix. If I had to pick a favorite show of 2025 — and you know I hate to do that! — this would be it. Brilliantly acted by Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, this series dug in deep to themes that I explore in my novels. How are we complicit in the worse things that happen to us? Where is the line between justice and revenge, or is there one? How do we claw our way back from life-rupturing trauma, or can we? Claire Dane’s enthralling and heartbreaking performance is the gem here, but the show itself is a masterclass in smart, layered, suspense.

I hope your 2026 is off to a roaring start, that your TBR pile is rich and deep, and that you can join me in person at one of my upcoming events.

Of course, let me know when you’ve read SERVED HIM RIGHT and don’t be shy! Please post your reviews and let your friends know if you love it. There’s nothing nicer you can do for an author than to spread the word. Happy reading!

Buy now (or read it for free with Kindle Unlimited): Amazon

The Kill Clause

How thrilling that my Christmas short story THE KILL CLAUSE is an Amazon First Reads pick this month! This means that you can read it for free all month before it goes on sale December 1st.

It has also been a #1 Kindle Single Bestseller for the entire month of November. This would not have happened without you, my wonderful readers. So, a huge thank you!

What’s it about, you ask? Fair warning, if you’re expecting a cozy little yuletide tale, then you don’t know me at all.

This one’s a little dark, a little spicy, and hopefully it will keep you up past your bedtime. (Just not on Christmas Eve, because then Santa won’t come.) A hit woman botches a job and finds herself dealing with an angry boss, a stalking ex husband, and her own unhealed trauma on Christmas Eve. The holidays can be a real killer, am I right? Hope this helps you cope.

Christmas Presents

If you are looking for something a little longer … don’t miss my novella CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. Learn more

Served Him Right

Galleys are here and they look spectacular!

I simply can’t wait to share this one with you. Coming March 10, 2026, this book features one of my all time favorite characters — someone who scared me a little, who made me laugh, and who I’m still thinking about even through I’ve already written another book. I hope you enjoy meeting Ana and her sister Vera as much as I enjoyed getting to know them.

Would you like to win an early read? Visit me on Instagram for your chance to get a signed galley LONG before it will be available in stores.

PRE-ORDER NOW!

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What I’m working on:

You are not going to believe this. But I actually went on a real vacation where I didn’t work at all. And I didn’t spend all my time wondering what dark and horrible thing might happen. (Not all my time.) (And of course, this is not to say that I didn’t write which I always do no matter where I am.) My vacation was amazing, restorative, and I feel renewed.

When I got back, I hit the ground running on revisions for my 2027 book and a new short story. But I’m coming to the work fresh and I’m excited to make both projects better than they were before. Stay tuned.

What I’m reading and watching:

THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf. Heather is one of my favorite authors and people, and I devoured her latest. So of-the-moment, smart, sharp, and full of twists and turns, this thriller never lets up from the explosive first scene to twisting end. AND I had the chance to chat with her at Tombolo Books on November 6th. We had such a blast.

THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese. I’m still in the middle of this, and it’s not a new release. But this gorgeous, immersive epic has me riveted page after page. Beautifully written, poignant, sad, funny, and so character rich, this story has been with me on two international flights, and all through our trip to Spain. A true joy to read. I don’t want it to end.

INDIE DARLING by Lauren Nossett. I just started this one and I’m already hooked. It’s set in Nashville, featuring Kelly Williams a Dolly Parton-loving, sports car driving PI who finds herself entangled with the rock star Seraph. When Seraph is shot onstage and then the ambulance that carries her off disappears, Kelly is pulled into a dangerous web of secrets. With a fresh, engaging voice, vivid characters, and a thrilling twisty plot, Nossett brings all her considerable talents to every page.

THE DIPLOMAT Season 3 on Netflix. This show! Brilliant, shocking, vexing, funny. The dialogue. That crazy marriage. The first two seasons were fantastic but this season is a whole new level. And that ending. Wow. If you haven’t experienced this show, I’m jealous you get to watch it for the first time. Start at the beginning and binge.

RESERVATION DOGS We stumbled upon this Hulu show by accident and fell in love. Four indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma steal and save so that they can run away to the magical, far away land of California where surely a better life awaits them. It’s moving, funny, deep, and deeply engrossing. Some star performances here by the young actors Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, and Lane Factor.

BLACK RABBIT on Netflix might be my favorite show of the year. Jason Bateman. Jude Law. New York City restaurant scene. Simply put: it’s flawless. Perfect plotting, engrossing, flawed, beautiful characters, a stunner of an ending. Spend your weekend with this one.

On the Road

Stay tuned for my SERVED HIM RIGHT March book tour schedule. But, in the meantime, here are some other exciting events on the horizon.

April 16-19, 2026
Guest of Honor
Hamptons WhoDunit
East Hampton, NY

May 5-9, 2026
Thrillerfest
New York, NY

What I’m thinking about:

This month, my husband Jeff and I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. He’s the love of my life, my partner in crime, and my very best friend. We went to Spain and truly spent the time to toast each other and our years together, all the highs and lows, and normal days in between.

I am so blessed to be married to this person who is my rock and my playmate, who I want to tell everything first, who gets me, who I get, and who is always there, as I am for him. It’s so easy to take each other for granted after years of living together, co-parenting, co-working. But I don’t. I know I’m the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you, honey, for a quarter century (!!!) of true love. Here are some of the pics from our truly epic anniversary trip:

Meanwhile, I am about to start work on my 25th novel. Next month my daughter turns 20!

I lost my dad this year, so these milestones feel big and important, proof that even in a year that’s been less than wonderful, there are still big moments to celebrate. And that maybe because of the journey of loss and grief, it’s more crucial than ever to be in gratitude for all that is good. It can be easy to narrate everything that’s been painful and define the year that way. But there is joy and beauty, even in difficult times. So that’s where I choose to dwell as the year draws to a close.

And as the holidays approach, I’d like to express my gratitude for you, wonderful readers. Thank you for being with me on this journey. I wouldn’t be here without you. No matter if you celebrate, or how you celebrate in the coming months, please know that I’m thankful for you. Wishing you the happiest of holidays.

Pre-order your copy of SERVED HIM RIGHT now through October 9th and receive an annotated chapter — containing my handwritten thoughts, notes, asides about characters, inspiration and more.

