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Innocuous: A Sean McPherson Novel, Book 6
Not yet published
Expected 27 Apr 27256 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 27, 2027
About the author
Laurie Buchanan
9 books371 followersLaurie Buchanan writes the critically acclaimed Sean McPherson novels—pulse-pounding crime thrillers with heart-stopping twists. Plunge into the depths of malice, the unwavering quest for justice, and high-stakes consequences.
Be sure to follow Laurie on BookBub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lauri...
Buchanan's books have won multiple awards, including a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year gold, an International Book Award gold, a National Indie Excellence Award, and a PenCraft Aaward for Literary Excellence; she has also been a finalist in the Crime Fiction/Suspense Eric Hoffer Awards and the CIBA Clue Book Awards.
A cross between Dr. Dolittle, Nanny McPhee, and a type-A Buddhist, Laurie is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention, reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, and red licorice aficionado.
Laurie and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys long walks, bicycling, camping, and photography—because sometimes the best word choice is a picture.
To learn more, please visit Laurie's website at www.lauriebuchanan.com.
Be sure to follow Laurie on BookBub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lauri...
Buchanan's books have won multiple awards, including a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year gold, an International Book Award gold, a National Indie Excellence Award, and a PenCraft Aaward for Literary Excellence; she has also been a finalist in the Crime Fiction/Suspense Eric Hoffer Awards and the CIBA Clue Book Awards.
A cross between Dr. Dolittle, Nanny McPhee, and a type-A Buddhist, Laurie is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention, reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, and red licorice aficionado.
Laurie and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys long walks, bicycling, camping, and photography—because sometimes the best word choice is a picture.
To learn more, please visit Laurie's website at www.lauriebuchanan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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July 1, 2026This author provided me an advanced copy of the book. This review is unsolicited and provides an honest review.
Laurie Buchanan, in her sixth book in the McPherson series, immerses you deeply into sensations of nature, food, spellbinding intrigue - mystery, and the strong love binding the family and friends. The writers in residence are threaded seamlessly into the story.
This book is compelling due to the interweaving of stories involving book the writers in residence with those of the main characters. This was a surprise and kept me awake reading the book, flipping pages late into the night.
If you haven't read any of her books yet, please start with one book. They are standalone books, but I suggest if you like researched books that provide you a rollercoaster ride, take the ride from the beginning. You'll be glad you did.
P.S. After reading each of her books, I feel compelled to do interior decorating and eat decadent foods. Again, I count down the time until her next book is published...
Laurie Buchanan, in her sixth book in the McPherson series, immerses you deeply into sensations of nature, food, spellbinding intrigue - mystery, and the strong love binding the family and friends. The writers in residence are threaded seamlessly into the story.
This book is compelling due to the interweaving of stories involving book the writers in residence with those of the main characters. This was a surprise and kept me awake reading the book, flipping pages late into the night.
If you haven't read any of her books yet, please start with one book. They are standalone books, but I suggest if you like researched books that provide you a rollercoaster ride, take the ride from the beginning. You'll be glad you did.
P.S. After reading each of her books, I feel compelled to do interior decorating and eat decadent foods. Again, I count down the time until her next book is published...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Innocuous by Laurie Buchanan might just be my favorite installment in the series yet. Buchanan pulls off a seamless blend of murder, romance, and gourmet meals that had me savoring every page.
The richness of the details (sights, smells, sounds, tastes and feels) and the characters' quirks and personalities make the story sing and come alive. Reading the book felt like reuniting with old friends on a new, ghastly, murderous adventure. The characters' devotion to one another, paired with Buchanan's unique gift for juxtaposing gruesome details with genuine familial love and new relationships, draws you in completely. There are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing, and the tension builds beautifully with each chapter.
A wonderfully satisfying read for anyone who loves their mysteries served with a side of heart.
The richness of the details (sights, smells, sounds, tastes and feels) and the characters' quirks and personalities make the story sing and come alive. Reading the book felt like reuniting with old friends on a new, ghastly, murderous adventure. The characters' devotion to one another, paired with Buchanan's unique gift for juxtaposing gruesome details with genuine familial love and new relationships, draws you in completely. There are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing, and the tension builds beautifully with each chapter.
A wonderfully satisfying read for anyone who loves their mysteries served with a side of heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Perched high on a limb of a Douglas fir in the northeast corner
of the property, the great horned owl alone is aware that
Pines & Quill has an uninvited guest.”
And so it begins….
