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Summer Suspense Mysteries #2
The Creek
Kate Irving arrives at her grandfather’s cottage at Frenchman’s Creek in the dead of night with her young son, a small suitcase and little else. Its scattered community of fishermen, farmers, artists and jetsetters barely bat an eyelid, because theirs is a rarefied world, tucked beneath the lush forest that lines the banks of the Helford Estuary, deep in the heart of Cornwall, where life is slow and people generally mind their own business. Unless, of course, your grandfather happens to be a pillar of the local community…
Kate’s left the past behind and guards her privacy and her son fiercely. She’s wary of accepting the friendship her new neighbours offer, but their kindness is too great to refuse and she begins to feel she has found her place in the world. That is, until tragedy strikes, and her new friends look to her for the answers…
Kate soon learns that the past always catches up with you, in the end―the question is, will she be able to face it, when it does?
Suspense and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced mystery, set amidst the spectacular Cornish landscape.
Kate’s left the past behind and guards her privacy and her son fiercely. She’s wary of accepting the friendship her new neighbours offer, but their kindness is too great to refuse and she begins to feel she has found her place in the world. That is, until tragedy strikes, and her new friends look to her for the answers…
Kate soon learns that the past always catches up with you, in the end―the question is, will she be able to face it, when it does?
Suspense and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced mystery, set amidst the spectacular Cornish landscape.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2022
1309 people are currently reading
3765 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Ross
58 books3,357 followersLJ 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
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
August 8, 2022
So I’ll start this review by stating: that I don’t think I’m the target demographic for this book. It sounded good though so I thought it was worth a read.
Okay at best. Easy to read and not too long. My issues with this book all lie with its plot and characters. Nothing in it is terrible, but it’s all just mundane and cliche.
The story is one that’s been done plenty before. Trying with its own unique nuances to be different. It failed.
My main issue with the plot was how fast things seemed to move. We’d go from “Hi” to “I Love You” in seconds. The final reveal was very abrupt as well. None of the characters' actions seemed realistic, being either far too laid back or far too over the top.
As soon as the murder happens it is extremely obvious who the culprit is. And once we find out in the book, it’s a blink and you’ll miss it a moment. 300 pages for the climax to seem like a footnote left me feeling massively disappointed.
Two stories crammed into one, too much of nothing was going on throughout. This left all tie-ups seeming rushed or inconsequential.
Out of the let’s say eight main characters only one was likeable. It’s hard to root for or against people who are written so one-dimensionally. Everyone has a clear story trajectory and it’s far too cliche/predictable.
Overall, not for me. I can see how others like this. But to me, it wasn’t good or enjoyable. Reading it was fine but the story was unbelievably contrived throughout. Saying all this it’s perhaps a bit harsh, as I did read it all in one day, so it must have something going for it.
Okay at best. Easy to read and not too long. My issues with this book all lie with its plot and characters. Nothing in it is terrible, but it’s all just mundane and cliche.
The story is one that’s been done plenty before. Trying with its own unique nuances to be different. It failed.
My main issue with the plot was how fast things seemed to move. We’d go from “Hi” to “I Love You” in seconds. The final reveal was very abrupt as well. None of the characters' actions seemed realistic, being either far too laid back or far too over the top.
As soon as the murder happens it is extremely obvious who the culprit is. And once we find out in the book, it’s a blink and you’ll miss it a moment. 300 pages for the climax to seem like a footnote left me feeling massively disappointed.
Two stories crammed into one, too much of nothing was going on throughout. This left all tie-ups seeming rushed or inconsequential.
Out of the let’s say eight main characters only one was likeable. It’s hard to root for or against people who are written so one-dimensionally. Everyone has a clear story trajectory and it’s far too cliche/predictable.
Overall, not for me. I can see how others like this. But to me, it wasn’t good or enjoyable. Reading it was fine but the story was unbelievably contrived throughout. Saying all this it’s perhaps a bit harsh, as I did read it all in one day, so it must have something going for it.
September 30, 2022
Nice little bite of mystery. I doubt it will blow most people away, but it is a cozy one day read that worked well enough for me as a quick palate cleanser.
September 8, 2022
Set again in Cornwall, this is a very easy summer read. The plot was a bit predictable and I'd guessed the protagonist and the final outcome but its light and quite enjoyable.
July 31, 2022
Better in some ways than the first
But still rather wooden and obvious. It all wraps up to cleanly and far too swiftly. Likewise the relationships are way too fast and over the top.. I know it's fiction but it needs to be bound within a degree of reality and this just isn't.
But still rather wooden and obvious. It all wraps up to cleanly and far too swiftly. Likewise the relationships are way too fast and over the top.. I know it's fiction but it needs to be bound within a degree of reality and this just isn't.
