Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club: Episode Summary – "Plan The Perfect Murder with Ruth Ware"
Introduction: Welcoming Ruth Ware
In this captivating episode of Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, host Danielle Robay engages in an insightful conversation with Ruth Ware, renowned as the "queen of the modern thriller." Celebrated for her psychological thrillers that resonate deeply with millennial audiences, Ware has often been likened to Agatha Christie, though she distinguishes herself with a unique narrative flair. The discussion delves into Ware's latest work, her writing process, inspirations, and the nuances that make her novels compelling.
Exploring Ruth Ware’s Literary Universe
Latest Releases: "The Woman in Sweet Eleven" and "The Woman in Cabin 10"
Ruth Ware introduces her new novel, "The Woman in Sweet Eleven," a highly anticipated sequel to "The Woman in Cabin 10." Ware describes the protagonist, Laura Lowe Blacklock, a character marked by past trauma from a luxury cruise ship that turned into a murder mystery. In Sweet Eleven, Laura navigates a glittering Swiss chateau fraught with dark secrets, blending opulence with suspense. Ware highlights the immersive quality of her storytelling, ensuring readers are utterly engrossed:
“Her psychological thrillers are so immersive that you'll forget it's the middle of the day and you're safe on the couch and nothing can hurt you.” [02:20]
Crafting the Perfect Murder Mystery
The conversation transitions to the essence of creating gripping murder mysteries. Ware emphasizes the importance of suspense and the delicate balance between questions and answers in storytelling. Drawing from her experience, she advises:
“A good novel will have a kind of overlapping rhythm of questions and answers that isn't just the sort of big whodunit question that's sort of pulling you through the novel.” [24:25]
Inspiration and Setting: From Imagination to Reality
Ware discusses her fascination with the super-rich and their secluded lifestyles, which often serve as the backdrop for her novels. She shares hypothetical ideas, such as setting a thriller in a billionaire's bunker post-apocalypse:
“There'll be so much juicy material of, you know, the billionaires and all their entourage kind of quietly melting down in this post apocalyptic world.” [04:32]
A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on how Ware meticulously researches and visualizes settings for her books, often writing about places she hasn't visited. She recounts her experience writing The Woman in Cabin 10 without having been on a cruise, yet ensuring accurate depictions through extensive research:
“I don't find it super hard to imagine myself somewhere else. Lots of the details that I put in were correct...” [11:13]
The Role of Imagination and Continuity in Writing
Highlighting her "super visual imagination," Ware explains how this trait aids her writing process, allowing her to foresee scenes vividly and maintain continuity effortlessly:
“When I'm writing, I literally see the scenes kind of playing out in my mind's eye...” [15:40]
Motherhood and Creativity: A Catalyst for Success
A poignant segment of the interview explores how motherhood influenced Ware's writing career. She reveals that becoming a mother instilled the bravery and necessity to pursue her passion, leading to the creation of her breakthrough novel:
“If I hadn't had my kids, I think it would have taken me probably much longer if it hadn't been for that little selfish spark inside me saying, no, I want to keep doing this and I have to find a way to make that happen.” [21:50]
Ware credits her children with providing the essential motivation to persist despite initial rejections, underscoring the intertwining of personal life and creative drive.
Advice for Aspiring Thriller Authors
Sharing her expertise, Ware advises writers to prioritize suspense by ensuring every chapter ends with compelling questions that drive the reader forward. She cites Gone Girl as an exemplar of this technique:
“A good writer won't keep people in suspense about everything. They'll do a kind of a question and an answer and there'll be a little sort of rhythm going on.” [24:26]
Adapting Literature to Screen: "The Woman in Cabin 10"
Discussing the upcoming Netflix adaptation of The Woman in Cabin 10, Ware expresses excitement over the casting choices, particularly Keira Knightley as Laura. She reflects on the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the unique interpretations that adaptations bring:
“I think it just doesn't matter if you've read the book, to be honest. I think it's just really interesting seeing someone else's perspective.” [33:33]
Thematic Elements: Wealth Inequality and Female Friendships
Ware delves into the societal anxieties reflected in her work, particularly wealth inequality and the complexities of female friendships. She explains how affluent villains in her novels mirror contemporary concerns:
“Wealth inequality is one of the most pressing topics of our age... What does it do to people to have that much money and that little accountability?” [30:27]
Additionally, she discusses the evolution of her portrayal of female friendships from toxic dynamics in her early works to more nuanced, supportive relationships in her later novels.
Rapid-Fire Segment: Personal Insights
The episode concludes with a dynamic rapid-fire segment, where Ware shares quick responses to fun, engaging questions:
- Favorite thriller novel to recommend: Gone Girl.
- Regrets about character deaths: No regrets; perhaps wishing she had killed off more characters.
- Desired book she wished she'd written: Our House by Louise Candlish.
- Belief about human nature and murder: “Yes. I think anybody could kill if they really truly had to.” [39:19]
- Most like which character: A bit of herself is reflected in her characters, especially Laura.
Closing Thoughts
Ruth Ware leaves listeners with a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of crafting a psychological thriller, the importance of personal experiences in creative endeavors, and the relentless pursuit of storytelling excellence. Her blend of rich narratives, meticulous research, and relatable characters continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Key Takeaways:
- Immersive Storytelling: Ware’s ability to create vivid, engaging settings draws readers deeply into her narratives.
- Balancing Questions and Answers: Essential for maintaining suspense and reader engagement.
- Personal Experiences Fuel Creativity: Motherhood played a pivotal role in Ware’s decision to pursue writing seriously.
- Adaptations Offer New Perspectives: Transitioning from book to screen provides fresh interpretations of her work.
- Reflection of Societal Issues: Her novels often mirror contemporary anxieties, making them relevant and thought-provoking.
Notable Quotes:
- “A good writer won't keep people in suspense about everything. They'll do a kind of a question and an answer and there'll be a little sort of rhythm going on.” [24:26]
- “If I hadn't had my kids, I think it would have taken me probably much longer if it hadn't been for that little selfish spark inside me saying, no, I want to keep doing this and I have to find a way to make that happen.” [21:50]
- “We wealth inequality is one of the most pressing topics of our age...” [30:27]
This episode is a must-listen for thriller enthusiasts and aspiring writers alike, offering valuable insights into the mind of one of the genre’s most influential authors.