Gripping from the first page, this thriller delivers a fast-paced ride packed with suspense, twists, and tension that never lets up. With sharp writing and a plot full of dark secrets and unexpected turns, it’s the kind of book you’ll race through in one sitting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

I will admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Ruth Ware. Her books are either love or hate for me, so I was a bit nervous to review this one. I didn't realize until I'd finished the book that this is a sequel to "The Woman in Cabin 10", released about 10 years ago. I did read that one, but completely forgot the details, so the reminders in this book were helpful to me. I really don't think reading book 1 is required to read and enjoy this one.

In this book, the Main Character, Lo, has married and had a child since the last book, and has chosen to do freelance journalism rather than her magazine job. But - she's bored, misses the old days. Then - woo hoo! An invitation to a grand opening of an exclusive Swiss hotel arrives, and she's interested. Her husband encourages her to go, and her old magazine hires her to get an interview with the billionaire of the hotel, even though he's well known for not giving interviews. But of course, Lo is determined to get this interview!

This wasn't my favorite, and as I said, I'm not a Ruth Ware fan generally. I felt that it was predictable, but it didn't slow down, the pace stayed fairly fast paced.

3 stars - Ruth Ware fans will like this

My review for The Woman in Cabin 10: "You ever read a book and think, 'It would make more sense if this was written by Caroline Keene and was for 14 year olds?' I think I read this Nancy Drew book before."

There are some Ruth Ware books I adore and some I think work better as a script for a 1980s crime show. This one is definitely in the latter category; it felt like a Matlock episode through and through.

I complained about how in TWIC10, our main character Lo makes some ridiculous choices for plot. Likewise, this book had me screaming "You're being manipulated, Lo!" while Lo's internal dialogue would be like, "Yep, that makes TOTAL sense." Eye roll insert here.

I initially hesitated to read this book because I didn't think The Woman in Cabin 10 needed a sequel. However, I was pleasantly surprised when Ruth Ware, nearly ten years later, chose to revisit the story and write a follow-up. She made it easy to pick up where the previous book left off by providing subtle background information that was very helpful. I had no trouble getting back into Lo Blacklock's world.

This sequel reminded me how much I love Ruth Ware's earlier works. I enjoyed seeing all the familiar characters return in this story. Lo came across as quite naïve, but I found that endearing. I also appreciated the unexpected friendship that developed between Lo and Carrie, which added a lively dynamic to the plot. The mystery was so engaging that I couldn't put the book down, and the unexpected twists captivated me.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Gallery Books for giving me a copy.

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen is a gripping psychological thriller that deftly explores themes of family secrets, identity, and the search for justice. In this twisty narrative, Georgia is at the center of an unsettling mystery. Accused of murdering her sister, she finds herself in a mental hospital, awaiting a trial to determine if she's competent to stand in court. What begins as a seemingly straightforward crime story soon evolves into an intricate exploration of the human mind, the bond between sisters, and the lengths one will go to for the truth.

From the start, Pekkanen sets the stage for a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere within the hospital, cleverly blending a tense, confined setting with a deeper, more unsettling psychological battle. Georgia's experience is anything but typical, and as she interacts with the quirky, sometimes unreliable residents of the ward, the reader is pulled deeper into her fractured sense of reality. Pekkanen does an excellent job of blurring the lines between what is real and what is imagined, making readers question the validity of Georgia’s perceptions.

The real hook of the story is the discovery that Georgia has an identical twin, Mandy—someone she never knew existed. This revelation unearths a fresh layer of intrigue, as Georgia’s desperate attempts to contact Mandy and clear her name intensify. The twin dynamic is well-played, with the novel expertly exploring themes of identity and the impact of a fractured family. Mandy's role in the plot is mysterious, and her involvement in Georgia’s quest to uncover the truth adds a fascinating layer of suspense. Pekkanen skillfully weaves in twists that keep readers on edge, making it nearly impossible to predict the final outcome.

Pekkanen’s pacing is sharp, offering just the right balance of character development and plot progression. The psychological tension builds steadily, with each chapter revealing more about Georgia's fractured state of mind and her unsettling past. The interactions between Georgia and the other patients in the mental hospital are equally compelling, offering both empathy and suspicion as the line between friend and foe constantly shifts.

The narrative dives deep into the complexities of trauma and mental health, without ever feeling overly preachy. The themes of how trauma affects our perceptions of reality and shapes our responses to external events are subtly woven throughout the story. At the same time, Pekkanen keeps readers riveted with a well-crafted, suspenseful mystery that is as emotional as it is thrilling.

In terms of character depth, Georgia’s internal conflict is palpable and relatable. As she grapples with the weight of the accusations against her and her growing uncertainty about the truth, readers are left questioning what they would do in her shoes. The author’s portrayal of her vulnerability and determination is masterful, and Georgia becomes a character readers can’t help but root for, even as her reliability comes into question.

Ultimately, The Locked Ward is an absorbing and unpredictable thriller that combines emotional depth with page-turning suspense. While the mystery unfolds with numerous twists and turns, it’s the exploration of Georgia’s psyche and her relationships—particularly with her newfound twin—that truly elevates the story. For fans of psychological thrillers with a focus on character-driven narratives and dark family secrets, this book will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ware does it again. This book had me on the edge of my seat as I waited and guessed at who the killer was. Beginning was a little slow but it built a strong foundation for the rest of the book. Poor Lo has been through so much in two books and this one was a great read!

