Illusionist by Laurie Buchanan
Guest Post + Book & Author Information
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Illusionist
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.
When an illusionist arrives at Pines & Quill, one of the retreat’s owners vanishes—right in front of witnesses who see nothing. Meanwhile, crime boss Georgio Gambino tightens his grip, blackmailing a writer into murder and framing Sean McPherson. His threat is clear: obey, or your daughter dies.
As McPherson investigates, he uncovers a brewing power struggle—Carmine Fiore, Gambino’s second-in-command, is staging a coup. While Gambino’s network traffics drugs, weapons, and humans, Fiore manipulates the Sureños gang, planting evidence to shift blame.
Desperate to turn the tide, McPherson seeks a dangerous alliance. But when deception is the game, only illusion can outmaneuver the truth. Enlisting the retreat’s eclectic writers—including a NASCAR driver, a triathlete, a house-flipping architect, and a magician with secrets of her own—McPherson sets the stage for the ultimate trick: survival.
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Illusionist Guest Post by Laurie Buchanan
My Top 10 Favorite Books & Why
These ten book and series have shaped both my heart and my craft.
Favorite Standalone Books
1. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Narrated by Enzo, a philosopher-dog with a race-car driver’s soul, this novel is a masterclass in perspective. Why it’s a favorite: A soul-bruising reminder that life isn’t about the finish line—it’s about how we navigate the turns. (Tissues required.)
2. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A luminous tale about Luna, a girl accidentally “enmagicked” by moonlight. I loved it so much I encouraged my adult son read it; he later named his daughter Luna. Why it’s a favorite: Proof that children’s literature often carries the deepest truths about sacrifice and love.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Every New Year’s Day, I revisit the Finch family to remind myself of Atticus’s integrity and moral compass. Why it’s a favorite: A timeless call to “comb into someone’s skin” before passing judgment”—a lesson that feels more vital than ever.
4. Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
A mysterious woman predicts the death of every passenger on a flight, launching a gripping exploration of fate versus free will. Why it’s a favorite: A haunting look at how priorities shift when life’s invisible clock suddenly becomes visible.
5. I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney
A razor‑sharp satire of modern office culture that’s as hilarious as it is biting. Kenney skewers corporate life so effectively that it sparked a moment of deep existential reflection for me.
Why it’s a favorite: Any book that inspires both belly laughs and an impromptu obituary draft is genius.
6. The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
Eighty‑five‑year‑old Eudora, ready to exit life on her own terms, meets an exuberant ten‑year‑old whirlwind named Rose. Why it’s a favorite: A gorgeous celebration of found family and the unexpected reasons we choose to around for the next chapter.
Favorite Book Series
7. The Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny
Three Pines feels like coming home. Why it’s a favorite: While the mysteries are intricate, the true magic lies in the recurring characters, the community Penny has built.
8. The Cormoran Strike Series by Robert Galbraith
Strike and Robin’s partnership is one of fiction’s best slow burns. Why it’s a favorite: Their evolving chemistry, set against gritty London, is irresistible.
9. The Tracy Crosswhite Series by Robert Dugoni
Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite is a force of nature. Why it’s a favorite: Her commitment to the truth—despite personal cost—is deeply inspiring.
10. The Atlee Pine Series by David Baldacci
A four‑book arc centered on an FBI agent searching for her kidnapped twin. Why it’s a favorite: A masterclass in momentum and emotional stakes.
I wasn’t sure if you needed a short bio. In the event you do, I included it here:
Illusionist Author Laurie Buchanan
A cross between 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, and an unabashed optimist. A former holistic health practitioner and transformational life coach, she holds a doctorate in holistic health with an emphasis in energy medicine.
Her first two books, Note to Self: A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and Growth, and The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace, are nonfiction titles designed to motivate, inspire, and transform. Laurie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her pilot-husband, Len, and their Irish Wolfhound, Willa. She enjoys yoga, long walks, bicycling, photography, and travel. To learn more, please visit her website at www.lauriebuchanan.com.
She resides in Boise, Idaho.
To learn more about Laurie, click either of the following links: Website & Facebook.
Elena Hartwell/Elena Taylor
