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Just A Touch
The Illusion of Paradise is Only in my Mind.
“There is a disease that lives among us. It’s not a virus, a microbe, or a germ. Yet, it is a deadly sickness nonetheless. It’s a sickness known as greed.”
Imagine a small community infiltrated by illicit drugs. The local youth become involved in drug use and trafficking. Boys turn into thieves and gangsters, while girls resort to prostitution. They become outcasts and criminals—scars on the community.
Now, envision that this community is located on a small atoll in the Pacific Ocean, with the nearest help one hundred miles of open ocean away.
Maya is an investigator, a Spanish transplant living in French Polynesia. Her quiet life is disrupted when she receives a passionate call from a friend. Fetia Picard, her friend, is desperately searching for her missing son. Fetia lives on the atoll of Faaite in French Polynesia. Having already lost her husband to drug cartels, she is left to care for her son and daughter. This call is a plea for help, driven by the fear of what may have happened. And it is a plea to discover what has happened to her tranquil life.
"Just A Touch" is a fictional story that sheds light on a real problem in Polynesia, focusing on the individuals who come to the aid of those in distress.
“There is a disease that lives among us. It’s not a virus, a microbe, or a germ. Yet, it is a deadly sickness nonetheless. It’s a sickness known as greed.”
Imagine a small community infiltrated by illicit drugs. The local youth become involved in drug use and trafficking. Boys turn into thieves and gangsters, while girls resort to prostitution. They become outcasts and criminals—scars on the community.
Now, envision that this community is located on a small atoll in the Pacific Ocean, with the nearest help one hundred miles of open ocean away.
Maya is an investigator, a Spanish transplant living in French Polynesia. Her quiet life is disrupted when she receives a passionate call from a friend. Fetia Picard, her friend, is desperately searching for her missing son. Fetia lives on the atoll of Faaite in French Polynesia. Having already lost her husband to drug cartels, she is left to care for her son and daughter. This call is a plea for help, driven by the fear of what may have happened. And it is a plea to discover what has happened to her tranquil life.
"Just A Touch" is a fictional story that sheds light on a real problem in Polynesia, focusing on the individuals who come to the aid of those in distress.
390 pages, ebook
Published May 18, 2024
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Phil Davis
4 books11 followersPhil Davis was born and raised in Southern California. His early years were spent in the artist colony of Laguna Beach, where he developed a deep appreciation for creativity, community, and storytelling. An active sportsman in his youth, involved in football, track, baseball, and surfing. Phil’s writing carries the same energy, focus, and sense of movement that shaped his early life.
Phil’s stories explore the human condition under pressure the intersections of truth, deception, love, and redemption. Through compelling characters and vivid settings, he examines how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances, and what it truly means to heal, forgive, and begin again.
His works include:
Just A Touch – A gripping story of choices, consequence, and the fragile balance between love and temptation.
Lies, Deception – A psychological and emotional exploration of trust betrayed and truth rediscovered.
Exit Wounds – A powerful reflection on pain, resilience, and finding healing after life’s deepest scars.
Raindancer – A lyrical and hopeful story about renewal, faith, and the quiet strength that rises from life’s storms.
Across all his works, Phil Davis writes with a compassionate eye for people caught in difficult circumstances, those striving to make sense of chaos, hold onto hope, and do what’s right even when it costs them everything.
He currently resides in Arizona, where he continues to write stories that challenge, inspire, and reveal the hidden battles within the human heart. When he’s not writing, Phil enjoys time near the ocean, where the rhythms of the waves remind him of life’s constant motion and grace.
Follow Phil Davis on Goodreads to stay connected with his latest releases, reflections, and author events.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 20, 2025
Well, I needed to unwind this week after a particularly exhausting weekend, and so I wanted a compelling crime thriller to keep me company this time. I am glad I happened upon 'Just A Touch' by expert author Phil Davis, which is the story of how the drug trade is destroying remote Polynesian communities and the people fighting to stop it. Can Maya Alvarez uncover the truth behind the narco-Pacific highway? Will Kailani Soto find redemption for the terrible things she's done? Will Fetia Picard and her daughter Arava ever recover from the loss of their son? Can Gabriel Monet bring justice to the atolls? All this is for you to find out in the crime thriller titled 'Just A Touch' a debut work penned by stellar author and the new Polynesian Jeffrey Archer or James Patterson on the block, namely - Phil Davis. Watch out Thriller writers, here comes Phil!
