A Review of Lisa Unger's "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten"

Lisa Unger is a name synonymous with gripping suspense, and her latest offering, "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten," certainly throws readers into a high-stakes scenario. The premise is undeniably intriguing: charismatic adventurer Maverick Dillan hosts an extreme game of hide-and-seek on a remote island, promising thrills and social media fame. However, as a violent storm descends and a real threat emerges, the game turns deadly.

At the heart of the chaos is Adele, a fiercely protective single mother who enters the competition with the sole aim of winning. Unger paints a compelling picture of Adele's determination and the primal fear she feels for her children's safety. Her perspective provides a grounded emotional core amidst the escalating danger on Falcao Island.

The initial setup is strong, with the isolated island setting and the impending storm creating an atmosphere of unease. The diverse group of contestants, each with their own motivations and secrets, adds layers of potential suspicion. Unger skillfully builds tension as the lines between the game and reality blur, leaving me questioning everyone's true intentions.

However, while the premise held immense promise, I found myself slightly underwhelmed by the execution in certain aspects. The pacing felt uneven at times, with moments of intense suspense followed by stretches where the narrative seemed to lose some momentum. Some of the secondary characters, while initially intriguing, didn't quite reach their full potential, and their storylines occasionally felt less developed than Adele's.

The exploration of the blurred lines between the virtual and real, a central theme highlighted in the synopsis, felt somewhat surface-level. While the social media aspect of the initial game is present, its deeper implications on the unfolding events could have been explored with more nuance.

Ultimately, "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten" delivers on its promise of suspense and intrigue, particularly when focusing on Adele's desperate fight for survival. The storm-ravaged island provides a suitably claustrophobic and menacing backdrop. 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars