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Sasha McCandless #9
International Incident
Sasha and Connelly return in the ninth book in the USA TODAY Bestselling Sasha McCandless series! The new parents leave the twins with Sasha's parents and set off for some much needed R&R. An adults-only cruise sounds like the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge. But once the ship's in international waters, Sasha sees something she shouldn't have. Suddenly, instead of enjoying sunsets and cocktails, she and Connelly are skulking around the ship, trying to evade a dangerous band of lawless maritime criminals. Outside the jurisdiction of organized law enforcement, Sasha and Connelly are forced to take matters into their own hands.
- GenresMystery ThrillerFiction
400 pages, ebook
First published June 21, 2016
235 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Miller
91 books595 followersMelissa F. Miller is a multi-time USA Today bestselling author of mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance novels. Formerly a complex commercial litigator, Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in medieval literature and creative writing poetry and earned her JD, cum laude, from the Duquesne University School of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 13, 2016
I always say that I learn something new from every Sasha McCandless novel - so far I’ve got myself an education on fracking (“Inadvertent Disclosure”), ‘preppers’ (“Indispensable Party”), and even on something called the HeLa cell line (google it - “Informed Consent”). That’s on top of practically deluding myself that, as a seasoned Sasha fan, I could breeze through law school by now.
With “International Incident”, however, the author is not just feeding readers some trivia to show off at dinner parties: she is actually highlighting the issue of human trafficking at sea. I had always assumed that human trafficking was primarily connected with the sex industry; but what I didn’t know is that in this day and age, people are held in slavery in fishing boats so that you and I can buy cheap pet food for our cats and dogs. Frankly, it’s shocking. I would suggest reading the Author’s Note at the end of the book, in which Miller gives some background to the story and provides some very interesting links to articles on the subject.
The serious theme that permeates “International Incident” doesn’t take away the fun of reading another Sasha novel, though, and as I expected, Book 9 is another page-turning read. I really enjoyed the different setting - the frankly bizarre microcosm of a cruise ship. That’s something David Foster Wallace once described in the most hilarious manner in his essay “Shipping Out” (google it: you’ll thank me for that). Miller stated in the Author’s Note that she had decided to set the book on an international cruise so that she didn’t have to write ‘umpteen scenes involving infant twins’. It was a clever move away from the domestic humdrum of “Informed Consent”, and a nice change of setting from the busy streets of Pittsburgh. But what makes this book so special is the dark underworld it exposes, and how this case is not just another case, but something that, in the end, ends up deeply affecting Sasha and Leo. Hopefully it will have the same effect on readers.
With “International Incident”, however, the author is not just feeding readers some trivia to show off at dinner parties: she is actually highlighting the issue of human trafficking at sea. I had always assumed that human trafficking was primarily connected with the sex industry; but what I didn’t know is that in this day and age, people are held in slavery in fishing boats so that you and I can buy cheap pet food for our cats and dogs. Frankly, it’s shocking. I would suggest reading the Author’s Note at the end of the book, in which Miller gives some background to the story and provides some very interesting links to articles on the subject.
The serious theme that permeates “International Incident” doesn’t take away the fun of reading another Sasha novel, though, and as I expected, Book 9 is another page-turning read. I really enjoyed the different setting - the frankly bizarre microcosm of a cruise ship. That’s something David Foster Wallace once described in the most hilarious manner in his essay “Shipping Out” (google it: you’ll thank me for that). Miller stated in the Author’s Note that she had decided to set the book on an international cruise so that she didn’t have to write ‘umpteen scenes involving infant twins’. It was a clever move away from the domestic humdrum of “Informed Consent”, and a nice change of setting from the busy streets of Pittsburgh. But what makes this book so special is the dark underworld it exposes, and how this case is not just another case, but something that, in the end, ends up deeply affecting Sasha and Leo. Hopefully it will have the same effect on readers.
March 16, 2022
An action packed mystery thriller as Sasha and Leo take off on a luxury cruise.
The new parents are gifted tickets for an Asian cruise and leave their twins at home as they set off for some time alone. Seeing the sights and delighting in the cuisine and culture is not in the cards, however, when Sasha sees a murder from the ship out in international waters. The terrible atrocities of slave labor on fishing boats and heroin trafficking cause an awakened sense of social justice as they try to right some horrible consequences of desperation and poverty.
