Maria's Shadow

by D.L. Cary, Jason Letts (Editor)

Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary is a gripping thriller that follows Maria Hernández, a young Salvadoran woman ensnared by the sinister Saffron Veil after chasing a Hollywood dream. Trapped in a California mansion, she escapes with a dangerous secret, pursued by the powerful Senator Edward Grayson. As Detective John Jefferson uncovers a web of corruption in North Carolina, their paths converge in a high-stakes battle against a shadowy cabal. Packed with suspense, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, this novel explores courage and sacrifice against overwhelming odds. (2025, 244 pages)

Genres: Thriller

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m D.L. Cary, a Christian suspense and clean-thriller author who loves delivering
pulse-pounding intrigue without the profanity or graphic violence.
My debut series, The Veil Chronicles, drops you into covert conspiracies and spiritual warfare while championing themes of redemption, justice, and hope. If you enjoy inspirational fiction, redemptive suspense, or spiritual thrillers you can share with the whole family, you’re in the right place.

I call Alabama home, where I live with my best friend (and wife), Heile. Before that, we lived in North Carolina. Finishing up our crew is a rambunctious group of dogs and cats, with Alex, an orange tabby, being the newest addition.
Every page I write is fueled by faith and by readers who crave values-driven stories
where hope endures, and justice prevails.
Click “Follow Author” here on Goodreads for alerts on new releases, bonus scenes, and
behind-the-scenes peeks at The Veil Chronicles.
Let’s get social too:
• Instagram: @David.Cary.988
• Facebook: David.Cary.988 (personal) & DLCPublishing (books)
• X / Twitter: @DavidCary
• TikTok: @dlyrac

Thanks for visiting my corner of Goodreads. I’m honored to share these stories with you.

Reviews

[Kealyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maria's Shadow (Veil Chronicles, #1) by D.L. Cary

3/5 stars

This book unfortunately wasn't for me. I signed up for this arc because the premise really drew me in. I don't read many thrillers and I always wanted to read more. But this book didn't capture my heart at all. It's a relatively short book, and it took me days before I finally finished reading it. Don't get me wrong. It's not a bad book, I just don't think it's for me. 

The book starts brutally when Maria Hernandez gets kidnapped. The slave master rules over her and is drawn to her specifically. Pregnant girls get brutally drawn away and so Maria hides her pregnancy. She sees an opening, grabs a thumb drive and escapes. 

Senator Edward Grayson is pissed and wants her back. He needs his thumb drive. We quickly find out he is involved in a huge corruption scandal that penetrates the senators, judges and other high placed officials.

Maria is able to escape capture by moving around a lot. She gives birth and loves her baby boy so much. 

Detective John Jefferson and his wife have suffered three miscarriages. And when he sees Maria and her son in danger he quickly helps. Maria gets shot and Jefferson is able to shoot the killer. But Maria unfortunatelly dies. Jefferson decides to keep the baby's survival a secret and asks his wife Sarah to take care of Mateo, the baby boy.

Jefferson enlists the help of Marcus Carter and they are hunting down the organisation that killed her. They end up in Mexico and we follow them chasing lead after lead. 

There are also tiny chapters through the eyes of Sarah, or Maria's twin sister Rosa. I really enjoyed those small chapters. 

And while the overall storyline is really exciting. I missed being connected to it. I was really invested in the first few chapters. But after Maria's death I felt a bit lost and couldn't really connect with the other characters. I think I felt closest to Sarah and Mateo. But I missed feeling the excitement in my bones and in my soul. 

The characters constantly get named by their full name. Like they get reintroduced time and time again. After a while it became a bit annoying. I wish we had more insight into the main characters and I wish I could feel what they felt. But there was a huge distance that kept tugging me away from them. 

The book has a huge open ending and the overall storyline doesn't get resolved in this book. It left me feeling very unsatisfied and thinking, is this it? I think it would have worked better if the first and second book were rewritten as one book. To keep the momentum going and picking up the pace. 

I think this is a solid book in this genre. But I just couldn't connect with it at all. So that's why I am giving it 3 out of 5 stars. Just chopping it down the middle. I'll think about this one for a while. And if I feel like I need to adjust my rating I will do so in the future. 

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://sarahreads4.wordpress.com/202...

[Sammie Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Info
Genre: Thriller
Age Category: Adult
Number of Pages: 250 Pages
Publication Date: April 19, 2025
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5...
Amazon: https://a.co/d/1m96p2s (Canada) https://a.co/d/6QyqznE (USA)
https://amzn.eu/d/26LDD79 (UK)


Blurb
Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary is a gripping thriller that follows Maria Hernández, a young
Salvadoran woman ensnared by the sinister Saffron Veil after chasing a Hollywood dream. Trapped in a California mansion, she escapes with a dangerous secret, pursued by the
powerful Senator Edward Grayson. As Detective John Jefferson uncovers a web of corruption in North Carolina, their paths converge in a high-stakes battle against a shadowy
cabal. Packed with suspense, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, this novel explores courage and sacrifice against overwhelming odds.


