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Lo Blacklock #1
La disparue de la cabine n°10
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2016)Être témoin d'un meurtre ? Angoissant. Que personne ne vous croie ? Terrifiant.
Une semaine à bord d'un yacht luxueux, à silloner les eaux de Grand Nord avec seulement une poignée de passagers.
Pour Laura Blacklock, journaliste pour un magazine de voyage, difficile de rêver d'une meilleure occasion de s'éloigner au plus vite de la capitale anglaise.
D'ailleurs, le départ tient toutes ses promesses : le ciel est clair, la mer est calme et les invités très sélects de l'
Aurora rivalisent de jovialité. Le champagne coule à flot, les conversations ne manquent pas de piquant et la cabine est un véritable paradis sur l'eau.
Mais dès le premier soir, le vent tourne. Laura, réveillée en pleine nuit, voit la passagère de la cabine adjacente être passée par-dessus bord.
Le problème ? Aucun voyageur, aucun membre de l'équipage ne manque à l'appel. L'
Aurora poursuit sa route comme si de rien n'était.
Le drame ? Laura sait qu'elle ne s'est pas trompée. Ce qui fait d'elle l'unique témoin d'un meurtre, dont l'auteur se trouve toujours à bord...
428 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2016
29741 people are currently reading
596764 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ware
29 books48.1k followersRuth Ware is an international number one bestseller. Her thrillers In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, The Death of Mrs Westaway, The Turn of the Key, One by One, The It Girl, Zero Days, One Perfect Couple and The Woman in Suite 11 have appeared on bestseller lists around the world, including the Sunday Times and New York Times, and have sold more than ten million copies.
Her books have been optioned for both film and TV, and she is published in more than 40 languages.
Ruth lives near Brighton with her family. Visit ruthware.com to find out more.
Her books have been optioned for both film and TV, and she is published in more than 40 languages.
Ruth lives near Brighton with her family. Visit ruthware.com to find out more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51,846 reviews
July 13, 2016
Meh. I enjoyed Ruth Ware's debut a lot more than this one. I found I was expected to suspend my disbelief even more in The Woman in Cabin 10 and I wasn't having any of it. It also felt like a not as good carbon copy of The Girl on the Train. Usually even with all the similarities of thrillers these days, I can find enough originality in the story to feel the author didn't *try* to follow the same formula. That didn't exactly happen here. It felt like the author just replaced a few facts with similar enough things..changed the train into a luxury cruise liner. Changed a few details here and there. And boom...here's a new book. I guess I'll delve into the plot a tiny bit to get my point across while still avoiding spoilers.
Laura Blacklock (she goes by Lo) suffers from extreme anxiety to the point of needing medicine to keep it under control. When a break-in occurs in her apartment with her present, it brings her fear and anxiety to a whole new high. Lo's sleep is suffering a great deal. She got in a huge fight with her boyfriend. But she still has to go on this week long luxury cruise assignment for work since her boss is on maternity leave. This could be her way of finally getting that promotion if Lo can just keep it together enough to network among important people and help put their small travel magazine, Velocity, on the map.
The Aurora is a brand new super-luxury cruise liner that will travel around the Norwegian fjords for it's maiden voyage. It's rather small with only 10 cabins, a maximum of 20 passengers, and a handpicked staff on board. Lo is roomed in cabin 9. It isn't far into the trip when Lo is woken by a scream from the cabin next door followed by a loud splash. She goes out onto the veranda to see blood on the neighboring balcony. She calls security to report what happened, but there's nothing in cabin 10. The guest who was supposed to be in that room didn't make the cruise. Which is odd because Lo swears she borrowed mascara from a girl in cabin 10 before dinner. There aren't any passengers missing, staff unaccounted for, nothing amiss other than Lo's report of what she witnessed. Is her anxiety-ridden mind mixed with the lack of sleep and abundance of alcohol playing tricks on her? Lo insists something happened. Nobody believes her.
So I felt like we took Lo and made her unlikable and unreliable in the same way that was done in The Girl on the Train. Replace the alcoholism with intense anxiety giving others reason to question her reliability as a witness. It's another protagonist witnesses murder and no one believes her story. Add in the means of transportation...boat in place of train. It feels really similar. The twist isn't the same, though. But that's where my next problem resides. Was that even really much of a twist?! Yeah..the first part of it was good, but when it came to the actual end..I was left thinking it was unbelievably dumb because it was obvious. And I don't understand for the life of me how Lo didn't put that together. Is she stupid? Well maybe because a lot of what she did through the book did not make sense. I couldn't see the logic in her head even with all that she had going on.
Plus her ex-boyfriend happens to be one of the other reporters on board adding a dose of drama. Because who else would Lo be able to get to believe her if anyone? I hated the way these two interacted. It made Lo appear even more weak. I couldn't stand it. This was probably on purpose no matter how aggravating it made Lo. It's annoying because the set up for the story was so great - a possible murder on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. It was a locked-room mystery a la Agatha Christie, who might have done this better. This is something I've noticed in both Ruth Ware's books - her inspirations from the classic author. I do hope to see more of this. I only wish this one had worked better. It was too similar to The Girl on the Train and had too many implausible moments for me.
Laura Blacklock (she goes by Lo) suffers from extreme anxiety to the point of needing medicine to keep it under control. When a break-in occurs in her apartment with her present, it brings her fear and anxiety to a whole new high. Lo's sleep is suffering a great deal. She got in a huge fight with her boyfriend. But she still has to go on this week long luxury cruise assignment for work since her boss is on maternity leave. This could be her way of finally getting that promotion if Lo can just keep it together enough to network among important people and help put their small travel magazine, Velocity, on the map.
The Aurora is a brand new super-luxury cruise liner that will travel around the Norwegian fjords for it's maiden voyage. It's rather small with only 10 cabins, a maximum of 20 passengers, and a handpicked staff on board. Lo is roomed in cabin 9. It isn't far into the trip when Lo is woken by a scream from the cabin next door followed by a loud splash. She goes out onto the veranda to see blood on the neighboring balcony. She calls security to report what happened, but there's nothing in cabin 10. The guest who was supposed to be in that room didn't make the cruise. Which is odd because Lo swears she borrowed mascara from a girl in cabin 10 before dinner. There aren't any passengers missing, staff unaccounted for, nothing amiss other than Lo's report of what she witnessed. Is her anxiety-ridden mind mixed with the lack of sleep and abundance of alcohol playing tricks on her? Lo insists something happened. Nobody believes her.
So I felt like we took Lo and made her unlikable and unreliable in the same way that was done in The Girl on the Train. Replace the alcoholism with intense anxiety giving others reason to question her reliability as a witness. It's another protagonist witnesses murder and no one believes her story. Add in the means of transportation...boat in place of train. It feels really similar. The twist isn't the same, though. But that's where my next problem resides. Was that even really much of a twist?! Yeah..the first part of it was good, but when it came to the actual end..I was left thinking it was unbelievably dumb because it was obvious. And I don't understand for the life of me how Lo didn't put that together. Is she stupid? Well maybe because a lot of what she did through the book did not make sense. I couldn't see the logic in her head even with all that she had going on.
Plus her ex-boyfriend happens to be one of the other reporters on board adding a dose of drama. Because who else would Lo be able to get to believe her if anyone? I hated the way these two interacted. It made Lo appear even more weak. I couldn't stand it. This was probably on purpose no matter how aggravating it made Lo. It's annoying because the set up for the story was so great - a possible murder on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. It was a locked-room mystery a la Agatha Christie, who might have done this better. This is something I've noticed in both Ruth Ware's books - her inspirations from the classic author. I do hope to see more of this. I only wish this one had worked better. It was too similar to The Girl on the Train and had too many implausible moments for me.
November 19, 2024
I'm a little conflicted after reading The Woman in Cabin 10. On the one hand, it's a decently interesting mystery. On the other hand, did the main character have to be such a dimwitted lush?
Lo is a travel writer, and she's thrilled to be invited on a small luxury cruise as part of her job. But her fun soon comes to an end when she witnesses what seems to be a woman being pushed overboard. The problem is that no passenger is missing, so her alarm is met with mostly indifference. If she wants to find out what happened, she'll have to do it herself.
Sounds promising, right? Except Lo is the most annoying character I've come across in a long time. Throughout the story, she is incredibly tired from lack of sleep (we're told this like 50 times), perpetually verging on drunkenness, hungry (she hardly eats), unfriendly, argumentative, defensive, and just plain dumb. She doesn't seem to know simple things about the cruise even though she's there to cover it as part of her job. Whenever she sees anyone, she freezes up and doesn't know what to say.
And we're supposed to believe that not only is she a journalist with 10 years of experience, but that she can also solve a mystery, mainly by blundering around, poking into and blurting out things she shouldn't, and drinking like a fish whenever there is alcohol around? Nope, not possible. My disbeliefs can only be suspended so far, I tell you.
What baffles me is that the main character didn't have to be written this way. It doesn't advance the plot or play into some idiot-person narrative. The mystery would have been just as good, if not better, had Lo been sharp and shrewd.
