USA Today bestselling author Melissa F. Miller returns with a gripping new thriller.
Married covert operatives Sasha McCandless-Connelly and Leo Connelly are on their first joint mission for the Lighthouse, a private intelligence agency. Their uncover the truth about Caleb Rye, a rising literary star whose debut thriller described a terrorist attack before it happened.
By day, Rye teaches English at Foggy Bottom Preparatory School, a haven for the children of diplomats and spies. By night, he writes. When his next manuscript predicts another attack, Sasha and Leo's mission becomes urgent.
Digging into Rye's past and his uncanny fiction, they uncover a forty-year-old black operation gone horribly wrong—and a betrayal that points straight back to their own employer.
Signal Fire marks the return of two of Miller's most beloved characters in a high-stakes thriller that explores the cost of moral compromise.
Melissa 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.
My first Melissa F Miller book and while technically a standalone I now want to find out more about the dynamic duo of Sasha and Leo
This story sees the duo working together on a joint mission to uncover why the author Caleb Rye is able to predict terrorist events before they take place. At less than 200 pages this story is surprisingly layered with a fast paced plot and with tension ramping up as the clock ticks down.
Alongside the action, it digs into some sharp questions around morality and the cost of knowing too much.
This book will land well with readers who like their thrillers sharp, fast, and a little thought-provoking.
It’s a great fit if you: * Enjoy high-stakes, investigative plots with a ticking clock * Like clever duos with strong chemistry (Sasha and Leo carry this well) * Prefer shorter books that still feel layered and complete * Are drawn to stories that mix action with ethical dilemmas * Love the idea of “what if someone could predict disaster?”
If you usually go for quick, gripping reads that still give you something to think about after, this is very much your kind of book. Many thanks to HambrightPR and the author for an ARC of this book.
So this is the first true spy thriller I’ve read and I gotta say I was hooked! Trying to follow along and figure out who was behind everything and it kept my on my toes! It was such an interesting story and the plot? I’m not even sure how to review without spoiling something because it’s just so woven together I’m obsessed.
Sasha and Leo are assigned a case looking into a teacher/author that published a book where an attack followed his book and they need to decide if it was coincidence or if he knew something, so of course they go undercover. I loved it!! Need a copy on my shelf!
💒 Married Intelligence Operatives 🕵 Spy Thriller 🥸 Espionage
I love this book. It was a long wait but so worth it. Sasha, Leo and Hank start working for a private intelligence corporation. And what a start. Sasha, Leo and family, including Mocha and Java, move to D.C. for an undercover assignment that ends up being way more complicated than it seemed.
The plotline was spectacular. And what a twisty outcome. I cannot wait for the next book. Sasha and Leo work magically together. And they CAN discuss their work with each other openly. What a difference. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series and it's spin offs.
Although I received an ARC from the author, I had barely started it when I got my purchased copy. Regardless, my review is honest and voluntary.
This was my first read by this author, and she did not disappoint. I loved it. The story has great plot development and characters that are easy to connect. I really like the premise of the story, an author whose books predict terrorist attacks before they happen. That being said, the story moved a little slow for my liking and it leaned more on investigative suspense than it did thriller, I kept wanting and waiting for more more action, however, the writing pulled me in quickly, and I stayed invested because everything felt believable rather than over-dramatic.
Thank you to HambrightPR and the author for a gifted copy. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Melissa F. Miller delivers another thrilling installment with Signal Fire, and the Connelly family is back in top form! From the very first page, the plot pulls you in with its fast-paced and entertaining twists. The rising tension keeps you glued to the story, eagerly turning pages to see what happens next.
The Connellys are as charming and likable as ever, and their interactions make you genuinely root for them. Miller balances action, suspense, and heartwarming moments beautifully, creating a drama that is as engaging as it is satisfying.
Fans of the series will love this latest entry, and new readers will quickly be hooked. Signal Fire is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thrilling family dramas with characters you can’t help but care about!
4.5 stars ⭐️ I really enjoyed this and am happy to have received an ARC! It’s fast paced, easy to read, and has really likable protagonists. Sasha and Leo are a very endearing couple and despite the fact that they’re also undercover agents, they still manage to make the book lighthearted with their teamwork. I’d love to read more stories from the families of the children at Foggy Bottom because it is a great concept. My only negative is there was quite a lot of typos, but they were easy for me to overlook because the plot was great 😊
Excellent new Sasha and Leo adventure. Working together for Lighthouse has changed their dynamic personally and professionally. I found myself missing Sasha, the lawyer, and the interactions with her fellow lawyers. It was different, but it was still an excellent read, as always. We also got more of the twins in the story, which was enjoyable.