September 29, 2022
I read (listened) to this whilst driving to and from a meeting and found myself gripped but not surprised.
What did surprise me was how the domestic abuse storyline (which I thought was key) was tied up nicely in the last chapter and how clever that 4 year old was (the only 4 year old in my family is more likely to sing SpongeBob Square Pants at you then steer a small boat to safety)
But STILL a good thriller and I'll be listening to more...
What did surprise me was how the domestic abuse storyline (which I thought was key) was tied up nicely in the last chapter and how clever that 4 year old was (the only 4 year old in my family is more likely to sing SpongeBob Square Pants at you then steer a small boat to safety)
But STILL a good thriller and I'll be listening to more...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
5☆ Hooked From the start!
Oh wow what an enchanting and thrilling read. From the very first chapter I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out more!
This book is a murder mystery, with a second chance at romance. The main character and her son, are running away from her celebrity husband, who is abusive physically and mentally to her.
She runs away to the safety of her childhood holiday location and into the arms of her grandfather.
But is she really safe? Will she ever be able to tell him the truth about why she's there.
There's more than one murder mystery to be solved and I really never guessed who was involved which I loved!
This book is captivating, I found myself on tender hooks at points throughout listening.
The characters are well written and the narrator brings them to life perfectly.
I haven't read a good mystery like this in ages!
I can't wait to read/listen to more of this authors work.
I had the pleasure of listening to this book via Audible.
Oh wow what an enchanting and thrilling read. From the very first chapter I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out more!
This book is a murder mystery, with a second chance at romance. The main character and her son, are running away from her celebrity husband, who is abusive physically and mentally to her.
She runs away to the safety of her childhood holiday location and into the arms of her grandfather.
But is she really safe? Will she ever be able to tell him the truth about why she's there.
There's more than one murder mystery to be solved and I really never guessed who was involved which I loved!
This book is captivating, I found myself on tender hooks at points throughout listening.
The characters are well written and the narrator brings them to life perfectly.
I haven't read a good mystery like this in ages!
I can't wait to read/listen to more of this authors work.
I had the pleasure of listening to this book via Audible.
August 13, 2022
Another great book from LJ Ross.
I loved The Cove so had to read this one too.
Set in Cornwall, you really get a feel for the place and the characters.
Kate runs away from her abusive husband, taking her young son with her in the dead of night.
She runs to her Grandad and he’s more than happy for her to stay.
There’s people who Kate left behind many years ago in the village and she soon feels connected to them again.
Kate’s parents died on a boat fifteen years ago and her Grandad never believed it was an accident and seeing Kate around the village again opens up old wounds for others.
This is a heartwarming mystery that I really enjoyed.
I loved The Cove so had to read this one too.
Set in Cornwall, you really get a feel for the place and the characters.
Kate runs away from her abusive husband, taking her young son with her in the dead of night.
She runs to her Grandad and he’s more than happy for her to stay.
There’s people who Kate left behind many years ago in the village and she soon feels connected to them again.
Kate’s parents died on a boat fifteen years ago and her Grandad never believed it was an accident and seeing Kate around the village again opens up old wounds for others.
This is a heartwarming mystery that I really enjoyed.
June 17, 2023
The Creek is book two in the Summer Suspense Mysteries series by L. J. Ross. Scared and fighting, Kate Irving turns up at her grandfather's college with her young son and only the clothes that fit into a small suitcase. Due to her past, Kate had difficulties accepting the friendship of her neighbours. However, their kindness breaks down Kate's walls until her past comes to town. The readers of The Creek will continue to follow Kate Irving to discover what happens.
The Creek is the first book I have read in the Summer Suspense Mysteries series, and I am pleased that I did. I engaged with the story of the Creek and the characters from the first page and could only put this book down at the end. I love L. J. Ross's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. The Creek is well-written and researched by L. J. Ross. I like L. J. Ross's description of the settings of The Creek, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Creek will understand the consequences of what jealousy, love and fixation on a person can have for everyone involved. Also, the readers of The Creek will learn about living in an isolated seaside community.
I recommend this book.
The Creek is the first book I have read in the Summer Suspense Mysteries series, and I am pleased that I did. I engaged with the story of the Creek and the characters from the first page and could only put this book down at the end. I love L. J. Ross's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. The Creek is well-written and researched by L. J. Ross. I like L. J. Ross's description of the settings of The Creek, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Creek will understand the consequences of what jealousy, love and fixation on a person can have for everyone involved. Also, the readers of The Creek will learn about living in an isolated seaside community.
I recommend this book.
January 3, 2023
Read this if you’re on a beach holiday…want an easy lazy read on a hot summers day…it literally says summer read on the cover…!
