The Haven: A Summer Suspense Mystery

Summer Suspense Mysteries #4

by L.J. Ross

SOME LEGENDS NEVER DIE...

Irish newsreader Isolde Malone has a face many would recognise; in fact, she can’t walk through the streets of Dublin without bumping into a horde of fans, all of whom want their picture taken with the darling of broadcast journalism. She’s living a dream life and has never been happier…

Until the night everything changes.

Forced to take a sabbatical from her glittering career, Isolde needs a haven from ordinary life and the support of her only remaining family. So, when a gilt-edged invitation to attend one of her brother’s fundraising events drops through the post, it seems like the perfect opportunity. There’s just one problem…

She must cross the sea to Cornwall.

What promised to be the perfect escape soon turns into a nightmare when a body washes up at the foot of the legendary castle at Tintagel, and Isolde soon realises that the ghosts in that part of the world can be just as deadly as the ones she’s left behind in Ireland.

Trapped in a windswept country house hotel for the weekend, surrounded by suspects, Isolde hardly knows who to trust, but she knows it isn’t Tristan Williams—no matter what the old legend might say…Suspense is peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced mystery, set amidst the spectacular Cornish landscape.

“LJ Ross keeps company with the best mystery writers”—The Times

“A literary phenomenon”—Evening Chronicle

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Suspense

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2024

About the author

LJ Ross is an internationally bestselling author, whose books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in 2015 and became an instant, international bestseller. Since then, a further eighteen of her novels have gone on to take the coveted #1 spot, some even before general release and whilst only available to ‘pre-order’. The Bookseller magazine has reported on Louise having topped the ‘Most Read’ and ‘Most Sold’ fiction charts, and she has garnered an army of loyal fans who love her atmospheric and addictive storytelling.

Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story to the DCI Ryan series and is available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category.

In May 2021, Louise was shortlisted for the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association ‘Dagger in the Library’ award, which recognises an author’s entire body of work having been consistently enjoyed by library borrowers around the United Kingdom, and an author’s longstanding support of libraries.

Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland and Edinburgh. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

To find out more about the many philanthropic ventures Louise has founded and sponsored through her publishing imprint, Dark Skies Publishing, please visit ‘Philanthropy’.

If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:

https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com

Reviews

[Martina Kovaříková · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say these books get more and more romantic, when they come out, or is it just me? Maybe I am just not too much into romance. The first book I recall to have more mystery to it. This one? Not so much. To be very honest, I was able to guess where this was going rather very early on. Including who was behind it all, so no suspense mystery for me. And that goes for both characters. So from this point of view, rather disappointing. And I admit Isolde was getting on my nerves at times, more so than Tristan.
I guess I was also bit tired of the a girl in trouble get rich guy. But maybe I am just being cynical here. On plus side, I read this over a super hot weekend for the most part and it was a nice and easy read, which did not require much thinking. So if you are less cynical than me and looking for easy to read romance, then this could be for you.
Personally, I would give it the average 2.5 stars if possible.

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a tad predictable, I guessed the murderer(s) pretty early on. Light summer reading, more romance than crime. Earlier summer suspense were definitely better.

[Mirabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

How the heck do abs ripple? Shame that Tristan survived, I think this book would be better if all the characters died and then the author just restarted with a fresh, clean slate.

[Chloe Pounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!! yet again Lj ross has killed it. even though the murder didn’t happen until half way through the book it was so good. it kept me hooked and interested throughout. i was hooked from the first 10 pages!!! the lightest plot twist was something overlooked at first but then the importance and twist is CRAZY!!! i was shocked at the end and HAD to finish reading it!!! i recommend this book and whole series to anyone EVER!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! 💕💕 Lj Ross is my favourite author!!!

[Pippa Waterworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

lacklustre

Unfortunately everything about this for me was cringey and unrealistic. It is the first LJ Ross book but by the looks of it the others are better. Not sure if I’ll try.
The characters weren’t given much detail and the conversations seemed so corny. The plot was a little thin and unexciting. All round just unexciting sadly.

[MRS A HARDY · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Haven

I have read every book written by L J Ross and loved everyone however I was very disappointed in this story it was corny had no gripping moments and read like an old Mills and Boon

[Jim E. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The last 2 books in this series were disappointing. I rated The Bay at a 3, which was the lowest rating I had given to all the books from this author. I rated The Haven at a 1. At best , it should be skimmed or even skipped. It is a sappy romance with very little mystery and an unbelievable plot.

[Alyce King · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first LJ Ross book and I really enjoyed it. Super pacy, twists and turns, descriptive settings and characters you wanted to succeed.

[Sophie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shallow characters and lazy writing.
I gave up after 160 pages.
This book ( I thought it was a crime story, it's a very corny romance) is really not for me.

[Emma Usher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book, loved the twists and turns in it. Great story, very addictive I just wanted to know what happened next! Love this author :-)

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Summer Suspense series and I love that fact that characters from the other books crop up along the way. The setting is always well written about and the murder mystery parts are engaging too.

[Vickitoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contains spoilers

The start of this book was promising however it was so predictable - almost felt like it’d been written as part of a GCSE drama assignment. Not by an actual paid author! The worst part had to be the fact that Tristan and Isolde fell ‘in love’ after two days! Made me want to vomit. This author seems to churn out books so fast at the expense of storyline, plot, character development and mugs like me stupidly download them thinking they are going to be good like her early work.
Unless you enjoy soppy, bland story’s read something else instead

[Jess Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of L. J. Ross’ writing I was excited to start the fourth book in the Summer Suspense Mysteries series.

In The Haven Isolde, a famous newsreader, starts to become unwell and seeks a break from her busy work life to find comfort in a visit to her brother on the Cornish coast. Her brother Luke is a character from The Cove and many of the other characters are recognisable from the other stories in the series too.

This is what I love about a book from a series, you already know the characters in the background and that knowledge of their stories give you a richer understanding of how they relate to each other and what motivates them. I also find it particularly reassuring in a mystery series because there are established characters that you can depend on to not be the baddie.

This book, just like the others, created a wonderful balance of mystery and love story and I enjoyed it so much I couldn’t put it down. It didn’t take long to read the whole thing and although the main storyline kept me guessing there was another twist that came at the end that I guessed right from the start, it was nice to have the feeling that I as the reader knew something the characters didn’t and I enjoyed the moment they worked it out.

I hope there will be more cosy mysteries from Cornwall but in the meantime I’m going to try out her DCI Ryan Mystery series.

[abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

i did read the first book in this interconnected standalone series a while ago now, but this still felt very different to what i'd read earlier. i did not understand the romance in this book at all, because why were two (supposedly) fully-grown adults already saying they were in love within 100 pages, and having known each other less than 48 hours? this meant for the rest of the 250 pages, there was no tension, nothing to keep me interested in their relationship. i also think the inclusion of more romance unfortunately was detriment to the mystery, as the plot was fairly obvious, and it felt like we were just watching the characters slowly piece together what we already knew had happened. the character's reactions to finding out who was behind the different mysteries was wild as well, as they barely said two words about it, then just moved on??!!

[Jane Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A random choice off Kindle Unlimited and not too bad. It’s about Isolde who is an Irish newsreader on Irish TV who feels ill and has to take time off work and then gets attacked in her house so she flees to Cornwall to be with her brother. She then meets a chap called - of course - Tristan and has various adventures with him. It’s a mix of romance and detective novel and is fast paced and reasonably tense. Might investigate more in this series.

[Colette Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite of the series as I didn’t feel I had enough time to get to know and understand the characters before the action started. It lacked the descriptive narrative usually given of the setting. Still a worthwhile read though as are all LJ Ross books

[Charlotte Oxenham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great LJ Ross Mystery! Love the elements of romance thrown into it too! I really enjoy the british scenery in her books and the murder mystery plot lines. Bring on the next one!

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but not as goodxas the cove

[d m palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book with a few twists

[Ray O'Hare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but I find the Summer Suspense Mysteries, have had the "Mystery" replaced by ""Romance"
I much preferred the previous offerings of mystery.

[Meghan Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 this one was a bit more insta-love but I honestly enjoyed it. The mystery was great too, and I was excited to have guessed a decent amount of it. Cute light read!

[Nelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Was 345 pages not 223 according to good reads) Good twist near the end but felt like a lot of it was unnecessary (sorry LJ Ross, big fan)

[Bexar Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Predictable but good!

[Leigh-Anne Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a great read enjoyed this from start to finish couldn't put it down

[R Santer · Rating 4 out of 5]

another solid book in the series

[Alison Lockley · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a load of ridiculous, romantic, twaddle. It’s beyond laughable. But for those amongst us who like unsubtle romantic novellas, it probably hits the spot.

[Lesley Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy summer read. I always enjoy her books. I didn't guess the end to this one until the lady couple of chapters.

[Ruth McDuff · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I’ve ever read. Honestly, every element of it was terrible. The pacing was non existent, there wasn’t enough time to get to know or care about any of the characters and it often felt like the author was trying to hit a word count. It read like something a GCSE student might write - won’t be reading any more LJ Ross novels in the future

[Gill Armstrong · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mixture between Mills and Boon and poor quality Agatha Christie. Very predictable and poorly written. Set in Dublin and Tintagel

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th in the series of Cornwall set books, called the Summer Suspense series, and whilst it features characters from the earlier books, it's also a stand alone novel, with a new character, Isolde, a Dublin-based newsreader who is suffering from various ailments, such as stress, blackouts, stomach aches, and so is advised to take a break. She decides to visit her brother in the Cornish village of Tintagel, and almost immediately suffers a life-threatening accident, and is rescued by a handsome hero (of course) called, wait for it, Tristan. Corny I know, and it gets cornier still, as an awful lot happens over one weekend, with the body of one of the hotel's staff found on the beach, and before long someone else goes missing. I can't say much more for fear of spoilers,but it all seems to happen in a rush, with another twist towards the end, which I did see coming and guessed correctly. An OK read for summer, with a lovely setting,but rather two-dimensional characters and everything happening too fast to be really convincing, but it's fiction,and passes the time well enough. 6.5/10