Thankfully, in the last third of the book, Lo finally starts using her wits (hurray!), and the pacing picks up. The mystery unfolds, and becomes fun and twisty. And when the solution is presented, it's an interesting one. It's just too bad the enjoyment wasn't even all the way through and we had to wait until the end to get the main character this story deserves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Death of Mrs. Westaway
The Turn of the Key
One by One
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
Lo is a travel writer, and she's thrilled to be invited on a small luxury cruise as part of her job. But her fun soon comes to an end when she witnesses what seems to be a woman being pushed overboard. The problem is that no passenger is missing, so her alarm is met with mostly indifference. If she wants to find out what happened, she'll have to do it herself.
Sounds promising, right? Except Lo is the most annoying character I've come across in a long time. Throughout the story, she is incredibly tired from lack of sleep (we're told this like 50 times), perpetually verging on drunkenness, hungry (she hardly eats), unfriendly, argumentative, defensive, and just plain dumb. She doesn't seem to know simple things about the cruise even though she's there to cover it as part of her job. Whenever she sees anyone, she freezes up and doesn't know what to say.
And we're supposed to believe that not only is she a journalist with 10 years of experience, but that she can also solve a mystery, mainly by blundering around, poking into and blurting out things she shouldn't, and drinking like a fish whenever there is alcohol around? Nope, not possible. My disbeliefs can only be suspended so far, I tell you.
What baffles me is that the main character didn't have to be written this way. It doesn't advance the plot or play into some idiot-person narrative. The mystery would have been just as good, if not better, had Lo been sharp and shrewd.
Thankfully, in the last third of the book, Lo finally starts using her wits (hurray!), and the pacing picks up. The mystery unfolds, and becomes fun and twisty. And when the solution is presented, it's an interesting one. It's just too bad the enjoyment wasn't even all the way through and we had to wait until the end to get the main character this story deserves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Death of Mrs. Westaway
The Turn of the Key
One by One
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
November 21, 2025
What can I say about The Woman in Cabin 10?
I read it and I'm not mad about it. Elaborating further, it was good, though not a new favorite. It didn't really impact me one way or another. Meh.
((all the shrugs))
It can't be denied, there is something very addictive about Ware's writing. For me, the second half of this novel saved it from a 2-star rating. I wasn't really invested at all until the reveal.
The reveal itself, as well as the events following it, were much more compelling than the build-up. Because of this, the pacing felt off.
During the build-up, I had quite a few moments of frustration with our protagonist. Generally, I was thinking, Lo, mind your business. Enjoy your cruise, just please, quit whining!
Then the reveal happened and I was like, hold up now, that's kind of interesting..
Q: Would I classify this as one of the best Mystery/Thrillers I have ever read?
A: No.
Q: Will I read another Ruth Ware book?
A: Definitely.
I'm accepting no further questions at this time. Take from that what you will.
I read it and I'm not mad about it. Elaborating further, it was good, though not a new favorite. It didn't really impact me one way or another. Meh.
((all the shrugs))
It can't be denied, there is something very addictive about Ware's writing. For me, the second half of this novel saved it from a 2-star rating. I wasn't really invested at all until the reveal.
The reveal itself, as well as the events following it, were much more compelling than the build-up. Because of this, the pacing felt off.
During the build-up, I had quite a few moments of frustration with our protagonist. Generally, I was thinking, Lo, mind your business. Enjoy your cruise, just please, quit whining!
Then the reveal happened and I was like, hold up now, that's kind of interesting..
Q: Would I classify this as one of the best Mystery/Thrillers I have ever read?
A: No.
Q: Will I read another Ruth Ware book?
A: Definitely.
I'm accepting no further questions at this time. Take from that what you will.
December 11, 2025
"There’s a reason why we keep thoughts inside our heads for the most part—they’re not safe to be let out in public."Laura "Lo" Blacklock just won the career lottery - her pregnant boss can no longer attend the Aurora cruise. Instead, her boss sends Lo as the magazine's representative to the maiden voyage.
The ship is full of rich socialites, intrepid reporters and world-renowned rich folks - the perfect people to wine & dine. Lo can feel it in her bones - this is her chance. Right before she sets off - her apartment is broken into, and she feels fear like she's never felt it before.
“For a travel journalist I’m worryingly bad at geography.”
The very first night, she borrows mascara from the woman in cabin 10 (hey-o it's the title!). Later that night, Lo hears a splash outside and sees what looks like a body sinking beneath the waves.
Only, when she raises the alarm...everyone on the ship is accounted for. What's more, given Lo's shakey use of medication, and her general lack of evidence, fewer and fewer people believe her. Even the mascara - her one shred of proof - goes missing.
As frustrations (and her own desperation) mounts, Lo is faced with the single most defining decision in her life - was there ever a girl in the cabin or could it have been all in her head?
“I know what it's like. Don't you see? I know what she must have felt like, when someone came for her in the middle of the night. That's why I have to find out who did this to her.”
This one was certainly engaging and I think the author did a fairly good job with the atmosphere and the setting.
As Lo became more and more panicked, I felt adrenaline jumping.
However, there were certainly moments where the pacing felt really...off... where things would slow, slow, slowww down for no apparent reason. Really took me out of the book.
This one had a similar feel to The Girl on the Train - though this one had a main character with an actual backbone. (Well, sort of. Lo did get a bit weepy and annoying about 2/3 of the way through).
Overall, an entertaining read - and I didn't see the ending coming.
Audiobook Comments
Extremely well-read by Imogen Church. This was set in England/Norway and the accents sounded rather good (to my untrained ear). Though...the reader's Brooklyn accent (for Lo's boyfriend) really could've used some work. It wasn't enough to ruin the audiobook, but it was certainly something I noticed...
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July 1, 2017
I smacked my head on a low hanging light fitting earlier so am particularly grumpy, but here's what irked me about this book:
Whining protagonist, too anxious (and irritating) to function.
Plot holes bigger than the Grand Canyon.
Every character unlikable.
Glossed over sexual assault.
Took Forever to get going.
That ENDING, I hurt my eyes rolling them so hard.
Guess what Lo Blacklock? I wouldn't have believed you either.
The end.
Whining protagonist, too anxious (and irritating) to function.
Plot holes bigger than the Grand Canyon.
Every character unlikable.
Glossed over sexual assault.
Took Forever to get going.
That ENDING, I hurt my eyes rolling them so hard.
Guess what Lo Blacklock? I wouldn't have believed you either.
The end.
March 18, 2017
Thank you Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I should start by saying I ended up not reading the author's first book, In a Dark, Dark Wood, because someone I know spoiled the whole "big twist" for me. I also should say I wasn't very disappointed as I wouldn't have enjoyed spending all the time invested reading it for another Gone Girl wannabe. I'm getting a little tired of everyone wanting to write the next big hit in the genre, but writing THE EXACT same story with differently named characters.
I'll also say that, while comparing the plots of her two books, this one was loads improved and I was interested to see what she wrote next, as I felt it would be more a show of her own work instead of trying to be the next big thing. You can read the plot for this one on the book page, but basically, Lo is a journalist who has the opportunity to cover a story aboard a swanky new cruise ship where things start to go awry.
Because so few people have read this so far, I'm not going to hash out every problem I had with this book, but I'll give some very vague generalizations as to not ruin the experience for someone else. I had big problems with the very beginning and the last 20% of this book. The middle 60% was honestly spot on, and if the entire book had been written with that sense of excellency it would have been a 5 star read.
THINGS I LIKED:
Another reviewer named Denise brought this up first, but I liked how she described the format of this book reading like a classic Agatha Christie novel. Group of people confined in a small area surrounding a murder. This is always a plus for me. I fangirl over any and all things reminiscent of Christie.
The pacing, after the first 25% was great! The suspense built, layer upon layer, until you just wanted to devour the rest to find out "whodunnit". Unfortunately, you do find out who the culprit is a little earlier than expected, with a few minor twists nearing the end.
There was one big twist I 100% did not see coming. I always like being taken off my game so this was a positive for me; however, I can already see many people having a problem with not only this twist, but the whole dang book because everything was very unrealistic.
THINGS I DISLIKED:
Lo Blacklock. Dear God, I loathed this woman. I've never had to follow the story of such a peculiar, whiny, uncomfortable woman in all my reading. She did seem to find a backbone toward the end which I did appreciate. I'm just not sure how to pity a woman who is defined by passages like this (paraphrasing by me):
"I don't want to have sex with you Ben"-Lo
*Ben grabs Lo's breast in attempt to have sex with her anyway*
*Lo knees Ben in crotch*
SCENE
Immediately following, Lo is crying in her room with Ben's arm around her and he is trying to make her feel less guilty for her kneeing him in the crotch. This, proceeded by the mascara incident (which I know was an important scene in the book), just grated on me.
So many random incidents happen in this book without being tied together or having any explanation. I think she threw certain plot points in to give us a better overall understanding of Lo and her bizarre actions, but it just didn't work for me. I honestly am sitting here and am not entirely sure I even know how this book ended.
If you enjoyed her first book, you will very likely enjoy this one as well. I can't say I didn't enjoy this one, as it was a quick, compelling read, but I did expect much more from it. This felt jumbled, confusing, and like a debut that you expect to be a little rough. There is definitely talent here; I'm hoping book 3 will show stronger growth in the author's writing, but I still think I would recommend to those who are looking for an easy, quick read to capture their attention. And I hope you all don't hate me for not loving this book as much as you probably will. :)
I should start by saying I ended up not reading the author's first book, In a Dark, Dark Wood, because someone I know spoiled the whole "big twist" for me. I also should say I wasn't very disappointed as I wouldn't have enjoyed spending all the time invested reading it for another Gone Girl wannabe. I'm getting a little tired of everyone wanting to write the next big hit in the genre, but writing THE EXACT same story with differently named characters.