4.5⭐️ rounded up I love a good national security thriller and this was no exception. This book was a quick read - relatively short as well as face paced. I would love a longer more in depth story, but there is good character development within this book. This was my first Melissa F Miller book and I loved it! Thank you to Hambright PR for the electronic copy. All opinions are my own.
That escalated fast Picked up the book to lightly catch up with my favorite fictional couple and ended up with an entirely unputdownable read . The story is fast paced, the twists interesting and the characters rich, complicated and real.
I enjoyed this page-turning read from the first paragraph to the last. Another exciting adventure of Sasha and Leo with lots of entertainment and suspenseful twists and turns. These stories are really great to read and I look forward to the next in this series of this likeable couple.
I enjoyed this book about Sasha and Leo starting a new chapter in their lives. They're able to share and collaborate now since they are partners with Hank in this new endeavor. I'm looking forward to the next book.
This is the first book by Melissa F. Miller that I've read. Even though I haven't read anything from the Sash McCandless series (this book isn't part of that series but has many of the same characters) I was able to jump right in, no problem. Sasha McCandless-Connelly and Leo Connelly are a married couple that work for a private intelligence company. Their current mission takes them to D.C. to investigate Caleb Rye, a school teacher whose first published book (a thriller called The Payback) is nearly identical to a recent terrorist attack in Turkey.
It has been a long time since I've read an espionage thriller, and I really enjoyed it. The plot has thrilling moments, for sure, but it's not entirely fast paced like some other thrillers. I quite liked that though! The joy of this book is the relationship that Sasha and Leo have, and their collaborative efforts to investigate not only Caleb Rye, but his family and friends. The journey of the investigation was fun because these two make a great team! They're smart, intuitive, and in sync with each other. They're also balancing their mission while raising two kids, and they take both of these jobs seriously.
Another aspect of the book I enjoyed was getting to experience Caleb's point of view. Switching between his point of view and Sasha/Leo's POVs adds additional depth to the book that makes everything come together in the end. I don't want to say too much about him though so I don't spoil anything.
If you enjoy short novels, spy thrillers, betrayal, and undercovering deep government conspiracies then look no further! Thank you to Hambright PR and the author for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the gifted ebook.
Let me start by saying that I wanted to love this book. Based on the blurb, I thought this would be a quick (<300 pages) and enjoyable thriller. Married covert operatives? The potential is definitely there and maybe having read prior books in the series would have made this a more enjoyable read, even though it's advertised as able to be read as a standalone.
Sadly, I found most of the characters and their interactions largely unbelievable beyond the willing suspension of disbelief that is utilized when reading fiction. For example, there is a scene where one of the MCs allows another character (and person of interest) that they only recently met to borrow their SUV for an overnight trip. That same character also texts the MC at 4am to celebrate an accomplishment. This and several other scenarios had me scratching my head thinking, "there's no way that would ever happen."
I believe another round of editing may have benefitted this book. I noted several significant typos that caused me to have to reread portions to determine the intended meaning. There was also a highly implausible timeline issue that I believe could've been an easy fix.
Overall, the pace and plot failed to ramp up to that "can't put it down" thriller level that I crave. However, it may work for those who enjoy a light mystery with low peril/gore.
Melissa F. Miller is one of my all-time favorite writers. It was her books that helped get me back into reading seven years ago. She's written several series with fabulous characters and exciting and fun stories. Signal Fire is the start of another series but involves characters that are familiar, just in different roles. Sasha, an experienced trial lawyer and partner in a law firm she created, and her husband, Leo, a former agent in numerous federal agencies and current househusband for their home and family, partner up to work together for a federal "shadow agency". Their first mission takes them to Washington, D.C. to find out the connection between a newly published thriller and a terrorist attack that follows the book like a script. The plot is clever and interesting. It's told in Miller's familiar light style. I liked it. The book (the Kindle version) is filled with annoying editing errors. I was quite surprised by this. I'm not sure what caused this, but it seems like an amateurish oversite. Fortunately, Kindle books *can* be fixed. I hope there aren't print versions like this. I hope this is just a glitch and not a sign of other issues.
Sasha and Leo have started working for a government black ops agency, the Lighthouse. They no longer need to hide their work lives from each other and are thrilled to start their new assignment. The assignment takes them to D.C. where they enroll the children in a private school and Leo becomes the temporary history teacher for someone on maternity leave. Sasha begins to volunteer in the library. The teacher's husband has written a book that seems to be a playbook for a terrorist action in where several people die. Is Caleb a terrorist or is he being used by someone? Who gains if old terrorist playbooks are brought back to life and acted upon? As the tension mounts, Sasha and Leo find that not everyone in government has clean hands (who knew?) and they must navigate the various players to find answers before they themselves are found out. A great series started of characters we know and love. Can't wait for more!
Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Read - March 22, 2026 Publication - Available Now!
*I received an E-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @hambright_pr & @hambrightmarketing!
