Tag: Ruth Ware

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I may be removed from the bookworm community for saying this, but I am going to say it, I think for one of the first times ever – the film was better! I am so sorry, I know this is a crime in the book-loving world because we should say ‘the book was better’, however, hear me out – this is a film that is pretty loyal to the book, but there is just something a little more satisfying with the film.

Ruth Ware knows how to write a solid thriller, and often in a range of different settings too. Which always makes picking her books up worth a go. ‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ is a great premise for a book: a trip on a luxury yacht should be something that is exciting and a thrilling experience, but not a chilling one. In the middle of the night, it appears the woman in cabin 10 disappears, however nobody seems to believe Lo Blacklock when she tries to find out what has happened. And we all know that a great trope of a thriller is the isolated destination with no escape, and that all other characters in the story appear to have no idea about what is going on…

So, obviously, I keep it spoiler-free, especially with a thriller. However, let’s look at what made me make such a shocking statement at the start of my review. It was simply this: as loyal an adaptation this appeared to be to me, the pace of the film just helped it out a little. I found in the book, my mind was wandering slightly after the very pacy start and just before the conclusion. Obviously not enough to make me not read the book, but just enough to lead me to consider the similar moments in the film. Also, and I know I am not alone in this as this was a buddy read, I think the ending was better in the film. Yes, I have just said it; it feels like I may be sharing an unpopular opinion, but the ending in the book felt rushed, and I realised that I was not entirely sure how we had suddenly got to the end – in the film there was a little more clarity.

I am willing to admit that I saw the film first, so that was my first impression of this story. Yet, I did enjoy seeing where the book met the film, and it did make me think about this book a little more as I considered why some of the changes may have been made.

So, will I read the next one? Probably! Because, let’s be honest, I am interested to see what ‘The Woman in Suite 11’ is all about, especially as I do not read blurbs, so it will all be a surprise.

One by One by Ruth Ware

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Thrilling reads continue in October with ‘One by One’ by Ruth Ware. Even the cover of this book says thrilling read ahead, with its grey tones and isolated chalet.

Told from the perspectives of Liz and Erin, we escape to the chalet for a skiing holiday, combined with a business trip with the team behind a new music app ‘Snoop’. However, there is nothing relaxing about this trip as, one by one, members of the group are killed or disappearing. But why is this happening? And who is responsible? Especially when there is no escape.

Although the pace was a little slow to begin with, once it picked up, this became a book where you just needed to read one more chapter to find out what was going to happen next.

Definitely a good pick for these autumn evenings.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

A creepy house in the highlands of Scotland, slightly strange children and a poison garden – what a recipe for a novel.

‘The Turn of the Key’ is an excellent thriller, clearly inspired by the chilling 19th-century ghost stories – a well-crafted, serious page-turner. Ruth Ware has managed to bring thrilling, chilling stories bang up to date.

A dream job very quickly becomes a nightmare. Rowan answers an advert for an idyllic-sounding nannying job in Scotland. However, the family’s state-of-the-art house does not make the job easy. There are many unexplained goings-on and the children are not accepting Rowan the way she hoped. However, there is far worse to come…

This book, told as a reflective letter, is a compelling read. I found myself keen to know what was going to happen. In fact, I did not see any of the twists coming. On reflection, there were hints of one or two, but the biggest twist was the excellent reveal.

This is a great book for anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries. A really enjoyable and well-written read. I am glad, again, to have discovered a new author. My only regret is that i did not read it during Autumn, as it would be perfect foe those darker, stormier nights.