Review: The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
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If you love twisty psychological thrillers, then The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware is one you’ll want to add to your reading list. Often called the “modern Agatha Christie,” Ware creates stories that trap readers in tense, claustrophobic settings where nothing is quite what it seems. In this novel, a travel journalist on assignment witnesses something shocking on a luxury cruise – but with no proof and no one believing her, the suspense only builds.
Key Takeaways: The Women In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
What It’s About
Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, lands the assignment of a lifetime – a weeklong trip aboard the exclusive Aurora cruise ship. With only a select group of passengers, it seems like the perfect escape. At first, the voyage is idyllic: elegant dinners, sparkling seas, and luxury at every turn.
But when Lo witnesses a woman being thrown overboard in the dead of night, her dream assignment becomes a nightmare. The problem? Every passenger is accounted for, and no one believes her story. Trapped at sea with rising paranoia and no escape, Lo must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
My Review Rating – 4 out of 5 stars.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware kept me hooked from the first chapter with its chilling atmosphere and relentless pacing. I loved the tension and clever twists, though the protagonist’s anxiety and behavior occasionally made her seem quite unreliable and unbelievable.
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 story is a clever take on the locked-room mystery trope. Lo hears a scream and believes she witnesses someone being thrown overboard – but the cabin she points to is empty, and everyone insists nothing happened. From there, the novel layers tension with twists, red herrings, and paranoia that kept me turning pages late into the night.
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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Woman In Cabin 10
Do you need to read Ruth Ware’s books in order?
No, her novels are all standalones. You can read The Woman in Cabin 10 without needing any background from her other books.
Is The Woman In Cabin 10 scary?
It’s more of a psychological suspense than outright horror. The tension comes from atmosphere, paranoia, and mistrust, rather than graphic content.
Is there a movie adaptation of The Woman in Cabin 10?
Yes. A Netflix adaptation starring Keira Knightley is scheduled for release in October 2025.
What type of readers will enjoy this book?
If you love atmospheric mysteries, unreliable narrators, and locked-room thrillers, this book will be a great fit.
Conclusion – A Modern Locked Room Classic
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.
📚 Did You Know?
The Netflix adaptation of The Woman in Cabin 10 is set to premiere in October 2025, with Keira Knightley starring as Lo.
