The Woman in Suite 11
- Judith D Collins
- 44 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Lo Blacklock #2
By: Ruth Ware
Narrator: Imogen Church
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 978-1668025628
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Publication Date: 07/08/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
In this follow-up to #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ware’s multi-million copy mega-hit The Women in Cabin 10, Lo Blacklock returns to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, only to find herself in a white-knuckled race across Europe.
When the invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel—owned by reclusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann—arrives, it’s like the answer to a prayer. Three years after the birth of her youngest child, Lo Blacklock is ready to reestablish her journalism career, but post-pandemic travel journalism is a very different landscape from the one she left ten years ago.
The chateau on the shores of Lake Geneva is everything Lo’s ever dreamed of, and she hopes she can snag an interview with Marcus. Unfortunately, he proves to be even more difficult to pin down than his reputation suggests. When Lo gets a late-night call asking her to come to Marcus’s hotel room, she agrees despite her own misgivings. She’s greeted, however, by a woman claiming to be Marcus’s mistress, and in life-or-death jeopardy.
What follows is a thrilling cat-and-mouse pursuit across Europe, forcing Lo to ask herself just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save this woman…and if she can even trust her?
My Review
Bestselling author Ruth Ware makes a triumphant return, bringing back her resilient journalist, Lo Blacklock, in the highly anticipated sequel, THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11. Following the success of her previous work, The Woman in Cabin 10 (2016), which is set to debut on Netflix on October 10, 2025, featuring the talented Keira Knightley, readers are in for an exhilarating ride.
The Woman in Suite 11 serves as a sequel to her earlier book, The Woman in Cabin 10. The story revisits journalist Lo Blacklock, a decade after her traumatic cruise ship experience, as she gets caught in a new web of deceit and danger.
About...
A decade has passed since Lo Blacklock's harrowing experience aboard a Norwegian cruise, and she now finds herself attending the grand opening of a luxury hotel. However, her excitement quickly transforms into a gripping race across Europe, filled with suspense and intrigue. Who extended the invitation, and what ulterior motives lie behind it? What dark schemes are about to be unveiled? Has her past finally come back to haunt her?
As we delve into this sequel, we reconnect with Lo Blacklock, who narrowly escaped death during her previous adventure. Now happily married to Judah and the proud mother of two sons, she has penned a memoir titled Dark Waters, recounting her traumatic experience aboard the cruise ship Aurora. Lo is eager to reignite her passion for travel writing.
When she receives an invitation to the exclusive opening of reclusive billionaire Marcus Liedman's opulent hotel on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva, she wonders if this could be her chance for redemption or if something more sinister awaits her.
Upon her arrival, she is confronted by familiar faces from her past, including fellow attendees from her ill-fated cruise, a renowned food critic, a photographer, and an ex-boyfriend she would rather avoid. As fate would have it, a late-night summons to Marcus's hotel room leads her to an unexpected encounter with a woman claiming to be his mistress, thrusting Lo into a perilous situation. (a shocker)
What ensues is a heart-pounding chase across Europe, compelling Lo to confront her own limits and question the trustworthiness of those around her. When a murder occurs, Lo finds herself ensnared as a prime suspect.
My thoughts...
Ruth Ware has once again proven herself a master of psychological suspense, ramping up the tension in this adrenaline-fueled thriller that will have readers glancing over their shoulders from start to finish. With a captivating, atmospheric narrative, Ware skillfully crafts claustrophobic settings and places her characters in morally ambiguous situations that challenge their integrity.
The luxurious hotel, with its hidden secrets, emerges as a character in its own right, while an exhilarating train journey heightens the sense of danger and mystery.
Lo Blacklock is an exceptionally well-developed character, navigating her roles as a wife, mother, journalist, and travel writer, all while grappling with life-threatening circumstances reminiscent of her past. Her complexity deepens in this installment, as she confronts the lengths to which individuals may go when driven by desperation and obligation.
Marcus Leidmann, a figure of wealth and power, wields his influence manipulatively, particularly over women, as the author showcases superb character development throughout the narrative.
The novel explores how the characters who survived the cruise ship incident have changed over the past decade, continuing the suspense that Ruth Ware is known for, exploring themes of trauma, guilt, and the complex bonds between victims.
In conclusion, the five-part structure and the interplay of multiple timelines create a palpable tension that enriches the storyline, exploring profound themes of power, trust, and moral compromise.
This compelling read stands as a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling literary experience. While THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11 can be enjoyed independently, I highly recommend reading The Woman in Cabin 10 first for a fuller understanding of Lo's journey.
Recs...
For those who cherish Lo Blacklock's story, this sequel provides a gratifying resolution. Fans of Ruth Ware will appreciate her signature atmospheric style, along with readers who admire authors such as Lucy Foley, Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney, Carol Goodman, and BA Paris, whose works often delve into the darker facets of relationships and concealed secrets.
Upcoming adaptation...
I am eagerly anticipating the release of The Woman in Cabin 10, set to debut on Netflix on October 10. The opportunity to see Hannah Waddingham portray Heidi fills me with excitement, as she stands out as one of my favorite actresses. Furthermore, I am hopeful for a sequel on screen, featuring THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11.
Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 08, 2025
Coming to Netflix!
The new adaptation of Ruth Ware’s bestselling novel THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 comes to Netflix this fall. OCT 10, 2025!
There’s nothing more relaxing than a trip on a super yacht — unless you happen to witness a murder. That’s the predicament facing Keira Knightley in The Woman in Cabin 10, a new thriller coming to Netflix in October.
I am a huge fan of Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) and I cannot wait to see her. Crushing over her hair and clothes/fashion, as always!
About the Author
Ruth Ware worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language, and a press officer before settling down as a full-time writer. She now lives with her family in Sussex, on the south coast of England. She is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail (Toronto) bestselling author of 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; and One Perfect Couple. Visit her at RuthWare.com or follow her on socials @RuthWareWriter.