✨CLICK HERE TO GET THE ANNOTATED CHAPTER

Fill out the form at the link above and you’ll receive the annotated chapter via email after the giveaway ends on October 9th. I hope you enjoy this early sneak peek at the new book, along with some of the behind-the-scenes thinking and research that goes into every novel, things that usually don’t make it onto the page.

Thank you so much and happy reading!

As always at this time of year, I’m nose to the keyboard finishing a draft on my next novel. Lots to share, so I’ll get right to it.

Served Him Right

Things move so fast in publishing these days! It feels like CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 just released and now we’re already turning attention to my upcoming March 2026 novel.

Honestly? I’m so excited to share this one with you. Writing it was a wild ride, and I met some characters that surprised (and scared!) me. I can’t wait to introduce you to them.

Early Praise

It means so much to have so many authors I admire read and weigh in with early words of praise. Here’s what they are saying:

“A twisty and pacy thriller told through multiple points of view, Served Him Right reveals that betrayal is the most bitter poison of all.”
—Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid series

“A break-up brunch goes terribly wrong in this deliciously twisted tale of revenge. The fast-paced plot pulled me in and the tangle of secrets and lies kept me guessing until the very end! Lisa Unger always delivers.”
—Ashley Elston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins

“Only Lisa Unger could turn a breakup brunch into a ticking time bomb. Deliciously wicked, with a slow drip of dread that builds to a boil, Served Him Right is darkly funny, deliciously twisted, and entirely addictive. I devoured it.”
—Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author

“Served Him Right is a page-turner starring complex characters that you love and hate. Does this story offer an incredible plot, unrelenting twists—of course! This IS a Lisa Unger story, after all. But as I gasped, 'OMFG' over and over again, and flipped pages with wide eyes, I learned the best kinds of dangerous stuff! I absolutely devoured this book.”
—Rachel Howzell Hall, New York Times bestselling author

“Lisa Unger is a consummate storyteller. With luminous prose, intricately developed characters, and elegantly crafted plots, her work captivates from the first page to the last.”
—Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author

PRE-ORDER NOW!

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Deleted Scene:

*Spoiler Alert*

In the revision process, there’s so much change, or can be. Scenes get cut, rewritten, moved around. Some descriptions, even characters, are discarded when they no longer advance pacing or the plot. It can be painful, but necessary to serve the story.

So, at the end of every novel, I have a file of deleted scenes. I’m not sure why this one got cut. I like it because it offers so much detail about Cora, Selena’s mother who is a minor but important character, and her husband Paulo. Paulo, though he has an even smaller role on the page, felt significant to me because he was the good man Cora found after she summoned the courage to leave her cheating husband, Selena’s father.

In a very real sense, the root of Selena’s problems in CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 is her parents’ horrible marriage, and all their secrets and lies. And I explore that a little bit here.

Ultimately, however, it probably wound up on the cutting room floor because it slowed the narrative, which was — or should have been — heating up at the end.

Again — beware! This deleted scene might include spoilers if you haven’t read (and, hello, why haven’t you?) the book.

Read the Deleted Scene!

What I’m working on:

Maybe it’s the insane Florida heat keeping me in the A/C, or being home and somewhat settled after so much travel and upheaval in the early part of the year. But I’ve been in an intense writing phase, completing the first draft on my 2027 novel. To be clear, the book is not done. But the bones are there, and there’s so much joy in seeing the narrative — which develops for me on the page, in the writing — find its shape and form. I’m still wrestling with some of the plot points, wondering about this and that, still asking some questions about character and pacing. But in this next draft, before I turn it in to my editor (Hi, Erika! xo), I will find those answers. Ahem. I hope. (Hi, again, Erika! xo)

Speaking of my wonderful editor, she and I have been talking a lot about “hooks.” What she needs, what my publisher needs, to actually sell the book. Unfortunately, I don’t know what that is until the end. Which I think drives everyone, including me, a little crazy. The idea itself seems little wonky. How can you figure out how to sell a thing that hasn’t even been written yet? And at what point does the business of selling start to hinder the process of creativity?

It’s a complicated question — because this is very definitely a business and also very definitely first a creative enterprise and the two things don’t mingle easily — and I don’t have the answer. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. But the good news is: I think I have “the hook” for this one. (I told you I would find it, Erika! xo) Of course, only after I have written an entire novel. When I got together with my pal Eli Cranor at Tombolo Books a couple of weeks ago, we talked about this at some length. He wrote about it for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette:

I also finished a draft on a short story. And I am nearing the end of a novella that has been on the back burner for a while. (Those of you waiting for the next Hollows book, this one is for you!) So stay tuned for more on all of that.

What I’m reading and watching:

I had the pleasure of an early read from one of my faves Kate White. I won’t blow her title reveal, but I will say that this is her best yet — gripping, poignant, and unputdownable. I read it in a single sitting. Look out for it in 2026!

I’m also lucky enough to have a bound manuscript of Ashley Elston’s upcoming novel. I’m just a few pages in and I’m totally hooked.

Lisa Gardner’s KISS HIM GOODBYE was rich, deep, and enthralling and features a memorable new character alongside the perennially great Frankie Elkin. As ever, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. So good. Lisa is a master.

Karin Slaughter always delivers riveting, first rate crime fiction. In WE’RE ALL GUILTY HERE, she’s at the top of her game with layered characters and masterful storytelling.

THE HUNTING WIVES on Netflix, created by Rebecca Cutter based on the book by May Cobb. This show is absolutely off the chain bonkers and lots of fun. So many twists and turns, as well as deep, interesting characters. And very sexy. Absolutely not for the prudish. We’re not. We totally binged it. You should, too. And, May? We need to hang out more.

HIGHTOWN also created by Rebecca Cutter, and now on Netflix. Gritty, soapy, and unsettling in a number of ways, but absolutely bingeable — if you don’t mind yelling yourself hoarse at characters for all their insane choices (which I don’t). There are some great performance here, especially from Monica Raymund as troubled, addicted cop Jackie, and Atkins Estimond as the layered and interesting drug dealer Osito.

SMOKE by Dennis Lehane on Apple TV. Dennis Lehane is one of my all-time favorite writers. So, of course, we are going to watch anything he creates. This is dark, gritty, shocking, and bleakly funny, with sterling performances from the brilliant June Smollett, Taron Egerton (though I actively despise his character Dave Gudsen), and John Leguizamo. Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwin delivers a heartbreaking and terrifying performance as Freddie. And what a finale! I have never seen an entire season be literally made by its final scenes. But wow.

