On a recent trip to Chicago, I arrived at the airport far too early with my son. This is a genetic failing on my part. I always need to be at the airport hours before my plane takes off, ‘just to be safe’. The Husband who feels just the opposite and would leave it until the eleventh hour every time, kindly indulges me in these matters and suffers in what one could describe as being silence, but is actually mild frustration. Anyhow, on this occasion I was travelling with my eleven year old and having eaten, took him to the ubiquitous Hudson News to find ‘reading materials’ (also known as People Magazine and US Weekly).

I had loved The Woman in Cabin 10, but hadn’t really thought about Ruth Ware since, so was delighted and surprised to find another of her novels sitting on the shelves. I purchased it, along with the reference materials and began it on the plane once the magazines were spent.

The Woman in Cabin 10 had felt very fresh when I read it, whilst The Lying Game followed the course of a more traditional English mystery novel. I’m not sure why, but this felt like a more traditional tale to me, although I hasten to emphasize that it didn’t suffer for it. It tells the story of four childhood friends who share a dark childhood secret. Now in their twenties the group reconnects, ostensibly for a school reunion, but also to deal with their past. As is always the way with such stories, things go horribly awry and, as per a Ruth Ware novel, it’s totally compelling.

When you have read a lot of one author in really quick succession, it’s hard not to find yourself thinking about which of the books you’ve enjoyed the most and to date, this is my pecking order:

1. In A Dark, Dark Wood (which I read immediately after this book)
2. The Woman in Cabin 10
3. The Lying Game

Now admittedly this might leave you thinking, so why should I bother with this particular novel and the truth is that they are all just really, really good. In A Dark, Dark Wood has to come in top position because frankly, it’s just so dark and I really love that. The Woman in Cabin 10 wins second place because of the setting being so unusual and finally this novel, well because I’m British, it just feels familiar, but in a good comforting way, not in a boring dreary way. Finally, I had to admit that I’m currently reading her next novel, The Death of Mrs Westaway, so all of this might be shaken up but, so far, I think not. Again, it’s a great read, but just not my favorite.

Isn’t it great to have choices?