John A. Gehrisch

Maya’s Shadow Series

Slated to be a movie or series

Some shadows don’t hide you… they hunt you. Archer and Christy were searching for a simple peacful get away, when a chance encounter at a remote truck stop pulls them into a nightmare no one wants exposed.

Inside a white box truck are two missing girls—beaten, silenced, and marked to disappear forever. One of them has a missing sister named Maya.

And saving Maya pulls Archer and Christy into a world built on secrets, violence, and shadows—shadows thick enough to swallow the living.

Archer and Christy are drug into a brutal underworld of human trafficking, cartel enforcers, and corrupt men trained to kill without hesitation. Every step closer to the truth brings greater danger —and fewer places to hide..

Archer knows how to survive monsters. Christy refuses to abandon the innocent.

But Maya’s captors are ghosts, protected by fear, money, and bloodshed that reaches farther than anyone imagines.

To save Maya, they must cross lines they never thought they would—and enter a world where some victims are never found and some shadows are never meant to be seen, and survival comes at a devastating cost.

Then the unthinkable comes to light making them realize this goes much, much, deeper than anyone could even conceive!

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Review from Brian Skies

Maya's Shadow: You can't run. You can't hide.

By John A. Gehrisch

“Maya’s Shadow pulled me in from the very first chapter and never let go. This is not just another action thriller, it’s a powerful, emotionally charged story that exposes the dark realities of human trafficking while delivering intense, cinematic storytelling. What impressed me most was how real the characters felt. Ethan Archer and Christy Brock aren’t perfect heroes, they’re flawed, determined, and deeply human, which made their journey even more gripping.

The pacing is outstanding. Every chapter builds tension, every scene carries weight, and the emotional connection to the victims makes the stakes feel real. I found myself genuinely invested, not just in the action, but in the message behind the story. This is the kind of book that stays with you after you close it, one that makes you think, feel, and reflect.

Maya’s Shadow is bold, intense, and incredibly relevant. It deserves attention, discussion, and a wide audience.”

— Brian Skies

Amazon Reader Feedback

“Maya’s Shadow pulled me in from the very first chapter and never let go. This is not just another action thriller, it’s a powerful, emotionally charged story that exposes the dark realities of human trafficking while delivering intense, cinematic storytelling. What impressed me most was how real the characters felt.

Brian Skies Maya's Shadow: You can't run. You can't hide.

What a thrilling book!!! From start to finish this book kept me reading. Could hardly ut it down! his survival instincts paired with her refusal to back down create so much heart-pounding dynamic tension. Highly recommend.

Judy Rower Maya’s Shadow is an awesome book!!!

I just finished Maya’s Shadow and really enjoyed it. The story kept my attention from the beginning and the pacing made it hard to put the book down. What I liked most was how real the characters felt, especially Christy and Archer.

Jeanne' Kirkpatrick Couldn’t Put It Down

I picked this up expecting a standard suspense novel, but the truck stop scene grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go! Archer and Christy make an incredible team—his survival instincts paired with her refusal to back down create so much heart-pounding dynamic tension. Highly recommend!

Sarah M

The underworld depicted here is dark, dangerous, and dangerously real. John A. Gehrisch doesn't pull punches when showing the brutal reality of trafficking, but the core story of rescue and relentless justice keeps you pushing through every chapter. Couldn't put it down.

David K., Crime Fiction Enthusiast

I can completely see why the Elite Books Editorial Board mentioned this being slated for a movie or series. The visual storytelling, high-stakes cartel enforcers, and constant ticking clock felt like watching a blockbuster action thriller in my mind.

Elena R., Book Blog Reviewer

Just when you think you've figured out how deep the corruption goes, the book hits you with an unthinkable twist near the end. The stakes just keep rising until the very last page. A brilliant read for thriller fans.

Marcus T. Avid Reader Avid Reader

What sets this apart from typical action novels is the emotional core. Christy’s determination to save the innocent missing girls gives the story genuine heart amidst all the intense action and dark shadows.

Jessica L. Mystery & Suspense Guild
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