Innocent Mistakes

Sasha McCandless #14

by Melissa F. Miller

Little kids, little problems. Big kids ... federal felony charges?

Attorney Sasha McCandless-Connelly has her hands full with her six-year-old twins, but she adores her pack of nieces and nephews. So when her sister-in-law calls and tearfully announces that sixteen-year-old Colin has been arrested, she flies into action to protect him.

Colin’s accused of using the Internet to make threatening statements, a federal felony. Social media posts by Colin threaten his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend with violence—and worse. Colin swears he didn’t make the posts, and Sasha believes him. Then the private messages turn up.

As she shines a light on the high school’s dark underbelly, the teenagers close rank, and the whispered secrets multiply. But she’s confident she can clear Colin’s name. Then someone actually tries to make good on the threat to kill the other boy. Colin’s taken into custody on an attempted murder charge, and the prosecutor vows to try him as an adult.

Someone’s trying to frame him. But who? And why? Sasha navigates a web of lies and ever-shifting alliances as she scrambles to save a kid whose diapers she once changed ... even as she realizes she doesn’t know him nearly as well as she thought she did.

Innocent Mistakes is the fourteenth full-length novel in the USA Today bestselling Sasha McCandless series.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2021

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Shannon Forester steinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Mistakes by Melissa R. Miller is unbelievably good. From the first page to the last, I was gripped by the story, finding it all too realistic, especially as a mother of teenage children. The relevance of cyberbullying, gaming and the tricks and steps incredibly smart teenagers take online under the guise of being protected by the anonymity of things occurring on the internet was a gripping story and with the turn of each page, I found myself pulled even deeper into the story. My heart was in my throat and I was voraciously reading to discover the outcome of the entire situation and every twist and turn taken to get to resolution. Phrases like “edge of my seat”, “nail-biter” and “page-turner” keep coming to mind as I write this review. As always, the depth of the story and excellent character development Ms. Miller has in every single one of her books, contribute to make reading this novel an escape into a wonderfully written, exciting, heart-in-your-throat and captivating tale.

I was provided an advance copy of this book.

[Cliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innocent Mistakes!

Another winner by Melissa F. Miller.
This Sasha McCandless-Connelly offering will keep you entertained from beginning to end. With each successive chapter I knew I had it all figured out. I should know better having read every the author has published.
Returning readers will recognize her husband Leo, her twins Finn and Fiona, office staff and partners, relatives and so on.
New aspects of modern life show up for Sasha this time. Gaming and gamers, teenagers with teen age angst and still developing brains as well as adult parents of the same.
Teenagers, two sets of twins, swatting, parents running for school board…it’s all there and much more exciting than can be described.
The author gets better with each book she writes. Once you read one you will read them all.
I would like to thank the author for the advance copy for review purposes. While I review many books, her books are ones I would always get on first day of release regardless. I gift her books more than any other.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!! Thankful for my ARC so I could dig into it early. The topic is so timely. I have a 13-year-old grandson, and it's worrisome all the trouble kids can get into, innocently. I've already talked to him about three of the things that happened in this book. But there is so much out there that I barely know about!!

The story is so compelling, I read it in one day. Miller creates such real characters! From her little twins to her brothers and their families, they could be my neighbors. (Leo is a bit of a dream husband, though, I have to say). I felt for Mallory's mother as she fought with herself over monitoring her daughter's online activity and her guilt for doing so.

Tamrina Matta also expressed what I thought about the book in her review.

I can't wait to see what topic Sasha tackles in her next book!!

[Tamrina Matta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC for this book. You know your reading slump is ending when a Sasha book is here. The story is an interesting reflection of the real complexities of the human nature and how short-sighted gains and greed make a person lose the sense of the things that truly matter. It was fun to see Leo resist his urge to act on his violent thoughts and Sasha not having to beat the hell out of someone who dared to underestimate her. ;)
Looking forward to the next book already, whenever it comes out

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha novels are a favorite - they never disappoint. The storyline is a bit different than Sasha's (and Leo's) usual - in a good way. The plot touches on several issues that are prevalent in today's society and I appreciated the fact Ms. Miller wrote about these issues. I really thought I knew who and why but ... not! Unputdownable as usual!

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sister who quickly denies that Colin her brother would post things like that on the internet, asking her friends by her, they don’t know, it’s his login
Threats, jealousy, cyberbullying, that goes on the underside of high school.
Sasha has known Colin since he was in diapers. He was innocent, still the lost of innocent and trusts in his friends has done damage. The story seemed real, very real, a page turner and a winner in this series. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This one was a thinker! The use of technology and how teenagers today communicate was an eye-opener. It's also a little scary!