I read this book throughout the weekend and then throughout this working week and was deeply moved by it. I learnt a lot about Polynesian culture and how vulnerable they are especially in relation to major global crimes like drug trafficking. I especially loved the many romantic couples in this book; Phil has a way with romance scenes – brilliant! I especially loved the cuisine of Hawaii and most of these Polynesian atolls. I have never been one for a majorly fruit diet, but the ravishing delicacies mentioned in ‘Just a Touch’ were so gorgeously described by Phil that I was yearning for a taste myself!
My favourite scene was when Kailani holds baby Malcomb during the baptism ceremony around page 380 of the book, and she realizes how perfectly the infant fits in her arms. That was a touching scene for me personally, because I will never be a mother. Hopefully one day soon I will be an aunt or Godmother to someone. My favourite character would be Maya Alvarez, because she is a resilient and compassionate investigator who battles her own panic attacks while trying to save others, and I usually adore strong women like her who push through their own pain to help vulnerable communities, especially when they do it with such quiet determination. I appreciated her role in this story, and I would have loved to have seen more of her backstory and how she came to work for the Investigation Agency.
I was totally hooked from beginning to end and I beg of you, please chuck out that Big-Publisher thriller of yours and pick up a copy of Phil Davis' ‘Just a Touch’ right now! It is not a request – it is an order; you can thank me later then.
So, read 'Just A Touch' that tells the story of Maya, Kailani, Tey, Gabriel, Fetia, Arava, Kalana, Taiani, Keoni, Malia, Susanna, Angelina and many other characters and step into the world of French Polynesia's remote atolls; where paradise hides a deadly drug trafficking network, where turquoise lagoons conceal buried cocaine, and where a few brave souls fight to protect ancient island cultures from the ruthless cartels that threaten to destroy everything beautiful about these fragile communities.
Phil Davis obviously gets 5 stars from me!
I read this book throughout the weekend and then throughout this working week and was deeply moved by it. I learnt a lot about Polynesian culture and how vulnerable they are especially in relation to major global crimes like drug trafficking. I especially loved the many romantic couples in this book; Phil has a way with romance scenes – brilliant! I especially loved the cuisine of Hawaii and most of these Polynesian atolls. I have never been one for a majorly fruit diet, but the ravishing delicacies mentioned in ‘Just a Touch’ were so gorgeously described by Phil that I was yearning for a taste myself!
My favourite scene was when Kailani holds baby Malcomb during the baptism ceremony around page 380 of the book, and she realizes how perfectly the infant fits in her arms. That was a touching scene for me personally, because I will never be a mother. Hopefully one day soon I will be an aunt or Godmother to someone. My favourite character would be Maya Alvarez, because she is a resilient and compassionate investigator who battles her own panic attacks while trying to save others, and I usually adore strong women like her who push through their own pain to help vulnerable communities, especially when they do it with such quiet determination. I appreciated her role in this story, and I would have loved to have seen more of her backstory and how she came to work for the Investigation Agency.
I was totally hooked from beginning to end and I beg of you, please chuck out that Big-Publisher thriller of yours and pick up a copy of Phil Davis' ‘Just a Touch’ right now! It is not a request – it is an order; you can thank me later then.
So, read 'Just A Touch' that tells the story of Maya, Kailani, Tey, Gabriel, Fetia, Arava, Kalana, Taiani, Keoni, Malia, Susanna, Angelina and many other characters and step into the world of French Polynesia's remote atolls; where paradise hides a deadly drug trafficking network, where turquoise lagoons conceal buried cocaine, and where a few brave souls fight to protect ancient island cultures from the ruthless cartels that threaten to destroy everything beautiful about these fragile communities.
Phil Davis obviously gets 5 stars from me!
November 24, 2025
just A Touch is an emotionally-rich and socially conscious thriller that weaves crime, investigation, and redemption on a backdrop of lush Pacific beauty. Phil Davis doesn’t shy away from the dark underbelly of paradise instead, he uses the setting of French Polynesia as a haunting contrast to the growing shadow of drug trafficking.
