Book Review: The Woman in Suite 11 (Lo Blacklock, #2) by Ruth Ware
As a longtime fan of Ruth Ware, I can’t help but be drawn in by the tantalizing premise of The Woman in Suite 11. The idea of revisiting Lo Blacklock, who I’ve followed from her tumultuous past in The Women in Cabin 10, felt like reuniting with an old friend. However, as I delved into Lo’s latest escapades at a luxury hotel in Switzerland, I found myself caught between nostalgia and frustration.
Lo, now married with two sons, returns to her travel writing career after a five-year hiatus, and her invitation to the press opening of the Leidmann Group’s hotel seems like a promising opportunity. But soon enough, she crosses paths with familiar faces from her past—Ben, her ex-boyfriend, and Alexander, the gourmet critic, among others. Just as I was settling into the intrigue of their reconnections, a note beckoned her to Suite 11, hinting that trouble would follow her once again. And oh, did it!
One of my immediate reactions to the story was a sense of déjà vu; Lo’s naivety often left me with a mix of exasperation and amusement. It was almost as if she were destined to repeat the same mistakes from her previous adventures. Her evolution felt stunted, leading me to wonder how she could find herself in precarious situations time and again. It’s as if Ruth Ware is taking a calculated risk—maybe to keep the essence of Lo alive—but it often misses the mark for me, transforming anticipation into annoyance.
While Ware’s signature fast-paced writing style continues to make the pages fly by, I couldn’t shake off the sense of stagnation in both character development and plot progression. The narrative technique, while engaging, lacks the depth that previously left me captivated. It’s essentially a ride through familiar territory, but with fewer thrills and more predictable turns.
One aspect that stood out was the language—specifically, the sheer volume of profanity. With the f-word appearing 106 times across 400 pages, it felt excessive and, at times, detracted from the suspense. For a reader who appreciates strong language when it serves a purpose, this overuse seemed more like a choice to fill space than to enhance the story. It turned those moments of tension into points of distraction.
Despite my mixed feelings, there’s a certain borderline entertainment value in The Woman in Suite 11. If you’re a die-hard Ruth Ware fan like me, you might be tempted to read this for the nostalgia alone. However, I wouldn’t rush to recommend it as a must-read, especially to those who prefer depth over drama.
In conclusion, The Woman in Suite 11 may resonate with readers fond of thrillers where suspense takes a backseat to character-driven plots. Yet, for those seeking the sharpness of Ware’s earlier works, this might feel more like a gentle walk down memory lane rather than a heart-racing adventure. As I closed the book, I found myself hoping that Ruth Ware’s next installment would veer back toward the brilliance that initially drew me to her writing. After this experience, I’ll be waiting eagerly but cautiously for what comes next.
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