Okay, 2024. What can I say? It’s been a lot. Our daughter just finished her first semester of college (so proud of her, but miss her like crazy). We weathered two hurricanes (we were fortunate and suffered minimal damage compared to many others around us). We enjoyed some wonderful travel time with friends and family (Costa Rica, NYC, Catskills, Nashville, Las Vegas, and more). Plus, all of the amazing bookish things that happened (See below). There is so much for which I’m grateful this season. My family, my dear friends, my writing buddy Jak Jak, and of course, you, my wonderful reader pals. All of you make it possible for me to do what I do, and I appreciate you so much. Thank you!
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!
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You ALWAYS make my year. Thank you, Lisa.
I read last girl ghosted. Where can I find more of your books?