I'll also say that, while comparing the plots of her two books, this one was loads improved and I was interested to see what she wrote next, as I felt it would be more a show of her own work instead of trying to be the next big thing. You can read the plot for this one on the book page, but basically, Lo is a journalist who has the opportunity to cover a story aboard a swanky new cruise ship where things start to go awry.
Because so few people have read this so far, I'm not going to hash out every problem I had with this book, but I'll give some very vague generalizations as to not ruin the experience for someone else. I had big problems with the very beginning and the last 20% of this book. The middle 60% was honestly spot on, and if the entire book had been written with that sense of excellency it would have been a 5 star read.
THINGS I LIKED:
Another reviewer named Denise brought this up first, but I liked how she described the format of this book reading like a classic Agatha Christie novel. Group of people confined in a small area surrounding a murder. This is always a plus for me. I fangirl over any and all things reminiscent of Christie.
The pacing, after the first 25% was great! The suspense built, layer upon layer, until you just wanted to devour the rest to find out "whodunnit". Unfortunately, you do find out who the culprit is a little earlier than expected, with a few minor twists nearing the end.
There was one big twist I 100% did not see coming. I always like being taken off my game so this was a positive for me; however, I can already see many people having a problem with not only this twist, but the whole dang book because everything was very unrealistic.
THINGS I DISLIKED:
Lo Blacklock. Dear God, I loathed this woman. I've never had to follow the story of such a peculiar, whiny, uncomfortable woman in all my reading. She did seem to find a backbone toward the end which I did appreciate. I'm just not sure how to pity a woman who is defined by passages like this (paraphrasing by me):
"I don't want to have sex with you Ben"-Lo
*Ben grabs Lo's breast in attempt to have sex with her anyway*
*Lo knees Ben in crotch*
SCENE
Immediately following, Lo is crying in her room with Ben's arm around her and he is trying to make her feel less guilty for her kneeing him in the crotch. This, proceeded by the mascara incident (which I know was an important scene in the book), just grated on me.
So many random incidents happen in this book without being tied together or having any explanation. I think she threw certain plot points in to give us a better overall understanding of Lo and her bizarre actions, but it just didn't work for me. I honestly am sitting here and am not entirely sure I even know how this book ended.
If you enjoyed her first book, you will very likely enjoy this one as well. I can't say I didn't enjoy this one, as it was a quick, compelling read, but I did expect much more from it. This felt jumbled, confusing, and like a debut that you expect to be a little rough. There is definitely talent here; I'm hoping book 3 will show stronger growth in the author's writing, but I still think I would recommend to those who are looking for an easy, quick read to capture their attention. And I hope you all don't hate me for not loving this book as much as you probably will. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2016
The Woman in Cabin 10 promised an intense read, but all I felt after reading this was intense anger. Anger because I expected so much more than what the author promised. The premise is typical of a thriller novel, it depicts a rollercoaster ride. This novel unfortunately is a huge disappointment for me. So much time wasted.
I listened to this book because I had other books I was already reading, and I need to listen to a book while driving. The narrator didn't have the most pleasing voice, but she still did a good job. I believe that the character the author created, Lo, is the problem. She's a rude, conceited, and honestly a bit stupid. I hate thrillers with a good plot but has terrible characters. This novel has terrible characters and a mediocre plot.
It all started with Lo and a certain event in her flat. That event made her paranoid and affected most of what happens next in the novel. When she finally got aboard The Aurora, I thought that it should get really good from here, but right from the start of her being onboard, it starts to get really dull and annoying. I didn't like her approach to people, even if the justification is because of what happened to her before, it's a bit unlikely that anyone is that rude. If I were to meet her in person, I would most likely hate her just from the introduction. The climax of the novel shouldn't even be considered as a real climax, because there is none. It's all rambling and talking to the crew. The mystery started to seem really boring because of all her rambling and complaining about everything.
The most annoying part of the novel is the disgusting ending and revelation of the secret. That's it? I wasted 9 hours of my life listening to this piece of crap? I've read way better thrillers with cliches plot than this. This is probably the most overhyped book I've read in my life. I'm glad I didn't buy a physical copy because I might give it away to a person that I hate. I firmly believe that it wouldn't have made a difference if I read this, because I would be equally annoyed with the outcome, and the main character.
After days of contemplating ,I can't give this more than 1 star. Whenever I remember this novel, there's no positive feeling or emotion felt toward it. If only I could forget about novels, this would be a good use of that ability.
I listened to this book because I had other books I was already reading, and I need to listen to a book while driving. The narrator didn't have the most pleasing voice, but she still did a good job. I believe that the character the author created, Lo, is the problem. She's a rude, conceited, and honestly a bit stupid. I hate thrillers with a good plot but has terrible characters. This novel has terrible characters and a mediocre plot.
It all started with Lo and a certain event in her flat. That event made her paranoid and affected most of what happens next in the novel. When she finally got aboard The Aurora, I thought that it should get really good from here, but right from the start of her being onboard, it starts to get really dull and annoying. I didn't like her approach to people, even if the justification is because of what happened to her before, it's a bit unlikely that anyone is that rude. If I were to meet her in person, I would most likely hate her just from the introduction. The climax of the novel shouldn't even be considered as a real climax, because there is none. It's all rambling and talking to the crew. The mystery started to seem really boring because of all her rambling and complaining about everything.
The most annoying part of the novel is the disgusting ending and revelation of the secret. That's it? I wasted 9 hours of my life listening to this piece of crap? I've read way better thrillers with cliches plot than this. This is probably the most overhyped book I've read in my life. I'm glad I didn't buy a physical copy because I might give it away to a person that I hate. I firmly believe that it wouldn't have made a difference if I read this, because I would be equally annoyed with the outcome, and the main character.
After days of contemplating ,I can't give this more than 1 star. Whenever I remember this novel, there's no positive feeling or emotion felt toward it. If only I could forget about novels, this would be a good use of that ability.
August 7, 2019
I just realized I don't hate myself and therefore will not be completing this. if you look up the word mediocre in the dictionary it’s just a photo of this book. maybe a photo of the opening page because the cover is the only thing about this that isn’t shit
Listen, this is just about the most generic thriller ever written. Let’s talk about all the shitty ass ways this book copies The Girl on the Train, a 2015 novel that I have an immense distaste for. They have the exact same plot. Lead observes something. But no one will believe her because she is Un Re Li Able. You can read literally any one of these novels and there’s an unreliable narrator. Why is she unreliable? Some unspecific mental condition that will play into her character development absolutely zero! Or better yet, alcoholism!
It is 2018. The Girl on the Train was a shitty book. Stop copying it.
And listen, okay, I am fine with unreliable narrators. But in books like these we know from the beginning that they’re unreliable and that they might be hallucinating it all. Ooooooooooooooooh. You know what else we know? That no author is going to end the book with “yup, they hallucinated that all.” Because then how can you market it to work-tired middle-aged readers to bring on their Bahamas trip? Although I’m sure a vaguely boring sixty year old scholar somewhere could work out a marketing pitch about how an ending with no reveal simply demonstrates the pointlessness of existing. They would be wrong. Nothing could possibly be as pointless as this book.
Also, you know, complex characters do need to have some vague veneer of consistency. For example, let’s say your lead character looooooooves her boyfriend. She wants to solve all the issues in their relationship and be with him forever. So what does she do? Something nice? Of course not, because that would be logical! She gets in a fight with him and proceeds to ignore all his emails for days. Yeah.
And you know what? You get a bonus fucking round for the cringiest thing that happened in this book. The main character’s ex-boyfriend touches her boobs without any consent or even hint she’s into him. She knees him in the groin for touching her boob. Great, right? No, because Ruth Ware then promptly ruins the iconicness of the moment by having her protagonist apologize for it and say it was her fault. He touched her on the boob without asking. He absolutely deserved to be kneed in the balls.
this book can actually go jump in the ocean. just like that woman who still has not been thrown in the ocean despite me being THIRTY ONE FUCKING PERCENT IN and it being in the damn BLURB. I'm going to bed.
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Listen, this is just about the most generic thriller ever written. Let’s talk about all the shitty ass ways this book copies The Girl on the Train, a 2015 novel that I have an immense distaste for. They have the exact same plot. Lead observes something. But no one will believe her because she is Un Re Li Able. You can read literally any one of these novels and there’s an unreliable narrator. Why is she unreliable? Some unspecific mental condition that will play into her character development absolutely zero! Or better yet, alcoholism!
It is 2018. The Girl on the Train was a shitty book. Stop copying it.
And listen, okay, I am fine with unreliable narrators. But in books like these we know from the beginning that they’re unreliable and that they might be hallucinating it all. Ooooooooooooooooh. You know what else we know? That no author is going to end the book with “yup, they hallucinated that all.” Because then how can you market it to work-tired middle-aged readers to bring on their Bahamas trip? Although I’m sure a vaguely boring sixty year old scholar somewhere could work out a marketing pitch about how an ending with no reveal simply demonstrates the pointlessness of existing. They would be wrong. Nothing could possibly be as pointless as this book.