Not much legal action in this one, but it was fast paced and interesting as always. The author tackles a huge issue and puts Sasha and Leo well into a complicated mess involving obscure maritime law. Fortunately, Sasha has the brains to figure it out and the Krav Maga skills to stay alive while preventing some hired mercenaries from killing her. Meanwhile, Leo is off doing a much needed rescue. So, they don’t spend much time having fun but there is more than enough romance between the pages to satisfy those who enjoy that.
I’d really like to see some change and growth in the characters other than the development of a social conscience. Surely we already know enough about her coffee addiction and athletic prowess and how Leo has to be the world’s best supportive husband in a minor role. Anyway, still enjoying the series as I head to read the next installment in my Sasha binge.
The new parents are gifted tickets for an Asian cruise and leave their twins at home as they set off for some time alone. Seeing the sights and delighting in the cuisine and culture is not in the cards, however, when Sasha sees a murder from the ship out in international waters. The terrible atrocities of slave labor on fishing boats and heroin trafficking cause an awakened sense of social justice as they try to right some horrible consequences of desperation and poverty.
Not much legal action in this one, but it was fast paced and interesting as always. The author tackles a huge issue and puts Sasha and Leo well into a complicated mess involving obscure maritime law. Fortunately, Sasha has the brains to figure it out and the Krav Maga skills to stay alive while preventing some hired mercenaries from killing her. Meanwhile, Leo is off doing a much needed rescue. So, they don’t spend much time having fun but there is more than enough romance between the pages to satisfy those who enjoy that.
I’d really like to see some change and growth in the characters other than the development of a social conscience. Surely we already know enough about her coffee addiction and athletic prowess and how Leo has to be the world’s best supportive husband in a minor role. Anyway, still enjoying the series as I head to read the next installment in my Sasha binge.
March 12, 2019
Least favorite of her books
I have read all the previous books of Sasha and Leo and this one was just boring. The plot felt staged and written just to give characters another adventure, without a believable plot from the start .
I have read all the previous books of Sasha and Leo and this one was just boring. The plot felt staged and written just to give characters another adventure, without a believable plot from the start .
July 29, 2020
Another excellent installment in this series. Book number nine has Sasha and Leo leaving the twins with her parents and taking off for a posh cruise to exotic southeast Asian ports. They are soon involved in dealing with connected human slavery and heroin trade traffic in international waters and in seedy club backrooms on land. I used to live in Singapore, and I spent some time in Baltimore, too, so I remembered exactly where they were when they visited cruise centers there.
I really love this series. The writing is strong. One example: when Sasha had a reflective thought for a simile at one point, the author wisely used a reference to one of her pets, strengthening our connection to the cosmology created. Many lesser writers would have used the simile as an opportunity to try to show off their personal knowledge in authorial voice instead, actually diluting our connection to the main story.
Also, bonus points for deftly integrating unobtrusive calls to greater social action and justice on an international level, then providing follow up specifics for those interested in an afterword.
I really love this series. The writing is strong. One example: when Sasha had a reflective thought for a simile at one point, the author wisely used a reference to one of her pets, strengthening our connection to the cosmology created. Many lesser writers would have used the simile as an opportunity to try to show off their personal knowledge in authorial voice instead, actually diluting our connection to the main story.
Also, bonus points for deftly integrating unobtrusive calls to greater social action and justice on an international level, then providing follow up specifics for those interested in an afterword.
April 20, 2020
I was starting to get frustrated with the seemingly unrealistic plot twists of danger ever in Sasha & Leo's lives. But the chapters that came beyond the action scenes caught me in their net.
So many people choose to ignore the challenges around them. Choose to limit the impact they have in the world. I do it myself. All of ones life can't be focused on troubles in the world around you in order to stay grounded and sane. But to see something and do nothing? To know what you saw and do nothing?
Well, my 3☆ rating and setting these books aside for awhile is out the window. Back to making a difference in my part of the world.
So many people choose to ignore the challenges around them. Choose to limit the impact they have in the world. I do it myself. All of ones life can't be focused on troubles in the world around you in order to stay grounded and sane. But to see something and do nothing? To know what you saw and do nothing?
