Tangled Past: Hope Island Securities Series Book Seven

by Mary Alford

A murdered police chief. A missing truth. A witness who can’t remember.

Twenty-five years after his father’s unsolved murder, Asa Dutton returns to Hope Island determined to uncover the truth. His only lead is Maya Callahan—the little girl found hiding in the barn the night his father died.

Maya has no memory of that stormy night. But as fragments of her past resurface, so does danger. Someone is watching. Someone who will kill to keep the truth buried.

As Asa and Maya grow closer, the stakes turn deadly. Because remembering the past may be the only way to survive it.

Genres: Suspense, Inspirational

170 pages, Paperback

Published February 5, 2026

About the author

Mary Alford is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author who loves giving her readers the unexpected, combining unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots that result in stories the reader can’t put down. Her books have garnered several awards and nominations. Mary lives deep in the heart of Texas with her husband, two cats, and a dog. Discover more about Mary and her books at www.maryalford.net.

Reviews

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally a 5 star read, I loved this one by Mary. Perfect pacing, romance and the suspense were both balanced and present throughout. I was totally stumped trying to solve it myself, and absolutely loved experiencing the growing chemistry between Maya and Asa.

Asa and Maya have a shared past. When his father was killed, she was present. Now 25 years later, he is looking for answers and Maya holds the memories... if only she can remember! But as Asa and Maya work together, sparks start to fly and as they work to put the past behind them they start to wonder could they have a future? But the closer they come to the truth, the closer the murderer is to tying up the lose ends of that night once and for all!

You all... Asa was something! He's grieving, but so determined. And Maya was so lost, and broken...but watching her unpack her past and gain her confidence in herself and Asa ( and his team) truly brought this story to life. Gosh, I wish I could backtrack and read the earlier stories now.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wildride this book is. We have a cold case killer. We have a victim's son who is trying to find out who murdered his father, the sheriff at the time 25 years earlier. Maya, she was there that night. She has no memories of either. I can't wait for this book to come soon.

BETA READ this book, I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and all thoughts and opinions are all my own.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Island is a place that has a nefarious past that includes Asa and Maya. Asa comes back to solve the murder of his father and includes the 4 year old witness, Maya.

The investigation into the murder lands them in the cross hairs of the murderer. I was left guessing and wondering how all of the pieces fit together. Asa displayed calm determination and Maya showed such resilience.

Rachel was such a great character too. She was an especially wonderful support for Maya.

I received a complimentary arc of the book. The opinions are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I have a heart for this story. Maya has been waiting her whole life for answers, little does she know Asa is doing the same thing. Just waiting!
The ending is so good and I can't spoil it for you.

[Renee Helton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book.
My review is entirely my own.
Wonderful characters and action packed.. It was full of plot twists.
Definitely recommend. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Past is an unputdownable read packed with action and emotion, featuring a brilliantly crafted mystery alongside a sweetly developing love story. I was totally engaged from beginning to end! Asa wants answers to his father's cold case murder. Maya is the only witness to the murder but has no memory of the event. As they unite with the Hope Island Securities team and the Hope Island Police Department to investigate the crime, Asa and Maya become targets of the serial killer. As the danger escalates, their emotional bond grows stronger. The intriguing plot unfolds at the perfect tempo, with forgotten memories recovered at just the right moments. Compelling characters kept me invested in their lives and rooting for a positive outcome. The memorably described Hope Island, Maine, setting--including a haunting old barn, Asa's abandoned childhood home, and a sinister lighthouse--adds to the suspense and heightens the sense of danger. I appreciate the sprinkling of quiet spiritual moments. This is the kind of book that immerses you in the fictional world and makes it feel real. I highly recommend it!
I read an early copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Mary for allowing me to be a beta reader and then to participate on the launch team. I enjoyed both experiences.

Tangled Past by Mary Alford
Asa Hutton & Maya Callahan have a shared trauma from childhood. The difference is Maya ( at the time 4yrs old) can't remember what happened or if she saw anyone. Asa on the other hand heard the shot that killed his father ( at 8 years old) that night but did not see anyone. Asa promised his dad he would find out who killed him and he would do everything in his power to find those answers.
Maya was adopted by a nice couple and grew up pretty normal but never regained her memories from that night. Every once in a while she wished she would so that the blankness that she felt would go away. Then one day this man walks into her bistro, and tells her he needs to talk to her about the night his father was murdered. She does have questions about her life before she turned 4 but she is too afraid to remember.
Asa went into the Air Force, eventually training with the OSI ( Office of Special Investigations. When he left the marines he worked for a private intelligence group that worked on recovering missing persons. Eventually freelancing, finding missing children from cold cases. But he knew when to ask for help. He made an appointment to meet with JT Wyatt at Hope Island Securities to see if they will be willing to help him find the answers to his father's murder. They agreed to work with him.
Asa & Maya had a connection because of their shared trauma. While they work together to find the answers they both need they also begin to realize they care for one another.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Tangled Past. From the first chapter, I felt like I was right there on Hope Island with Asa, carrying around the same questions he’s been holding onto for twenty five years. His search for answers wasn’t just about solving some mystery. It was deeply personal. You could tell how much his father’s death shaped who he became.

