*I received a free copy of The Woman in Cabin 10 from Gallery Books via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Published by Gallery Books on 19 July 2016
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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, but as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the desk, 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.
The Woman in Cabin 10 is a tightly written psychological thriller where part of the action happens on a small cruise boat… and it’s a chilling and sharp tale.
Lo is one of those very flawed characters whom it’s impossible not to love. The Woman in Cabin 10 is a complex tale, where, after waking up to a burglar in her home, Lo gets the possibility to go on a luxury cruise for her work. Writing about how the rich and famous do vacation in the ice-cold waters off the coast of Norway. There’s a bit of a mystery surrounding Lo, she seems to be holding back -both in the narration and with her boyfriend whom she’s been with for several years.
As soon as Lo arrives on the cruise boat, she is feeling a bit weird, and also slightly upset, as the internet connection isn’t all it’s supposed to be. After a strange run-in with the woman in the next cabin, Lo goes to the first meet and greet with the other journalists and the couple who own the boat. Mesmerized by all the glitz, a little uncomfortable, and drinking too much, Lo feels out of place. Running into a male journalist she used to work with – and with whom she possibly had a relationship outside of work doesn’t help, either. In the middle of the night, Lo hears a scream, and then a splash outside her cabin, and she realizes that the woman in the next-door cabin must have fallen overboard. Only, there is blood on the window off the balcony…
This is when the story turns from something that could have been a pleasant cruise turns into something deadly, as Lo can’t leave this alone and contacts the security person on board. She tries to get the boat to stop, but this is not an option, especially when it appears that nobody is missing, and the cabin next to Lo’s was unoccupied… As Lo continues to investigate this matter, there is no internet connection what soever on board, and the passengers all start to feel unsettled when they enter a storm with high waves and rain…
The danger becomes more and more present for Lo, and The Woman in Cabin 10 never lets up on the suspense. Written in different points of views, one from Lo’s perspective, in first person, past tense and also through e-mails sent to Lo from various people, and some news-paper articles. This way of telling the story was unique, and it made the suspense ramp up when it was clear that the outside world didn’t know at all what was going on aboard that boat. If you enjoy suspense stories where it’s impossible to figure out what will happen next, The Woman in Cabin 10 is a book you should get your hands on as soon as it’s released!
Its size, along with the perfection of its paintwork, gave it a curiously toylike quality, and as I stepped onto the narrow steel gangway I had a sudden disorienting image of the Aurora as a ship imprisoned in a bottle – tiny, perfect, isolated, and unreal – and of myself, shrinking down to match it with every step I took towards the boat.
There was a little spritz of sequined leaves across the right shoulder because you didn’t seem to be able to get away with none. Apparently the majority of ball gowns were designed by five-year-old girls armed with glitter guns, but at least this one didn’t look entirely like an explosion in a Barbie factory.
It didn’t help that, unlike a ferry, there were no floor plans or maps, and minimal signage – supposed to help the impression that this was a private home that you just happened to share with a load of rich people.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I like the sound of this one. The mystery sounds intense and I love that everyone is stuck on the boat together with weird stuff happening. Nice review, Lexxie.
It was really well done, Sophia Rose! And everything was more intense due to being on a boat…
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I am glad to see that you liked this one as it looks like a real good one and on my wishlist. 🙂
It was SO good, Stormi! And I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy it, too 😀
I am so excited for this one as I loved her last book. Sounds like it has that same feel and keeps the pages turning. Great review!!
I hadn’t read any other books by Ware before, Grace, but she’ll be an author I’ll be looking for in the future 🙂
Twitter: talksupeblog
Now I want to know what happened! I’m still in a dark kick and I know I’m reading this at some point. Good to know it’ll be worth my while
Oh then you should definitely pick this one up, Braine!!
Twitter: ailynk
ohh creepy! sounds like it could go mysterious stowaway to a random ghost story. good one
It was definitely creepy, Ailyn. And you’re right – it really could!
This one is is on my must read list 🙂
I can’t wait to see what you’ll think of it, Felicia!
I’ve had my eyes on this one for a while now and I’m glad to hear that it delivered. I’m already very eager to figure out what on earth is going on with the lady in the cabin.
Fab review, Lexxie!
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, Nick! I really enjoyed every aspect of it, especially because it managed to keep me in suspense and a bit confused throughout 😀
I’ve been eyeing this book, and now I’m sold! Thanks for sharing…
I’m glad I could sell it to you, Laurel-Rain! It deserves lots of readers 😀
This sounds so good, and your last sentence- about not knowing what happens next- I love stories like that. Plus all the suspense. Can’t wait to read this one- I’ll be snapping it up as soon as it comes out!
It was really good, Greg! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
Twitter: kbaby81
Sounds like an episode of CSI. I haven’t been in the mood to read this genre lately, but there are some on my shelf that need to be read or donated to my library. This one looks promising. Great review!
That’s a good way to describe it, Lekeisha. It could have worked for a CSI episode for sure 🙂
I really enjoyed this one! I’m glad to hear you liked it too. I’m a sucker for a good mystery.
I have to check out your review, Lauren!
I liked this too, especially how it was written. Made me want to read more of her books.
Me, too, Christy! I want to read more of her books now, hoping there will be more chilling mysteries in store for me.
I just finished reading this one too and completely agree with most of your points. I loved how flawed Lo was and trapped feeling of the boat was fantastic. I might have to track down Ruth Ware’s previous book to this one.
Flawed characters always fascinate me, Samantha, because they are so realistic 🙂
Sounds fab, it’s on my must-read-asap list! I love the setting and also your mention of Lo being a lovable flawed characters.
Oh, must-read-asap, Trish? I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
This sounds like an interesting story and I like the way it’s conveyed. Plus, my mom’s family name is Blacklock! How weird is that?!? I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Lexxie! *BIG HUGS*
It’s really well done, Brandee 😀 And yeah, very weird that your mom’s family name is Blacklock! I hope she won’t go on a tiny luxury cruise off the coast of Norway any time soon 😉
*BIG HUGS*
Twitter: BerlsS
Oh man! This sounds good, but I’m not sure I could read it! I love to go on the water and cruises. Haven’t been in a long time but that’s how I plan to get to Europe some day and see your neck of the woods. I’m afraid this would ruin boating /cruising for me. I’ve never felt claustrophobic on a boat but boy this could change my mind! Awesome review!
You’d be on a much bigger boat, though, Berls, one with maps of where you are and how to get places… I don’t think this story would ruin your view on cruises.
And I hope you’ll be able to come to Europe sooner rather tan later, my friend! *hugs*