Is this book too scary for a middle-schooler?

Most likely, yes. While the 'hide-and-seek' hook sounds youthful, the execution is deadly and sinister. It's written for adults and contains themes of survival and lethal threats that are better suited for older teens.

How much does social media play into the plot?

It's the catalyst. The entire 'game' is framed as a social media stunt by an extreme adventurer, which provides a great opening to talk to teens about the reality behind 'staged' digital content.

Is there a lot of gore?

Unger tends to focus more on psychological suspense and 'chilling' atmosphere than pure slasher-style gore, but 'deadly' means what it says—characters do not all make it out alive.

Do I need to read Unger's other books first?

No, this is a standalone thriller. You can jump right into Falcao Island without any homework.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2025

72%

WISE Score

A high-stakes social media stunt turns into a deadly game of island survival in this twisty thriller about a mother's grit.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

book

2025

72%

WISE Score

A high-stakes social media stunt turns into a deadly game of island survival in this twisty thriller about a mother's grit.

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Screenwise Verdict

Lisa Unger's Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is a masterclass in modern 'popcorn' thrillers with a brain. It takes the current obsession with extreme YouTube-style stunts and drops it into a tropical nightmare, making it a perfect pick for parents who want a gripping read that actually has something to say about the digital world we're raising kids in.

It isn't for the kids themselves—unless you have a high-schooler who has already exhausted the YA thriller shelf and is ready for the high stakes of adult survival fiction. For the rest of us, it’s a sharp, fast-paced reminder that when the 'game' is designed for views, the players are usually the ones who pay the price.

Age Fit

This is a solid 16+ pick. It's an adult thriller through and through. While mature teens who've moved on from The Hunger Games will find the survivalist themes familiar, the psychological weight and 'deadly' consequences are aimed at an adult audience.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While the core of the story focuses on a mother's fierce protection of her children, the overall tone is chilling and sinister, centered on a deadly survival game.

Imaginative

Takes the childhood concept of hide-and-seek and scales it up into a high-stakes, island-bound survivalist thriller with a modern social media twist.

Safe

This is an adult thriller. Expect high-tension peril, a deadly threat, and a 'ruthless battle for survival' that isn't intended for younger readers.

Enriching

Offers a sharp critique of extreme social media culture and explores the psychological limits of trust and maternal instinct under pressure.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

High-concept premise that turns a simple playground game into a 'Most Dangerous Game' scenario for the influencer era.
Strong protagonist in Adele, a single mother whose motivation is grounded in protecting her kids rather than just winning a game.
Modern commentary on the lengths people go for digital clout and the 'virtual vs. real' divide.
Twisty pacing from Lisa Unger, who is a pro at the cat-and-mouse structure that keeps you turning pages past midnight.

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What to Watch For

The 'deadly threat' implies on-page violence and survivalist peril that may be too intense for younger or sensitive readers.
The psychological tension revolves around deception and betrayal, which can be heavy if you're looking for a light beach read.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people are so drawn to 'extreme' stunts on social media today?"
"If you were stuck on Falcao Island, who is the one person you'd actually trust?"
"How does Adele's role as a mother change the way she plays the game compared to the 'daredevils'?"

Deep Dive

The Influencer to Survivalist Pipeline

Lisa Unger has carved out a specific niche as the thriller writer who bridges the gap between 'unputdownable' airport reads and thoughtful book club discussions. In Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, she leans hard into a very 2026 anxiety: the extreme influencer stunt. The character of Maverick Dillan feels like a dark reflection of the 'stunt-philanthropy' and 'extreme challenge' creators who dominate current feeds, where the goal is always more views, more risk, and more spectacle.

What makes this work is the grounding force of Adele. By throwing a single mother into a mix of daredevils and clout-chasers, Unger highlights the contrast between performative bravery and the actual, bone-deep courage of a parent. It’s a classic survival setup—an isolated island, a raging storm, a hidden threat—but the social media framing makes it feel urgent and relevant.

If you enjoyed the high-stakes social games of The White Lotus or the 'deadly contest' vibes of Squid Game, this hits that same sweet spot. It's less about the mechanics of hide-and-seek and more about the breakdown of social contracts when survival becomes the only metric of success. It’s a fast, cinematic read that manages to be both a great escape and a cautionary tale about the blurry line between our virtual personas and our real-world instincts.

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