Well, my 3☆ rating and setting these books aside for awhile is out the window. Back to making a difference in my part of the world.
October 28, 2020
I started this book in December 2019 but only finished it today, 28th October 2020.
I stopped at 36% and just couldn’t go on. I skipped a lot of it when I started again. The reason is Sasha hearing and/or seeing a girl murdered in the middle of the ocean.......UNBELIEVABLE and that fact alone totally pissed me off.
If the author had the murder on the cruise ship it would have been more believable.
I was really enjoying this series up to this book and I even bought the next book in the series when I bought this stupid book, International Incident.
I am now not wanting to read the next book....I probably will read it in time but not just yet.....maybe next year.
I stopped at 36% and just couldn’t go on. I skipped a lot of it when I started again. The reason is Sasha hearing and/or seeing a girl murdered in the middle of the ocean.......UNBELIEVABLE and that fact alone totally pissed me off.
If the author had the murder on the cruise ship it would have been more believable.
I was really enjoying this series up to this book and I even bought the next book in the series when I bought this stupid book, International Incident.
I am now not wanting to read the next book....I probably will read it in time but not just yet.....maybe next year.
December 15, 2019
Another good book featuring Sasha McCandless-Connelly.
This was a little different from the others in this series in that it raises awareness about the drug problem, human trafficking and slavery. As always some of the scenarios are a little hard to believe but the precept of the book is hair-raising and disturbing because you know that it based on fact. Don’t miss this series!
This was a little different from the others in this series in that it raises awareness about the drug problem, human trafficking and slavery. As always some of the scenarios are a little hard to believe but the precept of the book is hair-raising and disturbing because you know that it based on fact. Don’t miss this series!
September 26, 2017
Great adventure!
I just love Sasha and Leo! This book was quite different from all the others as it took human trafficking and international drug trade! Quite ambitious! As always, the book was quite interesting. Well written, great characters and well researched. I high!y recommend this book!!
I just love Sasha and Leo! This book was quite different from all the others as it took human trafficking and international drug trade! Quite ambitious! As always, the book was quite interesting. Well written, great characters and well researched. I high!y recommend this book!!
October 10, 2017
A very good book by a very good person.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I expect to read more. The book is not just a thriller. It is also an advocate for a cause. I left the book hoping to find a way to help the people about whom she wrote. I expect many other readers will feel the same way.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I expect to read more. The book is not just a thriller. It is also an advocate for a cause. I left the book hoping to find a way to help the people about whom she wrote. I expect many other readers will feel the same way.
December 26, 2024
This was not my favorite of the series but still entertaining. Sasha and Leo are away and child-free for a vacation but it takes no great stretch of imagination to know that where Sasha is concerned, work is never far behind. She is witness to a murder and both she and Leo fond them deeply embroiled in nefarious deeds at sea.
July 30, 2025
More than a Thriller
Miller’s books that I’ve read so far have all been first-class mystery-thrillers. Occasionally they have been more than that. This book is one of those occasions. In addition to being a fast-paced, tightly plotted story with interesting characters, it is a spotlight on some of the most tragic and ugliest aspects of life in Southeast Asia. Well done.
Miller’s books that I’ve read so far have all been first-class mystery-thrillers. Occasionally they have been more than that. This book is one of those occasions. In addition to being a fast-paced, tightly plotted story with interesting characters, it is a spotlight on some of the most tragic and ugliest aspects of life in Southeast Asia. Well done.
November 4, 2017
Really enjoyed this series!
I have read all of Sasha Mccandless books in this series. The writing is clean, and the developing characters in the on-going plots make you feel part of the story.
I have read all of Sasha Mccandless books in this series. The writing is clean, and the developing characters in the on-going plots make you feel part of the story.
January 22, 2018
I love this series and this author! I always learn something new about law and ethics and social injustices. It may be fiction but the stories could be taken right out of the news...true eye opener.
April 8, 2021
Why did this happen?
It was supposed to.Be a carefree, relaxing week.with no worries. A reward for work well done. No one was supposed to get hurt, much less murdered. A day in the life of Sasha and Leo. Don't count them out. You'll be surprised by the summation of events.
