A Sean McPherson Novel, Book 5
A contemporary crime thriller perfect for Louise Penny and Robert Dugoni fans, Illusionist presents PI McPherson with an impossible dilemma: kill an author at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest, or let a college student die.
Interview with Laurie Buchanan
What is your favorite part of the book?
Illusionist is the fifth installment in the Sean McPherson series, and my favorite part in this installment is the character Jennifer Pruett—the enigmatic writer-in-residence at Pines & Quill, who also happens to be a world-renowned magician.
Why her? Because when I was a child, I dreamed of becoming three things: an international spy, a stand-up comedienne, and a magician. Writing Jennifer’s character gave me the chance to live out that third dream vicariously. I especially loved diving deep into the world of illusion—researching the tricks, the psychology, and the sleight of hand behind Jennifer’s performances. And let’s just say…she may not be who she appears to be.
Does your book have a lesson or a moral?
Absolutely. Hope is the heartbeat of the entire Sean McPherson series, and Illusionist is no exception. No matter how dark the circumstances, I aim to weave in the message that hope is always worth holding onto—and that it often shows up in the most unexpected ways.
Are your characters based on real people, or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
While writing my debut nonfiction book at a writing retreat nestled on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington State, I experienced a moment of quiet magic. In the distance, I spotted a figure pushing a wheelbarrow. There was something about the posture, the rhythm, the solitude of it that struck me. That fleeting image stayed with me, eventually evolving into Sean McPherson, the protagonist of my crime thriller series. A single glimpse became a character. A character became a world.
Of all the characters you’ve created, which is your favorite and why?
Cynthia Winters, hands down. She’s a woman of a certain age—let’s say she’s “seasoned”—with a gamine crop of snow-white hair that looks like an elfin cap. One of my favorite lines about her: “Cynthia’s stiletto heels clicked loudly on the tiled floor like the staccato burst of machine gun fire.” She’s a forensic intuitive and palm reader who consults with law enforcement agencies across the Southwest. Cynthia appears intermittently throughout the series, and every time she does, she brings a spark of insight, sass, and mystery.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
The antagonists. Every last one of them. In Illusionist, that’s Georgio “The Bull” Gambino—a ruthless crime boss known for trafficking weapons, drugs, and humans. He’s as dangerous as he is calculating, and I’d prefer to keep a very wide berth.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
From Sean McPherson’s perspective: Laurie Buchanan? She’s the real deal. She doesn’t just write about justice—she lives it. She’s got a sharp eye for detail, a deep well of empathy, and a knack for putting me through the wringer (thanks for that, by the way). But she always gives me room to grow, to reflect, and to fight for what matters. If I had to trust someone with my story, it’d be her—no question.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Both. Each book in the Sean McPherson series can stand alone, but I’m deeply invested in building a connected body of work. Readers who jump in mid-series often tell me they’re compelled to go back to Indelible, the first book, and binge-read their way forward. That kind of immersive experience is precisely what I hope to create.
About the Author
A blend of Dr. Doolittle, Nanny McPhee, and a type-A Buddhist, Laurie Buchanan is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention, reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, red licorice aficionado, and lover of the Oxford comma.
As a novelist,
photographer, and voracious reader, she never travels without three
essentials—a laptop, a camera, and a book.
Growing up, she dreamed
of being a magician, an international spy, and a mad scientist. There’s
still time!
Her writing studio is the hayloft of a historic carriage
house in the Pacific Northwest, where creativity thrives. Her husband, Len, a
private pilot, and Henry, their not-so-standard Standard Poodle, join her on
daily walks. She always carries a camera because sometimes, the best word
choice is a picture.
A journey that left an indelible imprint on her was
a 20-day, 211-mile trek across the majestic landscapes of Scotland. She, her
husband, and their son hiked from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, with
the pinnacle being the climb of Ben Nevis at the midpoint of their adventure,
the highest point in the British Isles.
"My writing goal is simple: to
leave you wanting more." —Laurie Buchanan