The novel follows Maya, a Spanish investigator now living in French Polynesia, who is drawn back into danger by a desperate plea from her friend Fetia. Fetia’s son has gone missing, and her husband has already fallen victim to cartel violence. As Maya digs deeper, she uncovers a complex trafficking network routing drugs from Hawaii to Australia via Polynesian islands and it’s not just drugs, but human lives that are caught in the crossfire.
What makes Just A Touch especially compelling is how Davis builds tension not just through criminal conspiracies, but through the very human cost of these crimes. Teenagers lured into gangs, young women pushed into prostitution the book doesn’t just show a crime network, but the deeply personal effects on small community life.
Atlantic Books
Maya is a particularly strong protagonist: she is tough, resourceful, and emotionally invested, but she never feels like a flat “hero investigator.” Her connections with Fetia, the islanders, and even some of the criminals provide a nuanced look at morality, loyalty, and sacrifice.
The setting is a huge win for the novel. The contrast between the idyllic beauty of the atolls and the violence that seeps into them gives the story a hauntingly poetic feel. Davis uses the ocean not just as a physical space, but as a metaphor for distance, risk, and the hidden currents of greed and complicity. The feeling that “the only help is 100 miles of open ocean away” is powerful in itself the isolation amplifies the stakes.
ThriftBooks
Pacing-wise, the book is well-balanced: there are quiet moments of introspection and character, but also high-stakes action (kidnappings, cartel showdowns). Davis’s writing is direct but thoughtful; he gives enough detail to build tension and depth without overwhelming the reader with technical crime-thriller jargon.
On the downside, some plot threads feel a little familiar drug trafficking, missing persons, cartel violence and a few of the “twists” are somewhat predictable if you’re well-versed in crime fiction. But Davis redeems this by focusing more on character development than pure shock value, which gives the novel heart. Also, some of the geography and logistics are so specific that casual readers may need to pay close attention to fully grasp the scope.
Themes:
Greed and its destructive power (“a disease … known as greed”).
Goodreads
Loyalty and sacrifice
Corruption and the impact of transnational crime on small communities
Redemption and justice
Overall: Just A Touch is a strong, meaningful novel — not just a crime thriller, but a story about how global issues affect real people in remote places. If you enjoy thrillers with moral weight, richly-drawn settings, and emotionally complex characters, this is definitely a book worth reading
The novel follows Maya, a Spanish investigator now living in French Polynesia, who is drawn back into danger by a desperate plea from her friend Fetia. Fetia’s son has gone missing, and her husband has already fallen victim to cartel violence. As Maya digs deeper, she uncovers a complex trafficking network routing drugs from Hawaii to Australia via Polynesian islands and it’s not just drugs, but human lives that are caught in the crossfire.
What makes Just A Touch especially compelling is how Davis builds tension not just through criminal conspiracies, but through the very human cost of these crimes. Teenagers lured into gangs, young women pushed into prostitution the book doesn’t just show a crime network, but the deeply personal effects on small community life.
Atlantic Books
Maya is a particularly strong protagonist: she is tough, resourceful, and emotionally invested, but she never feels like a flat “hero investigator.” Her connections with Fetia, the islanders, and even some of the criminals provide a nuanced look at morality, loyalty, and sacrifice.
The setting is a huge win for the novel. The contrast between the idyllic beauty of the atolls and the violence that seeps into them gives the story a hauntingly poetic feel. Davis uses the ocean not just as a physical space, but as a metaphor for distance, risk, and the hidden currents of greed and complicity. The feeling that “the only help is 100 miles of open ocean away” is powerful in itself the isolation amplifies the stakes.
ThriftBooks
Pacing-wise, the book is well-balanced: there are quiet moments of introspection and character, but also high-stakes action (kidnappings, cartel showdowns). Davis’s writing is direct but thoughtful; he gives enough detail to build tension and depth without overwhelming the reader with technical crime-thriller jargon.
On the downside, some plot threads feel a little familiar drug trafficking, missing persons, cartel violence and a few of the “twists” are somewhat predictable if you’re well-versed in crime fiction. But Davis redeems this by focusing more on character development than pure shock value, which gives the novel heart. Also, some of the geography and logistics are so specific that casual readers may need to pay close attention to fully grasp the scope.