Also, you know, complex characters do need to have some vague veneer of consistency. For example, let’s say your lead character looooooooves her boyfriend. She wants to solve all the issues in their relationship and be with him forever. So what does she do? Something nice? Of course not, because that would be logical! She gets in a fight with him and proceeds to ignore all his emails for days. Yeah.
And you know what? You get a bonus fucking round for the cringiest thing that happened in this book. The main character’s ex-boyfriend touches her boobs without any consent or even hint she’s into him. She knees him in the groin for touching her boob. Great, right? No, because Ruth Ware then promptly ruins the iconicness of the moment by having her protagonist apologize for it and say it was her fault. He touched her on the boob without asking. He absolutely deserved to be kneed in the balls.
this book can actually go jump in the ocean. just like that woman who still has not been thrown in the ocean despite me being THIRTY ONE FUCKING PERCENT IN and it being in the damn BLURB. I'm going to bed.
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August 8, 2016Deep sixing this one. Read only 14% so not rating it. Not feeling it and to be honest the dialogue just seems corny.
September 3, 2016
This started out so strong, it was well paced and suspenseful... then it took a turn and got seriously weird and ridiculous.
April 9, 2016
I received a copy of The Woman in Cabin 10 from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Scout Press, and Ruth Ware for the opportunity. This book will be published in July, 2016.
You know the feeling.....poised for sound and vigilant for any hint of the slightest evidence of movement. You are alone. At least that is what your mind tells you.
Lo Blacklock has barely an eye open after a night of some serious throwing 'em back drinking. But there are sounds coming from the outer periphery of her tiny basement apartment. And why is the door closed? A turn of the doorknob reveals a man completely encased in a cocoon of black clothing and wearing latex gloves. Shock finds Lo instantly and she is completely immobile. The door slams and Lo is locked inside.
Later, Lo is able to break out of her bedroom prison. But the break-in leaves Lo shattered and filled with fear. It has a downward affect on her relationship with her boyfriend as well. Lo gladly accepts an assignment from the travel magazine that she works for in order to flee from this nightmare. She boards the cruise liner, Aurora Borealis, on its maiden voyage. No harm can ever come to her way out in the distant waters. She finally embraces a haven that she believes to be safe. But is she really?
And here comes an injection of "gaslighting" at its finest. Lo experiences the freight train collision of witnessing a body being tossed overboard. She runs next door to Cabin 10 to alert the woman who had just loaned her a mascara earlier in the evening. No one is there and no passenger has been booked for that cabin. In fact, the passenger/crew list is intact. No one, but no one, is left unaccounted for. Have too many rounds of gin and tonic left Lo's brain pickled and off kilter?
The tension mounts as Lo clings to what she believes and feels actually happened. But there are no takers for the story that is ripping her to shreds inside. Self-doubt wants to take permanent residence inside her already fragile mind taunt with high-pitched anxiety.
Ruth Ware provides an easy, quick writing style. The dialogue is crisp and not bogged down with endless soliloquy. The build-up is relentless. As the reader, you take pity on Lo and don't want to leave her adrift here. So you keep turning pages.....
Now the conclusion may or may not fit the bill for you. We each bring our own experiential backgrounds to the act of reading. But I will say this, I'm glad to have taken that eerie cruise with Lo. It will not leave you adrift with wonder. It all plays out in those deep, deep waters.
You know the feeling.....poised for sound and vigilant for any hint of the slightest evidence of movement. You are alone. At least that is what your mind tells you.
Lo Blacklock has barely an eye open after a night of some serious throwing 'em back drinking. But there are sounds coming from the outer periphery of her tiny basement apartment. And why is the door closed? A turn of the doorknob reveals a man completely encased in a cocoon of black clothing and wearing latex gloves. Shock finds Lo instantly and she is completely immobile. The door slams and Lo is locked inside.
Later, Lo is able to break out of her bedroom prison. But the break-in leaves Lo shattered and filled with fear. It has a downward affect on her relationship with her boyfriend as well. Lo gladly accepts an assignment from the travel magazine that she works for in order to flee from this nightmare. She boards the cruise liner, Aurora Borealis, on its maiden voyage. No harm can ever come to her way out in the distant waters. She finally embraces a haven that she believes to be safe. But is she really?
And here comes an injection of "gaslighting" at its finest. Lo experiences the freight train collision of witnessing a body being tossed overboard. She runs next door to Cabin 10 to alert the woman who had just loaned her a mascara earlier in the evening. No one is there and no passenger has been booked for that cabin. In fact, the passenger/crew list is intact. No one, but no one, is left unaccounted for. Have too many rounds of gin and tonic left Lo's brain pickled and off kilter?
The tension mounts as Lo clings to what she believes and feels actually happened. But there are no takers for the story that is ripping her to shreds inside. Self-doubt wants to take permanent residence inside her already fragile mind taunt with high-pitched anxiety.
Ruth Ware provides an easy, quick writing style. The dialogue is crisp and not bogged down with endless soliloquy. The build-up is relentless. As the reader, you take pity on Lo and don't want to leave her adrift here. So you keep turning pages.....
Now the conclusion may or may not fit the bill for you. We each bring our own experiential backgrounds to the act of reading. But I will say this, I'm glad to have taken that eerie cruise with Lo. It will not leave you adrift with wonder. It all plays out in those deep, deep waters.
September 27, 2020
What a compelling murder mystery! Even though I didn't like the main character Laura Blacklock and her actions too much I couldn't put the book down. Who is the mysterious woman in cabin 10? When Laura starts asking questions the tension grows to a nail biting level. Who wants to stop her digging deeper in that affair? What about Lord Bullmer and his wife Anne? What about the other invited guests on the Aurora? The author comes up with an extremely intriguing plot that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat. You definitely want to know what happened here, if there ever was a missing woman on board and who's the culprit. Cleverly written, fine plotted, the intersections with the press articles were also quite good. This is a very well written and exciting book. Highly recommended!
December 15, 2024
Well that was a much better read for me than the author's first book, IN A DARK, DARK WOOD as it was slow-moving for me and just didn't maintain my interest. This one though was fast-paced and had me entertained and engaged right from the very first chapter.
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by RUTH WARE was a chilling and suspenseful thriller with the perfect setting for a mystery on a small luxurious cruise liner with only 10 cabins set to sail from London to Norway. I was really intrigued with the setting and plot of this novel as I have always wanted to take a vacation on a Luxury Cruise Liner.
I fell in love with THE COVER of this book when I first seen it and have been obsessed with reading it ever since, that is the main reason that I chose this book to read. Awesome embossed cover of water spots on a porthole window with the ocean waves in the background!
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 isn't all that creative of a TITLE but is fitting as there is a mystery that develops as we follow along the voyage of the Aurora about who the woman in Cabin 10 is that Laura (Lo) Blacklock seen and believes to have been murdered. Her sanity is questioned here as Cabin 10 was unoccupied but she is determined to prove that someone was indeed in Cabin 10 and murdered.
This novel was filled with a few CHARACTERS and I had a little bit of problem at times keeping track of who the secondary ones were, but it didn't really disrupt me from the storyline though. RUTH WARE delivers an atmospheric and suspenseful story here with a few good twists that had me questioning and guessing what actually happened and who was involved. Although there were a few things that happened in this book that I felt were never answered or was missing from the plot.
The ENDING was intense, exciting, and very satisfying with a surprising twist for another enjoyable read.
To sum it all up it was an entertaining, enjoyable, suspenseful, fast-paced, quick and easy read with a twist ending. Would recommend!!
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by RUTH WARE was a chilling and suspenseful thriller with the perfect setting for a mystery on a small luxurious cruise liner with only 10 cabins set to sail from London to Norway. I was really intrigued with the setting and plot of this novel as I have always wanted to take a vacation on a Luxury Cruise Liner.
I fell in love with THE COVER of this book when I first seen it and have been obsessed with reading it ever since, that is the main reason that I chose this book to read. Awesome embossed cover of water spots on a porthole window with the ocean waves in the background!
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 isn't all that creative of a TITLE but is fitting as there is a mystery that develops as we follow along the voyage of the Aurora about who the woman in Cabin 10 is that Laura (Lo) Blacklock seen and believes to have been murdered. Her sanity is questioned here as Cabin 10 was unoccupied but she is determined to prove that someone was indeed in Cabin 10 and murdered.
This novel was filled with a few CHARACTERS and I had a little bit of problem at times keeping track of who the secondary ones were, but it didn't really disrupt me from the storyline though. RUTH WARE delivers an atmospheric and suspenseful story here with a few good twists that had me questioning and guessing what actually happened and who was involved. Although there were a few things that happened in this book that I felt were never answered or was missing from the plot.
The ENDING was intense, exciting, and very satisfying with a surprising twist for another enjoyable read.
To sum it all up it was an entertaining, enjoyable, suspenseful, fast-paced, quick and easy read with a twist ending. Would recommend!!
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October 19, 2023This basically is a murder mystery on a yacht and it is so good! I felt like I was reading a classic Agatha Christie novel but fresh and modern and fun with some very real themes of how men dismiss women.
I did not guess ANYTHING that happened, I had so much fun trying to figure out what, exactly, was going on, and it was an absolute pleasure to read. I was turning the pages so fast! I had to know!
I did not guess ANYTHING that happened, I had so much fun trying to figure out what, exactly, was going on, and it was an absolute pleasure to read. I was turning the pages so fast! I had to know!
January 14, 2018
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
3.5 stars
This is my first book by Ruth Ware. I have always wanted to take a luxury cruise and so the plot of this book intrigued me.
