Michael Lehrke

Michael Lehrke is a true-crime author and character actor from Reno, Nevada, known for blending meticulous research with a flair for storytelling.

His breakout book, Desert Shadows: The Truckee River Files, became a regional bestseller for its chilling reconstruction of unsolved cases across the Great Basin.

Before writing full-time, Lehrke spent a decade performing in independent films and stage productions throughout Northern Nevada, often portraying offbeat detectives and drifters.

When he’s not researching court archives, he volunteers at local writing workshops and hosts a small podcast, Reno Noir, exploring the city’s hidden histories.