Themes:
Greed and its destructive power (“a disease … known as greed”).
Goodreads
Loyalty and sacrifice
Corruption and the impact of transnational crime on small communities
Redemption and justice
Overall: Just A Touch is a strong, meaningful novel — not just a crime thriller, but a story about how global issues affect real people in remote places. If you enjoy thrillers with moral weight, richly-drawn settings, and emotionally complex characters, this is definitely a book worth reading
December 17, 2025
Just A Touch by Phil Davis is a powerful and unsettling novel that stays with you long after the final page. Set against the breathtaking yet isolated backdrop of French Polynesia, the story brilliantly contrasts paradise with the harsh realities of greed, drugs, and moral decay.
What makes this book especially compelling is how human it feels. Davis doesn’t just tell a crime story he exposes the ripple effects of addiction and corruption on a close-knit community. The portrayal of young lives derailed by drugs is heartbreaking and realistic, never sensationalized, and deeply respectful of the people affected.
Maya is a strong, believable protagonist. Her role as an investigator is balanced with emotional depth, making her journey feel personal rather than procedural. Fetia’s desperation as a mother searching for her missing son is raw and authentic, and her pain becomes the emotional heartbeat of the story. The isolation of the atoll intensifies the tension, making every decision feel urgent and every revelation more impactful.
Just A Touch succeeds not only as a work of fiction but also as a social commentary. It shines a light on a real and often overlooked issue in Polynesia, reminding readers that even the most beautiful places can hide profound struggles.
This is a gripping, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant novel. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy meaningful stories with strong characters and real-world relevance.
What makes this book especially compelling is how human it feels. Davis doesn’t just tell a crime story he exposes the ripple effects of addiction and corruption on a close-knit community. The portrayal of young lives derailed by drugs is heartbreaking and realistic, never sensationalized, and deeply respectful of the people affected.
Maya is a strong, believable protagonist. Her role as an investigator is balanced with emotional depth, making her journey feel personal rather than procedural. Fetia’s desperation as a mother searching for her missing son is raw and authentic, and her pain becomes the emotional heartbeat of the story. The isolation of the atoll intensifies the tension, making every decision feel urgent and every revelation more impactful.
Just A Touch succeeds not only as a work of fiction but also as a social commentary. It shines a light on a real and often overlooked issue in Polynesia, reminding readers that even the most beautiful places can hide profound struggles.
This is a gripping, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant novel. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy meaningful stories with strong characters and real-world relevance.
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed Just A Touch by Phil Davis! From the start, it pulled me in with its mix of mystery, emotion, and beautiful writing. I loved how the story followed Maya, a Spanish-born investigator living in French Polynesia, whose calm life suddenly turns upside down when she gets an unexpected call from a friend.
What really stood out to me was the atmosphere the author describes the island setting so vividly that I could almost feel the heat and hear the ocean. The mystery itself is intriguing, but what made it special for me were the characters and the deeper themes about identity, belonging, and trust. It’s not just about solving a case ,it’s about how people cope when their peace is disturbed and their past starts to resurface.
Phil Davis writes with heart and insight. This story stayed with me even after I finished it. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves thoughtful mysteries, emotional journeys, and stories that transport you somewhere new.
What really stood out to me was the atmosphere the author describes the island setting so vividly that I could almost feel the heat and hear the ocean. The mystery itself is intriguing, but what made it special for me were the characters and the deeper themes about identity, belonging, and trust. It’s not just about solving a case ,it’s about how people cope when their peace is disturbed and their past starts to resurface.
Phil Davis writes with heart and insight. This story stayed with me even after I finished it. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves thoughtful mysteries, emotional journeys, and stories that transport you somewhere new.
February 25, 2026
Just A Touch is a gripping crime drama set against the striking yet isolated backdrop of French Polynesia. Beneath the beauty of a remote Pacific atoll, the novel exposes the corrosive effects of greed and drug trafficking on a vulnerable community.
