Lisa Unger’s latest thriller, “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10,” delivers a masterful exploration of how quickly the line between games and reality can blur when stakes are raised and motives are murky. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a fictional Falcão Island in the middle of the Atlantic, this tense narrative skillfully weaves multiple perspectives into a layered story of deception, survival, and the consequences of our digital lives bleeding into reality.
The novel follows a diverse cast of characters brought together by social media sensation Maverick Dillan for an extreme game of hide-and-seek with a million-dollar prize. At the center is Adele Crane, a single mother of two teenagers who sees the competition as her chance to rebuild her life after her husband’s disappearance and alleged financial crimes left her family struggling. What begins as a simple challenge quickly spirals into something far more sinister as a powerful storm descends, secrets emerge, and contestants find themselves fighting not just for the prize but for their lives.
Strength Through Structure and Pacing
Unger demonstrates remarkable skill in managing multiple POV characters through her innovative structure. The novel unfolds in four distinct parts—”Close Your Eyes,” “Ready or Not,” “The Game,” and “Home Base”—creating a rhythmic progression that mirrors the childhood game at its center while steadily increasing tension.
The author employs varied narrative techniques, including:
Traditional third-person chapters following key characters
Livestream transcripts that capture the performative nature of social media
Private video diary entries revealing hidden motives
Podcast segments that fill in crucial backstory
This structure not only keeps the narrative fresh but serves the thematic exploration of how stories are framed and consumed in our digital age. Particularly effective are the livestream segments that include viewer comments, showing the disconnect between audience perception and unfolding danger.
Characters That Resonate Beyond Archetypes
One of Unger’s greatest strengths lies in her character development. Rather than relying on thriller stereotypes, she builds complex individuals whose motivations feel authentic:
Adele Crane embodies resilience and maternal determination without being one-dimensional. Her journey from abandoned wife to fierce competitor is both convincing and inspiring.
Maverick Dillan represents the hollow center of influencer culture—charismatic yet deeply flawed, constantly performing even when cameras are off.
Angeline Alba, as Maverick’s business partner and love interest, struggles with her complicity in his schemes while harboring her own complex motivations.
Blake and Violet, Adele’s teenage children, provide emotional stakes and surprising agency rather than serving as mere plot devices.
Even secondary characters like Wild Cody and Malinka receive thoughtful development that defies initial expectations.
Thematic Depth Beyond the Thrills
While “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” delivers the requisite twists and turns expected of a thriller, its exploration of contemporary themes elevates it above genre conventions:
The performative nature of social media and influencer culture
The blurred boundaries between virtual and physical realities
The lengths parents will go to protect their children
The nature of truth in a world where everything is curated
The impossibility of truly escaping one’s past
A particularly compelling thread examines how humans have become passive observers through social media. As one character pointedly asks: “If you hate me for who I am, then ask yourself this: Who are you for watching me? Who are you for making me who I am?”
Atmospheric Setting as Character
Falcão Island serves as more than backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right. Inspired by Unger’s visit to the Azores, the fictional island contains:
An abandoned luxury hotel crumbling into disrepair
A mystical elder with a private army protecting the land
Dense forests and volcanic terrain that become increasingly treacherous
Symbolic buzzards circling overhead, representing death and transformation
The approaching storm provides both literal and metaphorical pressure, while the deteriorating hotel (tellingly named “Esperança” or “hope” in Portuguese) offers a perfect physical manifestation of failed ambition and decay.
Where the Novel Sometimes Loses Its Way
Despite its many strengths, “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” isn’t without flaws. The complex web of relationships and motivations occasionally becomes convoluted, particularly in the third act as revelations pile upon revelations. Some readers may find the sheer number of twists sacrifices plausibility for shock value.
The Chloe Miranda storyline, while providing crucial backstory, sometimes feels overly elaborate compared to the more immediate tension of the island events. Additionally, certain characters’ decisions in the final act stretch credibility, even within the heightened reality Unger has established.
Perhaps most significantly, the resolution leaves several ethical questions uncomfortably unaddressed. While this ambiguity may be intentional—mirroring the messy reality of life versus the neat conclusions of games—some readers may find it unsatisfying rather than thought-provoking.
Comparison to Unger’s Previous Works and Genre Contemporaries
Fans of Unger’s previous novels like “Last Girl Ghosted” and “Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six” will recognize her talent for psychological suspense and complex female protagonists. “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” continues her exploration of technology’s darker implications while amplifying the action elements.
The novel brings to mind contemporaries such as:
Ruth Ware’s “The It Girl” in its exploration of complicated female relationships
Riley Sager’s “Lock Every Door” for its isolated setting and escalating danger
Liz Moore’s “Long Bright River” in its nuanced portrayal of family dynamics
Taylor Adams’ “No Exit” for its trapped-by-weather survival scenario
Unger distinguishes herself through her particularly insightful examination of social media’s impact on identity and moral responsibility.
Final Verdict: A Compelling Thriller with Substance
“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” successfully delivers the page-turning tension thriller readers expect while offering thoughtful commentary on contemporary issues. The novel shines brightest when examining how our digital and physical lives have become inextricably intertwined, often with dangerous consequences.
While the plot occasionally sacrifices plausibility for dramatic effect, Unger’s prose remains assured throughout. Her skill at building atmosphere, developing complex characters, and maintaining suspense across multiple timelines and perspectives demonstrates why she remains a standout voice in contemporary thriller fiction.
The novel’s final message—that we can never truly escape the consequences of our actions, regardless of how far we run—resonates beyond the final page. For readers seeking a thriller that balances action with insight, “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” offers a compelling game well worth playing.
Strengths:
Innovative structure incorporating multiple media formats
Complex, well-developed characters
Atmospheric setting that enhances the tension
Thoughtful exploration of contemporary themes
Weaknesses:
Occasionally convoluted plot developments
Some credibility stretches in the final act
Certain ethical questions left unresolved
For readers who enjoy psychologically complex thrillers that examine the darker side of our digital lives, Unger’s latest offers a satisfying and thought-provoking journey into a game where the stakes couldn’t be higher.