It was supposed to.Be a carefree, relaxing week.with no worries. A reward for work well done. No one was supposed to get hurt, much less murdered. A day in the life of Sasha and Leo. Don't count them out. You'll be surprised by the summation of events.
March 6, 2023
3&1/2 stars rounded up to 4. The first half to 2/3 slow to read, almost boring. I was going to quit but checked reviews again on this site and decided to persevere. The last part makes up for the first part, in typical McCandless/Connelly style: get in trouble, fight/work your way out.
May 22, 2017
Still a fan.
This was definitely not a favorite. The plotline did not grab me and the story was slow. Still enjoy the main characters .
This was definitely not a favorite. The plotline did not grab me and the story was slow. Still enjoy the main characters .
November 6, 2017
Love this series
September 9, 2018
Unquestionably THE BEST Sasha book I’ve read in the series so far.
August 11, 2019
Love these characters and the series.
I have read all of the Sasha books and can't wait to start the next book in the series. Highly recommended!!!
I have read all of the Sasha books and can't wait to start the next book in the series. Highly recommended!!!
May 3, 2020
Not my favorite book in the series. Somehow the story was not as believable
October 26, 2020
Typical story for this series. The topic is different and informative. Sasha get to use Krav Maga again.
August 29, 2021
Amazing and insightful suspense. Thought provoking storyline. Great characters .
January 16, 2022
You cannot go wrong with Melissa F. Miller and Sasha McCandless-Connelly!
May 1, 2022
Another great adventure. Melissa has a very creative mind, taking Sasha and Leo on so many adventure. You can’t help but get involved in the adventures of the characters. A really great read.
Want to read
July 10, 2024Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.
July 31, 2016
Sasha and Connelly have been sent off on a cruise of south Asia on a luxury ship and one morning Sasha appears to see a murder of a young girl on a fishing boat near the cruise ship. When she reports it to the captain, she seems to get the brush off. Not content she pursues the matter with Connelly and the US embassy officer in Thailand. Despite warnings they continue to ask questions and investigate which brings them to the attention of a huge shady company that runs the fishing boats and much more. There is an attempt to grab Sasha off the ship and Connelly gets in a bind as he investigates on his own. Action, suspense and a good ending back in Pittsburgh as Sasha turns to the courts to shut down a drug smuggler.
July 16, 2016
Probably Miller's best thriller yet
I enjoyed every page of this book. In typical fashion Melissa F Miller balances plot, character development, action and humor perfectly.
In International Incident, Sasha and Leo go in a cruise, but there's more action and suspense than you would imagine and it all ties up in a satisfying ending. If you like legal thrillers, or just thrillers in general, this book is definitely for you.
I enjoyed every page of this book. In typical fashion Melissa F Miller balances plot, character development, action and humor perfectly.
In International Incident, Sasha and Leo go in a cruise, but there's more action and suspense than you would imagine and it all ties up in a satisfying ending. If you like legal thrillers, or just thrillers in general, this book is definitely for you.
July 17, 2016
Fun read
I like the quick read of this series. Likeable characters. This one was a bit too sappy though for my taste. I hope the main characters can act a bit more normal instead of like high school teens in the next book. I like the legal twists that the author weaves in the story and the clever recurring characters. Overall I love these books. Hoping for more legal meat and less heartthrob references in the next one!
I like the quick read of this series. Likeable characters. This one was a bit too sappy though for my taste. I hope the main characters can act a bit more normal instead of like high school teens in the next book. I like the legal twists that the author weaves in the story and the clever recurring characters. Overall I love these books. Hoping for more legal meat and less heartthrob references in the next one!
July 6, 2016
Love love love
The entire series Of the Shasha And Connelly crime solving and fighting defending persecuting and capturing the criminals is super awesome all these books are worth your time and money it keeps the reader on their toes .. Love them all.
The entire series Of the Shasha And Connelly crime solving and fighting defending persecuting and capturing the criminals is super awesome all these books are worth your time and money it keeps the reader on their toes .. Love them all.
July 5, 2016
I still love Sasha and Leo, but the quality of the books is going down hill. They are too short and feel very very rushed. I miss the behind the scenes backstory stuff. This was probably my least favorite book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews