The Cove by LJ Ross #AudiobookReview #RomanticSuspense set in Cornwall

Author: LJ Ross

Narrated by Clare Corbett

Published by Audible Studios on 31st August 2021

Category: Audiobook, Romance, Suspense, Book Review

Gabrielle Adams has it all – brains, beauty, a handsome fiancé, and a dream job in publishing. Until, one day, everything changes.

The ‘Underground Killer’ takes his victims when they least expect it: standing on the edge of a busy Tube platform, as they wait for a train to arrive through the murky underground tunnels of London.

After an argument with her fiancé at the Frenchman Saunders Christmas party, Gabrielle Adams was left to take the tube home alone, despite the recent reports regarding two women who were pushed onto the train tracks. The assailant was still at large. Gabrielle became the third victim of the man the press had dubbed the Tube Killer.

Six months later, still trying to cope with post traumatic stress disorder, nightmares and obsessive-compulsive disorder she has resigned from her job and was on a train to Cornwall. When she’d seen the add for the position of manager at Carnance Cove Books & Gifts, she applied without much hope of a reply. Her forté had been on the publishing side, she knew nothing about bookselling, ordering stock or dealing with customers. So she was shocked but delighted when she received an invitation for an interview.

Despite all her corporate experience, she’d been nervous at the prospect of selling herself to a stranger she’d never met; as if, somehow, despite the physical distance, they’d be able to sense the fear in her voice and know all the secrets of her heart.

I listened to The Cove, narrated by Clare Corbett, who did a creditable job. It was an easy, quick listen at just over five and a half hours. The setting is delightfully picturesque, the characters varied and engaging, and the Cove has a wonderful community spirit. But the actual plot line was a little lacking in substance for me, although it did ramp up towards the end where a measure of suspense kicked in. I did love the idea of the shop and its setting though. If it’s based on the place I have in mind, it’s truly beautiful.

Most of the narrative was a slow burn romance, bar the beginning and end which veered into cosy-ish crime albeit with a few darker scenes. Gabrielle believes she sees a crime being committed but her unreliability bring the facts, as she sees them, into question. Despite the following occurrences and her initial doubts, she’s convinced it isn’t her imagination playing tricks.

The after effects of trauma and the day to day living with them were described believably. The characters, their interactions and relationships were enjoyable. A light summer listen, free to Audible members.

Book links ~ Amazon | Audible  

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.

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.

Author links ~ Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Image by Richard Norris from Pixabay