About the Author
D.L. Cary is a Christian suspense and clean-thriller author who loves delivering pulse-pounding intrigue without the profanity or graphic violence. His debut series, The Veil Chronicles, drops you into covert conspiracies and spiritual warfare while championing themes of redemption, justice, and hope. If you enjoy inspirational fiction, redemptive suspense, or spiritual thrillers you can share with the whole family, you’re in the right place. He calls Alabama home, where he lives with my best friend (and wife), Heile. Before that, they lived in North Carolina. Finishing up their crew is a rambunctious group of dogs and cats, with Alex, an orange tabby, being the newest addition. Every page he writes is fueled by faith and by readers who crave values-driven stories where hope endures, and justice prevails.

My review

This is the first book I have struggled to feel connected to or get excited and invested in. I cant pin point the thing that has made me feel like this as I tend to like Thrillers and the concept really intrigued me, but I couldnt get connected with the characters and felt the pacing of the story hard.
This certainly isnt a easy read with it touching on topics of human trafficking, corruption (government and cartels) and even rape.
With the lure of a bright, successful future maria has unfortunately fell for a promise that wont come true, and finds herself kidnapped into the cartel and shes pregnant. She finds her way of escape to save her child. She is a strong character and full of motherly love. I will definitely try to re read this book to give it a fair chance, but currently I have found this one that just doesnt gel with me.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria leaves Mexico chasing her Hollywood dreams—and instead of red carpets, she lands in a nightmare run by a corrupt U.S. senator. Because apparently, even your worst-case scenario needs a political scandal.

Maria’s Shadow is a rollercoaster of crime, secrets, and powerful people with more money than morals. Maria escapes (because she’s fierce) and collides with a small-town detective carrying his own baggage. Cue the grumpy sheriff, suspicious glances, and that constant “what the heck is happening?” vibe.

Detective John Jefferson—brooding, ex-military, and all-around sharp—calls in his old friend Marcus, and suddenly it’s less cozy drama and more full-on FBI-style conspiracy with extra firepower. It’s like a crime thriller and political suspense had a clever, clean-cut child.

What I loved most? No gratuitous gore, no over-the-top language—just tight, edge-of-your-seat suspense, fully realized characters, and plot twists that kept me flipping pages like a caffeine-fueled binge. Maria’s tough, smart, and done letting anyone push her around—an absolute powerhouse of a main character.

[Booklover69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb for this is what made me sign up for an ARC and I’m glad I did. It is a gritty, tragic, fast paced, brutally written affair that I think will either turn people off immediately or draw them in. I’m a fan of this. Enough with authors being safe - just go all in hardcore and people can love it or leave it.

While initially I was quite shocked by the way things went - and note again I think some people may not like it, but I won't say what I am referring to exactly I think it added to realism and tragic, brutal nature of it. I particularly enjoyed the characterisations we have some powerfully done figures in this both good and bad. Its actually quite a short book and I would highly recommend you picking it up if you want something hard hitting

[Readers Choice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria Hernández once dreamed of Hollywood stardom. Instead, she finds herself imprisoned in a secluded mansion in Half Moon Bay. From behind locked doors, she hears the voices of other girls, also trapped. Lured by promises of a better life from Los Lobos, Maria is instead plunged into a nightmare.

Senator Edward Grayson has been hunting Maria ever since she escaped the mansion. When his men eventually track her down, Grayson receives a chilling message: “Found your lost stray.” By now, Maria has given birth to her son, Mateo. On the run, she has been constantly moving to stay ahead of Grayson’s reach. Fearing for her life, she calls Detective John Jefferson, entrusting him with Mateo’s safety. Tragically, Maria is brutally murdered by her predator—but Mateo survives.

Maria’s family back home grows increasingly anxious, having heard nothing from her since she left for America. What will John do with Mateo? As his investigation unfolds, John discovers the mark of Los Lobos—a wolf tattoo—revealing a trafficking ring running north and south of the border.

This gripping story becomes more intense with every page. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book—it gave me chills more than once. The author’s writing style is compelling, the pacing brisk, and not a single moment feels dull. I’m eager to dive into more books from this series.

[thebookaddict25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los Lobos promised Maria Hernández a new life and the chance to pursue her Hollywood dreams. But Lobos, a ruthless smuggler with ties to Saffron Veil, had darker intentions. He helped her cross the San Diego border, only to later imprison her in a Half Moon Bay mansion with other girls like her.

One night, Maria seized the moment she had been waiting for. Pregnant with her son Mateo, she escaped from the mansion. Since then, Senator Edward Grayson has been relentlessly searching for her, sending his men to track her down at any cost. In hiding, Maria kept switching jobs to avoid detection and ensure her safety. A kind couple eventually took her in, and with their help, she gave birth to Mateo.

A man with a wolf tattoo—linked to Los Lobos—killed Maria. He was then brought down by Detective John Jefferson.
To discover who Rosa is and how she connects to Maria and Mateo, you’ll have to read the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The pursuit between Maria and the Senator played out like an intense cat-and-mouse game. The characters are deeply memorable, and the book leaves a lasting impression. It also serves as a reminder not to fall for deceptive promises like those Lobos made to Maria.

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Maria leaves Mexico chasing a
Hollywood dream—and surprise! Instead of fame and red carpets, she gets kidnapped into a criminal ring run by a corrupt U.S. senator. Because apparently, in this economy, even your worst-case scenarios come with a political twist.

Maria’s Shadow is a wild ride of crime, secrets, and shady power players with way too much money and not enough morals. Maria escapes (because she’s a queen), and runs straight into a small-town detective with baggage and a badge. Enter: grumpy sheriff, suspicious stares, and some serious “what the hell is going on” energy.

John Jefferson (detective, brooding, definitely ex-military) tags in his old buddy Marcus, and suddenly it’s less “Hallmark drama” and more “high-stakes FBI-level conspiracy with extra bullets.” Honestly, it's like a crime drama and political thriller had a very clean, family-friendly baby.

What I loved? No over-the-top gore or language—just tight suspense, solid characters, and plot twists that kept me flipping pages like I was swiping on Tinder (except way less disappointing). Maria’s been through it, but she’s no damsel. She’s smart, fierce, and absolutely done taking crap from anyone.

[Motivationaldailythoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story opens with Senator Edward Grayson receiving a cryptic text: "Found your lost stray." Grayson has long followed his father Charles's advice: “Influence is a coin, Edward. Invest it wisely, and it multiplies.”

Maria was lured with false promises of support for her Hollywood dreams—dreams that quickly turned into a nightmare when she was abducted and imprisoned in a secluded mansion. During her stay in the mansion, Maria was pregnant. She named her to-be-born baby Mateo. When an opportunity to escape arose, Maria fled with evidence that posed a serious threat to Senator Grayson.

But Grayson’s men eventually found her. She was killed—but not before she cleverly entrusted Mateo to Detective John Jefferson. Left with no other choice, Jefferson takes the boy home. His personal life, however, is already strained—his wife has recently suffered a third miscarriage. How will she respond to Mateo’s sudden arrival?

Cary weaves an engrossing tale. I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Maria’s character stood out—her strength and determination were deeply moving. Will the corrupt men finally face consequences? I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary is a compelling thriller that grips you from the start. The story centers on Maria Hernández, who, at just nineteen, chased a Hollywood dream—only to fall into the clutches of Saffron Veil. Trapped in a California mansion, Maria managed to escape when she was barely two months pregnant.

To stay out of Grayson's reach, Maria constantly moved, living under the radar. At nine months pregnant, she gave birth to Mateo and survived on cash jobs. But when her life was threatened, she reached out to Detective John Jefferson, pleading with him to protect Mateo from the monsters chasing them. Maria didn’t survive—but Jefferson is now resolute in keeping her son safe. He even faked Mateo’s death to shield him from danger.

This is a fast-paced, suspense-filled read with vivid writing and a tightly woven plot. Maria’s character is particularly well developed, and the setting adds an immersive depth to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book—it kept me hooked right until the very end.

[Kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

QOTD: Have you ever been lured in by false promises, only to realize it was a trap?

That’s exactly what happened to Maria. Chasing her Hollywood dreams, she fell into the snare of Los Lobos—a group that promised fame but delivered a nightmare. She was abducted and imprisoned in a mansion alongside other young women. Behind it all was Senator Grayson, the mastermind of a dark crime ring with deep ties to powerful figures.

But Maria saw a rare chance and seized it—escaping with secrets that could shatter the Senator’s power and prestige. She found her way to Detective John Jefferson and entrusted him with her baby, Mateo, hoping he’d survive even if she didn’t. Sadly, her fears came true. Maria was silenced, but Mateo lived on, safe in John’s care. Troubled by Maria’s fate, John is determined to uncover the truth.

