If you’re up for an intense read that’ll keep you turning pages way past bedtime, The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware has your name on it. This psychological thriller is packed with mystery, suspense, and a setting so eerie that you can practically feel the chill of the frigid winds over the picturesque North Sea.
Lo Blacklock, our main character, is a travel journalist from New York who lands the assignment of a lifetime. She’s invited on a luxury cruise, an exclusive cruise ship with just a handful of cabins, ritzy dinner parties, and Lord Bullmer, the charming owner.
But when Lo hears a loud splash in the middle of the night from the cabin next door, her dream assignment turns into a nightmare. Desperate attempts to get anyone to believe her lead nowhere, and she finds herself in a game of deception, where secrets run deep and appearances are way too perfect.
Book Review: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
If you’ve read Ruth Ware’s books, like The Death of Mrs. Westaway or The Turn of the Key, you know she’s a master of suspense. This one is no exception, giving off that Agatha Christie vibe while keeping readers guessing. Ruth Ware spins this story with surprising twists that’ll make you think twice about hopping on a small ship anytime soon!
So if you’re looking for a book club pick that’s full of suspense, give The Woman in Cabin 10 a try—it’s an instant New York Times bestseller for a reason.
The Woman in Cabin 10 Book Summary
Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist hoping for a big break, lands the assignment of a lifetime: a week on an exclusive cruise ship, the luxury yacht Aurora. Cruising through the chilly but beautiful North Sea, Lo’s stay on this small ship feels like a dream come true.
There’s a handful of cabins, gourmet dinners, a select guest list, and the chance to rub elbows with the rich and mysterious, including the ship’s owner, Lord Bullmer. With gray skies overhead and the aurora borealis on the horizon, it’s set to be an unforgettable voyage.
But on the very first night, Lo’s stay takes a dark turn. In the middle of the night, she hears a loud splash from the cabin next door—a sound that chills her to the bone, like someone being thrown overboard. Rushing to check, she realizes there’s no trace of the young woman she swears she saw in Cabin 10 earlier. Stranger still, the ship’s staff insists all passengers are accounted for, and there’s no record of anyone ever being assigned to that cabin.
As the ship sails on, what started as an assignment of a lifetime quickly spirals into a dark, twisted game. Lo, desperate to uncover the truth, battles mounting paranoia, anxiety attacks, and the unnerving calm of the other passengers. She’s left questioning if it’s all in her head or if someone is covering up a murder.
In true Ruth Ware fashion, the story unfolds with one surprising twist after another, keeping readers guessing until the very last page.
My Review of The Woman in Cabin 10 (No Spoilers)
Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10 kicks off with such a punch, you’re hooked from the first chapter. This psychological thriller has an intense, claustrophobic vibe that’s perfect for a story set on a small, luxury yacht in the picturesque North Sea. Ware nails the eerie setting—the calm gray skies, frigid winds, and a ship where there’s nowhere to hide—all of it adding layers of suspense to every chapter.
Lo Blacklock, our main character, is one of those unreliable narrators you can’t help but root for. She’s flawed, a little anxious, and sometimes a total mess, which makes her super relatable.
Ruth Ware dives deep into Lo’s psychological struggles, which only add to the mystery—are her instincts spot-on, or is her anxiety playing tricks on her? Plus, having Lo as a travel journalist adds this whole “fish-out-of-water” feel, making her experience on this exclusive cruise ship even more unnerving. As a former journalist, I loved that her big break was an assignment of a lifetime.
The mystery here has a classic “locked-room” feel that any fan of Agatha Christie’s works will love. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Ruth Ware throws in another twist. And the passengers? Talk about sketchy. They’re all wealthy, glamorous, and just a little too calm, making you wonder what they’re hiding (spoiler: it’s a lot).
Overall, The Woman in Cabin 10 is an intense read with the perfect balance of suspense, psychological depth, and those “Wait, WHAT?!” moments. It’s an instant New York Times bestseller for good reason.
If you love mysteries that keep you guessing, this one’s a must-read. It would make a great pick for a book club too; there’s so much to unpack, from Lo’s unreliable narration to all the twists on board the Aurora. And if you’re like me and love reading the book before (hopefully) seeing it on Netflix, this one’s got all the ingredients for a thrilling movie or limited series.
On Goodreads, I gave this book four stars. It’s the kind of book that’ll make you think twice before booking that next luxury cruise!
Spoilers for The Woman in Cabin 10
Alright, spoiler time! If you haven’t read The Woman in Cabin 10 yet, click here to order it from Amazon… and you might want to skip this part because we’re diving into the major twists, turns, and big reveals.