And Maya completely won me over. Finding out she was the little girl discovered hiding in that barn, with no memory of what happened, just made everything hit harder. Watching her slowly uncover parts of her past while danger starts creeping closer was so emotional. I honestly just wanted to protect her.

What really stood out to me was how Asa and Maya’s relationship grew. It didn’t feel rushed or dramatic for the sake of it. It developed through quiet moments, honest conversations, and shared fear. You could see the trust building little by little, which made it feel real. By the middle of the book, I was fully invested. I wasn’t just reading about them anymore. I was rooting for them like they were actual people.

And the suspense? So good. I thought I had everything figured out more than once. I was sure of it. And every time, I was wrong. I never would have guessed who was behind everything from their childhood. The reveal genuinely surprised me.

This book kept me fully invested because I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know the truth. I needed to see them find some kind of peace. Tangled Past isn’t just suspense. It’s about healing, trust, and finally facing what’s been haunting you. I loved it from start to finish.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing of the story is very good. It's very consistent and very engaging to keep you turning pages and wondering what is going to happen next. This is the first one I have read in the series but it has plenty of information where it can definitely stand alone.

All the characters were very likable. I particularly enjoyed the character of Maya. I appreciate how this story touches on trauma and the effects it has on an individual and how they can get help. It really showed that with the right support, a person can reclaim their life. I did appreciate the way Asa didn't push her but approached her from the point of view of it helping them both to heal and rebuild after years of trauma or wondering what they don't remember.

The flashbacks are really well woven into the story and keep the flow going. It was seamless the way that the author pulled everything together and made for a compelling story that never lost its pacing. They added to the story like puzzle pieces instead of interrupting it and I had a great appreciation for the author's ability to do so.

I really like the amount of action in the ending and felt like that made it a very satisfying resolution. The story will keep you guessing on who the killer is until the end. Great book and really good characters that you can root for. I look forward to others in the series.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Past by Mary Alford
Tangled Past: Hope Island Securities Series Book Seven


A murdered police chief. A missing truth. A witness who can’t remember.

Twenty-five years after his father’s unsolved murder, Asa Dutton returns to Hope Island determined to uncover the truth. His only lead is Maya Callahan—the little girl found hiding in the barn the night his father died.

Maya has no memory of that stormy night. But as fragments of her past resurface, so does danger. Someone is watching. Someone who will kill to keep the truth buried.

As Asa and Maya grow closer, the stakes turn deadly. Because remembering the past may be the only way to survive it.
My favorite quote is,
They found Raymond Dutton in the barn, just as Asa had left him, and in the same barn, the little girl.
She wouldn't speak. Wouldn't move. Just held her rabbit and rocked.
She had no name. No Memory of what happened.
The police car drove away with her in the back seat.
Her eyes met Asa's once as she passed, and then she was gone.
I recommend this book.
Tangled Past by Mary Alford
is a 5 -star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books Mary Alford.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unputdownable race to solve a cold case and uncover what really went down that night in the barn twenty-five years ago.

Alford always grabs my attention with her fantastic romantic suspense novels. This time she unearthed long-buried truths her characters weren’t expecting, leaving me shocked by her jaw-dropping ending. Alford’s decision to include the killer’s point of view elevated an already spectacular read.

Twenty-five years after his father, the Police Chief, was murdered, Asa returns to Hope Island, Maine, to meet with a witness in this cold case. Asa has chosen to live his life denying fear the final word, and now, armed with determination and the skillset to uncover what others hide, he’s ready to uncover the truth and help others regain power and get closure.

I enjoyed the exploration of the cost in doing the right thing, the driving force of fear, and the healing that comes from facing the truths of the past.

I have come late to this series and will most definitely circle back and read the first six books!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Stacey Quick Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asa was only 8 years old when he lost his father, late one stormy night. Murdered and the killer was never caught. Twenty-five years later, Asa goes back to the town that holds the answers to who killed and why.
Maya doesn't remember anything before she was four years old. Doesn't know why she was in the barn that stormy night nor how she got there.
Mary Alford did it again!!! Setting the scene to perfection with suspense and mystery! I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what will happen next to these two characters and how will it end! The twists and turns will keep you turning the pages until you find answers! With returning characters that make up the Hope Island Security team, this is a fast pace story that comes to life while your reading!