Sasha tries to help her family, when her nephew is accused of making a comment on a post, saying something hurtful to a fellow schoolmate. Adamant he didn't do it, she takes him on as a client and investigates in order to clear his name.

I love all the little things Sasha comes up with to outmaneuver others. She's clever, and it's really fun to read.

Another great addition to the series!

[Ann Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read the Sasha m candles s series, this last book Innocent Mistakes was really good I couldn't put it down until the end.I thought I had it all figured out but there were a few surprises at the end love the way she goes about weeding out all the bad people different. Can't wait until the next book I love this character and her family

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha is called upon to defend her nephew who has been charged with cyber bullying she is thrown headlong into the world of teenage internet use and the world of a driven mother eager to get elected to the school board whatever it takes. Her family and her sister-in-laws both come under attack cyber wide and physical before it is ended. Always like Melissa's books.

[Jana Delli-Gatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

The characters, the content, Sasha & Leo's family keep me coming back again and again.
I grew up 90 miles from Pittsburgh so the setting is familiar. Next time maybe something with the Steelers? LOL!

[Mary Earhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, as I do with all of Melissa F Miller's writing. Really made me glad that my children are adults. This age is really hard to navigate with teens!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb story. Plenty of suspense and action to keep you guessing every time you turn the page. Sasha is the best there is.

[ELMorehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Does Sasha Help Her Brother's Twins?

I ❤️ that I got to 📖 another Action-Packed "Sasha" Story by Melissa F. Miller, in "Innocent Mistakes"! This one centers around her 16 yr. old, Niece and Nephew. It's so relevant and scary, set in today's electronically connected culture! You have parents and their tech savvy teenagers, gaming culture, cyber bullying, and their results, in this Outstanding, Engrossing, Legal Mystery. I Highly Recommend You Get this Must 📖 Novel today; you won't be disappointed! ❤️📖 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Avid reader Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Being a retired high school teacher myself, I found the world of teenagers in this book to be so very accurate, from the teen dating scene to the atmosphere around the lockers and course their use of cell phones . Regarding the passing of notes in class ; Melissa Miller is so accurate. I could see it all. The plot was fabulous with ups and downs without any bullets being fired this time.
I loved Finn’s statement,” I was multi- tasking, being deficient” He is corrected but l’m not sure he isn’t right. Sasha definitely has to multi-task when dealing with her niece Siobhan and nephew, Colin and their friends and friends’ parents.
The focus on cyberbullying is to be commended and how it plays out with the interference from parents is really a good story here. It was a quick read for me since I wanted to find out how it was going to end. This was an thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Regina Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Innocent Mistakes was a smooth read and the story delved into the complicated lives that high school teenagers lead in this day of modern technology. It was mostly well written at a swift pace which urges the reader to want to read faster to see what comes next. It was also believable which is an asset to any story.

My only real problem with Innocent Mistakes and the reason for a four star rating instead of five stars is in the editing. There were numerous grammatical errors along with the unintentional repetition of a sentence in two consecutive paragraphs. At one point the character of Paul was called Doug. These are mistakes that can easily be corrected with accurate editing.

I will continue to read Ms. Miller however because I really like her characters and her way of story telling.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and dirty read! Sasha as her usual self, small in stature but strong in the law. Connelly, is slightly involved, but mostly taking care of the kids. In the beginning, the story is about the McCandless twins, but in high school, so years since the last episode must have passed as Sasha's twins were just toddlers. Then it turns out these are her brother's kids, also twins, and besides even though the 5 year old kids never have a last name mentioned, it would be McCandless-Connelly. So it is all about some teenage drama, except for the ridiculous adults that actually commit crimes, or just lie. And Sasha is proud of Leo and her efforts in finding out the truth, "Look at the two of us, resolving a case without shooting, stabbing, or even punching anyone.”

A valuable break from other tedious reading. I think I will watch some video now, hehehe.

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

One social media comment changes everything for Colin and his family and right from the get go nothing feels right about the comment nor the people involved as well as all that happens during the ripple effect of it. I felt so frustrated for Colin not knowing if those he loves really believed in him, fortunately he has his Aunt Sasha there to help clear his name, however no one realises other secrets may get unearthed while trying to prove his innocence. You get to see the best and the worst in parents as well as see teenagers hiding secrets and making it difficult for you on whos word to trust as well as have heart stopping moments, some danger and an Aunt who will do everything to clear her nephews name if he really is innocent!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Sasha book

This was a timely book about cyber bullying and tech savvy teenagers. Sasha's nephew Colin is in trouble for posting a threatening post to a fellow student. When he's taken to the police station, he calls Aunt Sasha to be his attorney. He denies posting the comment. As Sasha investigates, she finds out more than she wants to know about teenagers and what's ahead for her and Leo with the twins. This case is tangled with so many secrets. But Sasha and Leo manage to get through it without any shots or bodily harm done. Thankfully my kids are grown but I have grandchildren growing up with technology. I hope by the time they are teenagers things will be better. I'm looking forward to the next Melissa Miller book no matter which series it is.

[Maureen Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to Melissa Miller’s suspenseful novels was a free edition through Freebooksy. It was the first three volume set so I had the pleasure of getting to know Sasha McCandles right away. And …. I was hooked! I don’t know how Melissa comes up with the thrilling situations that quickly involve Sasha in many unique ways, but she does a good Jove of it. I have now read all 14 of her books and have grown quite fond of the characters. The books are an easy, thrilling read that have quite a few twists and turns.
I highly recommend the Sasha McCandles series and hope that Melissa will continue to come up with future adventures.

[Cory Wofford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently recovered from COVID and needed a diversion so I read Melissa Miller’s new book Innocent Mistakes. It was what the doctor ordered. I could not put the book down as I found myself imagining I was there with the characters in the book. Have you ever thought, I wish the bad guy would get what he deserves? I have and this book is filled with those feelings. Just when I thought I had figured out who did it an unexpected event happened that proved me wrong. Her book Innocent Mistakes keeps you guessing until the end. I strongly recommend you take the time to buy this book and read it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Web Is a Dangerous Place

This book reads like a cross between a farce and a cautionary tale. The story begins with Sasha’s nephew Colin being accused of cyber bullying and escalates from there. I enjoyed getting better acquainted with members of Sasha’s family. I cringed at the stunts some of the characters pulled and was somewhat saddened, but not surprised, that in many cases the teenagers were more mature than the adults. Thus it is in the real world as well. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I'm a HUGE fan of Ms Miller's novels and love the Sasha series!

This latest installment of Sasha's story is fantastic and tackles a different yet important scenario. What you put out in the online world can come back to bite you. This one is close to Sasha, involving family and Ms Miller wove an amazing story that only reveals its self in the end. It kept me reading, wondering til the end!

I look forward to the next!

[D. Jane Akins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The computer underworld is scary!

I didn’t understand a lot of the computer stuff that’s a big part of this book but it’s scary. I have grandsons the age of the teenagers in this book and it’s a different world for them. It’s really hard to think all of this can be true but having read other references to a lot of this, I believe it is, even though it’s fictionalization. I’ve read, and loved, every book in this series and I highly recommend that you do also.

[Laurel Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best!

If you are a fan of Sasha and Leo, this book will keep you enthralled from start to finish. I typically read two books at a time, one audible in the car and one Kindle book. This one I simply could not put down. Every chance I got, I picked it back up, including during commercials while I watched TV. This is my favorite of all her series; if only there were a way she could write them faster - LOL!

[Diane Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa F. Miller

What an absolutely interesting book and story! Teenage angst! This was a fascinating storyline. A little bit different from some of her others but extremely informative. Glad I’m not a teenager in these days but I have grandchildren and this was very well done and enlightening! And, of course, I always enjoy a visit with Sasha and Leo.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern technology woes, teenage worries plus Sasha McCandless? Great match. Sasha has to deal with a case of what appears to be cyberbullying, and this time her teenaged niece and nephew are involved. I liked the way this was laid out and once I started reading couldn't put it down until the end. Once again, Melissa Miller pulls you in and takes you for a great ride!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Sasha represents her nephew when he is accused of leaving a threatening comment on a school intranet post. I enjoyed the story; it's a very tangled web Sasha has to navigate. My only complaint is how entirely unrealistic Sasha's twins are written. They are like Stepford children and quite frankly hate having to read about them.

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy nor like reading about people on the internet. Pathetic and boring. Showing my age? Reading SHOULD BE relaxing; this was filled with anxiety and stress. I’m done with this author. Her “old” books were much better.

[Linda Lassman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always eagerly await Melissa F. Miller's book and this one was no exception. Even though it was very difficult to read because of the subject and the characters involved, it was still compelling and fascinating.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any parent can relate!

This story starts fast from the get-go and it doesn't slow down! Sasha and family are fun to observe and the antics of niece and nephew make the book hard to put down.