Among the Innocent

Written by Mary Alford

Narrated by Libby McKnight

When Leah Miller’s entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah has left the community and joined the police force. Now, after an Amish woman is found murdered with
the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family’s deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, 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.

What will it mean for Leah—and Dalton—when the full truth comes to light?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705064719

Mary Alford

Mary Alford wrote her first novel as a teen and was hooked. Mary loves hearing from readers, so please send her an email at: [e-mail] and check out her upcoming releases at www.maryalford.net.

Reviews for Among the Innocent

[TAMMY OBERLIN · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First time reading this author. I listened to the audiobook version. The narrator was good, but more dynamics or colour would have been better.

This was a really intriguing story and I hope there will be a sequel with Harrison’s story. Maybe with Justine??

Couple little things I noticed:
- usage of “the killer” was numerous, even after knowing his identity
- “framed his/her face” was used several times.

[Ann Bush · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written and quite a story! The reason I gave this 4 stars is because the body count was so high. It's really not the type of story I enjoy.

[M. Malcolm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Disappointing, in my opinion. I'm not an expert on police procedure but I have a fair amount of common sense. I hate to say it because I know authors put a lot of work into their manuscript; however, the law enforcement officers in this book came across as incompetent. Spoiler ahead: look away now!

You (not one but two police officers) know there's a serial killer targeting young women. You go to check on a young woman you're pretty sure is dating said serial killer. She is acting strangely when you visit. In the car, you both comment on how strangely she is acting but you don't question her further. You leave. Later, you discover the serial killer you are hunting was at her place when she was acting strangely. Nuff said.

The narration did not add to the story.

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel is a great mix of suspense-filled murder and glimpses into the Amish community—a unique combination that I do not read often! The plot captured my attention from the prologue and I had a really hard time putting it down, reading late into the night on more than one occasion. I thought I had figured out the villain and then suddenly there was an unexpected twist! I also liked that the author took time to develop her characters; I liked how Leah had to face her past to grow and mature and Dalton is the perfect blend of handsome looks and sensitive compassion. The faith aspect is a little light, however, I liked the spiritual elements that were tied in and the novel is definitely clean. I really enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward for more from this talented author! Recommended!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“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 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.

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Among the InnocentAuthor: Mary AlfordPages: 304Year: 2022Publisher: RevellMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsMary Alford’s new novel is exploding with suspense and mystery! The two main characters are Leah Miller and Dalton Cooper. Leah is a young police officer, following in her father’s footsteps. Dalton is the new police chief for the community of St. Ignatius. When the two meet, it is under less than desirable circumstances, not to mention the past is about to rise up and bring havoc to the locals.Leah is loves being a police officer and lives each day in the shadow of her past traumatic experience. Now the meeting of a man from her past that Leah has feared would come again has come, and he is showing no mercy. Can Leah and Dalton find the man responsible for Leah’s past trauma and current events before he takes vengeance on Leah?Among the Innocent is a gripping read from start to finish! Leah and Dalton must work closely together as the community has a small force. The only way Dalton knows he can protect her is to always keep her with him as they chase down the culprit. However, be prepared for the twists and turns in the plot that catapult the action and tension to new heights!Since I don’t want to ruin the reading for anyone else, this review will not reveal the nuances of the story. Just believe me when I say I couldn’t put the book down, and the surprise ending was a touch of brilliance on the part of the author! I would love to see other books with these two characters in another crime fighting tale!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Among the Innocent is a Christian based suspense/romance novel set in an Amish community. It's more of a romance novel than a suspense novel because the romance is the key story line of the book. I enjoyed the novel and the main characters and really enjoyed reading a book featuring Amish characters.Leah grew up in an Amish community in St. Ignatius, Montana. When her entire family was killed ten years earlier, she leaves the Amish faith and joins the police force. The person that was believed to be responsible for the murders killed themselves and the case was closed...until another Amish woman is murdered in similar circumstances. Was this a copy cat murder or had the wrong person been blamed for the murders ten years earlier? Leah and Dalton, the new chief of police, work on this case together and struggle to put the pieces together before there is another murder. When it appears that Leah is the target of this killer, she and Dalton know that they have to stop the killer soon. As Leah and Dalton become closer and the need to catch the killer becomes personal for both of them, the suspense really ramps up and it's difficult to put the book down. Can Leah and Dalton find the killer before it's too late? Will they be able to find their 'happily ever after'? You need to read this exciting new book by Mary Alford to find out the answers to these questions. Once you start this book you won't want to put it down until the last page. Mary Alford is a new author for me but after reading and enjoying this book, I plan to check out her previous books.