I was actually going to read Dark Dark Wood prior to reading this novel. However, since I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, so I figured I could always go back and read Dark Dark Wood some other time.
Journalist, Laura (Lo) Blacklock is a writer for a travel magazine. Lo suffers from anxiety and after a terrifying home invasion she doesn't feel safe anywhere anymore. Maybe her new work assignment will help. It is a free week-long trip on a luxury cruise. This assignment could also help with the promotion she's been wanting.
The Aurora is a beautiful brand new boat. Luxurious but small and intimate with only ten cabins.
But the assignment of a lifetime soon turns into a nightmare when Lo is positive she sees a woman from the cabin next door thrown off the boat. But that can't have happened as all passengers on the boat are accounted for....
Lo is insistent and knows that she didn't imagine the woman she spoke to, the woman even gave her a tube of mascara. So where is she now? Where is the woman from cabin 10?
No one seems to take her concerns seriously.
Did she have too much to drink? Is she losing her mind?
I did have a bit of trouble getting into the book at first. I'm not entirely sure why but I found my mind wandering. However, once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down. I had a few minor issues with the plot and a hard time with Lo's character at first ....but she grew on me.
Honestly, the suspense was good and I had no idea what was going to happen next but I definitely wanted to find out.
All in all this was a creepy (in a good way) and entertaining read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I would like to thank Goodreads Giveaways for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
This is my first book by Ruth Ware. I have always wanted to take a luxury cruise and so the plot of this book intrigued me.
I was actually going to read Dark Dark Wood prior to reading this novel. However, since I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway, so I figured I could always go back and read Dark Dark Wood some other time.
Journalist, Laura (Lo) Blacklock is a writer for a travel magazine. Lo suffers from anxiety and after a terrifying home invasion she doesn't feel safe anywhere anymore. Maybe her new work assignment will help. It is a free week-long trip on a luxury cruise. This assignment could also help with the promotion she's been wanting.
The Aurora is a beautiful brand new boat. Luxurious but small and intimate with only ten cabins.
But the assignment of a lifetime soon turns into a nightmare when Lo is positive she sees a woman from the cabin next door thrown off the boat. But that can't have happened as all passengers on the boat are accounted for....
Lo is insistent and knows that she didn't imagine the woman she spoke to, the woman even gave her a tube of mascara. So where is she now? Where is the woman from cabin 10?
No one seems to take her concerns seriously.
Did she have too much to drink? Is she losing her mind?
I did have a bit of trouble getting into the book at first. I'm not entirely sure why but I found my mind wandering. However, once I got into it, I had a hard time putting it down. I had a few minor issues with the plot and a hard time with Lo's character at first ....but she grew on me.
Honestly, the suspense was good and I had no idea what was going to happen next but I definitely wanted to find out.
All in all this was a creepy (in a good way) and entertaining read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I would like to thank Goodreads Giveaways for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2017
I just knew I was going to love this book because I love the cover. I know, that almost never happens =) Then I thought this was just going to be a lets all get drunk at all times and then say stupid things and yell at boyfriend and get drunk some more and see a body on a ship, the end, goodbye. Well, it was kinda like that. What is it with everyone having to be drunk all of the time in these books?
When I first started the book last night, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to get to the ship and see what was going on. Then once we were on there, I wanted to keep going but sleep took me away.
The beginning of the story was bleh for me because I just wanted to get to the boat and I didn't see any reason for that beginning. Then when you're on the boat and the beginning is used against the main character, Lo Blacklock, I began to understand.
Lo is a travel journalist and is finally getting to go on a trip because her boss is preggers. Unfortunately for her, she sees a body get thrown off the boat, no one believes her, she has no proof and when she does get proof, it gets removed. She wonders if she's crazy or what.
I just wanted to get to the end to see what in the world was going on and who did what, when and how. I certainly didn't think it was actually what happened. Then throughout the book there were reports of Lo Blacklock's death and they found a body and I was like, "What?"
It's all crazy train, er, crazy boat, but I did enjoy it. Unfortunately, I didn't love it near enough to buy the book with the awesome cover. Or did I?
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
When I first started the book last night, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to get to the ship and see what was going on. Then once we were on there, I wanted to keep going but sleep took me away.
The beginning of the story was bleh for me because I just wanted to get to the boat and I didn't see any reason for that beginning. Then when you're on the boat and the beginning is used against the main character, Lo Blacklock, I began to understand.
Lo is a travel journalist and is finally getting to go on a trip because her boss is preggers. Unfortunately for her, she sees a body get thrown off the boat, no one believes her, she has no proof and when she does get proof, it gets removed. She wonders if she's crazy or what.
I just wanted to get to the end to see what in the world was going on and who did what, when and how. I certainly didn't think it was actually what happened. Then throughout the book there were reports of Lo Blacklock's death and they found a body and I was like, "What?"
It's all crazy train, er, crazy boat, but I did enjoy it. Unfortunately, I didn't love it near enough to buy the book with the awesome cover. Or did I?
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
July 11, 2016
If I’m being totally honest, I didn’t go into this book with the highest of expectations. In fact, I’m not even sure what made me request an advanced copy. It’s no secret, I wasn’t a huge fan of In a Dark, Dark Wood. Unlike a lot of other readers, I found it to be kind of slow and predictable. This one on the other hand - it totally worked for me.
A cruise ship in the middle of the ocean turned out to be the perfect setting for a chilling tale. I could feel the ebb and flow of the nausea inducing waves, the panic that set in with the claustrophobic quarters and the fear of being trapped on a ship in the middle of nowhere, with no connection to home. How creepy.
Can you imagine your sanity hinging on a tube of Maybelline mascara? I know, it sounds kind of silly, right? That borrowed tube is Lo Blacklock’s only proof that she actually saw a woman in Cabin 10. Does the disappearance of that pink and green tube support Lo’s claim that she saw someone being tossed off the balcony or just confirm that she’s gone completely mad?
“Sorry, I know this sounds really weird, but I wondered if I could borrow some mascara?”
I can tell you the author did a great job of making me question everyone. I was convinced it was all in Lo’s mind. That she was inadvertently making everything up. That she was confused. Until the author managed to throw me off with some of the other shady passengers. Then I felt like maybe I was the one that was confused.
I was back and forth so many times with my theories and in the end - I was wrong. I love being wrong. Seriously, is there anything better than reading a suspense/thriller and finding out that you were totally off-base?
The beginning was a little bit of a slow start, but it picked up pretty quickly, and next thing you know, I couldn’t put it down. I am so glad, I gave this author another shot. I can’t wait to see what she throws at us next.
*ARC provided by Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
A cruise ship in the middle of the ocean turned out to be the perfect setting for a chilling tale. I could feel the ebb and flow of the nausea inducing waves, the panic that set in with the claustrophobic quarters and the fear of being trapped on a ship in the middle of nowhere, with no connection to home. How creepy.
Can you imagine your sanity hinging on a tube of Maybelline mascara? I know, it sounds kind of silly, right? That borrowed tube is Lo Blacklock’s only proof that she actually saw a woman in Cabin 10. Does the disappearance of that pink and green tube support Lo’s claim that she saw someone being tossed off the balcony or just confirm that she’s gone completely mad?
“Sorry, I know this sounds really weird, but I wondered if I could borrow some mascara?”
I can tell you the author did a great job of making me question everyone. I was convinced it was all in Lo’s mind. That she was inadvertently making everything up. That she was confused. Until the author managed to throw me off with some of the other shady passengers. Then I felt like maybe I was the one that was confused.
I was back and forth so many times with my theories and in the end - I was wrong. I love being wrong. Seriously, is there anything better than reading a suspense/thriller and finding out that you were totally off-base?
The beginning was a little bit of a slow start, but it picked up pretty quickly, and next thing you know, I couldn’t put it down. I am so glad, I gave this author another shot. I can’t wait to see what she throws at us next.
*ARC provided by Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
April 5, 2017
As soon as I started reading this and posting statuses, I got several replies about how much people did not like this book. I cannot remember getting that much negative feedback about a book on my progress statuses. So, I figured I would either be joining the world in slamming this book, or I would be trying to make my case about how everyone was wrong.
Well, I am kinda in the middle.
I didn’t hate the book, but it didn’t blow me away. It feels like it was intentionally written to fit in with the Gone Girl/The Girl on the Train genre. The biggest difference is that I wouldn’t say that any of the characters were really hateable. Maybe a few that could be slightly disliked, but nothing like the aforementioned books.
The plot was a little silly, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief for the sake of a quick read. At times I was really into what was going on, at other times I was like “okay, enough of that, let’s move on”. I do think that the general idea of how a mystery-on-a-boat was presented did feel unique and there were a few surprises that caught me off guard.
Do I recommend: Did you like Gone Girl/The Girl on the Train? You might like this (FYI – I hated Girl On The Train, but thought Gone Girl was okay).
Well, I am kinda in the middle.
I didn’t hate the book, but it didn’t blow me away. It feels like it was intentionally written to fit in with the Gone Girl/The Girl on the Train genre. The biggest difference is that I wouldn’t say that any of the characters were really hateable. Maybe a few that could be slightly disliked, but nothing like the aforementioned books.
