New York Times best-selling author Lisa Unger will present her latest book, Served Him Right, at an event in Tallahassee on Friday, March 13. The gathering, hosted by Midtown Reader in partnership with Westminster Oaks, features a conversation with store owner Sally Bradshaw. The novel explores themes of female power and revenge through complex characters.
Lisa Unger, known as the 'Suspense Queen,' is scheduled to appear at the Maguire Center in Westminster Oaks, located at 4449 Meandering Way in Tallahassee. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are priced at $35 for individuals and $50 for couples, each including a signed copy of the book. Reservations can be made online at midtownreader.com.
In a preview of her discussion with Sally Bradshaw, Unger shared insights into her writing process. She described her attraction to psychological suspense as stemming from a 'dark and twisted imagination' and a curiosity about human motivations, likening her approach to exploring 'the dark spaces of the human psyche.' Her new book, Served Him Right, centers on revenge and female empowerment, featuring characters such as Vera, Ana, Agnes, and Coraline. Unger noted that writing these 'wild and unpredictable women' was 'pure joy,' emphasizing their power, determination, and complicated relationships.
Unger has published 23 books, including series and standalones. She enjoys both formats, with her Hollows series serving as a hybrid linked by place and recurring characters. Reflecting on the mystery genre's evolution since Agatha Christie's era in the 1920s and 1930s, Unger observed that crime fiction now mirrors contemporary society, incorporating evolved topics. She subverts traditional tropes, presenting characters in shades of gray rather than clear heroes or villains, while ensuring some form of justice is served.
Ideas for her stories arise from diverse sources, such as trips, news, or overheard conversations, which she nurtures like a garden over a year.