[amybooksy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Among the Innocent is another great book I have read by Mary Alford. I loved the chemistry between Leah and Dalton. They made a great duo and I felt myself getting immersed into their story. I never knew what was going to happen next and had to keep reading until I was completely finished in one sitting. There is some lessons learned within the pages and the element of faith was another plus.I am giving Among the Innocent five stars. I believe readers who enjoy reading clean Amish Fiction, as well as, Romantic Suspense. I would love to read more like this by Mary Alford in the future and see where else she will take her readers to next.I received a paperback copy of Among the Innocent from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford is a modern day story of murders that take place an Amish community in Montana. When Leah’s family was murdered, she was adopted by the police chief and his wife. Now ten years later, the killer appears to be back.This is one of the best books I have read this year. The characters are wonderful. The story is well written and very easy to envision. The story is full of action, mystery and suspense with twists and turns. I found myself reading steady just to get to the end. This story shows how not being truthful impacts so many people is many ways. This is a great Christian crime story that does include topics of murder or alzheimer illness.I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

[peggy.s · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first thing that caught my attention with this novel was the setting. It is a book about an Amish community in Montana. Most of the Amish literature I have read takes place back East, so this was a nice change. The characters were believable – I really liked the main character, Leah. The only thing I wondered about her was why she always referred to her adoptive mom as her mother. She had had an entire family until she was a teenager. They were killed, and she went to live with the local sheriff and his wife. So – I would think the normal thing to do would have been to call the new adoptive parents by their names instead of Mom and Dad. No biggie – it just seemed to be a little disrespectful of her birth parents. There is a lot of tension in this novel – it is a romantic suspense. It kept me guessing until the end – good book!

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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 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.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Among The Innocent is a fast-paced romantic suspense novel that left me guessing. The small Idaho town where Leah Miller lives was devastated by the events 10 years in the past when Leah was the sole survivor of the murder of her family. Now nearing the anniversary of the horror, young women are found killed in the same manner. Leah, now a police officer, joins forces with the new police chief, to discover if there’s a copycat or the murderer has in fact returned. The murders, while gruesome, are not depicted in an overly graphic manner by Alford, but there is blood — just an FYI for the squeamish. The case is a puzzler that had me and the characters seemingly one step behind the killer. I loved all the twists and turns. Within the small community is a group of Amish, and they are the first ones targeted, hence the title. While not an Amish novel, it was interesting to see the interplay between the Englisch and the Amish in this tough situation. Leah is a vulnerable character, yet is determined to find justice for her family. Dalton Cooper, the new police chief also is personally invested in the case. Not sure either of them would have been involved in real life, but I liked their interactions and their budding relationship. Leah lost her connection with God when she left the Amish, but Dalton expresses the importance of faith. He lives out his faith in a natural way that drew Leah in. I liked that too.If you are looking for a romantic suspense to take along to the pool or beach (or even the back porch), I recommend Among The Innocent. It was a quick read for me that I very much enjoyed.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of my favorite books so far this year. Leah went through a lot in the ten years since her tragedy. Dalton is a great character. These two both learn many things during the many tragedies that occur during this story. I love the romance and the suspense. I also love that the story revolves around an Amish community. I loved the surprise twist in the story. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mary Alford's Among the Innocent was a riveting read. Leah Miller's family was murdered in front of her ten years before and it seems the killer has returned to finish the job he started. Leah has left the Amish community and become a law enforcement officer. She and the new police chief both have a vested interest in the case. The action is pretty intense and is told from multiple points of view including that of the killer. I did feel it started to drag about 3/4 of the way through, but I was totally invested in the story by that point. Even though I was able to guess a lot about the conclusion of the book, I wasn't disappointed in the outcome. There was one loose end left at the end of the story that I'm hoping will be addressed in a future book by the author. My sincere thanks to Revell and Library Thing Early Reviewers for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it.

[christiana5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book for free from the Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.This is my first book from this author. I read it in one sitting, so that tells you that the story was fast paced and drew me in enough to want to finish it. It's perhaps also best not to go to sleep when there's a serial killer on the loose.I found many of the characters and their back stories reminiscent of those in Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series, so if you enjoy those, you'll probably like this too. It was a bit more gruesome than most of those in terms of the actual crime, although the author does leave most of the details for your imagination to fill in, rather than subjecting the reader to all the gory details.The mystery itself was interesting; though I had figured it out by about halfway through the story, I had to keep reading to know if I was right, and there was an aspect I'd not anticipated. There was also one part of the story that hadn't been wrapped up by the end, so perhaps a sequel is in the works.While the book has multiple references to God and Christianity, it's not preachy, or overly moralistic, except perhaps for one aspect of the plot that's never overtly stated (I'm not elaborating as it would be a spoiler).A solid 4 stars and worthwhile way to spend a few hours.Thanks to the publisher for sending this super promptly.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[lewilliams-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

10 years ago all of Leah Miller's family was killed. Now Leah was Amish but now she's a police officer on the St. Ignatius Police Department in Montana. She also has a new chief. Her previous boss was killed but believed the person responsible for her family's death was an Amish man. Now another murder has occurred and the killer appears to have the same MO as the murderer of her family. Was the alleged killer who died in a fire wrongly accused, is there a copy cat, or is the real killer back? To me, the character seem to be lacking something I couldn't get into the characters.