The plot was a little silly, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief for the sake of a quick read. At times I was really into what was going on, at other times I was like “okay, enough of that, let’s move on”. I do think that the general idea of how a mystery-on-a-boat was presented did feel unique and there were a few surprises that caught me off guard.
Do I recommend: Did you like Gone Girl/The Girl on the Train? You might like this (FYI – I hated Girl On The Train, but thought Gone Girl was okay).
December 9, 2017
I can't decide between 3.5 stars and 4 stars, but I enjoyed this read! I struggled with it a bit, but I enjoyed the ending overall.
TW: home invasion, anxiety (panic attacks), substance abuse, lowkey sexual assault
I feel as if this is one of those books that I don't have much to say on. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing and the beginning was slightly boring, but the ending of the story was thrilling and very clever in my opinion.
I was surprised to find a very positive portray of medication to treat mental illness. Lo takes antidepressants for her anxiety and treats them as an essential part of her functioning. She suffers from a lot of stigma as a result of her medication, but she continues to be confident in her decisions related treatment and that really pleased me.
There is a non-consensual groping scene that was swept under the rug, which made me very uncomfortable. I guess it's ignored because they are past lovers or they were both drunk but for whatever reason, I found this scene very troubling. Non-consensual touching should never be dismissed so easily.
Overall, a mostly enjoyable read. The ending is twisted and well though out enough to make up for a not so great beginning, in my opinion.
TW: home invasion, anxiety (panic attacks), substance abuse, lowkey sexual assault
I feel as if this is one of those books that I don't have much to say on. I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing and the beginning was slightly boring, but the ending of the story was thrilling and very clever in my opinion.
I was surprised to find a very positive portray of medication to treat mental illness. Lo takes antidepressants for her anxiety and treats them as an essential part of her functioning. She suffers from a lot of stigma as a result of her medication, but she continues to be confident in her decisions related treatment and that really pleased me.
There is a non-consensual groping scene that was swept under the rug, which made me very uncomfortable. I guess it's ignored because they are past lovers or they were both drunk but for whatever reason, I found this scene very troubling. Non-consensual touching should never be dismissed so easily.
Overall, a mostly enjoyable read. The ending is twisted and well though out enough to make up for a not so great beginning, in my opinion.
July 14, 2016
Laura Blacklock is a travel journalist given a career-boosting opportunity to cover the maiden voyage of a luxury cruise liner headed to see the Northern Lights. On her first night there she meets a mysterious woman in the cabin next to hers, cabin 10, and then later hears a scream and the sounds of a body being dumped into the sea, seeing what she thinks is blood on the neighbouring railing. Except the cabin is empty and no-one on the ship matches the woman’s description. A heavy drinker and using prescription pills for anxiety and depression, as well as dealing with the trauma of a recent home-invasion, is Laura imagining things – or is there a murderer on board?
I really enjoyed Ruth Ware’s debut novel In a Dark, Dark Wood, so I was excited to read her latest, The Woman in Cabin 10; unfortunately it’s a disappointing let-down and quite a boring read.
My biggest problem is with how quickly exciting events are dealt with and how looooong the dreary aftermath is dwelt on. For example, the book opens with Laura being burgled while also being in her London flat: exciting. Then there’s page after page after page of seeing her shaken up, having trouble sleeping, drinking, worrying, traumatised: dull. Dull, static, ordinary, and predictable to read but we still have to plod through the pages while Ware underlines to the reader that Laura is unnerved. Duh.
Then we get on the boat, and, following too many pages of Laura schmoozing with vapid guests, we get to the murder in the night: exciting. And then we have to endure page after page of Laura explaining what she’s seen (and what the reader has also just seen) to the ship’s security officer in detail – it’s so repetitive! How about throwing in a line like “I explained what I had seen to the ship’s security officer but he didn’t believe me, even insinuating doubt by mentioning the booze I’d had that night and looking toward the pills by the sink” to skip over it all?
Then we have to sit through page after page of Laura and the security officer meeting the staff to see if the woman in cabin 10 isn’t one of them – even though the reader knows it’s not going to be that easy and nothing interesting happens during the interviews to make doing so worthwhile anyway. A simple line like “I spent the morning meeting the staff but the woman in cabin 10 wasn’t among them” could’ve been dropped in and we could move on! But I guess Ware had to meet a certain page count.
Ware is then content to tread water while Laura continues to question herself, wondering who she can trust, (ie. doing nothing) with the occasional cheap cornball thrill scare tossed in – for example, the writing on the steamed-up mirror. Reading this increasingly threadbare story as it painfully progresses is like wading through sludge! What little tension there is all but disappears once the reader finds out what’s going on but still we’ve got to go through the motions of Laura escaping, etc. to get to the end some 70-ish pages later. Awful stuff.
It doesn’t help that Laura isn’t an engaging protagonist at all. What the book really needed was a compelling Poirot-type who could wring the drama and tension out of the situation. But no, we got plain, dull old Laura bumbling about uselessly instead.
I can see Ruth Ware aiming for a cross between Agatha Christie and Patricia Highsmith with this novel but she falls far short of both and instead creates a slow-moving and far from thrilling novel with a stereotypical murderer/motive as the reader’s unsatisfying reward. The setup has potential but Ware fails to realise it – The Woman in Cabin 10 is an immensely tedious chore to slog through.
I really enjoyed Ruth Ware’s debut novel In a Dark, Dark Wood, so I was excited to read her latest, The Woman in Cabin 10; unfortunately it’s a disappointing let-down and quite a boring read.
My biggest problem is with how quickly exciting events are dealt with and how looooong the dreary aftermath is dwelt on. For example, the book opens with Laura being burgled while also being in her London flat: exciting. Then there’s page after page after page of seeing her shaken up, having trouble sleeping, drinking, worrying, traumatised: dull. Dull, static, ordinary, and predictable to read but we still have to plod through the pages while Ware underlines to the reader that Laura is unnerved. Duh.
Then we get on the boat, and, following too many pages of Laura schmoozing with vapid guests, we get to the murder in the night: exciting. And then we have to endure page after page of Laura explaining what she’s seen (and what the reader has also just seen) to the ship’s security officer in detail – it’s so repetitive! How about throwing in a line like “I explained what I had seen to the ship’s security officer but he didn’t believe me, even insinuating doubt by mentioning the booze I’d had that night and looking toward the pills by the sink” to skip over it all?
Then we have to sit through page after page of Laura and the security officer meeting the staff to see if the woman in cabin 10 isn’t one of them – even though the reader knows it’s not going to be that easy and nothing interesting happens during the interviews to make doing so worthwhile anyway. A simple line like “I spent the morning meeting the staff but the woman in cabin 10 wasn’t among them” could’ve been dropped in and we could move on! But I guess Ware had to meet a certain page count.
Ware is then content to tread water while Laura continues to question herself, wondering who she can trust, (ie. doing nothing) with the occasional cheap cornball thrill scare tossed in – for example, the writing on the steamed-up mirror. Reading this increasingly threadbare story as it painfully progresses is like wading through sludge! What little tension there is all but disappears once the reader finds out what’s going on but still we’ve got to go through the motions of Laura escaping, etc. to get to the end some 70-ish pages later. Awful stuff.
It doesn’t help that Laura isn’t an engaging protagonist at all. What the book really needed was a compelling Poirot-type who could wring the drama and tension out of the situation. But no, we got plain, dull old Laura bumbling about uselessly instead.
I can see Ruth Ware aiming for a cross between Agatha Christie and Patricia Highsmith with this novel but she falls far short of both and instead creates a slow-moving and far from thrilling novel with a stereotypical murderer/motive as the reader’s unsatisfying reward. The setup has potential but Ware fails to realise it – The Woman in Cabin 10 is an immensely tedious chore to slog through.
April 10, 2017
4 Stars.
Very Suspenseful!
Lo Blacklock is a travel journalist who is invited to go aboard the Aurora Borealis to do a story on the new ship for her magazine. Lo thinks a week away on a luxury cruise liner sounds like a dream come true. After all, her apartment was just burgled and since she’s been anxious about it, she’s had trouble sleeping ever since.
As she’s getting ready for her first formal dinner, Lo realizes that she forgot mascara, thus she knocks on the door of Cabin 10 next door to borrow a tube of Maybelline Mascara from a beautiful young woman. (Honestly, this got me thinking, who would do this? Would you? I sure wouldn't (simply because of the germ factor, but whatever!) Anyhow, I digress..) During the cocktail hour and dinner, Lo gets sloshed. Her work assignment is the last thing on her mind.
That night, she has trouble sleeping and Lo is certain that someone was tossed off of the balcony from Cabin 10. Lo reports it to security. None of the passengers or staff are unaccounted for. Was she so drunk that she imagined it? Has she gone mad? No one believes her. Yet she is sure that something bad happened.
As the suspense builds, we the readers feel the tension build in the pits of our stomach, wondering, is Lo crazy? If she isn’t, how come no one can corroborate her story? What is going on?
Ruth Ware did a great job in keeping me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to find out what the deal was. I will admit that a few things about the book really bothered me … (hence the reason for the 4 v. 5 star rating). Specifically: Lo’s assignment and her lack of concern about actually doing it, and her relationship with Judah, which I never felt strongly about. I have read Ruth Ware’s other novel (In a Dark Dark Wood) and enjoyed this one much more. I listened to the audiobook version of this and thought the narrator did a great job.
Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 4/8/17.
Very Suspenseful!
