Review: The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
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When I picked up The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware, I was expecting a tense and twisty thriller and wasn’t disappointed. Ware’s ability to create a claustrophobic atmosphere aboard a luxury cruise ship is just one of the highlights of this suspenseful ride, or sail (pun intended). But did it completely sweep me off my feet?
Not entirely, no.
Contents
Review In A Nutshell
I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. I have a full review below, but here’s some of what you can expect to get in this book.
- A psychological thriller set aboard a luxury cruise ship, isolated in the dark waters of the North Sea.
- Protagonist Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, investigates the mysterious disappearance of a woman that no one else seems to have seen.
- Claustrophobic and atmospheric, the ship setting amplifies the tension and paranoia.
- A strong central character with Lo, whose anxiety and paranoia make her both relatable and unreliable.
- A suspenseful, fast-paced plot filled with twists and red herrings that kept me guessing.
- The ending felt a bit rushed, leaving some unanswered questions but still satisfying overall.
- Some secondary characters lack depth, but Lo’s perspective keeps the story engaging.
Publisher’s Synopsis of The Woman In Cabin 10
In this tightly wound, enthralling story reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s works, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins.
The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant.
But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong…
With surprising twists, spine-tingling turns, and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another taut and intense read in The Woman in Cabin 10—one that will leave even the most sure-footed reader restlessly uneasy long after the last page is turned.
Full Review: The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
What I Liked
The Setting: The cruise ship setting in The Woman in Cabin 10 is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Ware uses the isolation of the ship and its surrounding dark waters to great effect, amplifying the sense of confinement and paranoia. As a reader, I felt trapped with the characters, experiencing their unease and claustrophobia as the mystery unfolded. The vivid imagery of the luxury vessel contrasted with the dark mood of the story, making it easy to picture myself on board, peering out at that cold, unforgiving sea. The isolation of the ship gave me serious Agatha Christie vibes, which I loved.
The Characters: Lo Blacklock, the protagonist, is written in a way that makes her relatable but flawed—she’s paranoid, unreliable, and grappling with real emotional baggage. While not always likable, her vulnerability adds to the tension, and her unreliable perspective makes you question what’s real and what’s imagined. I appreciated the layered character work, though, at times, Lo’s persistent anxiety felt overwhelming.
The Plot: The plot kept me engaged throughout, with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings to keep me guessing. I found myself drawn into the mystery of the woman no one else seemed to have seen, questioning the motives and trustworthiness of everyone on board. I particularly liked the pacing—Ware doesn’t waste time in building the suspense, keeping the reader on edge almost from the start. The parallels to Hitchcock’s Rear Window are apparent, and while it’s not a unique trope, Ware spins it in her own style that keeps the suspense alive.
What I Disliked
The Characters: While I appreciated Lo’s complexity, some of the other characters fell a bit flat. There were moments when I struggled to connect with them or found their motivations lacking. I found myself wishing for more depth in some of the supporting characters, especially given the intense, closed-off setting that begged for stronger interpersonal dynamics. It’s hard to invest fully in characters who feel somewhat distant.
The Ending: Without giving too much away, the ending, while satisfying in some respects, felt a little rushed and left a few too many loose threads for my liking. It was as if the buildup promised something a bit more explosive or unexpected. While the ending did give me a moment of going “Wait, what just happened here?“, I found myself craving a twist that would have left a more lasting impression along with a more specific resolution to a few issues.
My Review Rating for The Woman In Cabin 10
I gave this book 4 (Thoroughly Enjoyable) out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
Overall, The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware is a suspenseful, atmospheric thriller that keeps you hooked, even if the ending doesn’t have the explosive wow factor I expected. With its intense sense of place and a protagonist who keeps you second-guessing yourself, it’s a solid read for fans of psychological thrillers. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars—there’s a lot to love, even if it left me wanting just a little more by the final page.