[mckait · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found Among the Innocent by Mary Alford to be difficult to engage with. I decided to finish it because I owed a review. The main character, Leah, was the survivor of a tragedy that left her with no family and pulled her from the Amish community where she grew up. I thought that the way she engaged with her fellow police officers was unusual. The instant romance seemed unlikely to me, but I suppose it happens.Also, these supposedly experienced police officers miss a lot. A lot. ~~~~~Edit: I forgot to mention unnecessary cruelty to the cat. It added nothing to the story~~~~~~The story had potential, but the characters didn't do much for me, so 2**

[dara85 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this as an ARC from LibraryThing. This was very well written and reminded me of the books by Linda Castillo, who is one my favorites. This book had a lot of action. Leah Miller, an Amish girl was seduced by a strange "English" man while in her teens. She refused to run away with him. He returned that evening and killed her whole family. The police chief and his wife, in the small Montana town adopted her. Leah later became a policewoman and crimes similar to what happened to her family, ten years ago are happening to young Amish girls again. Is Leah tracking the same killer?

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Among the Innocent by Mary Alford sprints to the apprehension of the killer, and what a surprise. The pace rushes along as the frenzy intensifies. But, the characters lacked dimension. The end of the story uncovers a little of Marge’s past, but the psychology of the past events is never explored. Also, the handling of the Amish people lacks compassion for members of their community. The Amish seem to stand still and wait for whatever comes their way. Why do the Amish not try to locate the killer? This book provides action, but psychology and emotions remain dormant.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Leah Miller, 26, was the only survivor after the massacre of her family by a masked stranger when Leah was 16, and after which Leah left her Amish community in St. Ignatius, Montana. The killer slit the throats of her mom, dad, sister, and brother, saving her for last. Before cutting her he whispered, “You’ll always belong to me.” The killer was thought to have died in a fire. Leah went to college but eventually came back to join the St. Ignatius Police Department, wanting to emulate her adoptive father, Police Chief Ellis Petri. As the story begins, Chief Petri has been dead for almost a year earlier from a point-blank gunshot wound; there were still no leads. Now someone else was arriving to take his place, Dalton Cooper, a handsome, widowed ex-marine.In addition, the tenth anniversary of the murder of Leah’s family is coming up. On Dalton’s first day, another young Amish girl is found with her throat slit in the same barn where Leah’s family was killed. Leah knows the killer is back and determined to reach her, and Dalton is just as determined to prevent that. But the killer is clever and ruthless, and seems to be always one step ahead of them.There is no aspect of the plot that is not predictable, and yet it was not unpleasant watching it unfold. My only criticism would be that Dalton is a bit too (unrealistically in my view) saintly; as Leah herself observed: “Dalton had all the attributes of a true hero and a heart of gold.”

[grammy57 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is Christian fiction, mystery/suspense novel. It is set between the Amish community and "regular" society.The main characters were quite well defined. The main character, Leah, was the main focus. She was the center of the mystery. The main supporting character is Dalton. His character was cloaked in a bit of mystery until the end of the book.The story flowed well and kept my interest. The editing was quite well done until the last chapter or so. At the end, the editing was like the editor had gotten tired and sloppy. Names were wrong, i.e. the name of the person speaking or doing was wrong or in one instance, the name was not even in the book before. Also, there were some loose ends that were not addressed. These issues were the only downside and not very many of them. This was also an ARC book so hopefully, these errors will be caught and fixed in the final edition.If you like a good murder mystery that is Christian without being preachy, you will enjoy this book. The main characters prayed in a very Christian way, that is how you know it is a Christian book.I was given this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program. This review is freely given and my own thoughts and opinions.

[nancyluebke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this intense thriller. I received this book for free and I voluntarily chose to review this story. I've given it a 5* rating and spent a couple late nights reading. It grabbed my attention from the beginning. I loved how the hero and the heroine were woven into the story and how close they were all connected. Lots of action and drama to hold your attention. And this has a fantastic ending. Not good to read this right before bed.

[azroadrunner88 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book is one of those that is hard to put down. Someone is making friends with 16 t0 18 year old Amish girls and then killing them in a way that a family was killed 10 years prior. The killer seems to be always a step ahead of the law and out maneuvers them. Fast moving story. Hope this is a series and continues with the same general characters.