The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Gist
Seraphina Nova Glass once again proves her skill at crafting smart, character-driven suspense with The Vacancy in Room 10. This psychological thriller grabs you from the opening chapter and keeps the tension simmering until the final page. It’s eerie, emotional, and impossible to put down.
The Details
The story follows Anna Hartley, a woman who’s been through hell. She’s running from a messy life—loss, addiction, regret—and lands at the weathered Sycamore Motel, nestled along the quiet Texas coast. Her plan is to disappear. But when she learns that a woman vanished from Room 10—the very room she’s staying in—Anna’s survival instincts kick into high gear. She can’t help digging deeper, and the more she uncovers, the less safe she feels.
Anna is not your typical heroine. She’s deeply flawed, impulsive, and emotionally raw. But that’s what makes her so compelling. Her voice is sharp, her grief feels real, and her fight to make sense of it all keeps the plot grounded even as the mystery unfolds. Glass writes women like Anna with nuance—damaged but not defeated, vulnerable yet dangerous when cornered.
The setting plays a starring role. The Sycamore Motel is seedy, lonely, and quietly terrifying. Faded curtains, stained carpets, flickering lights—Glass makes you feel like you’re right there with Anna, checking every shadow and listening for footsteps outside the door. The atmosphere builds slowly, but the sense of danger never lets up.
The mystery surrounding the missing woman is layered with secrets, false leads, and characters who all seem to be hiding something. From the sketchy motel manager to the guarded bartender to the too-nice detective, everyone feels like a suspect. The twists are well-timed, and most feel earned, even if a couple push the limits of coincidence. Still, the journey is well worth it.
If there’s one drawback, it’s the ending. While the emotional payoff hits, some plot threads tie up a little too quickly. A few secondary characters are left underdeveloped, and certain revelations don’t get the weight they deserve. It doesn’t ruin the book, but it does hold it back from being a five-star standout.
The Vacancy in Room 10 is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Megan Miranda, or psychological thrillers with grit and heart. It’s dark without being bleak, and fast-paced without sacrificing emotional depth.
The Verdict
An atmospheric, tension-packed thriller with a fierce and unforgettable protagonist. While not flawless, it’s a gripping read that will keep you guessing until the very end. Just maybe don’t read it alone in a motel room.
