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There’s nothing so deadly as the sea, and the man who survives it...

Bryher Enys is the proud owner of Cornwall's newest restaurant, Panorama.

When she isn't whipping up culinary feasts, she volunteers with the local lifeboat crew - a tight-knit team who regularly risk their lives to save others.

With no immediate plans to settle down, life is pretty much perfect.

Until one stormy night, when a distress signal shatters the calm. A luxury yacht is going down fast, and Bryher joins the rescue.

Too late to save the vessel, they search the raging seas for survivors – but find only one...

A man with no name, no memory and the power to turn her world upside down.

Suspense is peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced mystery, set amidst the spectacular Cornish landscape.

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2026

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About the author

L.J. Ross

42 books3,689 followers
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

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Community Reviews

5 stars
202 (65%)
4 stars
79 (25%)
3 stars
23 (7%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Marie.
5,812 reviews56 followers
July 30, 2026
Victim or perpetrator?

What a fantastic return to the Cornwall series and some of our favourite characters, this time we get the addition of the lovely Bryher who returns for a fresh start. She rejoins the community and old friends, but she can never quite escape her past.
This is a twisted tale of secrets, corruption and true love with more than one couple finding their HEA. Returning to this series and it's unique cast is like returning to visit family, they welcome you with open arms, are a little quirky, slightly crazy but you enjoy every minute of their company. I listened to this on Audible.
Profile Image for Christine Rennie.
3,104 reviews42 followers
July 30, 2026
The Lizard by LJ Ross

The Lizard by L J Ross is book 5 ofThe Summer Suspense Mysteries and I downloaded it last night and finished it this afternoon.
One day I will manage to read Louise’s books more slowly, possibly!
I liked the characters, the location and the storyline and found the book easy to read,engrossing, engaging and entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Sandra Oldbury.
10 reviews
July 30, 2026
Read it the day I got it

And wasn’t disappointed at all. Only sadness is I’ve got to wait for the next LJ Ross book!!
No pressure!!
295 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2026
Another enjoyable book by LJ Ross.
Bryher Enys has overcome a lot in life to get to where she is today. With the support of her close friends she is celebrating the opening of her own restaurant. As the evening draws to a close she, together with a number of other guests who are also lifeboat volunteers are called to a rescue. Too late to save the luxury yacht they search in vain for survivors. Bryher spots a body in the water and sets off to save them. Taken to the local hospital the survivor has no recollection of who he is or what he was doing on the yacht….but Bryher knows who he is.
75 reviews
August 1, 2026
as always! wonderful!!!

Sad to think it will be another year before there will be more. 🥺 The summer series is a favourite for sure! While they can be read individually they are better as a series where you can follow the brilliant sub story!!!! Can’t wait to see what happens next!!!!
Profile Image for Mrs C E M Hicks.
80 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2026
The Lizard

Absolutely brilliant LJ, I couldn’t put the “book” down. A great story, with characters popping up from the previous Summer Suspense Mysteries novels. I loved the story line, though I suspected about ‘David’. As usual LJ, thank you for being full of great stories which I’ll get to read in the coming months.
33 reviews
August 2, 2026
The Lizard

Another very good story from LJ Ross full of twists and turns but set in a spectacular landscape. I read this in three days from publication and really enjoyed it from cover to cover. Can’t wait for the next one.
1,167 reviews13 followers
August 3, 2026
Overall 4.5*
A very descriptive tale set in Cornwall again with brooding weather, a ship lost at sea and a love affair gone wrong with plenty more drama throughout. A great read at this time of year especially if you are on holiday . Good pace and definitely a page turner
Profile Image for Carol Michael.
109 reviews3 followers
August 2, 2026
suspenseful

As always I love the stand alone books, this one was riveting and unputdownable, with a lot of humour, romance and suspense. Absolutely amazing ❤️🇦🇺
14 reviews
August 2, 2026
Absolutely Brilliamt.

I don't often leave reviews but this book is absolutely brilliant.
It's different and exceptional from the beginning to the end.
Profile Image for Jo.
65 reviews18 followers
August 3, 2026
My least favourite of all her books
Profile Image for Christine Davies.
294 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2026
Brilliant!

Another cracker from LJ Ross! Looking forward to the next book. It’s a shame she can’t write a book a week, I’d be happy!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews