Journey to Mount Baker

A Summer Escape

The winding road from Bellingham—home of the Sean “Mick” McPherson crime thriller novels—to Mount Baker beckons Sean McPherson and his companions: Emma, Niall and Libby, Hemingway, Maeve, The Bingham Family (Joe, Marci, Carly and Brianna), Rafferty, Ivy, and Maggie.

As they embark on the two-hour drive, anticipation hangs like a fine mist in the summer-morning air. The rugged peaks of the North Cascades loom ahead, their snow-capped summits defying the season’s warmth.

Mick’s family and friends are divided between the Pines & Quill writing retreat van and the Bingham family van. A video call connects them, and their laughter blends with the engines’ hum. The windshields frame a panorama of natural wonders: pristine lakes, their surfaces mirroring the cerulean sky; ancient forests cloaked in emerald green; and meadows ablaze with wildflowers. Each twist and turn reveals a new vista, a fresh revelation. At the highest elevations, patches of snow cling stubbornly to the slopes, remnants of winter’s icy grip.

Mick marvels at the juxtaposition—the sun’s warmth kissing his skin while frosty remnants whisper secrets from last July when Emma, Carly, Brianna, and nine other women were kidnapped by Georgio “The Bull” Gambino’s goons and held captive in a dilapidated cabin on Mount Baker awaiting transport to Adrik Petrov, head of a Russian mob.

Mick shakes off the chill of remembrance and returns to the present. The Snoqualmie National Forest envelops them, its towering trees casting dappled shadows on the road. Shafts of sunlight pierce through illuminating fern-covered undergrowth and mossy rocks. His fingers itch to explore, to step off the asphalt and lose himself in the wilderness.

He’s looking forward to hiking on one of the many trails that wind through alpine meadows and switchbacks leading to breathtaking vistas. His heart races as he imagines the crunch of boots on gravel, the thrill of reaching a summit, and the vastness of the world spread out below.

For those who prefer creature comforts, options abound. Cozy cabins nestled among the pines await weary travelers, their rustic charm promising respite. Bed-and-breakfasts exude warmth and hospitality, while lodges and resorts offer various levels of pampering against a backdrop of rugged beauty.

As their vans round a bend, Mt. Baker comes into view—a sentinel of stone and ice. Its glaciers gleam, eternal and aloof, while wildflowers cling to rocky ledges.

Mick’s breath catches; he feels both insignificant and connected to something greater. He knows this journey is more than a scenic drive. It’s an odyssey of the senses, a communion with nature’s grandeur. Pressing on, he vows to savor every mile, every vista, every whisper of adventure.

Iniquity: Shadows on the Summit
Mount Baker’s majestic silhouette graces the cover of Sean McPherson’s latest thriller, Iniquity, book four in the series. But don’t be fooled by its serene beauty—the mountain harbors secrets darker than its shadowed slopes. In Iniquity, peace is elusive, and tranquility is a mirage as Mick, Joe, and Rafferty race against time to save those they love.

Available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from your favorite bookseller. They’re also available for checkout at your local library. If they don’t have the format you want, ask the acquisitions librarian. They’ll be happy to order it for you.

Happy Reading!

Laurie Buchanan