Netflix just dropped its movie adaptation of Ruth Ware’s novel, and honestly it’s so good it deserved a theatrical release. Before you hit play, I recommend putting your phone away and dimming the lights (I use a blue light bulb for the perfect moody glow).
The film stars Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Hannah Waddingham, along with a cast of British actors so authentic you might want subtitles to catch every line. Set aboard a luxurious yacht filled with the ultra-wealthy and well-connected, the story follows journalist Keira Knightley as she witnesses a passenger fall overboard. When no one believes her, she risks everything to uncover the truth.
In this murder mystery, everyone’s a suspect and possibly a villain. Not sure when was the last time I saw a movie with this much atmosphere and mystery. It’s suspenseful, exciting, and well produced. At just an hour and a half, it’s a tight thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. If you love a good whodunit, this one’s a must-watch.
One curious thing I found about the movie is that when she first boarded she was asked to remove her shoes, yet I noticed all of the crew was wearing shoes so I googled for an explanation:
Guests are usually asked to go barefoot (or wear soft, clean “boat shoes”) to protect the deck. Many yachts have teak decks or delicate flooring that can be easily scuffed or stained by dirt, sand, or dark rubber soles. Even tiny stones stuck in a tread can leave marks. So the “no shoes” rule keeps the surfaces looking pristine.
Crew, on the other hand, wear special non-marking deck shoes made specifically for marine use. They have soft, light-colored soles that grip wet decks and don’t leave scuffs. Crew also need the protection and stability of shoes while they’re working — hauling lines, moving gear, or handling cleaning products.
The movie was an adaption of this book which was one of the best books I read in 2016! I read this NY Times best seller in just 3 days. It was such an easy book to start as you are drawn in immediately. The biggest change between the book and the movie is in atmosphere: the movie leans into visual tension with dimly lit cabins, stormy seas, and the claustrophobic feel of the ship, whereas the book builds suspense more internally through the protagonist Lo Blacklock’s anxious, first-person perspective.
The story follows Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only 10 cabins. On the ship Lo witnessed a woman being thrown overboard. The only problem is that when she brings this to the attention of the ship's security, all the passengers and staff remain accounted for and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened. The mystery kept me going thinking who done it? This thriller has lots of twists and turns with an unexpected ending, you won't be able to put it down.
This is the sequel that was released this year that I rated 4 stars while the original I rated 5 stars. I thought this was a standalone book so I was surprised by how much we needed to remember the plot and outcomes of The Woman In Cabin 10 during the first half of this book. Too many plot points are integral from the first book. The book is a slow paced mystery. Here is the official summary:
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?
Spoiler for the movie ~~~~
these are the Norwegian actresses
Other mysteries to watch on TV:
Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? on Hulu
Stabbed 20 times in her own apartment. Her death was initially ruled a homicide… until it was switched to a suicide. What is the truth?
What Happened to Amy Bradley on Netflix.
This true-crime series investigates the 1998 disappearance of a 23-year-old woman from a Caribbean cruise and her family's tireless search for answers.
New book release:
Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon
An unforgettable suspense novel that combines the storytelling talents of Academy Award-winning actor Reese Witherspoon and internationally bestselling author Harlan Coben, Gone Before Goodbye is the story of a woman trapped in a deadly conspiracy—where uncovering the truth could cost her everything.
Publication date: October 14, 2025
Coben is a fantastic mystery writer and 11 of his books have been made into Netflix movies! Highly recommend watching the last two: Missing You and Fool Me Once. I binged through all the episodes! I've read three of this books: Home, Run Away, and Fool Me Once. His writing style is fast-paced, clear, and conversational. He’s known for tight plotting, short chapters, and twists that keep readers turning pages. That said, his books can feel complex because of the layered storylines, large casts of characters, and all the secrets connecting them. If you’re not used to juggling multiple perspectives or timelines, some of his novels might take a bit more focus.
Related posts:
Best Mystery Books of 2016 (I talk about Harlan Coben and Ruth Ware in this post)
No comments