What do you think?
Rate this book
Innocent Lives
Haunted by the relentless pursuit of the yakuza and the chilling assassination attempt that nearly claimed her life, Sakura Bianchi finds herself seeking refuge in the vibrant heart of San Francisco. But even amidst the city's bustling energy, danger lurks around every corner.
A chance encounter with a desperate mother reveals a sinister underbelly to the city's charm—a sprawling fentanyl and xylazine drug ring that has trapped countless lives in its deadly grip and fuelled by a burning sense of justice, Sakura and her small, fiercely loyal team vow to dismantle the operation, even if it means becoming the hunters once more.
Their mission takes them deep into the treacherous depths of the criminal underworld, where trust is a fragile commodity and betrayal can come at a fatal cost. As they close in on the ruthless syndicate leaders responsible for the suffering of so many, Sakura and her team must execute a daring plan to eliminate the drug lords and sever the head of the serpent. But even if they succeed, their ultimate challenge awaits them back in Japan, where a final showdown with the Yakuza will determine their fate once and for all.
In this pulse-pounding conclusion to the Sakura Bianchi trilogy, loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship will be tested like never before. Can Sakura finally escape the clutches of the Yakuza and find the peace she so desperately craves? Or will her relentless pursuit of justice ultimately lead to her destruction?
A chance encounter with a desperate mother reveals a sinister underbelly to the city's charm—a sprawling fentanyl and xylazine drug ring that has trapped countless lives in its deadly grip and fuelled by a burning sense of justice, Sakura and her small, fiercely loyal team vow to dismantle the operation, even if it means becoming the hunters once more.
Their mission takes them deep into the treacherous depths of the criminal underworld, where trust is a fragile commodity and betrayal can come at a fatal cost. As they close in on the ruthless syndicate leaders responsible for the suffering of so many, Sakura and her team must execute a daring plan to eliminate the drug lords and sever the head of the serpent. But even if they succeed, their ultimate challenge awaits them back in Japan, where a final showdown with the Yakuza will determine their fate once and for all.
In this pulse-pounding conclusion to the Sakura Bianchi trilogy, loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship will be tested like never before. Can Sakura finally escape the clutches of the Yakuza and find the peace she so desperately craves? Or will her relentless pursuit of justice ultimately lead to her destruction?
- GenresCrimeHorror ThrillerDark
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
About the author
Paul McDonald
4 books120 followersAfter retiring from the workforce in 2019, I finally had the time to pursue something that had been sitting on my bucket list for years: writing a book.
That decision led to my first novel, ‘Innocent Assassin’. To my delight, it was well received by readers and eventually grew into the Sakura Bianchi Trilogy.
I have since completed my first psychological thriller, ‘Entombed at Summer Hill’ and I consider it my best work yet. If you enjoy stories that keep you turning the pages late into the night, your heart racing and your imagination running wild, Entombed at Summer Hill may be just the book for you.
That decision led to my first novel, ‘Innocent Assassin’. To my delight, it was well received by readers and eventually grew into the Sakura Bianchi Trilogy.
I have since completed my first psychological thriller, ‘Entombed at Summer Hill’ and I consider it my best work yet. If you enjoy stories that keep you turning the pages late into the night, your heart racing and your imagination running wild, Entombed at Summer Hill may be just the book for you.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 20, 2024
INNOCENT LIVES: SAKURA BIANCHI BOOK 3 [2024] By Paul McDonald
My Review Five Stars
The final installment of the Sakura Bianchi Trilogy picks up seamlessly from the tumultuous violence which had descended upon Sakura and Hiroki on their wedding night and was still underway at the close of the second novel. The efficiency with which Sakura and Hiroki expediently dispatched the deadly assassins sent by the MS-13 gang who would have ripped them dead or alive from their wedding bed could have been choreographed it was so beautiful in its lethal grace.
“The Saviours” (Sakura’s small band of honorable like-minded friends who possessed formidable technical and/or fighting skills) had failed in their last assignment to find the daughter who had been taken by the sex traffickers. This spiraled into the commitment to save the girls still in bondage and to shut down the evil operation ran by the formidable Hidetada family of the yakuza. This valiant attempt by the Saviours led to bloodshed with death of the head of the Hidetada family and his first son.
Our beloved band of Saviours were forced by circumstance to leave Japan and flee to the United States. Despite painstaking traveling precautions the newlyweds and the family who was gathered with them for celebration were viciously attacked. It appeared that irrespective of the counter measures and precautions that were taken by Sakura and her loyal group, the assassins were second guessing them every time.
I am so excited about this newest book of McDonald’s I feel myself tempted to be recapping it blow by blow. That would spoil a new reader’s fun. And I feel like it will be a whole lot of readers I am talking about when news of how sensationally good this novel happens to be is spread by word of mouth.
That said, the Saviours are stymied by how the Hidetada yakuza could know their every move and how that assassins could be waiting to ambush, assassinate, and capture Sakura and Hiroki at every turn. All of the assassins had been eliminated at the wedding quarters, which enabled Sakura to plan an ingenious trap. It was contingent upon convincing the hunter that the two of them had been subdued and the others murdered. They arranged an exchange for the hostages for the ransom. It was one of the most sensational parts of the novel.
The only problem, every few paragraphs I would have to stop and profusely praise the next clever maneuver. It seems I cannot help myself.
This novel surpassed the last one in the area of chases and fleeing from lethal combatants, outsmarting the aggressors, winning in a situation that was from all angles I could imagine utterly unwinnable. It had more fight scenes (which I love), but there are tender exchanges throughout, between lovers, friends, grandfathers and granddaughters. This is a novel for women and girls as well as the male persuasion.
If I listed everything, I loved about this book…like all of the main characters, for instance, the happy accidents with the couples (lips are sealed), and the exotic weapons with the author’s explanations of their composition and uses, and the martial arts. I could go on indefinitely. McDonald uses an economy of words to explain each Maui Ti strike and its specific damage to the target on the human body. I love the fighting sequences and the brief explanation of effects.
I remarked in my status updates for this novel that I loved it, and I do. There have been several trilogies in the past few years that I have loved enough to buy and plan to read again. That said, I know which installments in each trilogy are my favorites.
In the Sakura Bianchi Trilogy, I loved every word of every installment. The author went for happiness, excitement, and a sense of good trumping evil. I could not pick one installment over the other two as being my favorite, simply impossible. I loved the “rush”, and all the good chemicals that were released when I read this trilogy and of course this final chapter.
Oh, before I forget I love the exotic poisons that were used. It briefly reminded me of the ricin in Breaking Bad and more akin to the novels the espionage thriller that I loved “Requiem for A Glass Heart” by David Lindsey.
The unique assassination methods were related in most cases to the poisons but also some unique toxins were used on immunosuppressed villains too.
This chapter is as well written, captivating, riveting, and absolutely as enjoyable as the two before it. I love the talent and planning that went into this series, and that is not counting the baseline skill and expertise in writing novels.
THE BEST TRILOGY I HAVE EVER READ AND I LOVE THE GRAND FINALE
My Review Five Stars
The final installment of the Sakura Bianchi Trilogy picks up seamlessly from the tumultuous violence which had descended upon Sakura and Hiroki on their wedding night and was still underway at the close of the second novel. The efficiency with which Sakura and Hiroki expediently dispatched the deadly assassins sent by the MS-13 gang who would have ripped them dead or alive from their wedding bed could have been choreographed it was so beautiful in its lethal grace.
“The Saviours” (Sakura’s small band of honorable like-minded friends who possessed formidable technical and/or fighting skills) had failed in their last assignment to find the daughter who had been taken by the sex traffickers. This spiraled into the commitment to save the girls still in bondage and to shut down the evil operation ran by the formidable Hidetada family of the yakuza. This valiant attempt by the Saviours led to bloodshed with death of the head of the Hidetada family and his first son.
