What do you think?
Rate this book
Summer Suspense Mysteries #4
The Haven
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
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
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2024
988 people are currently reading
545 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Ross
38books2,904followersLJ 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:
[email protected]
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:
[email protected]
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
July 7, 2024
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.
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.
October 30, 2024
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.
August 28, 2024
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!!!
September 10, 2024
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
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
November 23, 2024
My first LJ Ross book and I really enjoyed it. Super pacy, twists and turns, descriptive settings and characters you wanted to succeed.
September 29, 2024
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2024
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.
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.
July 31, 2024
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.
September 10, 2024
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.
July 9, 2024
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
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
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
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.
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.
February 22, 2025
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??!!
August 4, 2024
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.
July 21, 2024
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
August 21, 2024
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!
August 23, 2024
I enjoyed it but not as goodxas the cove
September 4, 2024
Really good book with a few twists
September 16, 2024
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.
I much preferred the previous offerings of mystery.
September 27, 2024
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!
November 26, 2024
(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)
January 7, 2025
Predictable but good!
September 15, 2024
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
September 11, 2024
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
October 20, 2024
As I am not quite ready to submit to the winter gloom and continuing my LJ Ross catch up session I returned once more to Cornwall and the latest book in the summer suspense series � The Haven. Irish newsreader Isolde Malone seems to have her life on track, she has a career she loves and is at the top of her game except for one thing, she is suffering health wise. The doctors can’t work out what is wrong with her, and it is starting to affect her work. When her employers suggest she takes a sabbatical, encouraged by her friend she decides to go visit her brother in Cornwall. After a miscalculation sees her risk her own life, she hopes that things will be relaxing and quiet for the remainder of her visit, but things get worse when the body of a hotel worker is found washed up on a beach and Isolde finds herself in the middle of a mystery that could prove deadly.
What I loved about this book is that it brought together all the characters from the previous books in the series and showed how interconnected their lives were even though each story can be read independently. Isolde may have appeared to be the main character, but the story was about so much more than her as it also delved into the lives of a local family that seemed to have it all but at the heart were feelings of jealousy and resentment that came to a head. Even the innocent may not be what they seem. I may have worked out who was behind what was going on, but it didn’t detract from the story and there was still a twist at the end that was a little bit of a surprise.
As ever the Cornish coast plays a big part in this book and now more than ever it highlights that the stunning views and location can be as deadly as it is beautiful and after this book as much as I want to go and see Tintagel Castle there is no way on earth you will get me crossing the bridge � not sure I could do the steps either so I may have to view it from afar. If you are looking for a book that blends mystery with a bit of romance, then this may just be the series for you
What I loved about this book is that it brought together all the characters from the previous books in the series and showed how interconnected their lives were even though each story can be read independently. Isolde may have appeared to be the main character, but the story was about so much more than her as it also delved into the lives of a local family that seemed to have it all but at the heart were feelings of jealousy and resentment that came to a head. Even the innocent may not be what they seem. I may have worked out who was behind what was going on, but it didn’t detract from the story and there was still a twist at the end that was a little bit of a surprise.
As ever the Cornish coast plays a big part in this book and now more than ever it highlights that the stunning views and location can be as deadly as it is beautiful and after this book as much as I want to go and see Tintagel Castle there is no way on earth you will get me crossing the bridge � not sure I could do the steps either so I may have to view it from afar. If you are looking for a book that blends mystery with a bit of romance, then this may just be the series for you
October 30, 2024
Out of the four books, this was the most predictable.
I had guessed the victim & first murderer from the moment they had been introduced to us.
I had guessed who the attacker was and the reason behind the trip to Cornwall right at the beginning of the story!
I also wasn't impressed with the way a murder mystery turned into a very strange love story. I say strange because the minute this couple had laid eyes on each other, they knew they had to spend the rest of their lives together. Of course, this happens. I'm familiar with love at first sight, yet it wasn't love at first sight, but they still knew each other was the one?!
If I wanted an icky love story, that is what I would've purchased! I hate icky love stories! I wanted murder, mystery, intrigue, and I wanted to be gasping out loud at all the twists & turns....sadly I wasn't!
It just seemed such a shame given how the series started, which, in my opinion, was an easy reading but still a thrilling murder mystery.
It's almost as though LJ Ross just couldn't be bothered and was hurrying to meet her deadline, so threw this at her publisher and said "here this'll do!"
The author could've really gone out with a bang...making the readers hungry for more, but we got slops! I didn't pay nearly £40 for the entire series to get slops!!
I was disappointed, read the whole thing in about 4 hours and sent the books off to my sister to make her feel disappointed as well! Hey misery loves company so get off my back!
I wanted to give it 2 🌟 but I did enjoy the other 3 books so that bumped it up to 3 🌟
One 🌟 for each book I enjoyed I guess 🤷♀�
I had guessed the victim & first murderer from the moment they had been introduced to us.
I had guessed who the attacker was and the reason behind the trip to Cornwall right at the beginning of the story!
I also wasn't impressed with the way a murder mystery turned into a very strange love story. I say strange because the minute this couple had laid eyes on each other, they knew they had to spend the rest of their lives together. Of course, this happens. I'm familiar with love at first sight, yet it wasn't love at first sight, but they still knew each other was the one?!
