Among the Innocent

“The inevitable showdown coming had been a decade in the making. When it was over, would any of them be left standing?”

This quote. It indicates the enormous level of suspense created and maintained throughout novel. I felt the need to check my blood pressure after reading Among the Innocent by Mary Alford, to make sure it was not abnormally high!! This particular novel is a little darker than most I choose to read, but it is oh, so well done!

I did identify with Leah more than I would like at some points. “She’d lost her family to a killer—probably Ellis to the same man. Now she was slowly losing Marge to a different kind of killer.” The killer that stalks Marge is all too prevalent, and so many families must deal with that show more threat. I loved how that thread strengthens the story.

Sigh. Dalton is swoony dreamboat who might be perfect, but for his secrets. Full of faith despite a rough past, he is protective of Leah, kind, sensitive, and quite the looker. Will he and Leah be able to work together to keep tragedy away from the Amish community, or will they become part of the region’s mounting calamities?

I received a copy of the book from RevellReads and NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. show less

I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the Early Reviewer's Club at Librarything in exchange for an honest review. It is an Amish story but with a different twist. This suspense thriller features Leah Miller, a former Amish woman, as a police officer who is investigating a murder.

Leah's own Amish family was murdered in their barn ten years prior. She was taken in by the local sheriff and his wife who raised her as an Englisher. Leah became a police officer because she loved her adopted father. She works in her home town, St. Ignatius, Montana, where a murder has just occurred that had similarities to the murder of her family. With a piece of paper written by the killer stating that he will be coming for Leah, it is show more apparent that the killer will continue to kill until he can catch Leah. As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together, they can't help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning. Could it be that the former police chief framed an innocent man to keep the biggest secret of all buried? And what will it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full truth comes to light?

I LOVED this book! The fast pacing is what makes this book so intense. The story began with an edge of your seat prologue that would not let me put the book down until I finished reading it. There is alot of action with plenty of twists that keep your heart pounding. The two main characters, Leah and Dalton, were both tough and vulnerable at the same time and they could have been the stars of the novel. However, the gripping plot carries this whodunnit to a 5 star rating. It's been awhile since I read a suspense thriller with such an intricate plot and intensity and it was very satisfying. show less

This book had me reading in the wee hours. It was so good. It was VERY suspenseful, a total nail-biting experience! Former Amish Leah, witnessed the death of her entire family. 10 years later she is a member of the police force and working under the new chief, Dalton. They work together to find who is again following the same MO of the murders of Leah's family.
There is non-stop action, lots of unsolved crimes and a fearful Amish community as the killer continues his crime spree. The killer is after Leah and is relentless in tormenting her. There is a little romance here, too, so not only suspense to keep your interest going. Leah's character is well developed by the author and you become so engaged with the plot you won't be putting it show more down for too long. You are going to love this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts are my own. show less

I've long enjoyed her books but Mary Alford's outdone herself with this book. The first page of Among the Innocent reeled me in and I didn't want to stop reading about the search for a truly evil villain! After a ten-year absence "John" has returned to the small Amish community in Montana where he first killed, and his new reign of terror puts the peace-loving people in acute danger. This worst kind of villain hides behind his devastating charm to lure young, innocent, impressionable Amish teenage girls to their deaths, and there seems to be no stopping him!

In this book, Alford proves her ability to completely stir emotions with her words. I could feel the fear, uncertainty, and disbelief, along with the frantic need to find this show more madman before he killed again. Yes, this story is intense, but there are also moments of joy in seeing the friendship that develops between Leah Miller and Dalton Cooper and watching their individual journeys to finding true faith.

Among the Innocent is a danger-filled, pulse-altering book that kept me wondering who, how, and why? I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian romantic suspense.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. show less

10 years ago, Leah's Amish family was murdered. The local police chief (Ellis) and his wife took her in. Blame was placed on an Amish boy visiting from another town who died in a fire. Leah joined the police force. The chief died a year ago, but the circumstances seem suspicious both to Leah and to the new police chief (Dalton) who arrives in town. Dalton has ties to the person blamed for the killings, but doesn't immediately let people know this. He wants to reopen the case, but before he can do so, a murder of an Amish girl with the same MO as those ten years ago occurs. Leah feels "John" is back. Leah had been secretly seeing John. He'd wanted her to run off with him, but she didn't want to leave her family. She always felt an show more enraged John returned to kill her family, but Ellis assured her the man who died in the fire had done the deed. Dalton, Leah, and the other officers along with back-up support from the tribal police and the next county, investigate and do their best to prevent others from becoming victims as they now find a serial killer now using the name Jonathan on the loose and dangerous. He makes it clear he plans to kill Leah on the 10th anniversary of her family's deaths. Dalton and others speak of their faith in God, but this Christian fiction work contains a depth not achieved by most works in the genre. The publisher classifies it as romantic suspense, but the romance is subtle and less than the amount contained in many cozy novels. I'd call this a police procedural suspense thriller. I enjoyed this and will look for other books written by the author. I received a copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. show less

She wasn’t ready to play the killer’s games again.

Wow!! Do not expect to put this down and it might be better not to start it late in the day, as there will be no sleep if you do! The author has done a fabulous job of drawing the reader in and not letting you relax until the killer is caught, you hope.

The Amish setting leads the reader to believe life is calm with most everyone living peaceably, only to find out that horror can enter their serene lives as well. Leah is the only survivor of the horrific murder of her parents and two siblings. After 10 years this atrocity still haunts her every waking hour. Will she ever be able to live without fear? One has to begin to wonder when another murder occurs. Has the killer returned?

This show more ARC was received through Baker Publishing Group, Revell and NetGalley. These thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited. show less

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford is a captivating suspense novel. I thought the book was well-written with realistic, developed characters. I like that the main characters have suffered tragedies. They are flawed characters just like real people. There is plenty of action and tense suspense in Among the Innocent. A killer is back after ten years bringing back of flood of unwanted memories for Leah Miller. Unbeknownst to Leah, the new police chief, Dalton Cooper also has a connection to the crime that took Leah’s family. The pair must work together to capture a deadly killer. There are plenty of twists and turns in this edgy romantic suspense. There is graphic violence in the story (fair warning). The police follow leads, collect show more evidence, and try to keep people safe. Unfortunately, the killer always seems to be one step ahead. Be prepared for the hairs on the back of your neck to stand on end. The idea of such an evil person is terrifying. I enjoyed collecting clues so I could figure out the killer’s identity before the gripping reveal. I like how faith was woven into the story. Dalton Cooper is a man of deep faith. He shares his beliefs with Leah whose faith could use some boosting. I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions of St. Ignatius, Montana. The author really brought the area alive with her vivid word imagery. Among the Innocent is a book that will have you staying up late, quickly turning the pages so you can find out how the story ends (be prepared for a book hangover the next day). Mary Alford successfully combined solid characters, an absorbing plot, scary suspense, and faith into one suspenseful tale. show less