Back to School

Endings and new beginnings.

Even though it's the end of something, autumn always feels like the beginning of something to me. The leaves shed, air grows cooler (I mean it is going to get cooler, right?), kids go back to school. There’s a feeling of anticipation, of excitement. We dropped our daughter off for her sophomore year at college, which was heady and exciting. And it was also sad again in all new ways as we watch her blossom and become such an amazing young woman.

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.

“Does this story offer an incredible plot, unrelenting twists—of course! This IS a Lisa Unger story, after all.” — Rachel Howzell Hall

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

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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.

Join me on the road and for an epic online event in November!

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
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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!