With Innocuous, Laurie Buchanan, delivers what may be the darkest and most emotionally layered entry yet in her beloved Sean McPherson series. While the novel retains the charm, strong sense of community, and character-driven suspense that have become hallmarks of the Pines & Quill books, this latest installment ventures into deeper waters, exploring family secrets, identity, and the lasting impact of the choices we make.
Set once again within the welcoming yet secret-filled world of Pines & Quill, Buchanan reminds readers why the retreat has become such an integral part of the series. The community serves as both a refuge and a catalyst, bringing together lives that inevitably intersect in unexpected and often dangerous ways.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is Nora. Her search for answers regarding her past and her connection to long-buried family secrets adds an emotional depth that elevates the mystery beyond a standard thriller. Through her journey, Buchanan thoughtfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and the ripple effects of choices made decades earlier. Her story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, providing a powerful emotional anchor amid the growing danger and suspense.
The mystery itself is darker than those found in the previous five books. As hidden truths emerge and questions of identity take center stage, the story takes on a more haunting and introspective tone. Danger is ever-present, creating a steady undercurrent of tension that keeps the pages turning. Yet Buchanan never loses sight of what makes her stories so engaging-the people. The characters are richly developed, flawed, and relatable, making their struggles and discoveries feel deeply personal.
As always, the Pacific Northwest setting shines. Buchanan's love for the region is evident in every page, from the atmospheric landscapes to the moody forests and waterways that enhance the novel's sense of mystery and unease. The setting becomes a character in its own right, adding depth and texture to an already compelling story. And let’s not forget Hemingway! One of the most charming canine characters you’ll ever meet!
Compared to the previous five books in the series, Innocuous feels darker, deeper, and more introspective, yet it remains every bit as engaging and charming. Fans of Sean McPherson and the Pines & Quill community will find much to love here-a suspenseful mystery rich with atmosphere, unforgettable characters, family secrets, and lives that intersect in ways no one could have anticipated.
of the property, the great horned owl alone is aware that
Pines & Quill has an uninvited guest.”
And so it begins….
With Innocuous, Laurie Buchanan, delivers what may be the darkest and most emotionally layered entry yet in her beloved Sean McPherson series. While the novel retains the charm, strong sense of community, and character-driven suspense that have become hallmarks of the Pines & Quill books, this latest installment ventures into deeper waters, exploring family secrets, identity, and the lasting impact of the choices we make.
Set once again within the welcoming yet secret-filled world of Pines & Quill, Buchanan reminds readers why the retreat has become such an integral part of the series. The community serves as both a refuge and a catalyst, bringing together lives that inevitably intersect in unexpected and often dangerous ways.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is Nora. Her search for answers regarding her past and her connection to long-buried family secrets adds an emotional depth that elevates the mystery beyond a standard thriller. Through her journey, Buchanan thoughtfully explores themes of identity, belonging, and the ripple effects of choices made decades earlier. Her story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, providing a powerful emotional anchor amid the growing danger and suspense.
The mystery itself is darker than those found in the previous five books. As hidden truths emerge and questions of identity take center stage, the story takes on a more haunting and introspective tone. Danger is ever-present, creating a steady undercurrent of tension that keeps the pages turning. Yet Buchanan never loses sight of what makes her stories so engaging-the people. The characters are richly developed, flawed, and relatable, making their struggles and discoveries feel deeply personal.
As always, the Pacific Northwest setting shines. Buchanan's love for the region is evident in every page, from the atmospheric landscapes to the moody forests and waterways that enhance the novel's sense of mystery and unease. The setting becomes a character in its own right, adding depth and texture to an already compelling story. And let’s not forget Hemingway! One of the most charming canine characters you’ll ever meet!
Compared to the previous five books in the series, Innocuous feels darker, deeper, and more introspective, yet it remains every bit as engaging and charming. Fans of Sean McPherson and the Pines & Quill community will find much to love here-a suspenseful mystery rich with atmosphere, unforgettable characters, family secrets, and lives that intersect in ways no one could have anticipated.
Review of advance copy
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance reader copy and, as usual with Buchanan's crime thrillers, devoured the book in a matter of days.
I love the characters, the food and wine, and especially the disabled representation, which was again just as good as I've by now come to expect from this author. Her disabled characters feel real, and while their disabilities are a part of them, they are never the focus. As a disabled person myself, I love it when an author understands that we are so much more than our disabilities.
As for the storyline, the murders... well, you'll just have to read the story yourself because I won't spill the beans. I will tell you that I loved it.
If I were to add one quibble, it would be the author's style, which is just a little too explanatory to my liking. But that's a matter of taste. I'm certainly not subtracting any stars for that, because everything else more than makes up for it.
I love the characters, the food and wine, and especially the disabled representation, which was again just as good as I've by now come to expect from this author. Her disabled characters feel real, and while their disabilities are a part of them, they are never the focus. As a disabled person myself, I love it when an author understands that we are so much more than our disabilities.
As for the storyline, the murders... well, you'll just have to read the story yourself because I won't spill the beans. I will tell you that I loved it.
If I were to add one quibble, it would be the author's style, which is just a little too explanatory to my liking. But that's a matter of taste. I'm certainly not subtracting any stars for that, because everything else more than makes up for it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am an ARC reader for Laurie Buchanan and this my honest opinion. Like all of the previous books in this series, I loved this. Set in idyllic surroundings, the writers retreat Pines and Quill should be perfect - but for a misplaced grudge by a criminal boss against Sean (Mick) McPherson, for whom it's home, a threat that's run through the series so far. There are so many things to enjoy about this book. As well as the spell binding and sometimes quite twisted storylines, the beautiful setting, interesting characters and mouth watering cooking that features strongly, what is unusual that I really like a lot is that Laurie Buchanan writes in the present continuous tense, so the reader gets the feeling of almost being in the story - and she writes the characters thoughts. Other authors sometimes give a glimpse of a character's thinking, but this author actually shows us what they're thinking, which I feel gives the reader more intimate knowledge of them. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I'm already impatient for the next one. Laurie Buchanan never disappoints!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What can I say? Holidays are over. Life has calmed down at Pine and Quill. Ivy and Sean Rafferty have married. Mick and Emma’s baby is due in six weeks. The February group is arriving for the Pine and Quill Writers’ Retreat. Sean (Mick) McPherson has a new missing person case. Joe has a new murder victim. Sean Rafferty is at Quantico for a training session.
I will never understand how someone I describe as zen can write thrillers that can curl toenails.
While reading Innocuous, I felt like I was on a roller coaster knowing that I was in for a stomach dropping ride. I experienced the apprehension and thrill of the ride. I might scream from fright. And I would be sad when the ride was over. Where else can a reader feel the intensity, nail biting anxiety and thrill that one experiences when riding the Cedar Point’s Magnum XL-200 roller coaster without going to the park?
It was great to finally meet and see Joe's Captain being with his wife and at work. His character came alive for me. I won’t leave out that June, one of the writers at the retreat, Detective Bonetti nor the new criminal element created many suspenseful moments.
I love how the series is growing!
I will never understand how someone I describe as zen can write thrillers that can curl toenails.
While reading Innocuous, I felt like I was on a roller coaster knowing that I was in for a stomach dropping ride. I experienced the apprehension and thrill of the ride. I might scream from fright. And I would be sad when the ride was over. Where else can a reader feel the intensity, nail biting anxiety and thrill that one experiences when riding the Cedar Point’s Magnum XL-200 roller coaster without going to the park?
It was great to finally meet and see Joe's Captain being with his wife and at work. His character came alive for me. I won’t leave out that June, one of the writers at the retreat, Detective Bonetti nor the new criminal element created many suspenseful moments.
I love how the series is growing!
Review of advance copy
Innocuous is Book 6 in the Sean McPherson Series by Laurie Buchanan. I think that Sean is a great character to base a series around. He is a clever/smart/always get his mystery solved. In book 6, there is a writers retreat with 4 resident authors… do some of the writers have secrets? Maybe! There are multiple layers in the story that keep Sean and Detective Joe busy. This who done it is exciting and should be on your TBR list. Get your favorite drink and snack and spend the afternoon with Sean McPherson. I received an arc for free am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another wonderful, exciting, thrilling, adventurous story in the Sean McPherson series. I love all the characters.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this amazing book. I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this amazing book. I enjoyed reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I believe this is the best yet of the Sean McPherson series! Thank you, Laurie Buchanan, for allowing me to read a copy of this ARC. Excellent story with lots of action. The familiar family and friends with a location we love makes this a perfect cuddle up and read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
In her style of deep research, fully realized characters, and a fast-moving plot, this is another winner.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nothing innocuous about the latest thrill ride from Laurie Buchanan. Another deliciously twisty tale of murder, action, and intrigue. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A heart-pounding crime thriller. Impossible to put down. A great read on your own or in your book club.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews