DANGEROUS WATERS by Toni Anderson

This was only my second Toni Anderson book, and once again she kept me turning the pages until the very end.
 
Dangerous Waters is about a small town full of secrets, flawed characters, with a setting perfect for the seedier side of life. The author wove together complex plot threads and story lines that kept my interest and had me guessing until the end with her unpredictable twists and turns.
 
The attraction is there from the beginning, which is fine with me. It happens and it’s realistic. We’ve all had at least one person come into our lives where we felt an instant sizzle (at least, I hope so). The author did a great job showing why these two were the worst possible choices for each other, and yet, they were the perfect choices. Both main characters, Holly and Finn, have complicated backgrounds that have shaped them into the people they are today. Neither are perfect. They both make mistakes, but deep down, they have good intentions and chemistry with each other.
 
As for the mystery…and yes, this is more mystery than thriller, it’s twisted and dark. I’m not a huge fan of prologues, but it helped build the suspense and tension for the big climax at the end. 
 
I try not to give away spoilers, so let me say that I like how Holly was smart, but not infallible. She made mistakes. She let her emotions rule her actions at times, and that just made me like her all the more. She even made a few “bone-headed” choices that made me want to shake her too, but that’s what makes her a great character. Finn, on the other hand, was totally ruled by his heart, and his loyalty to his family. Honestly, that made him very appealing to this reader. He’s the kind of guy who would put his life on the line to save someone he loves. And yes, he wasn’t always heroic, but again…that made him complex like most people really are in true life.  
 
Other aspects of this story I loved were the secondary characters…my heart broke for Thom, and the vivid details that painted a realistic setting and set the tone perfectly.