Our beloved band of Saviours were forced by circumstance to leave Japan and flee to the United States. Despite painstaking traveling precautions the newlyweds and the family who was gathered with them for celebration were viciously attacked. It appeared that irrespective of the counter measures and precautions that were taken by Sakura and her loyal group, the assassins were second guessing them every time.
I am so excited about this newest book of McDonald’s I feel myself tempted to be recapping it blow by blow. That would spoil a new reader’s fun. And I feel like it will be a whole lot of readers I am talking about when news of how sensationally good this novel happens to be is spread by word of mouth.
That said, the Saviours are stymied by how the Hidetada yakuza could know their every move and how that assassins could be waiting to ambush, assassinate, and capture Sakura and Hiroki at every turn. All of the assassins had been eliminated at the wedding quarters, which enabled Sakura to plan an ingenious trap. It was contingent upon convincing the hunter that the two of them had been subdued and the others murdered. They arranged an exchange for the hostages for the ransom. It was one of the most sensational parts of the novel.
The only problem, every few paragraphs I would have to stop and profusely praise the next clever maneuver. It seems I cannot help myself.
This novel surpassed the last one in the area of chases and fleeing from lethal combatants, outsmarting the aggressors, winning in a situation that was from all angles I could imagine utterly unwinnable. It had more fight scenes (which I love), but there are tender exchanges throughout, between lovers, friends, grandfathers and granddaughters. This is a novel for women and girls as well as the male persuasion.
If I listed everything, I loved about this book…like all of the main characters, for instance, the happy accidents with the couples (lips are sealed), and the exotic weapons with the author’s explanations of their composition and uses, and the martial arts. I could go on indefinitely. McDonald uses an economy of words to explain each Maui Ti strike and its specific damage to the target on the human body. I love the fighting sequences and the brief explanation of effects.
I remarked in my status updates for this novel that I loved it, and I do. There have been several trilogies in the past few years that I have loved enough to buy and plan to read again. That said, I know which installments in each trilogy are my favorites.
In the Sakura Bianchi Trilogy, I loved every word of every installment. The author went for happiness, excitement, and a sense of good trumping evil. I could not pick one installment over the other two as being my favorite, simply impossible. I loved the “rush”, and all the good chemicals that were released when I read this trilogy and of course this final chapter.
Oh, before I forget I love the exotic poisons that were used. It briefly reminded me of the ricin in Breaking Bad and more akin to the novels the espionage thriller that I loved “Requiem for A Glass Heart” by David Lindsey.
The unique assassination methods were related in most cases to the poisons but also some unique toxins were used on immunosuppressed villains too.
This chapter is as well written, captivating, riveting, and absolutely as enjoyable as the two before it. I love the talent and planning that went into this series, and that is not counting the baseline skill and expertise in writing novels.
THE BEST TRILOGY I HAVE EVER READ AND I LOVE THE GRAND FINALE
June 9, 2025
A perfect ending for the Saviours!!!
January 4, 2025
I read the 3rd book directly after finishing the 2nd. Again this book did not disappoint, fast paced with a good story line. I liked the further development of the characters and how the team really became their name sake. I felt this final episode also helped heal some of the heroines past abuses.
October 23, 2024
A fitting end
Been waiting awhile for this book and it didn't dissapoint. Well written
, as were the other two in the series. A very good end to the trilogy.
Been waiting awhile for this book and it didn't dissapoint. Well written
, as were the other two in the series. A very good end to the trilogy.
September 2, 2024
Innocent Lives is the final story of Sakura, who was brutally attacked as a young girl and through patience, strict training and inventive strategy, became a lethal force for vengence and justice in Innocent Assassin and Innocent Girls. We have fallen in love with this powerful, resourceful young woman, who is being pursued by the Yakazu.
Sakura and Hiroki have been traveling underground in the US for the last year evading capture. The books starts in Sadona Arizona, where Sakura's family and friends have now gathered for her and Hiroki's wedding. Unbeknownst to Sakura, her family and friends were being watched, and they were tracked to the small resort she had rented out for everyone to stay at after their wedding. An assissination team had already been sent to apprehend Sakura and Hiroki as they settled in for their wedding night.
After elimating the assassination team sent to the resort, Sakura sends her family home and embarks on a mission to find and stop the person or persons responsible for the assassination attempt along with the help of the other Saviors and Takeo and Tatsou.
As usual, the ensuing mission of not only tracking down and eliminating her enemies, but also taking on another mission, taking out a drug syndicate that she discovers during this pursuit, is a brilliant ride of ingenious, sensational and shocking scenes.
I love the imaginative, descriptive detail, the way the story pulls you in and the way all of the story pieces you start collecting thoughout the book finally finish the puzzle in the end.
I said that the first book was imaginative and bold, the second book was unusual and unpredictable. All of these still stand, along with entertaining, graphic and gratifying. Even with all the gore, there is satisfaction in the good guys ultimately winning. There are also some suttle scenes, so pay attention or you will miss some of the most gratifying quirks that will make you smile. Take it from me, you don't want to miss those.
Absolutely 5 stars for all the horror fans out there.
Sakura and Hiroki have been traveling underground in the US for the last year evading capture. The books starts in Sadona Arizona, where Sakura's family and friends have now gathered for her and Hiroki's wedding. Unbeknownst to Sakura, her family and friends were being watched, and they were tracked to the small resort she had rented out for everyone to stay at after their wedding. An assissination team had already been sent to apprehend Sakura and Hiroki as they settled in for their wedding night.
After elimating the assassination team sent to the resort, Sakura sends her family home and embarks on a mission to find and stop the person or persons responsible for the assassination attempt along with the help of the other Saviors and Takeo and Tatsou.
As usual, the ensuing mission of not only tracking down and eliminating her enemies, but also taking on another mission, taking out a drug syndicate that she discovers during this pursuit, is a brilliant ride of ingenious, sensational and shocking scenes.
I love the imaginative, descriptive detail, the way the story pulls you in and the way all of the story pieces you start collecting thoughout the book finally finish the puzzle in the end.
I said that the first book was imaginative and bold, the second book was unusual and unpredictable. All of these still stand, along with entertaining, graphic and gratifying. Even with all the gore, there is satisfaction in the good guys ultimately winning. There are also some suttle scenes, so pay attention or you will miss some of the most gratifying quirks that will make you smile. Take it from me, you don't want to miss those.
Absolutely 5 stars for all the horror fans out there.
September 30, 2024
Sakura and Hiroko are hiding in the US. On their wedding night, they and their friends and family are attacked by hitmen from a drug cartel, most likely sent by the Yakuza. After that Sakura and a few of her friends go on a revenge tour which will ultimately take them back to Japan for a final confrontaion with the Ykuza who want them dead. Lots of graphic violence and gorey details accompanies them on their way. This was a very entertaining trilogy that I enjoyed very much.
September 27, 2024
Really enjoyable trilogy. Fully recommended.
July 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A perfect ending to an incredible trilogy
I enjoyed Innocent Lives immensely. Paul McDonald has delivered a gripping and satisfying conclusion to the Sakura Bianchi trilogy that brings the story to a fitting end.
The characters, the twists, and the emotional depth kept me completely invested from beginning to end. It’s a book that balances suspense and heart beautifully, making it impossible not to become attached to the journey.
A fantastic finale that ties everything together and leaves you feeling like the trilogy ended exactly as it should. Highly recommended for anyone who has followed Sakura’s story.
A perfect ending to an incredible trilogy
I enjoyed Innocent Lives immensely. Paul McDonald has delivered a gripping and satisfying conclusion to the Sakura Bianchi trilogy that brings the story to a fitting end.
The characters, the twists, and the emotional depth kept me completely invested from beginning to end. It’s a book that balances suspense and heart beautifully, making it impossible not to become attached to the journey.