Lo Blacklock is a travel journalist who is invited to go aboard the Aurora Borealis to do a story on the new ship for her magazine. Lo thinks a week away on a luxury cruise liner sounds like a dream come true. After all, her apartment was just burgled and since she’s been anxious about it, she’s had trouble sleeping ever since.
As she’s getting ready for her first formal dinner, Lo realizes that she forgot mascara, thus she knocks on the door of Cabin 10 next door to borrow a tube of Maybelline Mascara from a beautiful young woman. (Honestly, this got me thinking, who would do this? Would you? I sure wouldn't (simply because of the germ factor, but whatever!) Anyhow, I digress..) During the cocktail hour and dinner, Lo gets sloshed. Her work assignment is the last thing on her mind.
That night, she has trouble sleeping and Lo is certain that someone was tossed off of the balcony from Cabin 10. Lo reports it to security. None of the passengers or staff are unaccounted for. Was she so drunk that she imagined it? Has she gone mad? No one believes her. Yet she is sure that something bad happened.
As the suspense builds, we the readers feel the tension build in the pits of our stomach, wondering, is Lo crazy? If she isn’t, how come no one can corroborate her story? What is going on?
Ruth Ware did a great job in keeping me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to find out what the deal was. I will admit that a few things about the book really bothered me … (hence the reason for the 4 v. 5 star rating). Specifically: Lo’s assignment and her lack of concern about actually doing it, and her relationship with Judah, which I never felt strongly about. I have read Ruth Ware’s other novel (In a Dark Dark Wood) and enjoyed this one much more. I listened to the audiobook version of this and thought the narrator did a great job.
Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 4/8/17.
August 20, 2019
Lo Blacklock, a journalist who works for a travel magazine, is given an assignment to go aboard the small but stunning luxury cruise ship "The Aurora" for a week. But one night Lo is woken by a noise and she thinks the woman in the next cabin (Cabin 10) was thrown overboard. When she tells the fellow passengers and crew they don't really believe her. According to their records no one was staying in the cabin next to Lo's. What really happened to the woman who was in the next cabin? Lo does some investigating to find out. Along the way she starts receiving threats to "stop digging". Who can she trust? Did she just imagine all this?
This was an enjoyable suspense story. I really liked the setting on the lavish cruise ship and its voyage in the North Sea with its bad/no internet connection making Lo seem cut off from the rest of the world on a small and sometimes claustrophobic ship with maybe a murderer on board. I found the characters interesting and I was curious to find out what had happened to the woman in cabin 10.
Another good mystery by Ruth Ware.
This was an enjoyable suspense story. I really liked the setting on the lavish cruise ship and its voyage in the North Sea with its bad/no internet connection making Lo seem cut off from the rest of the world on a small and sometimes claustrophobic ship with maybe a murderer on board. I found the characters interesting and I was curious to find out what had happened to the woman in cabin 10.
Another good mystery by Ruth Ware.
August 28, 2019
I started this - weeks ago, and finally got back to it - in the early hours of Sunday morning. I like Blacklock (main character) - she's funny. Or am I reading it wrong? Whatever. I never did guess as to what was going on. I flirted with theories all-over-the-place and I wasn't even close. I thought I had it sussed, at one point - but nope. Not even close, as much as I hate to admit it.
A travel writer gets the opportunity to join other journalists, photographers and influential people on the maiden voyage of a luxury-cruise ship, which is basically a large yacht, and owned by businessman, Richard Bullmer. Her boss, Rowan, was supposed to be going on the five-day itinerary, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Laura (Lo) Blacklock (she amused me) - gets the gig. Lucky.
After spending the first evening, meeting the other guests (some she was already acquainted with) - joining in the festivities, drinking, dining, drinking, conversing and drinking some more - she decides to call it a night and goes back to her designated cabin. Cabin 9. Which is the Linnaeus suite. Linnaeus, Carolus was a Swedish botanist (1707-78) - founder of modern systematic botany and zoology. Yeah. I looked it up. Cabin 10 is the Palmgren suite.
After falling asleep, she wakes with a start, in the early hours, thinking she may've heard someone scream. Unable to get back to la-la-land, she picks up her book from the bedside table, turns the page and hears something else: the veranda door of the cabin next-door (cabin 10) opening, then a big splash. Huh? What was that noise? Was it a body hitting the water? She goes to investigate (nose) and sees blood-smear on the veranda door to cabin 10. She reports her findings to the head of security, and so begins her tumble down the rabbit hole.
So, who was the girl in the cabin next to Blacklocks? The girl who gave her the mascara, the only tangible evidence that Lo has that there was someone in cabin 10. It's a mystery. Did she imagine the girl? She drank enough in the evening, to see the "Pink Elephants On Parade."
In conclusion: I enjoyed this more than I thought I would - so that's a bonus. As the story is told from a first-person perspective (Lo's) - it's difficult to guess what's going on. I didn't know, until Blacklock figured stuff out, and even then I wasn't too sure, as she's an unreliable narrator.
A travel writer gets the opportunity to join other journalists, photographers and influential people on the maiden voyage of a luxury-cruise ship, which is basically a large yacht, and owned by businessman, Richard Bullmer. Her boss, Rowan, was supposed to be going on the five-day itinerary, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Laura (Lo) Blacklock (she amused me) - gets the gig. Lucky.
After spending the first evening, meeting the other guests (some she was already acquainted with) - joining in the festivities, drinking, dining, drinking, conversing and drinking some more - she decides to call it a night and goes back to her designated cabin. Cabin 9. Which is the Linnaeus suite. Linnaeus, Carolus was a Swedish botanist (1707-78) - founder of modern systematic botany and zoology. Yeah. I looked it up. Cabin 10 is the Palmgren suite.
After falling asleep, she wakes with a start, in the early hours, thinking she may've heard someone scream. Unable to get back to la-la-land, she picks up her book from the bedside table, turns the page and hears something else: the veranda door of the cabin next-door (cabin 10) opening, then a big splash. Huh? What was that noise? Was it a body hitting the water? She goes to investigate (nose) and sees blood-smear on the veranda door to cabin 10. She reports her findings to the head of security, and so begins her tumble down the rabbit hole.
So, who was the girl in the cabin next to Blacklocks? The girl who gave her the mascara, the only tangible evidence that Lo has that there was someone in cabin 10. It's a mystery. Did she imagine the girl? She drank enough in the evening, to see the "Pink Elephants On Parade."
In conclusion: I enjoyed this more than I thought I would - so that's a bonus. As the story is told from a first-person perspective (Lo's) - it's difficult to guess what's going on. I didn't know, until Blacklock figured stuff out, and even then I wasn't too sure, as she's an unreliable narrator.
November 20, 2019
This is my third book by Ruth Ware and so far, it’s my favorite!
Lo Blacklock has a work assignment on board a luxury liner in the fjords. A beautifully appointed small ship christened the Aurora, designed specifically for catering to the whims of the rich and famous.
You ask...why is Lo tagging along for this cozy cruise? Glad you asked! She happens to write about travel for a magazine, and when her boss couldn’t make the trip Lo generously and rather quickly volunteers!
But right now things are rather bleak for Lo. Just before the voyage her home was burglarized, shockingly coming face to face with her intruder. Now understandably rattled and on edge, she’s unable to get any rest.
In fact, Lo has being sleep deprived for days, leaving her (and ME!) questioning what is real and what is an illusion.
Ruth Ware writes a captivating, well thought out thriller that will keep you flipping the pages. I don’t know how I missed this book when it first came out...but I’m so glad I finally had the opportunity to read it!
Next up...her latest release The Turn of the Key Can’t wait!
Lo Blacklock has a work assignment on board a luxury liner in the fjords. A beautifully appointed small ship christened the Aurora, designed specifically for catering to the whims of the rich and famous.
You ask...why is Lo tagging along for this cozy cruise? Glad you asked! She happens to write about travel for a magazine, and when her boss couldn’t make the trip Lo generously and rather quickly volunteers!
But right now things are rather bleak for Lo. Just before the voyage her home was burglarized, shockingly coming face to face with her intruder. Now understandably rattled and on edge, she’s unable to get any rest.
In fact, Lo has being sleep deprived for days, leaving her (and ME!) questioning what is real and what is an illusion.
Ruth Ware writes a captivating, well thought out thriller that will keep you flipping the pages. I don’t know how I missed this book when it first came out...but I’m so glad I finally had the opportunity to read it!
Next up...her latest release The Turn of the Key Can’t wait!
July 15, 2021
I couldn't put this plot-driven "whodunit" down! Went to bed last night at 10:30 and stayed up until 1:30 to finish this book! I might not be too eager to take a cruise anytime soon (barring COVID-19!)
Like most fans of the suspense/thriller genre, I put my "spidey-senses" to work, trying to pay attention to all the details - are they relevant or not? Of course, I suspected who the mystery person was, but to be fair, I suspected everyone at some point, because Ware's fine writing showed plausible motives and opportunities for all the characters! Also, as a nice touch, the occasional witticisms made by the main character, Lo, had me chuckling at times.
Well done, Ruth Ware! You can be sure that I will read more of your work!
Like most fans of the suspense/thriller genre, I put my "spidey-senses" to work, trying to pay attention to all the details - are they relevant or not? Of course, I suspected who the mystery person was, but to be fair, I suspected everyone at some point, because Ware's fine writing showed plausible motives and opportunities for all the characters! Also, as a nice touch, the occasional witticisms made by the main character, Lo, had me chuckling at times.
