I want to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Publishers for the ARC of The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware in exchange for an honest review.

Ruth Ware takes us back to the storyline with Lo Blacklock from The Woman in Cabin 10. Ten years after her nightmare cruise ship ordeal, Lo Blacklock is married with two children, living in the United States and ready to start her journalism career again. As luck would have it, she receives an invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury hotel in Switzerland. With the encouragement of her husband, she decides to take the offer and go even if there is nothing else than to take some time for herself. Her flight was mysteriously upgraded to First class and some of the guests at the hotel were on the cruise ship with her ten years ago. Is this all a coincidence?

I devoured this story in less than two days. The story moves quickly. There are many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. You do not need to read the first book to enjoy this book (however if you did not read The Woman in Cabin 10, I suggest you do!). Fans of mysteries and suspense will love this book.

When I started this book I didn't realize it's a sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10, which was kind of silly of me. I quickly caught on and ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I read The Woman in Cabin 10 when it came out, so it's been a while, but this book does a good job of casually slipping in events from that book that I was never lost or confused. It was definitely a suspenseful book, and I enjoyed it. It's not my favorite of Ware's books, but I think people will enjoy it and I'm looking forward to recommending it. Thank you NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC of The Woman in Suite 11.

Before reading The Woman in Suite 11, I thought to myself "The Woman in Cabin 10 didn't really need a sequel". After reading The Woman in Suite 11, I thought to myself "The Woman in Cabin 10 didn't really need a sequel." 😅 I did appreciate the glow-up of Lo Blackwell becoming a mother gaining some maturity (and sobriety), but I felt like she still made foolish decisions at every turn. Ultimately, if you found The Woman in Cabin 10's ending exciting and plausible, then you will probably enjoy this sequel as well. If you were fairly unimpressed by the first book like me, I would suggest skipping this one as it felt like more of the same.

3 stars

Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Suite 11 is a gripping sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10, though you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy the sequel, it could help explain somethings. That said, if you have, it feels like a bit of a homecoming with familiar characters making a return. This time, Lo Blacklock heads to the grand opening of a fancy Swiss hotel, expecting a glamorous escape and a shot at getting her career back on track. But when she tries to help a woman—who once saved her—flee an abusive relationship with the hotel’s powerful owner, things take a dark turn. Suddenly, Lo finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, unsure of how much trouble she’s actually in.

Ware does what she does best—keeping you on edge with lots of twists and turns. The luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps might sound dreamy at first, but almost from the very beginning Lo can sense something off beneath the surface. She is not sure who she can trust.The story moves fast, with plenty of mystery and psychological drama to keep you guessing until the very last page. If you love a thriller that keeps you up way past bedtime, this one’s for you.

The Woman in Suite 11 is the highly anticipated sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10!

Catch up with Lo Blacklock as she reenters the workforce after stepping away to care for her children. When she receives an exclusive invitation to the grand opening of a luxurious new hotel nestled in the Swiss Alps, she can’t resist. With a few of her former contacts showing moderate interest in a potential travel feature, Lo takes the leap—and the trip.

The guest list is eclectic, but something quickly feels... off. Several attendees were also aboard that infamous cruise years ago. Is it coincidence, or is something far more sinister at play?

Then Lo receives a personal invitation to the private suite of the hotel’s wealthy owner—Suite 11—and what she finds there will change everything.

Can Lo stay ahead of the secrets unraveling around her, or will history repeat itself?

#gallery #thewomaninsuite11 #ruthware #thrillerreads #whodunnitwithwine

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware was the first adult thriller I ever read-I actually won it in one of our book club holiday book swaps-and it truly changed my reading life forever. I now gleefully read hundreds of mystery/thrillers each year. So, what an absolute delight to have the opportunity to read an early copy of The Woman in Suite 11!

With Ware's signature simmering, slow-burn style, this one certainly kept me on the edge of my proverbial seat! I loved seeing cameos from some of the captivating characters we met in book one. And the twists certainly keep coming up until the very end. Brilliant, propulsive, and just a plain good time. Out 07/08!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Woman in Suite 11 is one of the rare continuations of a stellar thriller that retains the elements that made us all fall in love with the first book while adding something new to the story.

I recommend reading The Woman in Cabin 10 first, not so much because not doing so will take away from this book (though it’ll help enhance your enjoyment), but because it’s fantastic. In the follow up it’s been ten years since the events that left her traumatized on the cruiser, the Aurora, and Lo has written a bestseller about her time but since fallen into childcare and domesticity. Eager to get back to journalism and focus on serious writing, Lo is a little surprised to get an invite to a new hotel opening in Europe. When she finds an angle to write about the head of the hotel, a powerful businessman, she decides to run with it.

