Welcome, book friends!
To listen to my real-time reaction to this book and movie, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.
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Grab your blanket and a cup of tea because in this Pages to Popcorn episode, we’re setting sail into the world of Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10. This twisty thriller takes readers aboard a luxury cruise ship where a travel journalist witnesses something she shouldn’t have—or maybe didn’t. What follows is a tense, claustrophobic mystery filled with paranoia, secrets, and questions about what’s real.
In this episode, I dive into both the book and its film adaptation to see how they compare. Did the movie capture the eerie atmosphere of the novel? Was the suspense just as sharp on screen as it was on the page? And which version told the story better?
Join me as I break down my thoughts on the writing, the characters, the pacing, and that twisty ending, then discuss whether this voyage was smooth sailing or a rocky ride.
Author Spotlight
If you love modern mysteries with a touch of classic Agatha Christie flair, then Ruth Ware is a name you probably already know. The British author has become one of today’s most popular writers of psychological thrillers, captivating readers around the world with her tense, atmospheric stories and twisty plots.
Ruth’s love of storytelling began early—she started writing when she was just seven or eight years old. Even as a teenager, she filled notebooks with stories but never showed them to anyone, keeping her passion for writing completely private. After landing an apprenticeship in the publishing world during her twenties, she became surrounded by accomplished authors and award-winning books. Rather than inspiring her, it initially intimidated her. Ruth doubted whether her own writing could ever belong on the same shelves as theirs.
It wasn’t until her thirties, after getting married and having children, that she began to see writing as something more than just a hobby. She would steal little pockets of time to write during her children’s naps, quietly building her confidence and refining her craft. Eventually, she gathered the courage to send her first novel to agents—and that was the moment everything changed. Her publishing dream finally came true, launching her career as one of the leading voices in contemporary crime fiction.
Today, Ruth Ware has written 10 bestselling books, including her newest release, The Woman in Suite 11, the highly anticipated sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10. Her novels have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, appeared on major bestseller lists such as The New York Times and The Sunday Times, and have been translated into over 40 languages. Many of her works have been optioned for film and television, bringing her chilling stories even closer to audiences everywhere.
When it comes to writing style, Ware’s work is often compared to that of Agatha Christie—and for good reason. Like Christie, she places ordinary women in extraordinary and dangerous situations, often within isolated or claustrophobic settings that heighten the tension. From luxury cruise ships to remote cabins and secluded country houses, her settings are more than just backdrops—they become essential parts of the mystery itself. Her stories blend psychological suspense with classic “locked room” setups, where paranoia, fear, and human nature collide.
Ruth Ware’s gift lies in her ability to turn the familiar into the unsettling and to craft heroines who are flawed, relatable, and utterly human. Whether you’re boarding a ship with The Woman in Cabin 10 or checking into a darkly mysterious getaway, you know you’re in for a gripping ride.
You can learn more about Ruth Ware, follow her on GoodReads and social media, and sign up for her newsletter/book club here.
Learn more about the Netflix movie here.