I received an ARC however the opinions and thoughts are solely my own.
This book will be released Feb. 24, 2026 in kindle format.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled Past by Mary Alford has a dynamic and captivating cold case. I found Asa and Maya to be well-developed, relatable characters. I felt for Maya who has lost treasured and scary memories. I enjoyed watching Maya and Asa gradually develop trust and love as their relationship grew. The suspense and action were engaging, though I did identify the killer early on (my mother attributes it to me reading an abundance of mysteries). Still, I wanted to know why this person committed the crimes and how they eluded investigators. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Hope Island. The graphic word depictions of the decaying barn, Asa’s childhood house, the forest, and the neglected lighthouse helped me picture each setting clearly. While Tangled Past is the seventh novel in the Hope Island Securities Series, it can be read as a standalone. Tangled Past is a tense tale with a murdered father, missing memories, a cold case, a resolute killer, clues coming together, and helpful flashbacks.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The storm arrived like something from his nightmares". That is the first sentence of the latest book from Mary Alford. It is part of the Hope Island Securities Series but it is a stand alone read. Asa Dutton returns to Hope Island to try to find his father's killer after 25 years. Maya Callahan was four years old when she forgot her past and was adopted. She eventually returned to live in Hope Island where she discovers that she and Asa have something in common. Both of them were present at the scene of Police Chief Raymond Dutton's murder. Can Maya remember what happened? Can they work together to discover who the murderer is or will they end up as his last victims?? This story has lots of twists and turns for you to follow as you try to solve this cold case along with the Hope Island Securities team. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.

[Jane Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asa Dutton didn't think he would ever want to return to Hope Island. Twenty-five years ago his father was shot and killed and the little girl, Maya Callahan, who saw it all still can't remember it. Asa returns to ask Maya to remember and help him solve the case. Asa went to live with us uncle after his father's death and always wanted to know who killed him. His uncle assured Asa that he was also trying to solve the case, but was he? As Maya's memories start to return, she and Asa are in danger because the killer doesn't want to be found and he will stop at nothing to stay hidden. Highly recommend this story of redemption and worth with a little mystery thrown in. The community of Hope Island surrounds these two and helps them try to solve the case. I was given an advance copy by the publisher, but these are my own thoughts and words.

[Ethelann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangle Past is a cold case suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what had happened so long ago that had gotten Asa Dutton's sheriff father killed.
Asa has returned to Hope Island and he's determined to uncover the truth.

Maya Callahan was the little girl found hiding in the barn the night his father died. And a deep fear has kept that night's events locked away in her mind.
But as fragments of her past resurface, so does danger increase. Someone has been watching and waiting just in case this happens. And that someone who will kill anyone to keep the truth buried.

The ending of this book showing the killers identity totally blew my mind! What a great story.

[Debbie Earls · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like mystery and suspense, you will love this book. It is filled with both. Brought together as a result of a shared childhood tragedy, Asa and Maya meet 25 years after the separate murders of their parents. They join forces to solve the murders of Asa's father who was the police chief and Maya's mother who he was trying to protect along with 4 year old Maya. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. It will leave you on the edge of your seat. You will be surprised when the murderer is revealed. This is a really good read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The past never truly disappears, no matter how deeply it is buried.

Hope Island was the scene of the murder of a police chief 25 years earlier. Now the son, who was just a child at that time, has returned to solve this cold case. The only lead he has was a child, 4 years old, who never spoke of the trauma she experienced. Could cracks be found in that fear, with memories finally breaking through?

The author once again is telling us a story that is impossible to set aside until you reach the totally unexpected ending. Will Asa finally find out who and why his father was murdered and will Maya finally no longer live in fear? Don’t miss this incredible story!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book with no expectations of a positive review. WOW! Ms. Alford knocks this book out of the water from the very first page. Asa who was 10 years old's father was the police chief for Hope Island. He gets a call from the dispatcher to go to the neighboring farm's barn. That night changed Asa's and Maya's entire life. Join Asa and Maya 25 years later as they try to find the missing pieces to that night. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will never see the end coming.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the very definition of suspense! Rapt attention doesn’t begin to describe the way each chapter, each plot, had me spellbound, wanting a positive closure yet not wanting the story to end. 25 years ago to the present, the lives of Asa and Maya were reconnected, each searching for answers long buried beneath fear of the unknown, needing to uncover the truth yet unsure of what or who would he exposed. But through it all, the One who guarded and guided stood watch, always near, always protecting. Exceptional work, exceptional author!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Past by Mary Alford is her Seventh book in the Hope Island Securities series. This Christian suspense will keep you guessing. Missing women, dead police chief, forgotten memories, small town mystery decades old that needs to be solved. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.

[Barbara Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down. Asa was 8 when his father was killed trying to protect a mom and her four year old daughter, Maya. Maya blocked everything out. Twenty-five years later, Asa goes back to find out the who and why. Together he and Maya work together to bring the past to a close. A definite recommendation.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. I did figure out who the killer was before the identity was revealed,bso I'm a tad bit proud of that