Served Him Right
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 29
By: Lisa Unger
Narrators: Kristen Sieh, Vivienne Leheny, Brittany Pressley, Soneela Nankani, Tim Paige, Petrea Burchard
Harlequin Audio
ISBN: 9780778360056
Publisher: Park Row
Publication Date: 03/10/2026
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
“A twisty and pacy thriller.” —Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid series
A woman’s brunch with friends quickly turns dark in this gripping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger
Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana’s best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.
But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Vengeance is sweet, but it can also be deadly. Ana and Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own long-buried history comes to light.
My Review
SERVED HIM RIGHT by Lisa Unger is a brilliantly crafted, tantalizingly dark revenge thriller that plunges readers into the world of Ana Blacksmith.
As she hosts an elegant brunch for her closest friends to commemorate her liberation from an emotionally toxic relationship with her ex, Paul, the atmosphere is initially one of celebration and newfound freedom. However, the mood shifts dramatically when shocking news breaks: Paul has been murdered.
With whispers of suspicion swirling around her, Ana finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue, having desired harm to come to him. The narrative masterfully unravels a gripping plot that delves deep into a hidden realm—an ancient network that meticulously takes justice into its own hands, targeting abusive men. As secrets are unearthed and alliances are tested, the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats, exploring themes of vengeance, morality, and the pursuit of justice.
Highlights...
The Murder and Suspicion:
Following a breakup brunch, Paul is found dead, making Ana the primary suspect.
The Poisoning:
The tension escalates when a close friend of Ana's falls deathly ill after the same gathering.
A Secret Network:
The story reveals a covert, potentially supernatural, or vigilante group that punishes men who abuse their power.
Sisterly Bond:
The narrative focuses heavily on the relationship between Ana and her sister, Vera, as they navigate the investigation.
The Investigation:
Ana must uncover the truth to prove her innocence while dealing with her own, and others', long-buried secrets. And we meet the Detective on the case (an ex).
The narrative uses multiple perspectives, flashbacks, and a fast-moving plot exploring themes of revenge, female rage, and moral ambiguity.
Characters...
~Ana: The protagonist and host of brunch
~Vera: Ana’s older sister, who shares a deep herbalist knowledge passed down from their guardian, Aunt Agnes.
~Paul: Ana’s wealthy ex-boyfriend and business mogul.
~Iggy: Ana’s best friend and a new mother. Married to one of Ana's ex-boyfriends.
~Payton: A "workaholic lawyer" and close friend of Anas
~Esme: Another friend at the brunch.
~Timothy: The lead detective investigating Paul's murder. He and Ana have an awkward history.
My thoughts...
As a dedicated and long-time admirer of Lisa's work, I have passionately delved into every one of her books and have proudly showcased her on my blog and my #AuthorElevatorSeries throughout the years.
Thus, I was genuinely thrilled to immerse myself in her newest novel, SERVED HIM RIGHT. This darkly funny, "revenge thriller" captivated me with its swift pacing and intricate narrative, skillfully exploring powerful themes of betrayal, female empowerment, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
I found myself captivated by the intriguing backstory that inspired the novel—it's truly fascinating! Readers will delight in exploring a labyrinth of ideas as they dive deep into the recommended reading titles, each one offering its own rich tapestry of connections and insights. I also enjoyed the wink to "The Hollows."
After the breakup brunch that escalates into a murder investigation, sisters Ana and Vera must investigate Paul's many enemies to clear Ana's name, while simultaneously trying to keep their own family secrets from being exposed.
As the investigation proceeds, rumors emerge of a secret network that uses ancient apothecary practices and poisons to obtain justice for women. The story explores "female rage" and the use of nature (herbalism and poisons) as both a sanctuary and a weapon. They can harm and heal.
Tense and atmospheric, with a colorful cast of characters, Unger blends psychological suspense with folk-horror elements to explore how women reclaim power when traditional systems fail them.
The novel examines the moral line between seeking justice and taking revenge, specifically how women may use ancient methods to settle scores with powerful men. Witchy and spooky, the story highlights how knowledge of the earth's medicines and deadly poisons can be used to protect or destroy.
Themes...
~Female Rage & Justice
~The Dichotomy of Nature
~Generational Trauma & Secrets
~Sisterhood & Solidarity
~Witchy Folklore
The title, SERVED HIM RIGHT, serves as a clever and multi-faceted play on words, intricately weaving together the book's intimate domestic setting with its compelling themes of vengeance. This phrase encapsulates the essence of the narrative, where strained relationships simmer beneath the surface.
The sisters, adept in ancient herbal traditions, cleverly embrace this notion as they plot their course of retribution, deftly mixing the metaphorical with the literal. Their preparation of toxic concoctions symbolizes the "serving" of those who have brought harm to others, suggesting a poetic justice that resonates throughout the story. Unger subverts a traditionally "feminine" role (serving food) into an act of power and survival.
The Figurative Meanings
~Poetic Justice
~Vengeance as a Dish
~Subverting Domesticity
Recs...
If you enjoyed the female rage, herbs, and revenge themes of Lisa Unger's Served Him Right, I recommend the following books and authors:
~The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
~Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
~The Poison Garden by A.J. Banner
~The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
~Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
~The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
~The Guest List by Lucy Foley
~Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
~How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson
~Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake
~Fern Michaels's "The Sisterhood" series
I look forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by a favorite cast of stars: Kristen Sieh, Vivienne Leheny, Brittany Pressley, Soneela Nankani, Tim Paige, and Petrea Burchard on the release date, March 10, 2026.
Special thanks to Park Row and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 10, 2026
Praise
“A twisty and pacy thriller, Served Him Right reveals that betrayal is the most bitter poison of all.” —Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid series
“A break-up brunch goes terribly wrong in this deliciously twisted tale of revenge. The fast-paced plot pulled me in and the tangle of secrets and lies kept me guessing until the very end! Lisa Unger always delivers."
—Ashley Elston, #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins
“A ticking time bomb. Deliciously wicked, with a slow drip of dread that builds to a boil, Served Him Right is darkly funny, deliciously twisted, and entirely addictive. I devoured it.”
—Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate
“Lisa Unger's latest, Served Him Right, is a page-turner starring complex characters that you love and hate. Does this story offer an incredible plot, unrelenting twists–of course! This IS a Lisa Unger story, after all. I absolutely devoured this book.”
—Rachel Howzell Hall, New York Times bestselling author of What Never Happened
“Lisa Unger is a consummate storyteller. With luminous prose, intricately developed characters, and elegantly crafted plots, her work captivates from the first page to the last.”
—Liv Constantine, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish
"The combination of revenge, generational trauma, and girl power makes this a fun and twisted tale. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena—and angry women everywhere.” —Booklist
About the Author
Pshoto Credit: Brian James
Lisa Unger is a NYT and internationally bestselling author. Her books are published in 33 languages, with millions of copies sold worldwide. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations, an honor held by only a few writers including Agatha Christie. Her work has been named on "Best Book" lists from Today, People, GMA, EW, Amazon, IndieBound and many others. She has written for the NYT, WSJ, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. She lives in Florida with her family.