On the Road

I know. I’m all over the place this year. These are my final appearances for 2025, so I hope you can make it out to one of the events, and I look forward to seeing you.

September 25 at 3pm and 6:30pm ET | Brunswick Library | Brunswick, OH
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October 5 at 2pm ET | Detroit Public Library | Detroit, MI
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October 6 at 7pm ET | West Bloomfield Township Public Library | West Bloomfield, MI
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October 7 at 7pm ET | The State Theater | Bay County Public Library | Bay City, MI
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Plus, an epic end of the year virtual event…

November 13 | The Lisa Panel | ITW Thriller School
Register Now

I hope the approach of autumn finds you gearing up for spooky season, and in the meantime enjoying the last days of summer, all of life’s transitions, happily completing projects, and beginning new ones. Maybe I’ll see you on the road this fall, and if not, happy reading!

SERVED HIM RIGHT

When Ana Blacksmith gathers her friends for a Sunday brunch to EX-orcise her cheating former lover from all their social media feeds, things start to go wrong fast. 🥀 The police are at the door. Someone at the brunch becomes deathly ill. And Ana’s former lover? Well … you’ll just have to read to find out.

Stay tuned for exciting giveaways, opportunities to be an early reader, special content, and more as we count down to SERVED HIM RIGHT coming March 10, 2026.

In the meantime, pre-orders matter! They let my publisher know that people are excited about the book — which is so important. So, if you plan to read SERVED HIM RIGHT at any point, please pre-order it now from your favorite bookseller.

✨PRE-ORDER NOW✨

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop

I’m thrilled to share this first look at SERVED HIM RIGHT with you, my very special newsletter pals. I hope you love it!

Thrillerfest

Otherwise known as “SelfieFest” where I take pictures of myself and all my friends — and some people who did not know they were my friends but are now whether they like it or not. There was SO much — a dream interview with the iconic John Grisham, honoring bookseller extraordinaire (and longtime pal) McKenna Jordan, delivering the keynote address with my co-prez Gregg Hurwitz, celebrating ITW co-founders Gayle Lynds and David Morell, shining a spotlight on two of my favorite writers Jennifer Hillier and Oyinkan Braithwaite, and so much more. Here are just a few of the pics so you can feel like you were there. Visit thrillerwriters.org for audio recordings of key moments!

MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival

Woah. And not content to take a break after ThrillerFest, it was straight on to Toronto! A beautiful event at Kitchener Library with the magnificent Hannah Mary McKinnon and Sue Hincenbergs, visits to several Indigo booksellers to sign stock, a wonderful luncheon appearance with the brilliantly talented Denise Mina and the former First Lady of Iceland turned novelist Eliza Reid, capped off by a fantastic on stage conversation with one of my favorite writers (and people) the great Shari Lapena. And thanks to Hannah, my very first butter tarts. No raisins — of course.

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10

I had the pleasure of a lovely lunch to discuss social media with some of the staff of ChappellRoberts, a stellar Tampa advertising firm, and Megan Federico gave me this beautiful gift. She also made a second one to give away to one lucky reader.

How would you like to win this one-of-a-kind bedazzled edition today at 8pm ET!

To enter:

1. Read Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 (of course you have, right?)

2. Post a review today at any of the following places. *Each place you post counts as a separate entry to win:

   Amazon

   Barnes & Noble

   BookBub

   Goodreads

3. Reply to this email, or send an email to lisa@lisaunger.com, letting me know where you posted your review.

Buy now

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play| Kobo | Libro.fm

What I’m working on:

We have been going back and forth on the cover design for my upcoming March 10, 2026 novel. And have finally come to one that we all think looks amazing! I am so excited to share it with you all very soon. Stay tuned for a special announcement in your email.

What I’m reading and watching:

JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN on Broadway. We had the immense pleasure of seeing this stellar play (and thanks to my pal Gregg Hurwitz, we even got to go backstage and meet Sadie Sink!). The extremely talented cast of young performers brought such energy and emotion to the stage. It was powerful, intense, and one of our favorite plays of all-time!

SMOKE on Apple TV. I am a huge Dennis Lehane fan. So, I am excited to watch his latest. We just watched the first episode. I’ll let you know what I think in the next newsletter.

THE FINAL EPISODE by Lori Roy. I’ve been a fan since her first book, but she has outdone herself with this latest release. Don’t miss this dark and elegant thriller.

I am so excited for CURSED DAUGHTERS by Oyinkan Braithwaite. I was lucky enough to snag an early copy from the wonderful author herself. Her first novel MY SISTER THE SERIAL KILLER is an all-time favorite. So I can’t wait to dive in.

On the road

September 25 at 6:30pm ET | Medina County District Library | Medina, OH
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October 5 at 2pm ET | Detroit Public Library | Detroit, MI
Register Now

October 6 at 7pm ET | West Bloomfield Township Public Library | West Bloomfield, MI
Register Now

October 7 at 7pm ET | Bay County Public Library | Bay City, MI
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Newsletters are one of those things — first they told you to do it. Then they told you to stop. Then they told you to do it again. Then they told you if you were going to do it, do it consistently.

So, in answer to the question: Do I put out a newsletter — yes. And — how often? I try to put one out every month. But if I can’t make it interesting, I don’t do one at all. Because this communication with you means something to me, and some of you have been with me since the beginning. I like to make sure you’re getting what you came for.

Which is my long-winded way to answer the question that no one has asked: Hey, what happened to March and April — and, ahem, May for that matter?

Indeed. What did happen? It’s honestly a blur.

Well, anyway, here I am. So, I’ll get to it.

SleuthFest 2025

What should have been SleuthFest 2024 — if Hurricanes Helene and Milton had not had other ideas for us last fall — was a blast. I spent the weekend with old friends, made so many new ones, and did the thing I actually enjoy the most, other than writing, spent the weekend talking about writing.

I gave a speech about what to do when you’re stuck in your narrative. Which I think is probably one of the most important things we can discuss, because writing is an organic process and so there is an ebb and flow. We all know what to do with the flow days! We write. But what do we do with those ebb days? They’re important, too.

At Noir at the Bar, I read a not-yet-published bit from my upcoming 2026 novel which is about — haha. No. Not yet.