Well done, Ruth Ware! You can be sure that I will read more of your work!
July 31, 2016
3.5 Stars
Light, fast and fun, this crime-mystery is like reading a cross between Agatha Christie and Janet Evanovich.
The trouble begins at home with a whack in the face, and quickly moves to a small luxurious cruise liner. When disaster happens to THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, journalist Laura (Lo) Blacklock witnesses it, but unfortunately does not stay silent, (no spoiler here) and her life aboard the Aurora evolves into a complicated series of mishaps.
Between panic attacks from not taking her meds and warnings to back off on her sleuthing, Lo drinks too much, hardly eats, rarely sleeps and gets into loads of trouble. She does have a great boyfriend at home, Judah, a cat named Delilah and an ex to deal with aboard ship with some comical encounters, but...... no one to trust.
An attention getter from the get-go, with a little twist along the way made for an entertaining read that I actually enjoyed more than IN THE DARK, DARK WOOD.
February 17, 2017
4 stars! What an intense, suspenseful book - I really enjoyed this! The author, Ruth Ware, does a fantastic job of creating an extremely vivid atmosphere - I felt like I was a passenger on the cruise ship observing the story unfold. I had a hard time putting this book down as the suspense starting building from chapter one and didn't stop until the very last page of the book. And I just loved that ending!
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the main character, Lo, as she seemed secretive and mentally unstable. However, after a few chapters, she really grew on me. I even doubted her suspicions throughout her journey on the ship as I thought she might be delusional, yet I still felt sympathy for her.
I found myself getting confused at times trying to keep track of the secondary characters on the cruise ship. It wasn't overly confusing, but slightly took away from my reading experience which is one of the reasons for 4 instead of 5 stars. Another small issue I had was accepting the fact that someone would actually knock on a neighbouring cruise ship door to ask to borrow mascara from a stranger (which is a pivotal point in the plot). Do people actually do this? Perhaps I'm a germaphobe, but I found that strange and unlikely. Once I could accept and move past that, the rest of the story worked for me.
Overall, this was a highly addictive mystery that I would definitely recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author!
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the main character, Lo, as she seemed secretive and mentally unstable. However, after a few chapters, she really grew on me. I even doubted her suspicions throughout her journey on the ship as I thought she might be delusional, yet I still felt sympathy for her.
I found myself getting confused at times trying to keep track of the secondary characters on the cruise ship. It wasn't overly confusing, but slightly took away from my reading experience which is one of the reasons for 4 instead of 5 stars. Another small issue I had was accepting the fact that someone would actually knock on a neighbouring cruise ship door to ask to borrow mascara from a stranger (which is a pivotal point in the plot). Do people actually do this? Perhaps I'm a germaphobe, but I found that strange and unlikely. Once I could accept and move past that, the rest of the story worked for me.
Overall, this was a highly addictive mystery that I would definitely recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author!
July 23, 2016
Whoa! This book was a wild ride. It's going to take a while for me to calm down, lol. THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 is Ruth Ware's second thriller, and I enjoyed this one even more than her debut, IN A DARK, DARK WOOD.
Travel reporter Lo Blacklock is given an amazing assignment, a week-long cruise aboard an exclusive luxury ship. Only ten cabins, so you know the small group of guests will be pampered as they sail from England to Norway. The excursion is lovely at first, but Lo's fun comes to an end when she sees a woman tossed overboard from the cabin next door.
I really enjoyed the setting of this mystery. A small ship, alone on the chilly North Sea, spotty internet, seemingly cut off from the rest of the world, possibly with a killer on board. Very eerie and ominous atmosphere. With all passengers and crew accounted for, the others doubt Lo's story. Then odd things start to happen.
I enjoyed this clever mystery very much. It made me nervous, but it was a good kind of nervous. Lo's character was kind of a mess, always teetering on the brink madness, which was understandable given the circumstances. Loved the ending too, including the final twist. 4.5 stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Travel reporter Lo Blacklock is given an amazing assignment, a week-long cruise aboard an exclusive luxury ship. Only ten cabins, so you know the small group of guests will be pampered as they sail from England to Norway. The excursion is lovely at first, but Lo's fun comes to an end when she sees a woman tossed overboard from the cabin next door.
I really enjoyed the setting of this mystery. A small ship, alone on the chilly North Sea, spotty internet, seemingly cut off from the rest of the world, possibly with a killer on board. Very eerie and ominous atmosphere. With all passengers and crew accounted for, the others doubt Lo's story. Then odd things start to happen.
I enjoyed this clever mystery very much. It made me nervous, but it was a good kind of nervous. Lo's character was kind of a mess, always teetering on the brink madness, which was understandable given the circumstances. Loved the ending too, including the final twist. 4.5 stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2016
This supposedly haunting novel caused me a great deal of pain. It's a 340 page book, but if all the repetitive dialogue had been omitted, the longwinded descriptions of everything in sight, and the filler; it would have topped out at 140 pages.
I thought The Woman in Cabin 10 was gearing up to go the psychological thriller route because certain things kept being said dozens and dozens of times. I thought surely this must mean something, but no, it meant nothing.
If Laura/Lo Blacklock wasn't tired, she was exhausted. If she wasn't tired and exhausted, she was drunk and feeling claustrophobic. The walls were always closing in on the ship, there were never enough windows on the ship. She needed to get some sleep, she needed sleep, she was so tired and exhausted. She had too much to drink. Nausea took over. If she wasn't vomiting up booze she was vomiting up her breakfast, then her lunch, then her dinner. There was even a mention of her vomiting up acid!
Laura was on the ship as a journalist, but one thing she never managed to do was actual work, though we were often reminded that she had to be professional so she could move ahead in her career. Her idea of being professional was swilling down a variety of booze until she couldn't see straight.
By the middle of the book, Laura/Lo had officially been added to my ever growing list of most idiotic characters. She should have had a B for buffoon permanently tattooed on her forehead.
I should have seen that she was a fool straightaway and not expected much of her. After being burglarized, Laura became extremely paranoid and suffered from insomnia. She claimed to be scared out of her mind over the incident.
Laura proved to the reader that she was scared out of her mind by roaming the streets in the middle of the night until she was sleepy. Who but a fool would hit the streets in their pajamas in the middle of the night with their unknown assailant still on the loose?
On the ship, Laura briefly encountered a woman in cabin 10, whom she later thinks she heard being tossed overboard. Nobody believed her, and very few acted like they would have cared even if they had believed her.
A good 20 pages in a row were spent on Laura and the security guy interviewing crew member after crew member, asking each one the same tedious questions about the woman Laura said she had seen in cabin 10, the cabin that was supposed to have been empty.
The rest of the pages were spent on Laura doing every dumb thing she could think of. She thought a woman was dead, yet she participated in a spa treatment that involved being wrapped in plastic while lying in the dark alone with relaxing music playing
To make matters worse, after a woman's body washed ashore, the book included the dreaded message-board style commentary from random posters reacting to the news. Several authors have been doing that lately, and I can't stand it. It's silly.
The big mystery was a flop, and the end felt carelessly thrown together. I couldn't take it seriously.
I thought The Woman in Cabin 10 was gearing up to go the psychological thriller route because certain things kept being said dozens and dozens of times. I thought surely this must mean something, but no, it meant nothing.
If Laura/Lo Blacklock wasn't tired, she was exhausted. If she wasn't tired and exhausted, she was drunk and feeling claustrophobic. The walls were always closing in on the ship, there were never enough windows on the ship. She needed to get some sleep, she needed sleep, she was so tired and exhausted. She had too much to drink. Nausea took over. If she wasn't vomiting up booze she was vomiting up her breakfast, then her lunch, then her dinner. There was even a mention of her vomiting up acid!
Laura was on the ship as a journalist, but one thing she never managed to do was actual work, though we were often reminded that she had to be professional so she could move ahead in her career. Her idea of being professional was swilling down a variety of booze until she couldn't see straight.
By the middle of the book, Laura/Lo had officially been added to my ever growing list of most idiotic characters. She should have had a B for buffoon permanently tattooed on her forehead.
I should have seen that she was a fool straightaway and not expected much of her. After being burglarized, Laura became extremely paranoid and suffered from insomnia. She claimed to be scared out of her mind over the incident.
Laura proved to the reader that she was scared out of her mind by roaming the streets in the middle of the night until she was sleepy. Who but a fool would hit the streets in their pajamas in the middle of the night with their unknown assailant still on the loose?
On the ship, Laura briefly encountered a woman in cabin 10, whom she later thinks she heard being tossed overboard. Nobody believed her, and very few acted like they would have cared even if they had believed her.
A good 20 pages in a row were spent on Laura and the security guy interviewing crew member after crew member, asking each one the same tedious questions about the woman Laura said she had seen in cabin 10, the cabin that was supposed to have been empty.
The rest of the pages were spent on Laura doing every dumb thing she could think of. She thought a woman was dead, yet she participated in a spa treatment that involved being wrapped in plastic while lying in the dark alone with relaxing music playing
To make matters worse, after a woman's body washed ashore, the book included the dreaded message-board style commentary from random posters reacting to the news. Several authors have been doing that lately, and I can't stand it. It's silly.
The big mystery was a flop, and the end felt carelessly thrown together. I couldn't take it seriously.
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