Call this a bit of a reunion for Lo with faces from her past, and what starts as a luxury stay quickly turns sour as Lo hops countries, carriers out some illegal activities, and gets faced with a murder and jail time. Everything comes together beautifully and I enjoyed seeing Lo take on the role of detective again all while trying to figure out how to save herself (and avoid anxiety). Lo is still very much as she was years ago and I loved revisiting this character and the clear challenge Ruth Ware had with herself to ensure fans of her books had no reason to complain with this follow up to her original highly enjoyed thriller.

Honestly, I rolled my eyes when I saw the news about The Woman in Cabin 10 getting a sequel—ten years after the first book. But as a devoted Ruth Ware fan, I kept my thoughts to myself, hit the request button without reading the synopsis, and dived in. Even though a decade had passed, and I’d long forgotten the character names and their backstories, I quickly refreshed my memory by grabbing my copy from the library and skimming through it before starting this one. That way, I could easily reconnect with each character and understand their motives.

The timeline in The Woman in Cabin 10: The Return aligns with real life, bringing us back to Lo Blacklock, now happily married with children. Once a travel journalist and survivor of the Aurora cruise ship nightmare—where she insisted she saw a woman thrown overboard, only for no one to believe her—Lo eventually proved her claims, endured terrifying events, and wrote a book about her experience.

Now, ten years after the harrowing incidents of Cabin 10, Lo is married to journalist Judas and raising two boys. She’s left her magazine job behind, choosing freelance journalism after giving birth and surviving the pandemic. But despite her contented family life, she misses the excitement of her past. So when she receives an invitation to attend the grand opening of an exclusive Swiss hotel, owned by the elusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann—who never gives press interviews—she's intrigued.

Her husband encourages her to go, seeing it as a well-deserved break and a chance to reconnect with the industry. On top of that, her old magazine asks her to conduct an interview—except it’s with Marcus Leidmann himself, a man notorious for rejecting journalists. Still, Lo is determined to try.

From the very start of her trip, unsettling events begin to unfold. Someone anonymously upgrades her flight to first class. The attendees at the press opening include familiar faces from the Aurora—her ex, Ben; gourmet critic Alexander; photographer Cole. But the most shocking presence? A person from her past, tied to the tragedy that changed her life. And this person needs Lo’s help.

If she says yes, she risks being dragged into another dangerous web—one that could shatter the peaceful life she’s built. If she says no, she’ll be haunted by guilt. But what she doesn’t realize is that the game being played behind closed doors is far darker than she could ever imagine. And this time, it’s not just her life at stake—but the lives of those she loves.

Overall:
As always, the pacing was fast and gripping, but I found Lo surprisingly naïve for throwing herself into chaos again after years of wisdom and stability. Bringing back a character from the first book felt somewhat unnecessary, but the mystery was so riveting that I kept turning the pages—biting my nails and shifting nervously in my seat until the very end. The conclusion was satisfying and well-wrapped, though I really hope we don’t get another sequel in another ten years. Let’s leave these characters with their resolutions.

I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4 for the expertly crafted suspense and relentless pacing, especially in the final third, which was absolutely thrilling.

I highly recommend this to devoted fans of Ruth Ware (I proudly count myself among them!).

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Scout Press for providing an ARC of one of the year’s most anticipated thrillers in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Woman in Cabin 10 is the book that reintroduced me to my love of suspenseful books. I even read it while on a cruise. I loved the characters, the setting, the twists and turns. I was so excited to revisit Lo and knew it would have the same elements of twists and turns. And there are twists and turns which Ruth Ware fans have come to expect. But there was a certain predictably to this book and the ending landed flat for me. The setting was beautifully described and the fast pace made this an enjoyable read. I guarantee I will be first in line if there is another Lo book in 10 years.

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Ruth Ware proves once again that she’s the queen of modern psychological thrillers. The Woman in Suite 11 is a gripping sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10, bringing back Lo Blacklock for another high-stakes mystery that blends luxury, paranoia, and suspense.

Ten years after her harrowing ordeal on the Aurora, Lo is older, a little more grounded, and living in the U.S. with her husband and two kids. She’s trying to reclaim her career in travel journalism when a golden opportunity lands in her lap: an exclusive invitation to the opening of a luxury Swiss hotel owned by billionaire Marcus Leidmann. The setting is pristine, the guest list curated, and the experience nothing short of surreal. But things turn quickly.

