Review: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, gets the assignment of her dreams: a week on a luxury cruise.  The vessel is close and intimate, only a handful of cabins are available.  She has her own concierge to make sure she's on time to all the swanky social events.  Lo looks forward to this reprieve, for just before she departed her flat was broken into, while she was inside.  This extra bit of luxury is just what she needs to get her mind of the incident.

One evening, she's awakened to hear a woman's scream and the sound of something hitting the ocean waters below. She's certain someone has been thrown from the balcony of the cabin next to her.  When she reports the incident, however, she learns that no one is assigned to that cabin and all passengers have been accounted for.  As the cruise continues, Lo can't get over the feeling something terribly wrong has happened, that she may be trapped on this cruise ship with a killer.  Unable to communicate with the mainland, Lo must keep herself safe, and the potential culprit unaware of her suspicions.  On a small cruise ship, however, there isn't much room to hide...

I was thrilled to learn Ware was publishing another thriller. I completely adored In A Dark, Dark Wood.  The success of this second thriller proves Ware has found her niche: thrillers in claustrophobic, remote settings.

I know I’m not of the popular opinion, but cruises in general creep me out. The idea of being trapped on a vessel with a bunch of strangers out in the middle of the ocean doesn’t appeal to me at all, so this makes me quite the perfect reader for this title!

Ware relays the story in short, concise chapters.  Early on, we become aware of Lo’s emotional/mental issues, strong enough to require medication to control.  Unsure and skeptical about everyone around her, she’s extra sensitive to picking up on things that seem…off. If only she could get others on the ship to believe her.  Rather than adding evidence to her “case,” she’s forced to prove that she’s not delusional.

As the story progresses, excerpts of attempted communication between Lo’s boyfriend and coworkers begin, building up the conflict and tension.  We’re aware something happens to Lo, but the circumstances aren’t immediately revealed.

All in all, this is an incredibly addictive read (though probably not recommended if you are about to embark on a cruise!).  Highly, highly recommended.  A must read for fans of taut, well-crafted psychological thrillers.