The tension in this political thriller builds with every chapter. The plot twists and suspense kept me hooked, and Cary’s writing style is smooth and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

[Read more, sleep less. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a weeknight and told myself I’d read one chapter. Yeah, that didn’t happen. It’s a clean, fast thriller with real heart: a woman on the run, a detective who won’t look away, and a child you instantly care about. The faith elements are there but not preachy, and the tension stays high without graphic stuff or bad language. By the end I was both stressed and strangely hopeful, in a good way. If you like suspense that cares about its characters, this is an easy recommend.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blurb

Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary is a gripping thriller that follows Maria Hernández, a young Salvadoran woman ensnared by the sinister Saffron Veil after chasing a Hollywood dream. Trapped in a California mansion, she escapes with a dangerous secret, pursued by the powerful Senator Edward Grayson. As Detective John Jefferson uncovers a web of corruption in North Carolina, their paths converge in a high-stakes battle against a shadowy cabal. Packed with suspense, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, this novel explores courage and sacrifice against overwhelming odds.

Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (Out of 5 Stars)

This is an all-action thriller, which starts out with a nail biting escape scene, as a pregnant Maria attempts to escape from the sinister Saffron Veil. The whole premise of this book is just what you want from a thriller, one of my favourite genres, and there are some good characters (in more senses than one) within the book. Rather like a pantomime you find yourself cheering for those fighting the good fight, whilst booing those from the dark side, many of whom live amongst those who should be representing the ‘people’.

If you like thrillers with plenty of action then this is the book for you; despite being in my wheelhouse of books this one however didn’t fully resonate with me. I like thrillers, and crime books, where there is more high quality interactions between characters, which there are flashes of in this book, but I would have liked more dialogue. At times I felt the book could be too descriptive. I would also like to have seen more fleshing out of the characters and to have heard more from them.

What the book does do well however is provide a high octane starting to the book, have plenty of action and have a well written and tension building ending. Overall it does a great job of setting up the next book in the series.

Don’t get me wrong this is a good book and I’m sure most people will really enjoy this book but I just found it lacking in one or two areas, as mentioned above and at points struggled to maintain my interest. That said though I often find that can happen with the first book in a series as the author creates the backdrop for the series, and many series take off from the second book. Therefore I will be picking up the second book in the series to see how the author takes things forward and whether my points are addressed in the next book.

Book Info

Genre: Thriller
Age Category: Adult
Number of Pages: 250 Pages
Publication Date: April 19, 2025
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... 
Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5... 
Amazon: https://a.co/d/1m96p2s (Canada) https://a.co/d/6QyqznE (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/26LDD79 (UK)

About the Author

D.L. Cary is a Christian suspense and clean-thriller author who loves delivering pulse-pounding intrigue without the profanity or graphic violence.

His debut series, The Veil Chronicles, drops you into covert conspiracies and spiritual warfare while championing themes of redemption, justice, and hope. If you enjoy inspirational fiction, redemptive suspense, or spiritual thrillers you can share with the whole family, you’re in the right place.

He calls Alabama home, where he lives with my best friend (and wife), Heile. Before that, they lived in North Carolina. Finishing up their crew is a rambunctious group of dogs and cats, with Alex, an orange tabby, being the newest addition.
Every page he writes is fueled by faith and by readers who crave values-driven stories where hope endures, and justice prevails.

[GirlLovesto Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Maria's Shadow by D.L. Cary, the first book in The Veil Chronicles series, was a very good read, but also a sad one that leaves you feeling a bit - how can I describe it. A bit :( (that’s a sad face!) - but don’t get me wrong it is a very good read. You just have to understand that if you are looking for a sunshine and lollipops read then you had better exit stage left cause you ain’t getting here!

I was a big fan of the writing style, the author was able to get gritty realism and heavy themes across without relying on unnecessarily detailed violence and what not. Maria Hernández, is a young Salvadoran woman whose pursuit of a Hollywood dream turns into a nightmare when she runs afoul of human trafficking and political corruption in the form of Senator Edward Grayson. Escapes and gets hunted down.

The reason the book falls short of 5 starts from me was I found that the character I really loved and rooted for most and most immediately was Maria and when (… ok spoiler - but it happens fairly early, maybe 1/4 of the way in?) I lost a little love for it. Nonetheless even after that its a very well done read. Jefferson is is the sort of guy you can root for and its really well written throughout. It feels like a particularly topical read in the current climate and overall, its just a well done, hard hitting read. So I just want to say this is categorically in my opinion good book, whether you enjoy it or not will depend entirely on what you are looking for.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria’s Shadow is a book I am in two minds about. I really loved some elements, and wasn’t blown away by others. Maria Hernández has dreams of Hollywood, but is kidnapped by human traffickers under the influence of a powerful politician. She escapes with secrets that could bring him down.

