The Woman in Cabin 10

The Woman in Cabin 10 was a very popular thriller this summer. Having recently read Ruth Ware's former work, In a Dark, Dark Wood, I was anxious to see how the two compared and also to discover what my own opinion of this story was.

The Woman in Cabin 10 begins with our main character, Lo Blacklock having just suffered a traumatic break-in at her flat. She has been suffering from anxiety since she was a teenager, so this incident has increased her feelings of fear and apprehension. All of this stress leads to Lo quarreling with her boyfriend just before she has to leave on an important business trip, leaving both uncertain where they will stand upon her return.

As a journalist for a travel magazine, Lo immediately sets sail on a week-long trip aboard a luxury ship. With her personal life hanging in the balance, Lo must focus on networking with other passengers, but she's finding it difficult to remain professional and sober.

Disquiet begins to mount both outside of the ship and within Lo Blacklock's own heart. When she begins to insist she has witnessed someone being thrown into the waves, there is nothing to support her account of events, leaving readers to question whether murder is afoot on The Aurora, or if Lo has lost all touch with reality.

I found The Woman in Cabin 10 to be a more well-crafted story than her former book. This one gave more footholds for readers to grasp onto in order to form their own opinions as to what was really going on... a little more chance for book lovers to play detective. I can definitely see a progression in Ruth Ware's writing and look forward to seeing how her next book is received. I'm sure I'll be getting my hands on a copy so that I can review it as well.