Lo finds herself pulled into a deadly scandal after being summoned to Marcus’s suite—only to be met by Carrie, the same woman who helped save her a decade ago. Now Carrie claims to be in danger, caught in a web of blackmail, lies, and manipulation. What follows is a tense game of cat-and-mouse across Europe, with Lo risking everything to help someone she isn’t sure she can trust.

Ware delivers what fans expect: smart pacing, morally gray characters, and a plot that twists just enough to keep you guessing. While some of the reveals are easy to spot, that actually works for Lo’s character—still impulsive, still stubborn, still just a little too slow to see what’s coming.

The return of Carrie adds depth and tension. Their complicated dynamic drives much of the plot, and Ware leans into the idea that trust is rarely black and white. There’s history, betrayal, and an uneasy alliance that keeps the reader on edge.

This isn’t just a rehash of Cabin 10. Ware updates the world—post-pandemic travel, motherhood, burnout—and gives Lo’s voice a matured but still familiar tone. The result is a fresh, entertaining thriller that doesn’t require having read the first book, but rewards readers who have.

Fans of the original will love the callbacks and evolution of the characters, while newcomers will be pulled in by the glamour, danger, and layered storytelling. The Woman in Suite 11 is sleek, sharp, and just the right amount of unhinged.

I love Ruth Ware and I wanted to love this so badly but it was predictable! I guessed the twist towards the middle of the book, and the end was just not shocking enough to suprise me any further.

Ruth Ware has proven once again that she is one of the queens of suspense. I could not put this delightfully twisty book down!

Ruth Ware does it again. The queen of thrillers is back. This book did not disappoint, you need to pick it up!

Thank you for keeping the political climate out of the novel.My shoppers want an escape not a reminder

Ruth Ware is absolutely amazing and this is just further proof of that.

Lo Blacklock is back 10 years later after her horrific trip on the Aroura. She is trying to get back into the workforce after marriage and two kids and now living in America. Almost serendipitous she receives an invitation to go to a new luxury hotel in Switzerland. She seizes the opportunity only to find she's not the only familiar face that has been invited. Lo, unfortunately gets caught up in a large scandal that turns deadly.

The book is amazing and I love that it is a continuation of one of my favorite books. There are some plot twists that are obvious to the reader, but that Lo doesn't see coming which stays true to her character.

The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware is a suspenseful novel about a travel journalist/writer who has had some success with a nonfiction expose surrounding a murder on board a ship that she was aboard. Fast forward a decade and she has a husband and two kids. The pandemic is in the rear-view mirror and she is ready to get back to work.

She receives an invitation to a luxury hotel opening in Switzerland and she dumps it in the trash. She mentions it to her husband who thinks it may be a great way to get back into the travel journalist scene. He tells her to go and that he will take care of their two preschoolers, after all, it is only for a few days.

On the flight over, someone has increased her seat to first class and she assumes it is her husband. She gets to the airport and is treated to luxury lounges, gourmet meals, and treatment the likes of which she is sure she does not deserve. How did this happen?

What ensues is exciting, complicated (but not so much the story is hard to follow, just enough to keep it interesting!), and suspenseful. This is hard to put down, you better set aside reading time so your loved ones don't get upset that you are ignoring them!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the prepublication copy to read and review!

Interesting mystery and follow up to the last one.
I found the explanations early on of british/american language differences to be a little labored, but other than that, this was fast-paced and enjoyable.
It is helpful to have read the 1st book, but not totally necessary.

I would read Ruth Ware's books over her shoulder as she typed them, if that was possible. She never disappoints and The Woman in Suite 11 is delightfully suspenseful and twisty against a lush background that makes me want to be a freelance travel writer despite it apparently being fraught with peril.

Lo Blacklock finds herself again in a precarious situation where she's unsure what's really happening and has no idea who she can count on. I felt like there were a couple of untied loose ends that I would have liked to have seen wrapped up, but overall this was a good thriller with lots of twists and turns. Note to Lo, maybe leave travel journalism behind, and don't trust anyone you used to know.

Ruth Ware is back with another twisty and high stakes thriller, and I was hooked. The Woman in Suite 11 brings back Lo Blacklock (yes, from The Woman in Cabin 10!), and this time, she’s trading in cruise ships for a luxury Swiss hotel. Lo is now a mom trying to reclaim her journalism career, and gets invited to the exclusive grand opening of billionaire Marcus Leidmann’s fancy chateau. Then she gets a late night call that throws her into a full blown international chase, trying to figure out if she can trust the mysterious woman begging for her help. This book is fast, glamorous, and suspenseful, and did not disappoint!