Let’s start with Lo’s discovery about the mysterious woman in Cabin 10—or rather, the fact that she’s nowhere to be found. From the moment Lo hears that loud splash on the first night, she’s convinced she saw something horrible: a woman thrown overboard.
But with all the guests accounted for, her story is brushed off, leaving her isolated and doubting her own sanity. Is her anxiety playing tricks, or is there a cover-up happening on this small ship?
Then we have the ship’s charming owner, Lord Bullmer. Behind his calm demeanor, he’s hiding something big. His wife, Anne Bullmer, is terminally ill, and he’s been using her wealth to fund his luxury cruise line.
Here’s the kicker: he orchestrates a plot to stage Anne’s “accidental” death on the ship, securing her fortune for himself. And that so-called woman in Cabin 10? He’s actually a hired lookalike, brought on board to fake a dramatic overboard accident as part of Bullmer’s twisted plan.
The plot thickens as Lo pieces things together, realizing the young woman she saw was no figment of her imagination but a pawn in this deadly scheme. Now aware of Bullmer’s intentions, Lo becomes a liability.
She’s confined to the staff quarters, desperately trying to escape before Bullmer’s crew can silence her for good. Lo’s survival depends on her wits; her anxiety may be sky-high, but she uses her quick thinking to trick the guard by feigning illness and makes a nail-biting run through the ship’s hidden corridors.
In a thrilling turn of events, the mysterious woman from Cabin 10, feeling guilty, decides to help Lo. Smuggling her off the Aurora, she gives Lo a chance to flee. But Lo’s nightmare isn’t over yet.
Disoriented and exhausted, she reaches a small hotel, hoping for safety, only to find out that the hotel manager quickly informs Bullmer of her location. Lo is cornered again, her options running out. But just as Bullmer’s people close in, she gets a message to the authorities, exposing the truth about his plan and Anne Bullmer’s murder.
The real clincher? Days later, Anne’s body is discovered in a suitcase washed up on shore. It’s the final piece of proof against Bullmer, revealing just how far he was willing to go to secure his wife’s fortune.
The discovery not only confirms Lo’s story but serves as a chilling end to the twisted events aboard the Aurora, solidifying her role in uncovering a ruthless scheme that almost cost her everything.
Book Club Discussion for The Woman in Cabin 10
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware makes a fantastic choice for a book club discussion, especially for fans of gripping psychological thrillers and classic “room mystery” tales. Here are some thought-provoking topics to kick off the conversation.
Lo’s Desperate Attempts and Unreliable Narration: As an unreliable narrator, travel journalist Lo Blacklock keeps us on our toes. Her anxiety and desperation—especially in the middle of the night when she hears that splash—make us question what’s real and what’s imagined. Discuss how Ware’s choice to make Lo’s desperation so palpable adds to the tension. Does this unreliable narration remind you of Ware’s other works, like The Death of Mrs. Westaway?
The Aurora as the Ultimate Locked Room: Much like the tradition of Agatha Christie mysteries, this story’s structure is a classic locked-room setup. On her maiden voyage aboard the Aurora, Lo is completely isolated from the outside world, trapped with no way out and surrounded by a cast of secretive characters. How did the ship setting amplify the tension? And what role did the claustrophobic elements of the luxury yacht play in heightening Lo’s sense of paranoia?
Character Relationships and Red Herrings: Lo shares an intense back-and-forth with her boyfriend Judah, who grounds her in reality but remains physically distant throughout most of the story. What did you think of their relationship and how it influenced Lo’s mental state? Additionally, characters like Richard Bullmer, with his wealth and power, give off an eerie vibe. Did these red herrings make you question everyone’s intentions?
Comparisons to Ruth Ware’s Other Books: For fans who’ve read other Ruth Ware books, like her debut novel In a Dark, Dark Wood or The Lying Game (a Reese’s Book Club pick), how does The Woman in Cabin 10 compare in terms of storyline, writing style, and suspense? Discuss how Ware builds on her tradition of psychological suspense with elements like prolonged conversation, subtle clues, and unexpected twists.
Symbolism and Themes: Between Lo’s work assignment with the travel magazine and her struggles with mental health, Ware explores themes of trust, perception, and survival. How do her challenges as a travel reporter and her struggles with anxiety add depth to the story? Also, did the author’s descriptions of the northern lights, the isolated bedroom door, and the dressing gown serve as effective symbols for Lo’s journey?
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