DANGEROUS WATERS by Anne Allen is a gentle stream, enjoyable and not difficult to negotiate. While the pace is slower than I would have liked, the plotline and island descriptions more than make up for that issue, and I give it 3 stars.
In DANGEROUS WATERS, Jeanne Le Page returns to her beloved Guernsey after a bad break-up and miscarriage, in order to deal with an inheritance received from her grandmother. While determining what to do with her grandmother's cottage, orchard, garden and possessions, Jeanne resolves to put the mystery of her parents' deaths to rest, but then she unwittingly digs up more mysteries to solve. Add in some romantic drama and new employment opportunities, and Jeanne definitely gets more than she bargained for by moving back home.
I enjoyed DANGEROUS WATERS, even though it took me some time to get into the story. The pace is a little on the slow side, but one could consider that as part of illustrating the pace of life on Guernsey. I was determined to press on because of the fabulous descriptions of the island and island living. I definitely want to visit now.
Other than the pace, the book was remarkable, with some lovely historical aspects interwoven with the drama of Jeanne's efforts to build a new life. The characters were authentic and well-illustrated. I could have used some extra scenes developing the successful romantic relationship in the book, but what was provided was blessedly free from the typical romance novel melodrama.
The romance seemed to be part of the backdrop to the other mysteries in the book, and as such, love scenes were appropriately brief and nondescript. DANGEROUS WATERS rates about a 2 on the heat level scale, appropriate for those 16 and over.
The editing was also done well, but the reader must also recognize that the spelling and grammar were British.
Overall, I liked DANGEROUS WATERS, and definitely recommend it for your summer reading list.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10095.