Through the character of Maya, an investigator drawn into the desperate search for a missing boy, Davis builds a tense and emotionally charged narrative. The story effectively contrasts the illusion of paradise with the harsh realities faced by families trapped in cycles of crime and loss. The isolation of the setting heightens the suspense, reinforcing the sense of urgency and helplessness.
Beyond its crime-driven plot, the novel serves as a social commentary on addiction and exploitation. Davis approaches the subject with seriousness and empathy, emphasizing the human cost behind criminal networks. Overall, Just A Touch is a focused and impactful novel that combines suspense with a meaningful message.
Through the character of Maya, an investigator drawn into the desperate search for a missing boy, Davis builds a tense and emotionally charged narrative. The story effectively contrasts the illusion of paradise with the harsh realities faced by families trapped in cycles of crime and loss. The isolation of the setting heightens the suspense, reinforcing the sense of urgency and helplessness.
Beyond its crime-driven plot, the novel serves as a social commentary on addiction and exploitation. Davis approaches the subject with seriousness and empathy, emphasizing the human cost behind criminal networks. Overall, Just A Touch is a focused and impactful novel that combines suspense with a meaningful message.
November 12, 2025
Just A Touch is a stunning, emotionally charged literary crime novel that pulls you deep beneath the turquoise beauty of Polynesia and exposes the dark undercurrent that threatens paradise itself. Phil A. Davis writes with the eye of a journalist and the soul of a poet, crafting a story that feels both cinematic and heartbreakingly real.
From the very first pages, the author captures you with vivid detail the shimmering islands, the quiet desperation of remote communities, and the unseen reach of global drug cartels. What makes this book so powerful is how it humanizes the crisis. It’s not just about crime; it’s about people, families, and cultures caught in a battle between survival and moral decay.
The characters especially Maya Alvarez, Tey, and Kailani are layered with depth and authenticity. Each carries private wounds and personal courage, reflecting how easily love, ambition, and vulnerability can collide in a world ruled by secrecy and greed. Maya, in particular, is unforgettable a woman torn between her past mistakes and the fragile hope of redemption.
Phil A. Davis paints with words that are both lyrical and raw. The pacing builds gradually but purposefully, like a rising tide that refuses to let you go. The cultural insights into life on the Polynesian atolls feel lived-in and intimate, reminding readers that paradise is not just about beauty it’s about resilience.
This is more than a crime story. It’s a wake-up call wrapped in exquisite storytelling a reflection on humanity’s fragility, the corruption of innocence, and the quiet heroism of those who choose to do what’s right even when no one is watching.
By the final page, I was left deeply moved aware that Just A Touch isn’t just fiction. It’s a mirror held up to our world, daring us to care.
A gripping, intelligent, and heartfelt masterpiece. Phil A. Davis delivers both emotion and truth with every page.
From the very first pages, the author captures you with vivid detail the shimmering islands, the quiet desperation of remote communities, and the unseen reach of global drug cartels. What makes this book so powerful is how it humanizes the crisis. It’s not just about crime; it’s about people, families, and cultures caught in a battle between survival and moral decay.
The characters especially Maya Alvarez, Tey, and Kailani are layered with depth and authenticity. Each carries private wounds and personal courage, reflecting how easily love, ambition, and vulnerability can collide in a world ruled by secrecy and greed. Maya, in particular, is unforgettable a woman torn between her past mistakes and the fragile hope of redemption.
Phil A. Davis paints with words that are both lyrical and raw. The pacing builds gradually but purposefully, like a rising tide that refuses to let you go. The cultural insights into life on the Polynesian atolls feel lived-in and intimate, reminding readers that paradise is not just about beauty it’s about resilience.
This is more than a crime story. It’s a wake-up call wrapped in exquisite storytelling a reflection on humanity’s fragility, the corruption of innocence, and the quiet heroism of those who choose to do what’s right even when no one is watching.
By the final page, I was left deeply moved aware that Just A Touch isn’t just fiction. It’s a mirror held up to our world, daring us to care.
A gripping, intelligent, and heartfelt masterpiece. Phil A. Davis delivers both emotion and truth with every page.
October 22, 2025
A paradise poisoned. A mother’s cry. A truth too dangerous to ignore.