Do not read this if you think it’s going to blow you away with suspense - it’s labelled as a suspense - there is more suspense in a kids animated show!
The characters have zero personality…everyone is so so so nice, kind, welcoming and full of love for one another except the killer and Kate’s husband. Honestly it just made me feel ill. If you like James Patterson or Lee Child who’s characters are not perfect, their personalities are complex, not to mention they don’t have perfect bodies - read one of their many many books!
I did read this in a day - yes I finished it - because I thought and hoped it might not be cliched, I had imagined a completely different scenario….alas that was not to be!
The characters were all beautiful and talented, Kate’s four old learns the piano and guitar in minutes - he’s a star, everyone is a star!!!!!
Honestly, give this a miss!
Do not read this if you think it’s going to blow you away with suspense - it’s labelled as a suspense - there is more suspense in a kids animated show!
The characters have zero personality…everyone is so so so nice, kind, welcoming and full of love for one another except the killer and Kate’s husband. Honestly it just made me feel ill. If you like James Patterson or Lee Child who’s characters are not perfect, their personalities are complex, not to mention they don’t have perfect bodies - read one of their many many books!
I did read this in a day - yes I finished it - because I thought and hoped it might not be cliched, I had imagined a completely different scenario….alas that was not to be!
The characters were all beautiful and talented, Kate’s four old learns the piano and guitar in minutes - he’s a star, everyone is a star!!!!!
Honestly, give this a miss!
February 15, 2023
i’m not sure how i feel about this .. the thing that threw me the most was the omniscient third person pov. i don’t think i’ve ever read a book like that before and i don’t really like it ;-; its v strange to know everything at once n kind of ruins some of the suspense? i also guessed who the killer was p early :,) it was still enjoyable enough .. if i look at it like an easy palette cleanser then it was v good, if i look at it like a thriller its so/so
September 27, 2025
Me ha gustado la premisa principal pero la ejecución es extremadamente pobre. Le falta mucho desarrollo, es como leer el resumen de una novela. Es una pena porque tiene mucho potencial.
October 24, 2024
Oooohh. A fun suspense with a splash of romance. Kate flees with her young son, escaping her abuse husband who believes he’s untouchable due to being famous. She goes back to one of her favourite childhood places and reconnects with her Grandfather and old friends. Worth a read. Narrator did a great job.
September 16, 2025
Un bon roman qui se lit facilement et qui est très prenant. Un décor qui paraît magique et qui fait beaucoup penser à la Bretagne mais cela se passe en Angleterre.
1er livre de cet auteur, visiblement c'est une série mais les livres ont l'air de pouvoir se lire indépendamment les uns des autres. Belle découverte en tt cas
1er livre de cet auteur, visiblement c'est une série mais les livres ont l'air de pouvoir se lire indépendamment les uns des autres. Belle découverte en tt cas
January 2, 2026
Great book. A real page turner. Enjoyed the plot and characters and of course the beautuful landscape played a part.
May 7, 2024
A nice but predictable read. Likeable characters. Read in a few hours. Would like to read the authors other books now.
February 19, 2024
A very easy read, the pages flowed quickly and I was kept engaged. Some parts were a little predictable but it was easy to get caught up and carried away to the Cornish setting of the Helford River and the romance between the main characters.
September 25, 2022
A pleasant enough light thriller. Lovely setting, mostly likeable characters and 2 parallel stories coming together which seems to be the author's favourite plot device at present. At least the answer wasn't given away at the beginning of the story so at the moment this series is more enjoyable than the Northumberland one. I just need to get to know the police team in more detail to hopefully follow their relationship.
February 4, 2023
I thought this book was taking me on a lovely tale about a wife who’d run away from her abusive husband with her kid to a far off place and for a new love story to begin… whilst I had this story. It took a weird turn and we were solving murders from years ago whilst new murders took place. Weird weird weird
*audiobook
*audiobook
November 22, 2023
It’s a cosy book but with a few eye rolling moments and cheesy lines. Easy-ish to read but not very well written in some places (with random characters popping up who haven’t been previously mentioned!)
September 2, 2022
02/09/22 - Finished this beauty just in time to go and meet LJ Ross at Holy Island tomorrow - beyond excited and so glad I finished one of her stories at just the right time.
It took me a surprisingly long time to finish this story, I usually devour Ross’ books in one sitting - two at most. I think, for me, I find it hard to read around domestic abuse and this is a theme of the The Creek, but as ever LJ has created another beautiful and very real story - with a touch of that ‘perfect life’ syndrome you love to find in a book. They are, after all, an escape from reality.