A fantastic finale that ties everything together and leaves you feeling like the trilogy ended exactly as it should. Highly recommended for anyone who has followed Sakura’s story.
July 1, 2026
The blend of international crime, high-stakes action, and strong character relationships keeps the narrative engaging from beginning to end. Sakura's courage, resilience, and loyalty make her a compelling protagonist, and the novel does an excellent job of balancing intense action with meaningful themes of friendship, sacrifice, and perseverance.
Fans of crime thrillers and suspense novels will appreciate the gripping plot, well-crafted tension, and satisfying conclusion to Sakura's journey. A compelling and memorable finale that delivers both excitement and heart.
Fans of crime thrillers and suspense novels will appreciate the gripping plot, well-crafted tension, and satisfying conclusion to Sakura's journey. A compelling and memorable finale that delivers both excitement and heart.
September 14, 2024
Innocent Lives is the final story of Sakura Banchi. Brutally attacked as a young girl, through patience, strict training and inventive strategy, she became a lethal force for vengence and justice in Innocent Assassin and Innocent Girls. We have fallen in love with this powerful, resourceful young woman, who is still being pursued by the Yakazu, and now have the final story in her saga.
Sakura and Hiroki have been traveling underground in the US for the last year evading capture. The book starts in Sadona Arizona, where Sakura's family and friends have now gathered for her and Hiroki's wedding. Unbeknownst to Sakura, her family and friends were being watched, and they were tracked to the small resort she had rented out for everyone to stay at after their wedding. An assissination team had already been sent to apprehend Sakura and Hiroki as they settled in for their wedding night.
After elimating the assassination team sent to the resort, Sakura sends her family home and embarks on a mission to find and stop the person or persons responsible for the assassination attempt, along with the help of the other Saviors and Takeo and Tatsou.
While facing the mission of tracking down and eliminating her enemies, another mission spoke to Salura's heart, taking out a drug syndicate that was running rampit and destroying families and many young lives.
This story was a brilliant ride of ingenious, sensational and shocking scenes. I loved the imaginative, descriptive detail, the way the story pulls you in and the way all of the story pieces you start collecting thoughout the book finally finish the puzzle in the end.
I said that the first book was imaginative and bold, the second book was unusual and unpredictable. All of these still stand, along with entertaining, graphic and gratifying. Even with all the gore, there is satisfaction in the good guys ultimately winning. There are also some suttle scenes, so pay attention or you will miss some of the most gratifying quirks that will make you smile. Take it from me, you don't want to miss those.
Absolutely 5 stars for all the horror fans out there.
Sakura and Hiroki have been traveling underground in the US for the last year evading capture. The book starts in Sadona Arizona, where Sakura's family and friends have now gathered for her and Hiroki's wedding. Unbeknownst to Sakura, her family and friends were being watched, and they were tracked to the small resort she had rented out for everyone to stay at after their wedding. An assissination team had already been sent to apprehend Sakura and Hiroki as they settled in for their wedding night.
After elimating the assassination team sent to the resort, Sakura sends her family home and embarks on a mission to find and stop the person or persons responsible for the assassination attempt, along with the help of the other Saviors and Takeo and Tatsou.
While facing the mission of tracking down and eliminating her enemies, another mission spoke to Salura's heart, taking out a drug syndicate that was running rampit and destroying families and many young lives.
This story was a brilliant ride of ingenious, sensational and shocking scenes. I loved the imaginative, descriptive detail, the way the story pulls you in and the way all of the story pieces you start collecting thoughout the book finally finish the puzzle in the end.
I said that the first book was imaginative and bold, the second book was unusual and unpredictable. All of these still stand, along with entertaining, graphic and gratifying. Even with all the gore, there is satisfaction in the good guys ultimately winning. There are also some suttle scenes, so pay attention or you will miss some of the most gratifying quirks that will make you smile. Take it from me, you don't want to miss those.
Absolutely 5 stars for all the horror fans out there.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews