Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Woman in Seat 13

Not yet published
Expected 29 Apr 26
Rate this book
I survived. He died. And now someone wants me to pay…

When I spot I’m in row 13 on the flight, I barely notice. I’m not superstitious. But then I am offered the window seat by a stranger with melting brown eyes and no wedding ring. As we begin to chat, I find myself drawn to him. I never imagined that just half an hour later, I’d be clutching his hand, passengers screaming around us as our plane plummets terrifyingly through the night sky…

Months later I’m trying to make a fresh start as the only survivor of the crash. My brand-new apartment should feel like a haven for me but I’m still jumping at every noise, frightened to confide in my new neighbors. My therapist tells me this is normal, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not alone in my new home.

Then the notes begin. Notes that say It should have been you. You weren’t meant to survive. I think back to the stranger on the plane, who seemed to be just a nice, uncomplicated man. I remember his last words, lost under the roar of the failing engines. ‘There’s something I need to tell you. Look out for—’

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be alive. But is he the reason I am in terrible danger now?

A completely gripping and unputdownable thriller that will have you turning pages deep into the night. Fans of The Silent Patient and Jeneva Rose will be completely hooked on The Woman in Seat 13.

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 29, 2026

56 people want to read

About the author

Ellie Midwood

44 books1,193 followers
Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 20 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.

In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
7 (41%)
4 stars
5 (29%)
3 stars
5 (29%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,350 reviews1,340 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 25, 2026
description
description

The cover and blurb intrigued me. It wasn't something that I hadn't read or seen on TV before, but I wanted to read it. My first book by this author.
And I loved it. (Slightly spoileringly opinion (but it already happens in the very beginning): I so wanted the dog to survive - I almost stopped reading in the prologue.)
I liked Jessica immediately. I loved the whole atmosphere of the book. Brooklyn. Fall. The new old house. The neighbors/neighborhood. Firefighter Ben. Archie, the dog. The Ethan character. Everything and every one.
We have this survivor who is just trying to get back to real life after a year of living with and being taking care of by her amazing parents. Daily talks with her therapist. Survivor's guilt and so much more.
Jess doesn't want to be sad all the time anymore. She wants to stop taking so much medication. She wants to go back to work. She wants to live again. She wants to enjoy her new house and her friends. Maybe find love and a future again.
But someone out there wants her to fail. Someone wants her to go insane... or even dead.
The reader can guess and detect their way through the clues, but it's still all very mysterious and exciting and suspensy and dark and heartbreaking. But also funny and sweet and so hopeful and girl and survivor-power-ish.
I really enjoyed reading this and it would make an amazing movie or TV show!

click ► ►HERE◄ to buy the book!


Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for Leanne.
919 reviews90 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 3, 2026
The Woman in Seat 13 is a tense, elegant, and quietly unnerving thriller that begins with a moment of pure terror and never quite lets the reader breathe easily again. The opening — a stranger’s warm smile, a harmless seat swap, a conversation that feels like possibility — turns abruptly into chaos as the plane plummets through the night sky. That contrast between intimacy and catastrophe sets the tone for the entire novel.

What follows is a beautifully drawn portrait of survival that feels both fragile and deeply human. As the sole survivor, the narrator is trying to rebuild her life, but the world around her has shifted. Her new apartment should be a sanctuary, yet every creak feels loaded, every shadow a threat. The book captures trauma with a soft, empathetic touch — the jumpiness, the mistrust, the sense of being watched even when logic says otherwise.

And then the notes begin.

The tension tightens with each message, each reminder that someone believes she shouldn’t have survived. The stranger from the plane lingers in her memory — his kindness, his last unfinished warning — and the novel plays beautifully with that uncertainty. Was he trying to protect her? Or was he part of something far more sinister? The ambiguity is delicious, and the pacing keeps the reader leaning forward, waiting for the next piece to fall into place.

The final stretch is wonderfully claustrophobic, blending psychological suspense with the creeping dread of being hunted by someone who knows far too much. It’s the kind of thriller that thrives on atmosphere and emotional tension rather than shock value, and it delivers a payoff that feels both surprising and earned.

A gripping, emotionally charged read perfect for fans of twisty domestic suspense — and one that lingers long after the last page.

With thanks to Ellie Midwood, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Lori Peterson.
1,246 reviews38 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 28, 2026
Received as an ARC through Netgalley to review, this is an honest review.

Thank you to Bookouture for the approval to read this book.

Author Ellie Midwood crafted one heck of an emotional roller coaster of a mystery with The Woman in Seat 13 with a story that feels beautifully taken from those haunting, real life plane survival stories. And what happens to Jessica in the wake of them terrifying ordeal is beyond imaginable and deeply realistic as the author explores the deeper internal Jessica encounters everyday with the endless waves of survival guilt and trying to rebuild her life and career... and just to feel that her life can go on as a normal person. The relationship that blossoms between Jessica and Ben ( whom endured has own crucible of hell to be a survivor himself ), adds another layer to the novel as for those that experience such trauma; for those that never do, don't understand the complex emotions and their consequences that continue to burden individuals that do survive. And if Jessica isn't tortured enough, some clearly mental ill person is messing with her fragile sanity within notes demeaning that Jessica survived something when everyone else was killed. Which allows the author to explore the media's sick obsession with wringing out every subtle aspect of these stories to get a headline but everyone in the public pouring over how a survivor should live and act that's disturbing and sad at the same time.

An unforgettable read.


Highly recommended.





Profile Image for Cindy Bokma.
Author 12 books43 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 27, 2026
The Woman in Seat 13 is a solid psychological thriller that held my attention, even though I pieced together the big reveal well before the final pages.

The story follows Jessica, a psychologist who scores a last-minute upgrade to seat 13 on a flight, courtesy of a charming stranger. What should have been a stroke of luck turns into a nightmare when the plane crashes, leaving her as the sole survivor and the stranger dead.

After a period of recovery and a substantial insurance payout, Jessica buys a new home and begins rebuilding her life and career. She gets back to work and meets her new neighbors. Things are looking up.

But soon, unsettling events pile up: odd occurrences, a creeping sense of being watched, and suspicions that point in multiple directions. Is it one of her patients who sets off alarm bells? Or could it be someone closer, perhaps her business partner, who seems overly eager to reshape their shared therapy practice?

The paranoia builds as Jessica questions her own sanity.

The first half felt slow to me, with a lot of setup. The pace quickens in the second half, ramping up the suspense and delivering genuinely creepy moments that kept me turning pages.

While the twists weren't entirely surprising (I had my suspicions early on), the psychological elements and the exploration of guilt, trauma, and trust were compelling enough to make it a worthwhile read.
Profile Image for Janna (Bibliophile Mom).
250 reviews24 followers
March 2, 2026
The Woman in Seat 13 is exactly the kind of fresh twist I’ve been craving for years. I’ve been a thriller girlie for a long time now, and it’s getting harder and harder to genuinely surprise me in this genre. The premise alone had me clicking “request” on NetGalley, and I’m glad I did because the story absolutely delivered. Even though I clocked a few tropes early on, I still found myself fully hooked. This is the kind of read that makes you whisper “what?!” and “no way!” at random pages.

What I Enjoyed:
• Survivor trope — always a hit!
• Brownstone setting — the vintage and slightly eerie vibe
• Authentic female friendship — supportive without being cheesy

What Sort of Fell Flat:
• Some tropes felt overused and ready for retirement
• Predictable plot and twist in a few places
• A couple of culturally clumsy terms that pulled me out of the story

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 5⭐️
• Characters: 3⭐️
• Writing: 3⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️

To sum it up, this was an intense yet easy-to-devour read. The characters felt real, and the MC’s tragic past added so much weight and purpose to the story. A solid pick for readers who love survivor tropes mixed with stalking, vengeance, and that simmering sense of danger. Huge thanks to Bookouture and Ellie Midwood for my copy. My thoughts are, as always, my own.

~ JaNnA ~
Profile Image for Emma.
15 reviews
March 2, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley Thank you again for allowing me to indulge my reading obsession!

4⭐️’s - This was a very gripping & enjoyable story!

We follow the MFC Jess, as she tries to piece her life back together after being the sole survivor of a plane crash. She’s finally starting to build some independence when, surprise! It becomes painfully clear someone is watching her. And not in a cute, mysterious way. In a “this person actively wants me dead” kind of way.

Honestly, there were moments I wanted to shake her! Jess deciding to keep all the increasingly terrifying incidents to herself defies all reasoning to me. I’d be at the police station screenshots, CCTV, printed emails, possibly a PowerPoint presentation! The whole nine yards!

That said, the author does a brilliant job of making everyone in Jess’s life look suspicious. No one feels completely safe. You’re constantly side eyeing the entire roster, convinced they’ve all got something to hide.

As for the big reveal… I did clock it before it happened. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to. I love being completely blindsided in a story & this one didn’t quite manage that. It didn’t ruin the experience, but that extra punch would’ve taken it up a level.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Happy to say that I don’t find any of it relatable :P
Profile Image for Chrissy.
571 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 24, 2026
This was a good psychological thriller with a likeable and interesting main character. It had some slight pacing issues, especially in the first half of the book, with the writing sometimes getting a little bogged down with minutiae of mundane actions, and overly detailed descriptions of what places or people looked like. For the second half of the book, the pacing picked up speed. The final twist wasn't as twisty as it was meant to be, I think. To me it felt like from the moment the connection between Jess and Taylor was revealed, the book was telegraphing pretty hard who the obvious culprit for Jess's stalker would be. So I wasn't the slightest bit surprised by that reveal, but it was still a satisfying resolution. It was definitely interesting how Jess, as a therapist herself, was dealing with her own mental health issues and PTSD. The story relies heavily on gaslighting for tension, sometimes with Jess even gaslighting herself - and then immediately calling herself out for it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any fans of psychological thrillers. (Just maybe don't read it on a plane.)