My guest of honor interview was conducted by the brilliantly talented former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and bestselling thriller writer Kate White. It was a fabulous chat with a dear friend, a deep dive into craft, inspiration, my journey, hard nipples (you had to be there), and of course we all had lots of laughs.

Here are some pics so you can feel like you were there with me:

What I’m working on:

I am this close to revealing the title and the cover of my upcoming 2026 novel about — oh, come on. You know I’m not going to tell you yet. Stay tuned next month!

Also, I’m hard at work on my 2027 novel which is just starting to reveal itself to me in all new and unexpected ways. At SleuthFest, we talked a lot about about “outlining vs. gardening” (or the more common and I think misleading “plotter vs. pantser”) and I am more convinced than ever that we don’t choose how we tell a story. And for me it has to develop on the page, in the writing. This is where all the joy and the magic resides.

I have another idea for a short story percolating — so that’s on my mind, too, simmering on the back burner.

I’m writing the introduction for the re-issue of a classic novel and I’m excited to be digging into the history of one of the most celebrated and prolific mystery writers of all times — though you may not even know her name. Stay tuned for more on this next time.

What I’m wrestling with:

Iconic editor (and lovely human) Neil Nyren was in attendance at SleuthFest and he gave a moving and important speech about writing and publishing. He touched on a number of things that I struggle to articulate when I talk about the business to aspiring writers. And one of the things he said, maybe the most important thing, was: Be happy now. Don’t wait to be happy until you get your first contract, your first rave review, hit your first bestseller list, win your first award.

Be happy, in other words, on the page, in the very act of writing. Because the page is the one constant in your career as a writer. All the rest of it comes and goes, or there is some other aspiration that seems just out of reach. But as writers, we return to story, character, and prose day after day. And it’s there where we can always find our joy of telling a story, the thing that brought us to the page in the first place.

The business of publishing — and it is a business, and a highly competitive one — can be wild and wacky and utterly unpredictable. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write, and that you can’t succeed. You should. And you can! People do it every day. I will just say that you really have to be into this. You really have to love it. And you have to find your joy in the craft, what you do in your writing life, and not what happens after that. Because even though there’s lots of joy in the publishing life, or can be, it’s fleeting.

Be happy now, in the work. Live for the page.

What I’m reading and watching:

THE MIDNIGHT FEAST by Lucy Foley

I recently interviewed Lucy on stage at Oxford Exchange here in Tampa. And omg it was one of my all time favorite on-stage talks. We had the most fun, natural, meaningful chat and I felt like we could have talked for hours.

I am a fan of her twisting, character driven novels that often dive deep into themes involving class and privilege, nature, and identity. I especially enjoyed this one about a high end wellness retreat that is a bit rotten at its core. And how the island where it dwells — the locals, the folklore, the trees, and the birds — are fighting against its soulless encroachment.

THE DOORMAN by Chris Pavone

I had a chance to catch up with my supremely talented friend Chris Pavone and score an early copy of his latest. Don’t miss this smart and layered pulse-pounder about privilege, sex, an iconic building, and murder in NYC. He is a writer at the top of his game, and THE DOORMAN is deeply engrossing from page one.

THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline.

Lisa Scottoline. What can I say? She’s a goddess. A queen. And I’m not saying this because she’s a LISA! Is there nothing this woman can’t do? This gothic thriller will have you breathlessly turning the pages, utterly riveted, like all of her books. Except she just keeps outdoing herself. And she sent me pretzels (It was NOT a bribe.) And they are delicious. Thank you, Lisa. I love you so much!

Okay, I may be stress re-watching Game of Thrones for, like, the third time (and I do mean the entire series) because honestly The Red Wedding and fire-breathing dragons are easier to deal with than reality. But also:

DOPE THIEF on Apple TV

Based on the novel by Dennis Tofoya, this series is a bit chaotic and bonkers, but thoroughly enjoyable, and so well-done. Everyone is kind of a mess, broken, flawed and making one terrible mistake after another, but also lovable and just on the verge of doing the right thing. I found my self cringing, laughing, getting a bit angry at the characters — which must mean it’s great. Because that’s everything, right? Character is king.

ADOLESCENCE on Netflix

I am probably the only person on earth that is not going to rave about this, though it was brilliantly done. The writing and acting are stellar. The film work is truly genius. I did just feel that, while engrossing, it was a bit facile, and the ending was terribly abrupt — which maybe was the point? As ever with many of these stories, there was no focus whatsoever on the victim (except for one exchange which seems to be designed to forgive the show for this flaw), and a laser beam focus on a murderous boy and all the reasons why he resorted to violence to deal with rejection. Somehow it felt to me like permission was granted for his terrible behavior, blaming it on bullying, social media, and inept parenting. It left me a bit cold and thinking that there is much more to say here about how we’re failing our kids.

YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS on Apple TV

We are absolutely addicted to this. Okay, yeah, Jon Hamm — who is somehow now in everything, and always amazing, and so hot. But also this is a very layered and honest portrait of the rot at the core of extreme wealth and privilege. There was a brilliant article in The New York Times about how this show — versus some others like “Succession” — shows vividly the desperation and emptiness at the heart of the pursuit of materialism, how it’s a hole that can never be filled, and how everything important — love, family, friendship, freedom — are shredded in the blind effort to obtain. It’s also darkly funny and incredibly engrossing. Love!

“As entertainment blurs with reality, this tense thriller asks how far someone might go to protect the ones they love.”—The Washington Post

What?!? You missed my newest novel CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10, the instant national bestseller about a game of extreme hide-and-seek at an abandoned hotel on a remote island? (Well, truthfully, it’s more about the characters than the game — kind of a White Lotus but with more action.) It’s not too late to grab your copy.

Buy now

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play| Kobo | Libro.fm

Please leave a review

If you’ve already read, I hope you will consider leaving your review HERE and HERE. It really means everything! Thank you.

