Often compared to Agatha Christie, Ruth Ware is a highly acclaimed thriller/mystery novelist. She has six novels currently published and a seventh coming later this year. Reese Witherspoon is a huge fan of Ware's, as many of her books find their way onto Witherspoon's personal book club lists. Additionally, two of Ware's books, In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10, are being turned into movies, the former produced by Witherspoon.
The following is a list of my five favorite Ruth Ware novels... Cozy up and grab a blanket, it's about to get spooky!
While The lying Game ranks number five on this list, it does not mean this book was bad - all of Ware's novels are great! This one is very predictable; it is easy to guess the majority of the mysteries but still, Ware's writing makes the reader want to push on. It follows a group of four women who were friends at boarding school but have since reconnected after mysterious events force them together. These women were once troublemakers in high school, participating in mischief they called the "Lying Game" - a competition where the girls see who can convince fellow students and teachers of the most outrageous lies. Death, disappearance and forbidden romance loom over the women when they reconnect in the town that caused them so much pain all those years ago.
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The Death of Mrs. Westaway follows Hal, a young fortune-teller who is alone and on the brink of financial ruin after her mother's tragic hit-and-run death. When she receives a letter in the mail claiming the death of a rich, supposed relative, she decides to reluctantly play the part and attend the reading of the will. Who are these odd people and could Hal actually be a long lost relative? Hal is determined to find out more about her place in this family and is willing to risk it all to reveal the truth. It is an intriguing story and has the doom and gloom ambiance typical to thrillers - think spooky mansion and magpies.
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3. One by One
Ruth Ware's newest novel One by One, follows a company ski trip gone horribly wrong. This story has many intriguing elements. For one, the setting is unique - an upscale ski chalet in France. Secondly, the company itself is interesting. Ironically named "Snoop," the company is a music streaming platform where users can listen along with people they follow, including celebrities, friends and family. When an avalanche hits the remote ski chalet the team is snowed in and death ensues. It becomes obvious that the avalanche has little to do with the deaths, and there are power plays at hand; in short, trust no one. This is a classic "whodunit" novel that pays homage to famous mystery novelist, Agatha Christie.
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Much like One by One, In a Dark, Dark Wood, has a brilliant setting - a glass house in the middle of a secluded forest. The story follows Nora who decides to attend her long lost friend Clare's bachelorette party - mistake number 1. Nora only knows one other person in attendance, Nina, and they decide to go together. When the two arrive, Nora is uneasy about the house and the shotgun on the wall... a hell of a foreshadow, one might add. As the events of the weekend unfold, it is easy to point out this is a bachelorette party like no other - a shooting session and a séance are among the activities. As a narrator, Nora is unreliable and slightly unlikable. In fact, all the characters are so unlikable and strange, it adds a whole other dimension to the story. The story includes murder, betrayal and split timelines.
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Taking the number one spot is the brilliant, The Woman in Cabin 10, Ruth Ware's second novel. There are three factors that make this book so intriguing - story, setting and shock. The story follows Lo Blackburn, a journalist invited to an extended PR event with the hopes of writing a compelling review. In true Ruth Ware form, the setting of this story is captivating - an exclusive cruise ship touring the Norwegian fjords. The dazzling ballrooms, the ominous galleys and underbelly of the ship, the plunge into the freezing ocean all added to the story's ambiance. The reveal at the end is not one the reader will expect and is truly shocking... who really is the woman in cabin 10?
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