If I wanted an icky love story, that is what I would've purchased! I hate icky love stories! I wanted murder, mystery, intrigue, and I wanted to be gasping out loud at all the twists & turns....sadly I wasn't!
It just seemed such a shame given how the series started, which, in my opinion, was an easy reading but still a thrilling murder mystery.
It's almost as though LJ Ross just couldn't be bothered and was hurrying to meet her deadline, so threw this at her publisher and said "here this'll do!"
The author could've really gone out with a bang...making the readers hungry for more, but we got slops! I didn't pay nearly £40 for the entire series to get slops!!
I was disappointed, read the whole thing in about 4 hours and sent the books off to my sister to make her feel disappointed as well! Hey misery loves company so get off my back!
I wanted to give it 2 🌟 but I did enjoy the other 3 books so that bumped it up to 3 🌟
One 🌟 for each book I enjoyed I guess 🤷♀�
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2024
At the back of my book was a trailer for Imposter by the same author and that looks very promising - but I can hardly believe this is the work of the same woman. The Haven is a very quick read and a page turner in the sense that one might as well finish it just to prove to oneself it had little more to offer than you had concluded by Chapter 8 or so.
This is first and foremost a romance in the Hallmark style. Once Tristan meets Isolde the rest is as unconvincing. Without giving too much away (although the book itself makes the villains plain from the offset) we know fairly swiftly why Isolde is feeling ill and why a waitress goes missing in Cornwall in the two unconnected "dramas". Ross is not subtle with the clues.
I was tempted to give this 2 stars because it is just "ok" but I did finish it, did think it had some promise and can appreciate there will be some readers who like this cosy murder genre. Not enough suspects, not enough peril (despite a few good swimming challenges) and not enough realism for me.
This is first and foremost a romance in the Hallmark style. Once Tristan meets Isolde the rest is as unconvincing. Without giving too much away (although the book itself makes the villains plain from the offset) we know fairly swiftly why Isolde is feeling ill and why a waitress goes missing in Cornwall in the two unconnected "dramas". Ross is not subtle with the clues.
I was tempted to give this 2 stars because it is just "ok" but I did finish it, did think it had some promise and can appreciate there will be some readers who like this cosy murder genre. Not enough suspects, not enough peril (despite a few good swimming challenges) and not enough realism for me.
September 27, 2024
If I'd opened this before borrowing it, the giant font size would have immediately told me the story was flimsy at best, characters were, well, caricatures, if that, and the 'mystery' was not at all mysterious. It was like a synopsis of an episode of Midsomer Murders-by-the-sea, or maybe Scooby Doo. Had I sat down for longer than half an hour I'd have finished this in one sitting, faster than an episode of the aforementioned MM. The murder victim was barely even introduced beyond the mention of her name. Why and how she was murdered was over in a couple of pages. The 'romance' was so ridiculous that anyone into actual romance would surely have been disappointed. Clearly this author has lots of fans, but I'm not one of them - and I reckon whoever left this in the damp little book cabinet in my rural village thought the same. Perhaps the next reader will love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2025
Isolde Malone is a news presenter in Dublin. She’s been feeling unwell for some time, which she puts down to stress, and when she’s sent on sabbatical to recover, she goes to visit her brother in Tintagel. While he’s busy organising a charity weekend, she stays in a posh hotel which becomes isolated after a bad storm � and then people start to go missing. I wasn’t sure if this was meant to be a romance or a crime novel � a RomCrim perhaps? Whatever the case, it was disappointing and nowhere near the standard of the author’s DCI Ryan series, which is brilliantly tense and clever. I found this plot completely unimaginative and the characters felt one-dimensional. A sad disappointment.
Review by: Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime
Review by: Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime
August 14, 2024
LJ Ross has done it again. Another great book.
I love how all these books in this series have a connection to Luke and Gabi from the first book. And to make it better, in this book, she has included the people from the other books too!
I love that you have more than one mystery. There's the mystery at the start of the book, then a few mysteries in middles with solving, then the solving of the first mystery which more often that not, is forgotten about!
I think it can be a little predictable, but it's written so great with ups and downs in the middle that you don't care that you guessed it all along.
I love how all these books in this series have a connection to Luke and Gabi from the first book. And to make it better, in this book, she has included the people from the other books too!
I love that you have more than one mystery. There's the mystery at the start of the book, then a few mysteries in middles with solving, then the solving of the first mystery which more often that not, is forgotten about!
I think it can be a little predictable, but it's written so great with ups and downs in the middle that you don't care that you guessed it all along.
August 30, 2024
Sort of an "Agatha Christie meets Mills and Boon" type of book. Too much Mills & Boon for me, I don't mind the main characters of a book meeting and falling in love, but when it is a murder mystery I don't want the romance to be the number one priority. Either I'm reading too many mysteries so that I can work out the villains and the plot twists really early on, or they are just getting more transparent, as I certainly figured out the "illness" from the first mention of it, and had figured out the murderer's identity fairly early on too. I would say this is a pleasant cosy mystery to pass some time but not one of the best of L J Ross's works.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.