On the road

Man, I’m everywhere this year. I’ve been to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Greenville, Cleveland, Toledo, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Kansas City, New York City, Newport, Watch Hill — and more. And I’m still at it. Come out and see me so that I don’t get lonely. Here’s what I have coming up:

June 16 at 7pm ET | In conversation with Kristin Harmel for THE STOLEN LIFE OF COLETTE MARCEAU | St. Petersburg, FL
Get Tickets

June 17-22 | Thrillerfest | New York, NY
Register Now

June 26 at 7pm ET | In conversation with Sue Hincenbergs | Kitchener, Canada
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June 28 at 6:30pm ET | Toronto International Festival of Authors | MOTIVE 2025 | Toronto, Canada
Get Tickets

September 3-7 | Bouchercon | New Orleans, LA
Register Now

September 25 at 6:30pm ET | Medina County District Library | Medina, OH
Register Now

October 5 at 2pm ET | Detroit Public Library | Detroit, MI
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October 6 at 7pm ET | West Bloomfield Township Public Library | West Bloomfield, MI
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October 7 at 7pm ET | Bay County Public Library | Bay City, MI
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Phew! That was a long one. Don’t worry. It won’t be three months before you hear from me again. In the meantime, wishing you a happy leap into summer and lots of days by the pool or at the beach, losing yourself in a good book.

Fangirl Moment

I am still reeling after meeting Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara P. Bush today at the beautiful Oxford Exchange. Readers, authors, and bookstagrammers packed the house, while we waited to get our copies of their new children’s book I LOVED YOU FIRST. It was such a joy to meet these two extraordinary women, Jenna who does so much for authors and Barbara with her important work founding Global Health Corps. They were even kind enough to ask me all about my own book after Laura introduced us.

Release Highlights

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 hit the shelves on February 24th, with a big pre-release event at one of my all-time fave bookstores, the wonderful Tombolo Books in St. Pete. Then I hit the road, traveling all over the country for the next two weeks. A true joy to visit stellar libraries and bookstores, and have amazing conversations with stars like the great Abby Endler in Houston (follow her on IG at @crimebythebook), Olivia Fierro (Olivia’s Bookclub) in Scottsdale, Roxanne Wilder (ABC TV Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend) in Tampa, and NYT bestselling pal Gregg Hurwitz (read NEMESIS) in LA.

Thanks to everyone who turned out to make these events so special. Here are some highlights from the first few weeks — all because of you.

• USA Today, Publisher Weekly, Apple, B&N Instant Bestseller

• Indigo Author of The Month

• LibraryReads Hall of Fame Pick

• LoanStars Top 10 Pick

• Goodreads Biggest Mysteries & Thrillers of 2025

• Readworthy by BookBub Best Thrillers of March 2025

• Crime By The Box Book Club Pick for March

Buy Now

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play | Kobo | Libro.fm

Signed copies may be available from any of these great stores I visited: Tombolo Books | M. Judson | Macs Backs | Murder By The Book | Oxford Exchange | Poisoned Pen | Book Passage | Zibby’s Bookshop | Rainy Day Books

Review

If you’ve already read, please leave a review HERE and HERE. It means so much. Thank you!

Book Tour Photos

Look at all these beautiful faces of friends, librarians, booksellers, and readers. What a joy to see everyone! I am overcome with gratitude.

What I’m Working On

As ever, you know I’m a busy bee. I’m about to head into copy editing on my next book. This is my last chance to make big changes, and hopefully where I’ll catch any mistakes. I already know there are two things I need a sentence or two to resolve, things I left dangling and realized later (Hi, 3 AM!) that I couldn’t just let them be. I’ll try to do this all in one continuous read, just to give myself the same experience you’ll hopefully have of reading it in a couple of sittings.

I am always excited for this draft, because I know it’s mostly where it needs to be and now I have a chance to make it even better. I am so excited about this book and I can’t wait to share it with you all in March of 2026! Can’t wait that long? Stay tuned for my next email coming in about a week with an exciting offer!

Reading and Watching

Simply put, Chris Bohjalian is one of our best and brightest storytellers. His books are always different, always beautiful, intelligent, and thrilling. THE JACKAL’S MISTRESS, inspired by a true story, is about a real-life Civil War friendship. It’s moving and deep and a must-read.

Sara Blaedel is Denmark’s undisputed queen of crime fiction. And I have never read a book featuring her smart, layered protagonist Louise Rick that I didn’t love. In A MOTHER’S LOVE, Rick must solve a murder, find a missing child, and figure out a way to work with her ex who abruptly ended their engagement last year. Full of Bladel’s signature twists and turns, and gripping from page one.

I just got my early copy of THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by the amazing and brilliant #1 NYTs bestseller Lisa Scottoline! I can’t wait to dive into this gothic thriller. Lisa is one of those writers who is always growing, always getting better. And this one, about a troubled young widow who inherits a Tuscan estate shrouded in mystery (what could go wrong?), looks absolutely chilling. Can’t wait to dive in and see what this rare talent has in store for us.

We watched ADOLESCENCE on Netflix (created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham) and it was layered and smart, interestingly shot, and brilliantly acted. The hyper-realism was a bit intense for me at times, not in a bad way, and I thought there were so many other layers that could have been explored. But definitely engrossing.

I’m DEVASTATED that I missed you on the road!

Aw, it’s okay. Life is busy and I can only go so many places each year. But there are more exciting events coming up. Come out and see me?

April 23
Ocean House Author Series | Watch Hill, RI
Get Tickets

April 26
Montclair Literary Festival | Montclair, NJ
Learn More

May 14-17
Sleuthfest | St. Petersburg, FL
Register Now

June 17-22
Thrillerfest | New York, NY
Register Now

September 3-7
Bouchercon | New Orleans, LA
Register Now

Click below to like and leave a comment.

Buy Now

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play | Kobo | Libro.fm

Praise

“Lisa Unger returns with another white-knuckle survival thriller... Twists arrive relentlessly, keeping readers on edge and guessing until the final, breath-stealing twist. Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 proves that sometimes the real threat is hiding in plain sight​.”
—The Seattle Times

“Hide-and-seek is a classic kids’ game, but in Lisa Unger’s heart-pounding new thriller, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, it’s far from child’s play... Her carefully crafted psychological thrillers are reliable bestsellers, thanks to her skill at creating engaging, complex characters and her mastery of the killer plot twist. This book does all that and, like many of her recent books, makes effective use of our dependence on our devices. The question is whether they save our lives or become the death of us.”
—Tampa Bay Times, Colette Bancroft

“As entertainment blurs with reality, this tense thriller asks how far someone might go to protect the ones they love.”
—The Washington Post

“Weaving together multiple points of view from her believable characters, Unger plunges the reader right into a sense of dread, then skillfully ratchets up the physical terrors of the challenge while revealing one disturbing secret after another. The perils of the real and virtual worlds collide effectively in this relentlessly paced thriller.”
—Kirkus Starred Review

“Unger's latest is a fast-paced, atmospheric, locked-room thriller...Readers of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware will surely enjoy this nail-biter.”
—Booklist

“The queen of thrillers you can also discuss with your book club is back with this high-stakes suspense novel about a game of hide-and-seek that turns murderous.”
—BookPage

"Lisa Unger just gets better and better! In Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, we see her masterful hand at work as she weaves a compulsively readable story packed full of tension from the very first page. As an extreme game of hide and seek quickly turned from stunt to survival, I held my breath as the plot twisted and turned to its dramatic conclusion. Pacy and gripping, I couldn’t read fast enough. Take it on holiday and savor every deliciously dark page.”
—Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Wilds

“Twisty, riveting, and emotionally intense. You will NOT close your eyes once you start reading this book.”
—Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of Fire and Bones

On The Road

February 25 at 7:30pm ET
Books over Drinks with Lisa Unger | M. Judson | Greenville, SC
Get tickets

February 26 at 7pm ET
Cuyahoga County Public Library | Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry | Cleveland, OH
Register Now

February 27 at 7pm ET
Authors! With Lisa Unger | Toledo Lucas County Public Library | Toledo, OH
Register Now

February 28 at 6:30pm CT
In conversation with Abby Endler | Murder By The Book | Houston, TX
Get Tickets

March 2 at 3:30pm ET
In conversation with Roxanne Wilder | Oxford Exchange | Tampa, FL
Get Tickets

March 4 at 7pm PT
In conversation with Olivia Fierro | Poisoned Pen | Scottsdale, AZ
Learn more/Order books

March 5 at 6pm PT
In conversation with Luisa Smith | Book Passage | Corta Madera, CA
Learn more/Order books

March 6 at 6pm PT
In conversation with Gregg Hurwitz | Zibby's Bookshop | Santa Monica, CA
Get Tickets

March 12 at 7pm ET
In conversation with Tim Eherenberg | Virtual Event with Tewksbury Public Library | Tewksbury, MA
Register Now

March 25
Mid-Continent Public Library | Rainy Day Books | Kansas City, MO
Register Now

April 23
Ocean House Author Series | Watch Hill, RI
Get Tickets

April 26
Montclair Literary Festival | Montclair, NJ
Learn More

May 14-17
Sleuthfest | St. Petersburg, FL
Register Now

June 17-22
Thrillerfest | New York, NY
Register Now

September 3-7
Bouchercon | New Orleans, LA
Register Now

Thank you for all of your love and support! I hope you enjoy reading CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Please click below to like and leave a comment.

I can’t WAIT to share this book with you — about single mom Adele who travels to a remote island for an extreme game of hide-and-seek in an abandoned hotel. The prize for winning — a million dollars. Pro tip: It’s not about the game, but about what we’ll do to survive when the stakes become all too real. I hope you love reading this one as much as I loved writing it.

And I’m looking forward to seeing you in person at one of the fantastic stores, libraries, and festivals on my tour.

Pre-Order Now

Pre-orders matter! If you are planning to read CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10, I hope you will consider pre-ordering it now from your favorite bookseller, or from any of the great indie bookstores I’ll be visiting on tour (see next section). Thank you!

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play | Kobo | Libro.fm

Early Praise

• LibraryReads Hall of Fame Pick

• Apple Books Most Anticipated Books of 2025

• Goodreads 2025's Biggest Mysteries & Thrillers

• BookBub Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Winter 2025

• BookBub Best Books of Winter

• SheReads Most Anticipated Thrillers of 2025

“As entertainment blurs with reality, this tense thriller asks how far someone might go to protect the ones they love.”
—The Washington Post

“Weaving together multiple points of view from her believable characters, Unger plunges the reader right into a sense of dread, then skillfully ratchets up the physical terrors of the challenge while revealing one disturbing secret after another. The perils of the real and virtual worlds collide effectively in this relentlessly paced thriller.”
—Kirkus Starred Review

“Unger's latest is a fast-paced, atmospheric, locked-room thriller...Readers of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware will surely enjoy this nail-biter.”
—Booklist

“The queen of thrillers you can also discuss with your book club is back with this high-stakes suspense novel about a game of hide-and-seek that turns murderous.”
—BookPage

"Lisa Unger just gets better and better! In Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, we see her masterful hand at work as she weaves a compulsively readable story packed full of tension from the very first page. As an extreme game of hide and seek quickly turned from stunt to survival, I held my breath as the plot twisted and turned to its dramatic conclusion. Pacy and gripping, I couldn’t read fast enough. Take it on holiday and savor every deliciously dark page.”
—Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Wilds

“Twisty, riveting, and emotionally intense. You will NOT close your eyes once you start reading this book.”
—Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of Fire and Bones

Are You an Early Reader?

If you’ve already received and enjoyed an advanced readers copy of the book, please be sure to leave a rating and/or review at any or all of the following places:

Goodreads | NetGalley | BookBub | StoryGraph

On The Road

February 24 at 7pm ET
Release Party | Tombolo Books | St. Petersburg, FL
Get tickets

February 25 at 7:30pm ET
Books over Drinks with Lisa Unger | M. Judson | Greenville, SC
Get tickets

February 26 at 7pm ET
Cuyahoga County Public Library | Mac's Backs - Books on Coventry | Cleveland, OH
Register Now

February 27 at 7pm ET
Authors! With Lisa Unger | Toledo Lucas County Public Library | Toledo, OH
Register Now

February 28 at 6:30pm CT
In conversation with Abby Endler | Murder By The Book | Houston, TX
Get Tickets

March 2 at 3:30pm ET
In conversation with Roxanne Wilder | Oxford Exchange | Tampa, FL
Get Tickets

March 4 at 7pm PT
In conversation with Olivia Fierro | Poisoned Pen | Scottsdale, AZ
Learn more/Order books

March 5 at 6pm PT
In conversation with Luisa Smith | Book Passage | Corta Madera, CA
Learn more/Order books

March 6 at 6pm PT
In conversation with Gregg Hurwitz | Zibby's Bookshop | Santa Monica, CA
Get Tickets

March 12 at 7pm ET
In conversation with Tim Eherenberg | Virtual Event with Tewksbury Public Library | Tewksbury, MA
Register Now

March 25
Mid-Continent Public Library | Rainy Day Books | Kansas City, MO
Details TBA

April 23
Ocean House Author Series | Watch Hill, RI
Details TBA

April 26
Montclair Literary Festival | Montclair, NJ
Details TBA

May 14-17
Sleuthfest | St. Petersburg, FL
Register Now

June 17-22
Thrillerfest | New York, NY
Register Now

September 3-7
Bouchercon | New Orleans, LA
Register Now

Thank you for all of your love and support! I look forward to connecting with you on the road this year. It’s such a joy to share my novels with you. Thanks for welcoming my characters and stories into your hearts and your minds.