Signal Fire can be read as a standalone but features characters from the Sasha McCandless series, which is worth reading too! I enjoyed spending time with Sasha and Leo again in this book and the slice of life mixed in with the mystery worked really well for me. The family scenes gave the book more personality and emphasized the idea that you never know what’s going on behind closed doors. Seriously, this book plays with such a fun concept! The half truths and deception kept me on my toes and I enjoyed the process of peeling back all the layers. If you enjoy mysteries, books about books and undercover agents, you might enjoy Signal Fire!
This was such an easy binge read! I really liked how Sasha and Leo headed to D.C. for a case while trying to keep things somewhat normal with their family. The whole undercover school thing was one of my favorite parts. It made everything feel a little different from a typical spy thriller.
The Caleb Rye plot was fascinating! An author whose books start coming true immediately pulled me in. I also liked that nothing was rushed and everything kept me guessing. Sasha and Leo are still incredible together and I love that they actually communicate and feel like a real team. This was a really engaging and quick read with a cool premise that kept things interesting. I definitely recommend if you want a quick read with a lot of plot twists!
This is a great spy thriller that was filled with secrets and espionage. Leo and Sasha are a married couple who lead a double life. They are actually undercover agents working for a private intelligence agency.They are assigned a case in which they need to discover how a thriller novel played by a new author links to recent real world attacks of a similar nature.
For a short book, the story is fairly complex but the author lays out the narrative and characters quite well. There are many breadcrumbs to solve the mystery if you follow closely. The writing is smart and crisp, keeping the story fluid and engaging.
This is part of the Sasha McCandless series and I’d certainly be interested in reading more.
Thank you to Hambright PR for the electronic ARC to read and review.
If you’ve been curious about thrillers, but aren’t a fan of the darker, more disturbing side of the genre, Signal Fire could be a great place to start. It’s easy to follow, with an engaging cast of characters and a storyline that never gets too intense.
The author does a solid job incorporating details that make the spy/intelligence elements feel believable, and the pacing stays steady throughout. It’s also worth noting there’s clean language, only kisses, and while there is a death scene, it’s not graphically described.
Overall, a lighter, approachable thriller that’s easy to get into and it kept me interested from the very start!
Thank you to Hambright for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review. #HPRSignalFire #MelissaFMiller #HambrightPR
This is a fast paced spy thriller that involves a family. Sasha and Leo take their family to D.C. for a semester so they can investigate a writer, Caleb Rye, whose book has eerily come true. Leo is undercover as a teacher in the school where Caleb also teaches. Sasha meanwhile is trying to keep busy by volunteering in the library at the school and snooping when she gets a chance. As they investigate it appears that Caleb is innocent which only complicates the issue since they now don't know who is behind things. It's an enjoyable read that has suspense, action and is short enough to get done in a night, which is a winner for me.
This book follows Leo and Sasha who move to DC with their twins to find out why a new author’s book became reality. It was interesting and an original story that brought some suspense and had me unsure of what was going to happen with all of the characters who were introduced like Caleb (author), Emmeline (his wife, and Linda (the librarian).
This was a short read. I thought that this book had an original concept of a storyline, but it didn’t flow to start. It felt choppy at times with the storyline and characters, but once the story became more involved it picked up and I couldn’t put it down. It definitely had me wondering what was going to happen next! I would give a 3.5
My first book by Melissa F. Miller! I need to check out her other books now! This was not the first of a series and I will be definitely checking out the other books asap! From the first page it draws you in through every twist and turn until the very end. I can't wait for the next installment! Sasha and Leo work wonderfully together and deliver good character development throughout! I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a new spy thriller series to dive into! Thank you @melissafmillerbooks and @hambright_pr for my eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Really liked the premise of this one an author whose books predict real events is such a creative idea. I also enjoyed Sasha and Leo working together and their dynamic. That said, it felt pretty slow for me, especially in the first half. It leans a lot on investigation and dialogue, so I kept wanting a little more tension. Overall a solid read with an interesting concept, it just took a while to fully pull me in.
One of my fav authors does it again with a long awaited Sasha McCandless installment, this one with Sasha and Leo working together.. world events, a change of living locale, hidden secrets from the past and intrigue all lead to a suspenseful adventure, just what we would expect from this dynamic duo!!!!!
What an amazing read! Loved Sasha and Leo's latest adventure/thriller. And really enjoying them working together while keeping the family, close and safe. Melissa Miller never ceases to amaze me with her novels.
Signal Fire by Melissa F Miller was released on March 17th. This is the first read that I have read by this author, and oh my, how she did not disappoint. This spy thriller included espionage and married intelligence operatives tropes. I would highly recommend adding it to your TBR
This book had the perfect amount of mystery and was completely wrapped up at the end with no questions left unanswered. The concept was unique and thought provoking