A page turner, and with your heart in your throat, and screaming "No", we look for answers.

The author does a great job of pulling you into this read, and she doesn't let go! She drops little clues, but not really answers as we turn the pages, and all the while we are there as horrible murders pile up.

We are in Amish country, but not your typical Amish story, we are dealing with a sick individual, and time is running out, and the bodies are piling up!

Once that final page is turned, this one is going to linger!

I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

My blurb …
Leah Miller was Amish until her whole family was murdered. Murdered right in front of her. Now, 10 years later, she is member of the local police force. Her memories under control til Beth, a young Amish woman, has been found dead — murdered. The same MO as Leah’s family. Now it is obvious the accused man, now dead, didn’t do it,

And a new police chief, Dalton Cooper has arrived–literally at the murder scene. He has a personal reason why he took the job but it quickly becomes clear — this latest murder was done by the same person. Soon it is apparent the killer is not done with Leah yet. Can Dalton find the answer to his quest? Can he and Leah solve the murders without being killed themselves?

My review …
Hang onto your hats! Among the Innocent is a humdinger of a story. You won’t figure out this whodunit quickly. No waiting for the story to build a hook that will grab you. That hook comes within a few pages and doesn’t let go for 300 more. This is a plot you can sink your teeth in.

Characters: Always a key element. Some authors might a problem making Leah likeable, tough, and vulnerable all at the same time. Mary Alford makes it seem like a breeze. She is loving & caring toward Marge, now a widow. Marge & her husband Police Chief Ellis Petri gave Leah a home after her family was brutally murdered. Leah was spared but not without physical injury; a scar she has to this day. But she is tough. And needs to be to have survived 10 years ago and survive now!

Dalton Cooper, the new police chief, arrives for his first day on the job literally at the scene of the Amish girl’s murder. Chief Petri was beloved by his police force and Dalton is fairly careful how he handles being the new chief and introducing himself while handling the murder scene. This book is abundant with rich characters and each fit their role in the story beautifully.

“Pacing is a tool that controls the speed and rhythm at which a story is told
and the readers are pulled through the events.” ~ Writer’s Digest.

Pacing: For this reader, the pacing in Among the Innocent was just about perfect. Sometimes the story moves quickly — or maybe it was just me swiping my thumb across the Kindle to get to the next part. I never felt the pacing lagged. Never felt it was rushed. The story ebbs and flows as the plot builds.

Genre: It’s a thriller. It’s an Amish mystery. It’s about a small town police force. Maybe I should say it’s a Thriller Amish Mystery!

The only weakness (a minus of .5 stars) I found was near the end it became obvious to me, and I think to most readers, who the murderer is. We are supposed to do that. But our two very sharp police folks don’t see it when for this reviewer felt it was plain as the nose on their face. It was not in keeping with their smarts showed earlier. But, that didn’t ruin the book and I highly recommend to those who love thrillers, police books, and Amish mysteries. It’s definitely a winner.
Rating: a solid 4.5 stars rounded to 5 for websites that only show whole numbers.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of Among the Innocent via NetGalley from the publisher, Revell. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#AmongTheInnocent #NetGalley #MaryAlford

Title: Among the Innocent
Series: N/A
Author:Mary Alford
Genre:Amish, Thriller, Police
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: 7 Jun 2022
Format: Kindle (read), Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 304
Source: NetGalley
Cover: I like the cover but it doesn’t fit the book. Leah is in police uniform most of the time and the Amish need to be far more noticeable. Amish readers screech to a halt when they see Amish covers.

Wow! This is an action packed, intense, edge of seat nail biter! It’s definitely the best Suspense Thriller I’ve read so far this year. Mary Alford pulled out all the stops when she penned this new novel giving her readers a riveting and unpredictable story to get lost in. I found it to be scary with lots of twists and turns. Plenty of Police chases with a serial killer who is always one step ahead. From the first page I was drawn into this gripping book that I didn’t want to put down for any reason. The ending was beautiful but I believe there will be a book two because some ends were left untied.

Leah Miller grew up Amish in the community of St. Ignatuis Montana. During her Rumspringa when she was sixteen she spent time with an English boy who wanted her to run away with him. When she refused to go with him in favor of staying with her Amish family he left her in a fit of rage. Late at night he returned to her home and killed her family and left Leah wounded and scarred for life. It was believed that the killer had died in a fire but ten years later he is back and he’s on a killing spree . Leah is a police officer now and the killer is sending her threats that he has returned to finish the job he should have done ten years earlier when he didn’t kill her. Leah wants to stop this killer and bring closure for the death of her family members. She gets help when a new Chief of Police comes to St. Ignatuis. Chief Dalton Cooper has his own reasons to apprehend this serial killer. Will Leah and the Chief be able to outsmart the serial killer before he gets to Leah ? How many will die before this mad man is stopped?

I recommend this book to readers of Mystery Suspense Thrillers and fans of the Author. This book is scheduled to be released on 6/7/22.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

#AmongtheInnocent#NetGalley

It kept my attention.

The story is fast paced and will draw you in immediately. The story is about the 10 year anniversary of an Amish murder.

I would give this book ten stars if I could!!!! I will be adding this author to my must read list! This book was so interesting and reminded me a lot of Linda Castillo's books only with a Christian bend to it and no language etc. LOVED. IT.

Loved the book. Ten years ago Leah’s Amish family was killed and she was left with a knife wound in her neck. Now Leah has joined the police force and another Amish girl has been found murdered in the same manner and the whole nightmare is brought back to her. Lots of unexpected twists and turns make this an excellent book
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Sometimes confronting what has happened in the past is difficult but necessary to move forward with life. The ten-year anniversary of the murders of Leah Miller’s Amish family approaches and the killer everyone thought died in a house fire is at it again, or is he? Author Mary Alford writes a riveting suspense that will keep the reader turning pages trying to solve the mysteries. This one is not to be missed!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher on Net Galley. The opinions are my own.

Among the Innocents is a twisty Amish thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Police officer Leah Miller is called to the scene of a murder that stirs up old wounds. Ten years ago her family was murdered in the same place, in the same manner and she was left for dead. A young man was accused and the case closed but now it seems the killer is back.
Dalton accepted the police chief’s job to get closer to the case involving Leah’s family. His Amish brother was accused of the murder and he’s been trying to find out more about the case. When he meets Leah he feels an instant kinship with her.
Somehow this killer seems to always be one step ahead of the police. He’s stealthily stalking Leah anticipating the tenth anniversary of her family’s murders. If he has an urge to kill before then, so be it. Nothing and no one will stop him from his ultimate goal.
I loved that even though the story is hard there’s a strong thread of faith that flows through the story. Great book I happily recommend.
I received a copy of this book through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley courtesy of Baker Publishing Group with no obligation.

I have been a huge fan of Mary Alford's books for several years. I have read a lot of her Love Inspired Suspense books. She is one of the masters of the craft. I was given the opportunity to read Among the Innocent and I am speechless. It's a full size read at over a little over 300 pages. It will draw you in with the first few pages.
Leah Miller has had to endure a lot of pain in her life. She watched her entire family die in front of her eyes. The man who did this did not want her to die - but promised he would always be around to finish the job. The ten year anniversary is approaching and now the killer has returned. Leah left the Amish faith and is now a police officer. She was raised by the former police chief and his wife after the murders. She is called to the scene of a young Amish girl's murder. This brings a lot of emotions flooding back that she thought she buried deep inside.
Dalton Cooper is the new chief after the previous chief was murdered in his patrol vehicle. Taking over the small force seemed like a change from the big city - but he is baptized with fire - and Amish girl's murder case is the first one that he works. He has his own secrets - that he is not ready to reveal to Leah or anyone. Once it becomes clear that Leah and anyone around her is a target Dalton needs to do everything that he can to protect her.
This book kept me guessing until the very end. I was shocked when I got to the last few chapters and all the pieces were fitting together. The author left me speechless after this book. I will honestly say that this has to be her best book yet. Seeing such great expanded character development will have you not wanting to put the book down.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Amish murder mystery with a few twists to keep readers interested. I found the setting to be a little unusual - small Amish community in the midst of a reservation. The story at times was a little farfetched with the suspect always getting away and Leah being allowed to work on the case. I did enjoy reading this book and look forward to reading more by the author.

Mary Alford has written an excellent, well balanced clean romantic suspense novel that keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat! I found police officer, Leah Miller and Police Chief, Dalton Cooper to be very believable and easy to like characters. Leah had suffered through the loss of her family because of a killer who had also injured her. Now that he’s back, it will take Leah and Dalton working together to try to end the killer’s reign of terror. Mary Alford pulls the reader in and allows them to feel so much of what the characters in the book feel. I didn’t want to put this book down once I started reading it.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC I received of Among the Innocent. I was only asked to give an honest review. The opinions stated are mine and only mine.

"You'll always belong to me" are the terrifying words the twisted killer whispered in her ear after killing her family in front of her eyes. Ten years ago Leah Miller was the only member of her Amish family who survived a horrific slaughter. Now the killer is back, the heinous killing has begun again, and Leah is firmly in his sights.

In the intervening years, Leah leaves the Amish faith and her community, is taken in and raised by a loving couple, and is now a police officer in her small town. Dalton Cooper is now the new police chief after the previous one is murdered. "He and Leah were kindred spirits. Though she'd lost so much more than he could ever imagine, they both had been affected by the same crime. Only she had no idea of their connection."

Hang on to your hats as this story starts out with such intensity and never lets up. A complete page-turner! Fans of well written, creepy, can't-put-it-down, romantic suspense won't want to miss Among the Innocent by author Mary Alford.

Thank you to Revell and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I thought Mary Alford's Among the Innocent to be a pretty good read. I am going to give it four and a half stars and recommend it.

If you want a spooky sort of tale then I recommend this book. It's a nail biter for sure!
Great characters and a great plot that will keep Ms. Affords readers glued to their seats while turning the pages from beginning to end!
I devoured this book in one night.
Yes, some of it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
I thought Ms. Alford did a wonderful job with the very descriptive scenes that I had no trouble picturing the traumatic events unfolding in this book.
I love the cover of the book too. It makes readers wonder what happens to the girl on the front cover. I know it did me
Thanks Ms. Alford a great story!
I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

‘Despite the swelteringly heat, a cold shiver sped down Leah’s spine. Something bad was approaching l. She could feel it moving in. ‘

Ten years ago, Leah’s Amish family was murdered in front of her. She was left near death. Now the killer who was king thought dead, is back. And he is killing Amish young women, with Leah in his sights.

Mary Alford starts this one off with such intensity that I was completely drawn in and barely could put the book down. She ramps up the fear as this horrifying killer plans everything down to the last detail, so very full of evil.
She gives us a great plot, good characters and enough suspense to keep us on the edge of our seats. Well done!

My thanks to Revell for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is entirely my own.

**3.5/5**

When I saw who endorsed Among the Innocent by Mary Alford, I instantly agreed to read it. I usually avoid anything to do with Amish fiction, but based off thy synopsis, it seemed more of a background point versus the main setting. This is true. Alford provided her readers with a glimpse into the Amish lifestyle without being overwhelming, forced, or overdone. As usual with romantic suspense novels, Leah and Dalton must solve a case—catch a serial killer—before it s too late. Questions (and attraction) swirl together, making an already stressful situation even more complicated. Overall, however, Among the Innocent…didn’t quite do it for me.

For being a “romantic suspense” novel, I did not feel the connection between Leah and Dalton. It was there, yes, but it felt more like an affectionate friendship. For me, it was not developed enough. Romantic suspense novels require a fine balance between the case and the relationship. Alford put too much focus on the former. Even then, she kept reminding readers of the anniversary of Leah’s family’s murder, and it became repetitious. It was like the author wrote out a specific timeline and used the anniversary as her point of reference. Which, in and of itself, is not bad. Instead of having the characters say or think about it, I would’ve just had chapter subtitles of “# Days till the Anniversary.” Readers would still have that significant date looming, but no need for the repetition.

The “surprise twist” was not much of a surprise for me, though maybe that’s because I read so much of this genre that I catch on too easily. The timing of things, too, was a problem for me, though I won’t go into that in great detail due to spoilers. When the book ended, I still had unanswered questions, and the conclusion felt rushed. With a lot of novels in this particular genre, I find it hard to let the characters go. I want to spend more time with them. So I do; I wait maybe one or two days before beginning my next novel. Alford’s novel, though, I started another book the next day. I was happy to move on from Leah and Dalton. Not because they were bad characters or anything like that. I just…didn’t like them as much as others created by other authors.

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford has its strengths, like an intense plot and good imagery. Fairly good characters, too, who readers will want to root for. Though the stakes were high, it lacked the excitement that I have found in other romantic suspense novels. It is still good, and I’ll probably read more of Alford’s work, but I just think it could have been better.

Among the Innocent a suspenseful mystery that at times had me checking the locks on my windows and doors.
I found the two main characters Leah and Dalton easy to like and sympathize with their troubled pasts and shaky futures. The story line is filled with nail biting moments, tender family moments and even some romance. My only negative critiques for Among the Innocent are what was meant to be the surprise twist of the book and the ending. I feel like the surprise twist was given away by too many clues that it was coming and the ending left me with unanswered questions.

Oh. My. Goodness. I have been a fan of Mary Alford for quite a while, but Among the Innocent has to be one of the most engrossing, edge of my seat book I've read of hers. The intertwining of Leah's and Dalton's pasts is slowly revealed and well written. The love Leah has for her adoptive mom is so sweet. There was murder. There was tension. There was betrayal. There was romance. AND there was a smashing ending to the mystery. It was complex, but not so much that I couldn't keep track of the action. I really liked some of the side characters, also. The fact that the Amish community was part of the tribal land was very interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who likes thrilling suspense sprinkled with romance. I sure hope Ms. Alford has more like this one coming.

this is a very good story, liegh is now a policewomen and dolton is the new chief, now there is another killing just like the ones that took her family from her , they are in a race to find out why he is back and why he wants to kill liegh, if you like suspense stories that are well written and grab you at the start and hold you till the end you will want to read this story i was given a copy by netgalley but this is an honest review