Please click below to like and leave a comment.

2024 Highlights

Do you ever do this? Look back over your camera roll for the year and just feel blown away by the all the amazing people in your life, all the places you’ve been, and things you’ve done? When challenging things happen in our lives, it’s almost like we can forget about all the other wonderful moments. I feel that way when I look back on 2024. Here a few of the wonderful bookish highlights:

• CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 is now in development at Hulu with Jessica Alba to star, Eva Longoria to direct, and Charise Castro Smith to write.

• Sarah Michelle Gellar calls me “one of her faves” and recommends THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B and CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10.

• CRAZY LOVE YOU paperback is re-issued with a new cover.

• K-Pop superstar WonWoo reads SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX on TV.

• THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B

  • International Bestseller — Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Publishers Weekly, Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

  • Best Book of the Month — People, Amazon, Apple Books, BookBub, LibraryReads, LoanStars, Kobo, CrimeReads

  • LibraryReads Hall of Fame

  • Katie Couric Media Recommendation

  • NetGalley’s Most Popular Audiobook of 2024

  • BookBub’s Most Wishlisted Books

• UNKNOWN CALLER

  • Selected for THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE 2024 by Steph Cha and S.A. Cosby.

  • Winner of the ITW Thriller Award.

  • Silver Falchion Award Top Pick — We Could Be Heroes Anthology

• Book tour events and time with booksellers and readers in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

• Thrillerfest and Authors Guild Gala in NYC.

• Southern Festival of Books in Nashville.

• EXIT STRATEGY included in Book of the Month Club’s Volume 0

• LAST GIRL GHOSTED paperback release.

• THE DOLL’S HOUSE short story release.

• CHRISTMAS PRESENTS novella release in UK.

• Articles and contributions:

  • “There’s something wrong with this place: Lisa Unger on the fear we can’t get past” for The Daily Telegraph.

  • “Thriller novels aren’t what they used to be” by Alma Katsu for The Washington Post.

  • “What Scares Us?” with Paula Hawkins, Lucy Foley, Karin Slaughter and J.T. Ellison for Mary Kay Andrews.

  • “The Forever Gift” for Bookreporter

• SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX recommended by Ruth Ware in New York Times.

• CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 chosen for Crime by the Box bookclub.

• Conversations and appearances with book review editors and author pals Colette Bancroft, Oline Cogdill, Heather Graham, Lauren Grodstein, Sara DiVello, Joshilyn Jackson, Jonathon Santlofer, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Chris Bohjalian, Mary Kubica, Kristin Harmel, Alex DeMille, Lori Roy, Gregg Hurwitz, Tess Gerritsen, S.A. Cosby, Lauren Nossett, Lisa Gray, J.T. Ellison, Megan Miranda, Sally Hepworth, Ruth Ware, Tosca Lee, Louise Penny, Dermal McTiernan, and Karin Slaughter.

Wow, right. I’m so grateful!

Hello, 2025!

Ready or not, here I come… My new novel CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 will publish on February 25th! I’m so excited to share this one with you, and can’t wait to see you on the road (stay tuned for the book tour schedule in the next newsletter).

Early Reviews

“Weaving together multiple points of view from her believable characters, Unger plunges the reader right into a sense of dread, then skillfully ratchets up the physical terrors of the challenge while revealing one disturbing secret after another. The perils of the real and virtual worlds collide effectively in this relentlessly paced thriller.”
—Kirkus Starred Review

“Unger's latest is a fast-paced, atmospheric, locked-room thriller...Readers of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware will surely enjoy this nail-biter.”
—Booklist

“The queen of thrillers you can also discuss with your book club is back with this high-stakes suspense novel about a game of hide-and-seek that turns murderous.”
—BookPage

"Lisa Unger just gets better and better! Pacy and gripping, I couldn’t read fast enough. Take it on holiday and savor every deliciously dark page.”
—Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Wilds

“Twisty, riveting, and emotionally intense. You will NOT close your eyes once you start reading this book.”
—Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of Fire and Bones

• Apple Books Most Anticipated Books of 2025

• BookBub Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Winter 2025

• SheReads Most Anticipated Thrillers of 2025

Are You an Early Reader?

If you’ve already received and enjoyed an advanced readers copy of the book, please be sure to leave a rating and/or review at any or all of the following places:

Goodreads | NetGalley | BookBub | StoryGraph

Pre-Order Now

Pre-orders matter! If you are planning to read CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10, please pre-order now from your favorite bookseller. Thank you in advance for letting my publisher know you're excited.

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play | Kobo | Libro.fm

*If you are coming to a book tour event, you can also pre-order directly from any of those booksellers (stay tuned for that list in the next newsletter).

Wishing you and yours joyful days of belly laughter, unconditional love, time with family and friends, great food, and a place in front of the fire to curl up with a good book! And may the year ahead bring all good things. Happy Holidays!

Please click below to like and leave a comment.

Lots to share. So, I’ll get right to it.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to survive the holidays. My suggestion: disappear in to my dark little Christmas novella about a traumatized independent bookstore owner and unethical podcaster both racing to solve the same cold case.

Maybe I’m biased, but this gift-sized novel might be the perfect stocking stuffer for the mystery lover in your life. Signed copies available to order from Mysterious Bookshop and Tombolo Books.