I recieved this book from was from Netgalley. This is a sequel. I didn’t read the first book, but I love Ruth Ware so I was excited to get this book! I thought it was really good and I don’t feel like I missed anything not having read the first book. I will be reading the first one now!!

I actually enjoyed this more than The Woman In Cabin 10. It had more twists and turns and I wasn’t able to figure out the big plot reveal. This is definitely worth a read when you are in the mood for a fast paced thriller. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

I did not read The Woman in Cabin 10 so that might be why I didn’t enjoy this book. I thought the story was fine but it definitely wasn’t my favorite. It didn’t give me thriller vibes at all. I don’t think I really enjoy Ruth’s writing. Nothing really grabbed my attention and pulled me into the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Ruth and Gallery Books for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨
Publication Date: July 8th 2025

Lo is at it again! It is many years later and she a wife and mom is desperate to revive her journalism career. She is invited to a hotel opening owned by. Marcus a millionaire. Lo goes to the hotel and gets a mysterious note to go to Suite 11. And then her world gets much more complicated. She attempts to help the mysterious letter writer escape a horrible situation and gets herself into quite the cat and mouse game to follow. I loved re visiting Lo and another familiar face or two. I found the plot to be well thought out and it definitely kept me guessing. I found the ending and the way it played out to be satisfying and definitely worth the wild ride.

The Woman in Suite 11 was dark and twisty in the perfect way! I loved seeing the follow-up on this story. Ruth Ware never disappoints and this one really does it again!

This was kinda dissapointing, but i kept reading just to finish it. i don't really feel like this is a true thriller, there was nothing thrilling in the story.

It took me a minute to get into this and I didn’t love it. It’s the sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10 which I read and liked, but I had forgotten a lot of it and there was zero refresher. Lo is living in NYC with her husband and two littles on a sort-of mommy hiatus from writing when she is invited to cover a deluxe new hotel in Switzerland and write about the owner, a reclusive billionaire, she jumps at the chance to rekindle her career and have a little getaway. Except of course she arrives and what she finds is way more than she bargained for. Ghosts from her past haunt her at every turn.

I liked it fine - didn’t love. It was a fast read, but was missing something and I did t love Lo at all. Prob only for die hard Ware fans. This is my least favorite of hers so far. There are better thrillers if that’s what you’re in the mood for.

The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Comes out July 8, 2025.

I enjoyed this sequel to the woman in cabin 10. Having read that book a few years ago, I somewhat forgot some of the story line. There were enough reminders throughout this to help. I emjoyed seeing the characters come alive again and see what will happen. In Typical Ruth Ware fashion there was a lot of twists and turn and suspense!

I had to reread The Woman in Cabin 10--it's been a while. I was curious why Ware felt the need to revisit these characters. Cabin 10 ended well and all characters had closure. * Spoilers ahead! I liked that Lo wasn't an unreliable witness in Suite 11 and this book is mostly about the relationship between Lo and Carrie. I did think (the whole time) that Carrie was up to no good and it seemed Lo unbelievable naive. I didn't like that the last 10 years of Carrie's life had been so awful. You definitely want to keep reading because you're desperate to know who the real bad guy is. However, are these characters really worth another book? Not really. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

The Woman in Suite 11 is a sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10, a book I previously purchased but have not yet read. Ruth Ware is a favorite author, but The Woman in Suite 11 does not really live up to Ware's literary reputation. When the ending of a novel is the best part of the story because Ware wrapped up and tied together all the parts, well, that means the book does not succeed. So why didn't this novel work? An improbable plot, unlikeable characters, UK police who appear dim and unprofessional, and a lack of purpose in writing this novel. Since I have not read the first novel with this main character, I have no way of knowing why Ware might have wanted to bring back Laura, who was the protagonist in The Woman in Cabin 10. The protagonist in The Woman in Suite 11 is once again Laura, who appears to lack basic common sense. Why would she agree to do what Ware has her doing? Plots need to make sense, and the plot in The Woman in Suite 11 is rather a big stretch. I suspect it is important to read The Woman in Cabin 10 first. Maybe The Woman in Suite 11 would work better for me if I had read the first novel.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review. The comments above are my honest thoughts.

3 stars

Really enjoyed this followup to "The Woman in Cabin 10," though it's written well enough that this could be a standalone novel! I read WC10 years ago and didn't find that I needed to refresh my memory on specific plot elements. Several years and a pandemic after the events of WC10, Lo Blacklock is living in NYC with her husband and two small boys when she gets a mysterious invite to a hotel opening in Switzerland that bring her face to face with figures from her past and a brand new mystery. I guessed at the ending pretty quickly, but overall this was a thrilling, quick read on part with Ware's other novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

If i’m being honest, I was skeptical about a sequel to the Woman in Cabin 10…

BUT

I really enjoyed this one! I should know never to doubt Ruth. The book is set 10 years post the Aurora nightmare, where Lo is married and raising two kids. She receives an invite to an opening of a Swiss hotel, and after some consideration she decides to go.

Cue fast paced and suspenseful plot. This plot could have worked with any main character in my opinion, however it did make it fun to see Lo thrown back into chaos especially with so many returning characters.

If you’re a Ruth Ware fan, this is a great read! Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout press for the ARC!

I could not put this one down! Ruth Ware grabbed me from the start of this book and I was anxious to get to the end! Such a great read with twists I didn't see coming.

I did not read the first book in this series, maybe that's why this book didn't grab my attention. I felt both lead female characters were rather vapid and the plot improbable as they go on a strange detour. Bad decisions all around and it was hard to feel sympathy for anyone. Meh.