By The Book

Although Mary Alford is a new-to-me author, she has a long list of books to her credit. Among The Innocent, her latest release, is my first by her, but won’t be the last! I devoured this book! Find out all the details and my thoughts below.

When Leah Miller’s entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after another 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. 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?

USA Today bestselling author Mary Alford keeps you guessing as two determined souls plumb the dark depths of the past in order to forge a brighter future–together.

Mary Alford is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels. Her books have been finalists in the Selah Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and the HOLT Medallion Contest. As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook and can’t face the day with-out coffee. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two very spoiled cats and one adorable rescue dog. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at http://www.maryalford.net.

My Impressions:

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.)

Tags: Mary Alford, romantic suspense fiction