Following Kate and her return to Helford where she spent most of her childhood, she uses her grandfather’s cottage as a refuge and a place to heal, but the landscape holds painful memories as well as breathtaking views. An unexpected turn of events brings the past very much to the present day and Kate is forced to face these demons head on, among others from her not so distant past, in order to finally find closure.
A cheeky little love interest - which I’m usually rather pessimistic about - did have me hooked and pleading for a happy ending. Once again, LJ Ross is softening my icy exterior. Another fabulous read!
It took me a surprisingly long time to finish this story, I usually devour Ross’ books in one sitting - two at most. I think, for me, I find it hard to read around domestic abuse and this is a theme of the The Creek, but as ever LJ has created another beautiful and very real story - with a touch of that ‘perfect life’ syndrome you love to find in a book. They are, after all, an escape from reality.
Following Kate and her return to Helford where she spent most of her childhood, she uses her grandfather’s cottage as a refuge and a place to heal, but the landscape holds painful memories as well as breathtaking views. An unexpected turn of events brings the past very much to the present day and Kate is forced to face these demons head on, among others from her not so distant past, in order to finally find closure.
A cheeky little love interest - which I’m usually rather pessimistic about - did have me hooked and pleading for a happy ending. Once again, LJ Ross is softening my icy exterior. Another fabulous read!
January 29, 2026
Book 2 in the series and I’m just as enamoured as I was with the first book. From the story, to the writing, to the setting (I love Cornwall), to the characters, to the narration, I was drawn in from the get-go. On tenterhooks throughout, knowing that Kate leaving her husband in the dead of night, taking herself and her son away from a bad situation, wasn’t going to go down well. There would be repercussions. Not realising that she was possibly going from one bad situation to another, where would her nightmare end? A little bit of light relief (and a spot of romance), came from her childhood friend (who had always crushed on her), as they navigated a possible relationship throughout the story. But could Kate trust Nick? Was he also keeping secrets? Secrets and lies added to the drama and suspense. As we know, the truth always comes out in the end, and I needed answers. A few little twists and turns in and amongst all made for an entertaining read. The audiobook was again narrated by Clare Corbett, she did a perfectly job throughout. Book 3 here I come.
April 3, 2024
OMG!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!! literally from the first page this book had me hooked and i was gone. i couldn’t put it down and it was constant action!!! i loved every second and i wish i could read it again for the first time. this is one of the only books that has ever made me feel every emotion there is to feel, i felt happy, sad, confused, angry and scared all because of THIS BOOK!!! i cant recommend this book enough and i’m not exaggerating when i say i was hooked from the start because i really was. i love Lj Ross so much and i can’t wait to read more of her books. i have read two of them including this one and i loved both!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!! by far the best read of the year so far!!! i flew through this book and it was such an easy read. a real page turner!!! the ending was amazing as well!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
October 20, 2022
I did really enjoy this but not as much as the first book. Please check trigger warnings if you’re going to read this one as it does cover some heavy topics. I did feel this had some character overload at times and sometimes I didn’t engage in the storyline, but the ending deffo made up for that it was intenseeeeee!!!
October 29, 2024
If you're looking for a robust murder mystery, then this isn't for you. If you're looking for a romance, well, this isn't for you either. I'm not sure who this book is for really, it seems to have such an identity crisis.
There are three story lines here, each as predictable and forced as the other. And somehow they are all forced together in one book, through completely insipid characters with dialogues that seem straight of a budget Hallmark movie.
The one positive aspect is this does make me want to visit Cornwall.
There are three story lines here, each as predictable and forced as the other. And somehow they are all forced together in one book, through completely insipid characters with dialogues that seem straight of a budget Hallmark movie.
The one positive aspect is this does make me want to visit Cornwall.
April 24, 2023
Who doesn’t love a good romance with just a bit of danger and damsel in distress. Light easy reading, feel good finish and a little twist in the tale. Really enjoyed the summer suspense duo, now back to some heavier weight reading.
May 10, 2023
A free listen with audible and as such was much better than I was expecting. A woman and her young son return to her childhood home escaping her abusive partner. But there was a reason she left and when the two worlds collide the tension peaks. A short read ideal for a Sunday chill day, I’d give it 2.5 ⭐️
January 19, 2026
Enjoyable and easy read but felt like it was missing a lot in terms of character and plot development. I understand there is a very sensitive subject being discussed and that it is intended to be a lighter summer read so this would make it hard to add more of the detail. However, it felt like it was all resolved a little too quickly and simply and the second half of the book jumped through events a lot faster than the first half.
December 4, 2022
The Creek
Loved this read all the way through . Full of strong boys and men and cowards of course . Fantastic read .
Loved this read all the way through . Full of strong boys and men and cowards of course . Fantastic read .
December 6, 2022
Fantastic book
January 4, 2023
Kept me hooked for sure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews