Challenge Corner discussion

In this follow-up to #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruth Ware’s multi-million copy mega-hit The Women in Cabin 10, Lo Blacklock returns to attend the opening of a luxury hotel, only to find herself in a white-knuckled race across Europe.

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?

was able to get through this one yesterday!

up to ch 9
(view spoiler)[ I didn't read the last book (told myself I would before this one) & I own it oops. but I'm understanding the gist of it. I wonder what plan Carrier has.... any plan of course involves (I would think) more risk for Lo (hide spoiler)]

part 3 (view spoiler)[ okay okay so the end of these chapters are foretelling of what's to come... oh gosh... I have a strong suspicion it's carrier? or the son? I mean who else would possibly have motive... how could Lo automatically assume the best??

Lo got herself in this mess smh she's tangled herself in all sorts of lies right now and it'll bite her in the butt (hide spoiler)]

part 4 all my thoughts while reading this part
(view spoiler)[ I wonder if the Interpol guy put a microphone in the room?? maybe it's illegal, but I wouldn't put it past them. why is she still caring about Carrie?? oh my gosh I would focus on me and leave her to figure it out, she's helped her this much and has already been involved in an international crime with the passports.

who left that phone call?? warning her? has to be carried

the ending.. she goes on the run oh gosh (hide spoiler)]

finished (view spoiler)[ overall I liked the book, it did take to 50% to get into the mystery and whodunit part with some extra pieces thrown in there. - such as ben, cole and how they both were coming onto her

why did Carrie mention them mushrooms at the beginning with the dinner? I don't recall it affecting them. Also the fact that ben was on the same route? was that not suspicious and nothing was really followed through there.

Laura (Lo) and her naivety was a bit ehh at moments, but I found the relationship with kids and husband to be heartwarming . (hide spoiler)]

I should be able to read this one sometime this week.

Planning to get to this before the end of the month.

Still hoping to pick this up soon.

I know I'm late, but I just picked this one up and am starting really soon!! SO excited to read it!

Through Part 1 - 7 chapters

OMG I'm loving it so far!!

(view spoiler)[ so I remember just about nothing from the first book - I read it so long ago! So I love that she is reminding me about the mascara and Ben being a schmuck.

and I love that our mc is doing so much better. She's curbing that drinking and not popping a pill every 10 minutes and confusing what she's seeing/doing

but why can she be here? I'm really hoping it's not someone seeking revenge. I'd love if the dad is pulling her in for her to investigate those around him and make sure no one is doing something shady!

but what could it mean that Carrie is in his room and a rumor that the dad is dead?!?! Yikes! (hide spoiler)]

Through Part 2 - 13 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, they really pulled it off. when Carrie first laid out the plan, I thought there was no way. THEN she it appeared she didn't arrive on the train, I thought Lo would be investigating her death

interesting that we're left trying to believe Carrie about what the whole thing was with inviting them all there. The threat to Lo's kids was definitely concerning and felt very real - but can she trust Carrie? (hide spoiler)]

through Part 3 - 19 chapters

oookay (view spoiler)[ so these little parts at the end are, like, the future

have to wonder if Marcus's men got to her mom, right?

and Lo said Carrie couldn't have done it. Pieter definitely looks guilty. Are there any other suspects at the hotel? How can they arrest her? that's wild, she doesn't have a clear reason to kill him - what don't we know (hide spoiler)] hmmmmmm

through Part 4 - 27 chapters

(view spoiler)[ well. . .does she go on the run or is that Carrie? do they figure out Carrie is out there somewhere? hmmm. . .

and wow, they really arrested her on some flimsy evidence! lol a photo with Cole? what does that have anything to do with anything?

the door stuff is odd but still doesn't seem to place her in the room or give her the ability to over power this guy and hold him under the water or do anything to kill him

the order could be a pre-recorded (or previously recorded) time he ordered and then played again for the phone call, right?

the bigger question - where was his security? Why wasn't anyone else with him?

and wow, Ben. Really? that guy. . .I swear, he just sucks. why would he be following her? and what does he have to do with all this? (hide spoiler)]

and done

(view spoiler)[ wow, Carrie really did kill him - along with Pieter
I did wonder about that interpole guy but I guess, like Lo, I'd kind of pushed him aside. I'm glad he didn't hurt Carrie. I do hate that the phone got Lo hurt but at least Lo had it in order to get out of the charges.

and I was so glad Judah showed up and he believed her.

that was a great conclusion! (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "finished [spoilers removed]..."

I agree (view spoiler)[ there were some moments that were hinted out but never fully flushed out

what was the comment on the mushrooms? DID it end up making someone sick we didn't know?

and YES! Why throw in there that Ben traveled too? Are these few hints for a book 3?

(hide spoiler)]

I'll read this soon.