In Just A Touch, Phil Davis transforms the serenity of the Pacific into the backdrop for a high stakes human drama. When Maya, a Spanish investigator, answers a friend’s desperate call, she dives headfirst into the dark reality of drug infiltration on a remote atoll.
Every chapter pulses with tension sunlit beauty collides with moral decay, and hope flickers like a flame in the storm.
Gritty, emotional, and impossible to put down fans of crime thrillers and socially conscious fiction will devour this book.
Don’t just read Just A Touch experience it.
Order your copy today and uncover the truth hidden beneath paradise
In Just A Touch, Phil Davis transforms the serenity of the Pacific into the backdrop for a high stakes human drama. When Maya, a Spanish investigator, answers a friend’s desperate call, she dives headfirst into the dark reality of drug infiltration on a remote atoll.
Every chapter pulses with tension sunlit beauty collides with moral decay, and hope flickers like a flame in the storm.
Gritty, emotional, and impossible to put down fans of crime thrillers and socially conscious fiction will devour this book.
Don’t just read Just A Touch experience it.
Order your copy today and uncover the truth hidden beneath paradise
December 14, 2025
Just A Touch is a gripping and thought-provoking story that blends suspense, crime investigation, and social commentary into a compelling narrative set against the beautiful yet perilous backdrop of the Pacific islands.
Phil Davis delivers a story that is as much about human resilience as it is about crime and community. The central plot follows Maya, a Spanish-born investigator living in French Polynesia, who is pulled out of her quiet life to help find a missing boy, the son of her close friend, Fetia Picard. What begins as a personal mission soon expands into a high-stakes investigation into the reach of drug trafficking across the Pacific, from Hawaii to Australia and through remote island atolls.
Phil Davis delivers a story that is as much about human resilience as it is about crime and community. The central plot follows Maya, a Spanish-born investigator living in French Polynesia, who is pulled out of her quiet life to help find a missing boy, the son of her close friend, Fetia Picard. What begins as a personal mission soon expands into a high-stakes investigation into the reach of drug trafficking across the Pacific, from Hawaii to Australia and through remote island atolls.
October 22, 2025
Paradise has never felt so fragile.
Phil Davis delivers a searing and deeply human story that grips the heart and never lets go. Just A Touch begins as a search for a missing boy and unfolds into a haunting exploration of what greed can do to a community and the people brave enough to fight back.
Maya’s journey through the sunlit atolls of French Polynesia is both breathtaking and terrifying. Her determination to uncover the truth pulls readers through a world where beauty hides danger and survival demands courage.
This is not just fiction it’s a wake up call disguised as a page turner.
Read it. Feel it. Share it.
Phil Davis delivers a searing and deeply human story that grips the heart and never lets go. Just A Touch begins as a search for a missing boy and unfolds into a haunting exploration of what greed can do to a community and the people brave enough to fight back.
Maya’s journey through the sunlit atolls of French Polynesia is both breathtaking and terrifying. Her determination to uncover the truth pulls readers through a world where beauty hides danger and survival demands courage.
This is not just fiction it’s a wake up call disguised as a page turner.
Read it. Feel it. Share it.
January 15, 2026
Just A Touch is a powerful and unsettling story that exposes the destructive reach of greed and drugs within an isolated paradise. Set against the haunting beauty of a Polynesian atoll, the novel blends suspense with social realism, making the contrast between setting and subject matter especially striking. Maya is a compelling investigator, and Fetia’s desperation as a mother searching for her son is portrayed with raw emotional truth. More than a mystery, this book is a courageous exploration of community, loss, and the quiet heroism of those who refuse to look away. A memorable, important read that lingers long after the final page.
December 21, 2025
This book goes far beyond a standard mystery. It explores how greed and addiction tear families and communities apart, while still offering moments of hope and courage. The characters feel real, the stakes feel urgent, and the setting adds a unique layer of tension. Just A Touch is a powerful reminder that even in the most remote places, these struggles are painfully real.
April 4, 2026
At the heart of the story is Maya Alvarez, an investigator drawn into a desperate search for a missing boy—a journey that slowly unravels a much larger and darker network of drug trafficking. What makes this book stand out is not just the suspense, but its deep emotional core. Davis doesn’t simply tell a story about crime; he shows how it impacts real people, families, and entire communities
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews