A contemporary, romantic mystery set on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel. The story centres on a young woman who's suffered a family tragedy but learns to live and love again.
‘Oh my God, what’s happening to me? After all this time, please, not again!’
Jeanne Le Page, gripped by fear and panic, struggles to breathe as the ferry arrives in Guernsey – the island she had fled fifteen years before, traumatised by a family tragedy.
Now she has to return after another death. Her beloved grandmother has bequeathed Jeanne her old cottage. She intends to stay just long enough to sell her inheritance. Deeply unhappy after the recent end of a relationship, she has no desire to pick up her old life in her birthplace.
Jeanne is shocked to find that the cottage holds a secret going back to the German Occupation. She becomes drawn into learning more, delaying her planned departure. At the same time, while unveiling the truth of what happened to her family, she puts herself in mortal danger.
Jeanne has to relive the tragedy as the ghosts continue to haunt her. But over time the island works its magic, encouraging her to live and love again . . . .
Excerpt
Jeanne went out on deck as the spring sun broke through the clouds. A warm glow spread over green and gold jewel-like Herm and its larger neighbour, grey and white building encrusted Guernsey.
The salt-laden air enveloped her like an old and trusty coat. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and was a child again, playing on the beach with her parents. The image was so powerful that tears formed and she blundered, unseeing, towards the railings.
As her vision cleared she found herself staring at Herm and, without warning, was overwhelmed by such a strong feeling of fear that she had to hold onto the rail. Jeanne’s heart began to race, blood pounded in her head and her breathing came in short, painful gasps. Oh my God, what’s happening to me? After all this time, please, not again! Struggling to breathe she was on the verge of passing out. Letting go of the rail she stumbled, crashing into a man who was walking past.
‘Hey, steady on! Look where you’re going!’ he said angrily, grabbing hold of her to stop them falling. ‘Overdid the duty frees, did you?’
Stung by his accusation, she took a deep breath before replying. ‘No . . .no. I. I just lost my balance.’ The man’s hands were gripping her arms so hard that she could already imagine the bruises. ‘Hey, that hurts!’
He loosened his grip and guided her back to the rail where she clung on, filling her lungs with the sea air.
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to hurt you. OK now?’
Jeanne nodded. As the man stepped back she took in, through still blurred eyes; dark brown hair, deep blue eyes and the muscled arms of a man unlikely to be a pen-pusher. Responding to his slightly warmer tone, she managed a tight smile before straightening up and walking, unsteadily, to the starboard side.
What on earth was that? Is this what I can expect now? Perhaps I shouldn’t have come back though I didn’t have much choice . . . The thoughts whirled around her pounding head. She shuddered as she leant against the railings and Guernsey came into full view. While the ferry headed towards St Peter Port harbour, she felt as if she were approaching a strange, unknown country rather than the land of her birth. The whole of the northern sea front, from Les Banques into St Peter Port, had been transformed. Towering edifices of granite and glass had replaced the old, tired mish-mash of warehouses, scruffy hotels and shops. With a gasp, she realised that even the elegant landmark of the Royal Hotel had been supplanted.
Wow! What’s happened here? It was if a natural disaster had occurred, flattening the old front and replacing it by buildings more reminiscent of London than of the parochial island she remembered. She’d never have thought that Guernsey would move into the twenty first century with such a bang.
The dramatic transformation which lay before her seemed to Jeanne to be an echo of all the change in her own life and she felt a stranger here. She wished that she had stayed in the familiar, dull Midlands town which had been her home these past fifteen years. For a moment the urge to remain on the ferry and return to England, without setting foot on the island, was overwhelming. Her face must have mirrored her inner turmoil as a middle-aged lady standing nearby asked, ‘Are you all right, dear? Only you’ve gone very white.’
‘I’m fine, thanks. Just not very good on boats.’
The older lady nodded sympathetically. ‘My Tom gets seasick too. Has to fill himself up with beer or the odd whisky or two before he’ll set foot on a boat. Just as well I can drive or we’d be marooned on the ferry till he’s sobered up!’ She laughed.
Jeanne grinned weakly.
‘Aren’t these waters supposed to be dangerous?’
‘Yes, they can be, if you don’t know where all the rocks are,’ Jeanne replied. Yet again, her heart hammered against her chest and her breathing quickened. She fought down the feelings of panic to add, ‘but these big boats are perfectly safe,’ wondering who she was really trying to reassure.
Jeanne now joined the throng of eager passengers heading towards the car deck, found her car and sat there feeling sick and trapped in the echoing bowel of the ship. She would just do what had to be done here and then go back – but where? Her body arched with pain at the memory of her loss. Going back would be as painful as going on, she realised. The sound of car horns blaring behind her brought her back to the present. She started the engine and joined the queue towards the gangway and whatever lay ahead.
Professional Reviews
Elizabeth Bailey (Author of The Gilded Shroud)
'The island of Guernsey is so vividly evoked one feels as if one is walking its byways. an atmospheric and tantalising read as the vulnerable Jeanne uncovers the mystery of her family's long-buried secrets.'
Perfect Summer Reading
If you're thinking of wandering into a virtual bookshop, looking for that perfect summer read, browse no further than Anne Allen's novel, Dangerous Waters.
Set on the beautiful Channel Island of Guernsey, Anne's novel has all the elements to keep you enthralled, entertained and eagerly anticipating every morsel - literally.
I'm not a cook, nor a gardener - but I love watching programmes about food and flowers. And so it is with Dangerous Waters.
Jeanne returns to the island to take care of her late grandmother's estate. The cottage she remembers from childhood is in desperate need of TLC, as is Jeanne.
As she revisits the place she once called home, Jeanne is haunted by flashbacks. What has she been trying to forget? Can she dare to remember? Using the care of the cottage and garden almost as therapy, Jeanne gradually comes to terms with a terrible revelation.
Anne Allen lived on the island and it's clear she still loves the place - her knowledge is tenderly woven through her words. This is no travelogue, it's a friend sharing with joy the places and experiences that make Guernsey so special. The history of the island, its culture, climate and cuisine are integral to Anne's novel.
All good summer reads demand a sprinkling of romance and like the delicious recipes that Jeanne uncovers, Anne has finely seasoned her novel. As I read towards the exciting and satisfying conclusion I was faced with my own dilemma. Should I save the final chapters for another day, or should I wrap myself in the duvet and treat myself to a very, very late night? The novel won, a late night was a small price to pay and I drifted off to sleep very happy and very content.
A journey of discovery in wonderful Guernsey
I am not going to leave a lengthy review about the plot of this wonderful little book as I don't want to spoil the excitement and delight that you, as a new reader, will experience.
I have not been drawn though a book so quickly for a long time; turning pages one after the other unable to put it down! The way Anne leads you ever onwards with true to life descriptions of Guernsey and the way of life is lovely. The characters are charming and the juxtaposition between modern day and the poignant period of the German occupation has been treated delicately and with sensitivity. This thoroughly enjoyable and emotional read will have you smiling and in tears and is a must read and I can't wait to read more from Anne in the future.