Awards and Honors

• Tampa Bay Times Best Book of 2023

• Amazon Editors' Pick

• BookBub Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Fall 2023

Praise

"If you’re looking for a warm, heart-warming story of holiday cheer, this ain’t it. This book is a cold-blooded nasty thriller. I loved it!"
—R.L. Stine

"Want the secret to surviving the holidays? Sneak away from the family to read this pulse-pounding novella by Lisa Unger. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS is the perfect mix of thrills and chills to delight any suspense reader."
—Lisa Gardner

Buy Now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Kobo

THE DOLL’S HOUSE

And if you’re not quite ready to move on from spooky season, here’s a binge-able short read that will hopefully have your glued to your seat, and raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

When grieving teenager Scout and her widowed mother Jules move into the family home of Jules’s new fiancé Kirin, it looks like the perfect fresh start after a time of sadness. Scout is miserable to leave her life behind, and isn’t in any rush to bond with the kind and thoughtful new man in her mother’s life.

But when she discovers a doll in a closed off wing in the sprawling house, she stumbles onto the unsolved mystery of Kirin’s missing sister Emma. As she digs deeper into the past, she starts to suspect that whatever dark forces came for Emma, might also be coming for Jules.

Buy Now (Free with Prime or Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10

What would you do for a million dollars?

If you were a single mother whose husband had disappeared on the run from the law, with two teenagers to support and a job that’s barely making ends meet, then what would you do for a million dollars?

Would you sign up for a game of extreme hide and seek in an abandoned hotel on a remote island in the pacific? If you’re Adele, the devoted mom but tough-as-nails survivor protagonist of my new novel, the answer is yes. But for Adele and the other players, what starts out as game, quickly becomes a high stakes race for survival and the only prize that matters is making it out alive.

When Sarah Michelle Gellar posts on Instagram that she is reading CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10! Crazy fangirl moment!

Early Praise

BookBub Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Winter 2025
SheReads Most Anticipated Thrillers of 2025

"Lisa Unger just gets better and better! Pacy and gripping, I couldn’t read fast enough. Take it on holiday and savor every deliciously dark page.”
—Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Wilds

“Twisty, riveting, and emotionally intense. You will NOT close your eyes once you start reading this book.”
—Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of Fire and Bones

Pre-Order Now

Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Google Play | Kobo | Libro.fm

Want an Early Read?

Enter to win a galley of CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 today, Nov. 25th!

BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE 2024

I’m so honored and thrilled that my story UNKNOWN CALLER was selected for this prestigious collection, edited by the esteemed Steph Cha and S.A. Cosby. This anthology is available everywhere books are sold. UNKNOWN CALLER also won the Thriller Award for Best Short Story last summer, and was nominated as part of the WE COULD BE HEROES collection with Lisa Scottoline, J.T. Ellison, Janelle Brown and Victor Methos for Best Anthology at Killer Nashville — I’m so grateful!

Southern Festival of Books

The Southern Festival of Books in Nashville was everything a festival should be — lots of laughs with longtime and new friends, great readers, a wonderful on-stage chat with the brilliant J.T. Ellison and designer cookies — what a city, an up all night honky tonk!

What I’m working on:

I just finished the final revision on my 2025 Christmas short story about a traumatized hit woman who botches a job and has to face the ghost of her own Christmas past and a very dangerous present. It will be a while before I can share this one with you, but I loved writing it. There’s something about mingling the beauty and sparkle of the holiday season with trauma and darkness that really thrills me.

I turned in my 2026 novel. I can’t talk about this one at all except to say that I can’t wait to get back to work on the next draft. I’ve had some thoughts since I turned it in, so I’m ready to take another crack at it.

I’m in the early stages of my 2027 novel, doing some research and writing and seeing how things develop for an idea that’s been kicking around for a while. I’ll keep you posted.

What I’m thinking about:

I wrote this essay and as Thanksgiving approaches I’d like to share it again because it remains true, even though this year it’s ten years old. This week I’ll celebrate by 24th wedding anniversary with the love of my life, and my mother will turn 84. My little girl almost 19 and off to college.

I was invited to chat with some of my favorite authors Mary Kay Andrews, Karin Slaughter, J.T. Ellison, Paula Hawkins and Lucy Foley about what scares us the most.

At the time I was in the middle of an evacuation, wondering if my house would be there when we returned. So, that was definitely top of mind. (Luckily, though our area has been battered from Milton and Helene, and we sustained some damage, our home is intact. We’re thankful!)

Loved hearing all of the different answers. Read it here.

What I’m reading:

SPY COAST by Tess Gerritsen. I just finished this twisty, layered, and oh-so-smart novel by the great Tess Gerritsen. Tess has long been one of my favorite writers and she is a person I greatly admire in this industry — honest, kind, and always getting better. SPY COAST is about a community of retired special agents just trying to find a little peace and quiet in their golden years. Um. No.

A VERY BAD THING by J.T. Ellison. This one grabbed me on page one and didn’t let up. Ellison is a master of character and knows just how to keep turning the screws of suspense page after page. She’s at the top of her game in this thriller about a mega bestselling writer with dark secrets come back to haunt.

NEMESIS by Gregg Hurwitz. I can’t wait to dive into this next installment in the Orphan X series. Gregg happens to be my ITW co-prez, very dear friend, and one of my all-time favorite writers. He is the rare writer who gets it all right every time — excellent writing, big adventure, cool tech, and an iconic character in Evan Smoak who grows and changes in each book.

What I’m watching:

BAD SISTERS. I’m obsessed with this show, and just rewatched season one in preparation for season two. I wondered how they could top it, to be honest. But wow. We’re only on the second episode but it’s — dare I say it — even better, diving deep into the long tail of grief, guilt, and family secrets.

SLOW HORSES. Based on the Slough House series by Mick Herron, this is a British spy drama about a group of dysfunctional MI5 agents. It’s darkly funny, brilliantly plotted and utterly immersive. I love everything about it from the stellar writing to the sharp performances from Gary Oldman, Jack Snowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sophie Okonedo and more.

SPEAK NO EVIL starring James McAvoy had me crawling out of my skin and yelling at the television. It was masterfully plotted, clever, and riveting. I loved the element that the couple in trouble was in a struggling marriage and had to band together to try to save themselves and their child. Tense and scary, but a cut above because of the excellent character development.

I’ll just take this moment to say how grateful I am for all of you. Thank you for reading this newsletter, for taking my characters and stories into your hearts and your minds, for all the love and support you’ve shown me over the years. A writer is nothing without her reader pals. Thank you for being the most important part of this crazy, wonderful writing life. May the week ahead, however you celebrate or if you do, be filled with laughter, love, and gratitude.

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