MOOSE JAW — Raymond Maher, a Chilliwack, B.C.-based author, has released his third novel, Trapped at Birth: With Only One Way Out, including a narrative that intertwines crime, identity, and resilience, all set against the backdrop of rural Saskatchewan where he spent much of his career.
Maher’s 212-page novel was published on Oct. 15, 2024, by Tellwell Publishing and FriesenPress and is currently available for purchase through all major bookstore retailers.
The novel introduces readers to Max Bryce, a veterinarian in the fictional town of Twin Mills, Sask. Unbeknownst to his neighbours, Bryce is living under an assumed identity; his real name is Fyodor, the youngest son of a formidable Russian mob family.
Bryce’s veterinary practice serves as a façade for his family’s illicit drug operations across the U.S. border. Despite a previous failed attempt to escape — resulting in severe punishment — his yearning for freedom only intensifies.
In a desperate bid, Bryce defies his family, triggering a perilous pursuit as he becomes a target for both his kin and a rival biker gang. The narrative unfolds as a high-stakes game of survival, with the protagonist striving to outmanoeuvre those who seek his demise.
“I kind of zero in on a myth that families are a safe environment,” Maher explained. “They can be, but they can also be pretty toxic and frightening. Often, when we deal with people, we only get half the truth.”
Previously known for writing historical fiction, Maher ventured into a new genre to reach more readers and explore fresh themes. His research for his original series sparked an interest in rural life, crime families, and motorcycle gangs.
“In (writing) a mystery (novel), I wanted the story of a man on the run and I wanted people not to be sure if he’s ever going to be able to get out.”
Maher chose rural Saskatchewan as the backdrop because of his deep connection to the province. Having grown up on a farm in Ontario, worked as a teacher, and served as a pastor in small Saskatchewan communities, his goal was to capture an authentic slice of rural life.
By setting the story in the fictional town of Twin Mills, Maher hoped readers from any small town could see reflections of their own community and insights into the social dynamics shared by all rural residents.
Maher further explored this new style of writing as he examined the main character’s life.
“I wanted it to be realistic in that sometimes your life falls apart, especially if you’ve been a bit deceptive, and it seems to get worse and worse instead of better,” he said.
Maher hopes his readers take away the message that you can never truly escape your background, and it’s futile to try and escape or deny this formative experience.
“(Bryce is) determined to get away from that mob image. He just wants to be an honest, straightforward person, but he finds in running away that he has to act like a mob person to escape, and he’s actually really good at deceiving,” the author said. “It’s a real wake up for him to realize that his family were often doing what they had to do to survive.
“Often, we’re sure if we could just get rid of something… our life would be so much better,” Maher noted. “If you really look at where you came from, you’ll find out that you can never really escape into some magical, better place.”
Trapped at Birth: With Only One Way Out is available for purchase now through all major retailers, including Amazon.ca. The novel retails for around $3 on the Kindle Reader and comes in paperback and hard copy formats.
You can inquire about a physical edition by calling Post Horizon Booksellers at 306-693-4243. Post Horizon Booksellers is located at 57 High Street West and is Moose Jaw’s leading independent bookstore.
For more information visit RaymondMaher.com.