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing a review copy via NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Linda.
13 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2026
I received an advance reader copy of this book from Net Galley. I was not familiar with the author but the description intrigued me. Jess is the only survivor of a terrible plane crash that takes place in the first chapter. The story jumps to a year later when she is trying to put her life back together and is suffering from PTSD. She has a stalker that is leaving her creepy notes and getting into her house. There is some gaslighting involved. Also, there seems to a lot of hate for her for being the only survivor and blame for the death of her seatmate who gave her his seat.

This story had some suspenseful parts but I was able to figure out the culprit about half way through the novel. There were also some mistakes in editing with bugged me and took me out of the story. (Not a spoiler- her seatmate asks here where in Utah she is flying to and she replies Sedona. Sedona is in Arizona, not Utah.) Also, the way the romance was described was kind of cheesy.

This is the first book I've read by this author. I'm a big fan of psychological thrillers and this wasn't a great one. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Profile Image for Kelliann.
24 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 26, 2026
A lone plane crash survivor who is also a psychiatrist believes she's being stalked by someone connected to the man who switched seats with her that fateful day. Who would want her dead? And is it truly a stalker, or her PTSD talking?

The setup is strong, with several possible suspects introduced early on. Unfortunately, well before halfway through, it became obvious to me what was happening. I don't mind figuring out a twist early if there's more to it, but what I suspected is basically what played out.

The story leans heavily into psychological terminology, prescription medications, substance use, and the blurred line between trauma and paranoia. Readers who enjoy suspense centered on mental health and a possible unreliable narrator may appreciate that focus. For me, once the mystery felt solved, the tension never fully recovered.

Still, it's an engaging read with a satisfying and hopeful ending. And that cover 🥰💜
39 reviews
March 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This was my first Ellie Midwood novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love a book with an unreliable (or potentially unreliable) narrator, bonus points if they are a therapist. My favourite niche psychological thriller trope.

This book gripped me from page one. I found myself wanting to sneak in a few chapters everywhere I could. There were a few unexpected twists, but the ending wasn’t a total surprise (lots of Easter eggs).

I found the FMC mostly likeable, especially when she didn’t question or doubt herself as others began to. I found her use of objective evidence refreshing and made me trust her as a narrator.

Overall I found the pace to be consistently building and I stayed engaged throughout.

P.s. good boy Archie, thanks for all the goofy comic relief!
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,373 reviews31 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 24, 2026
Wow this is a dark and heart breaking tale about a young woman who by a twist of fate ends up being the only survivor of a plane crash which tragically destroyed many lives and also took the life of her beloved dog as well. As she tries to put her life together and move into her own home her sanity is shaken when she starts to suspect she is being watched. As strange things start to happen to her both in and out of her new home she starts to loose trust in even those closest to her and worries that she may be in danger. Someone feels she should not have been the one to walk off the plane but everyone else thinks she is loosing her mind. Can she get to the truth before it’s too late! A great read.
Profile Image for GJO AND PUPS.
26 reviews2 followers
Currently reading
March 2, 2026
With thanks to NetGalley and the author for this eArc.

This book had me gripped from the first page and continued to push me forward throughout. The authors writing flows well and is modern. I figured out the culprit quite early on but the suspense still remained in most areas.

For me personally, Jess wasn't likable. I understood her character but was not rooting for her in the end either way. The mentions of adhd etc also felt forced sometimes, they did not add to the plot or Jess personality at all In my opinion. I also noticed some cultural references that felt a little out of place and the repetitive mention of tipping all servers.

However The plot thickened and twisted along well. I would definitely read another by this author
Profile Image for Michelle | Thriller Reviewer.
10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 26, 2026
**Review of advance copy received from Netgalley**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

The Woman in Seat 13 – Ellie Midwood

Gripping, fast-paced, and impossible to put down.
This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning.

The storyline moves quickly, the tension never lets up, and every chapter pushed me to keep reading. I flew through this in just two days because I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

It’s a true page-turner with a sharp, engaging plot that keeps you hooked right to the end. I loved every minute of it and was completely absorbed in the story.

A fantastic read and a definite five-star for me. I’ll absolutely be reading more from Ellie Midwood.
Profile Image for Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola.
303 reviews12 followers
February 25, 2026
Wow what a fantastic book! I really enjoy Ellie Midwoods historical fiction books so I thought I’d give this psychological thriller a go and I loved it.
The story is gripping and suspenseful and there are some crazy twists. I was so engaged and engrossed in the story i literally couldn’t put it down. This book will definitely be a bestseller, I highly recommend it. It totally deserves 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my opinion.

Publication date 29 April 2026.
Profile Image for Michelle.
314 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 23, 2026
This book was so good, I was hooked from the start.
How Jessica lived through all them events ill never no.
Such a gripping story. I loved every minute
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review
Profile Image for Christina McCarty.
48 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 27, 2026
I enjoyed this book though I found it quite predictable early on. I was hoping it was setting me up to think it was one person but then be completely wrong but that was not the case. Overall still a good book.
Profile Image for Cinta.
Author 101 books101 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
March 2, 2026
2.5 stars. Full review coming soon.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.