However, everything goes wrong and she is hunted down and murdered and it is left for Detective John Jefferson to bring her killers to justice. Jefferson and his wife have been trying for a baby and take in Maria’s child Mateo. It’s a really exciting and fast paced story. The writing itself is ok, but I felt it was a bit wordy at times - a lot of adjectives, full names are used a lot, small things which I think could have been tightened up a little. I would have loved a bit more time with Maria herself who was the stand out character in my opinion. Jefferson and Marcus are etc ok but I didn’t care as much about them. Overall I think this was a good read,I enjoyed it, and I think fans of the genre would probably really like it.

[Books Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Maria's Shadow** by David Cary is a riveting blend of political thriller and human drama that keeps readers gripped from the very first page. Set against a backdrop of Hollywood illusion and high-stakes conspiracy, the story follows Maria Hernández, a young Salvadoran woman whose pursuit of stardom takes a dark turn when she’s trapped by the mysterious and elite Saffron Veil. Her daring escape sets off a chain of events that threaten powerful interests—including a relentless U.S. senator.

As Maria fights to stay ahead of her pursuers, North Carolina detective John Jefferson uncovers a web of political corruption that links directly to her. With vivid storytelling and cinematic pacing, Cary crafts a chilling yet deeply human narrative about survival, sacrifice, and the price of the truth.

This is a smart, fast-paced thriller with heart and depth—perfect for fans of suspense with real-world resonance. Highly recommended for your next adrenaline-fueled read.

[Bookish kingdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great thriller with some excellent characterisation and nice prose throughout. I found myself very invested in Maria's story early on. She was easy to get behind and her situation was dire. When she is shot and doesn't make it, it is a real gut punch. I didn't expect it at all and I actually put the book down for a while and wasn't sure if I would maintain my interest after that. From a glance at some of the other reviews I think I wasn't alone in that. But I picked it back up again and restarted and I soon found myself engaged once more, now hoping for revenge and investing myself in her child, who is taken in by the detective.

I could see there being a lot of fans of this one, and also a few who find it hard to reengage. But for me I am in the former camp. Good book, well written, good characters. Good author.

I got a digital copy of this for the blog tour, but it has had no impact on my review.

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced crime thriller meets political suspense in this short momentum filled read. I was expecting a story about a runaway Maria, who leaves her Salvadoran home for the bright lights of Hollywood but finds herself embroiled in a crime ring that reaches the highest echelons. Maria is kidnapped by a wealthy senator, rich in coin, but poor in morality. The senator simply disposes of any girls that fall pregnant, so when Maria discovers her pregnancy she escapes, unleashing a cat and mouse chase. Her survival and that of her child relies on keeping on the move and a few steps ahead of her enemy, but how long can she run with a newborn? A wily local detective grows suspicious and attempts to work the case. Can this unlikely duo fight power, amd corruption at the highest levels? A captivating read. #mariasshadow #DLCary #thewritereads #thewritereadsontour

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria’s Shadow is a fast paced thriller with some heavy elements of abuse, kidnap and murder, though these are not written in a graphic way. The writing is generally good, but could’ve done with some trimming as it is a bit overly descriptive. The characters have potential, though I think a bit more time could have been spent fleshing them out a bit more.

As I said the story is very fast paced and starts with a bang as the title character, Maria, who is pregnant, is killed while trying to escape from human traffickers. The Saffron Veil. We then follow detective Jefferson as he tackles the case.

Its a good read, not quite a perfect one, but good and I’d recommend it to fans of the genre.

[Jayasree B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot does not disappoint. It is not overly gory or traumatic. Each character, no matter how small a part they play, is adeptly crafted. The tension is constantly built up with every chapter. The reader can not help but keep turning pages. What happens next is left to the next book, but this one does not disappoint at all.

For a book of this genre, D.L. Cary does a better-than-average job for his first book, Maria's Shadow. If this is what the readers can expect, the second book is going to be worth the wait!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

in case anyone sees my other review, yes I read these books backwards. my brain is not always well lit lol. After reading the 2nd book, i definitely wanted to go back and see how it all started and I'm glad I did. This was a really good start. I really loved Maria. It's got so many rollercoaster moments and it's worth. recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via The Book Marketing Source and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lean, clean-but-intense thriller where a survivor’s flight collides with a detective’s old grief. The stakes feel personal and morally clear, the faith thread understated but steady, and the pacing snaps from scene to scene. It leaves you with both adrenaline and ache.

[ReadingMom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow! (blogtour)