FICTION
DEATH VALLEY DUEL: A National Park Mystery
by SCOTT GRAHAM
"A taut, smart, and propulsive thriller."
—NINA DE GRAMONT, The Christie Affair
Cover art by David Jonason davidjonason.com
In the ninth book in Scott Graham's National Park Mystery Series, an archeologist must stop a century-old evil to save his daughter.
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When archaeologist Chuck Bender makes a stunning discovery of a century-old crime, he believes it may be related to a series of deadly accidents plaguing the Whitney to Death 150, the world's toughest ultra trail-running marathon. While Chuck’s teenage stepdaughter Carmelita races to win the competition, Chuck races to uncover the wicked intent lying behind the tragedies—before Carmelita becomes the next victim.
“Death Valley Duel is a taut, smart, and propulsive thriller that will keep you spellbound. Scott Graham has written a love letter to the California desert, and to parenthood, and to the athletes who push themselves past limits most of us cannot even imagine. Within the framework of a fifty hour, hundred-and-fifty-mile ultramarathon, Scott Graham tells a story that’s been unfolding for a hundred years—a steady, dangerous, and addictive race toward justice.”
—NINA DE GRAMONT, The Christie Affair
June 2024 | Fiction/Mystery | 9781948814942 | Trade Paper | 243 pp | $17.95
PRAISE FOR DEATH VALLEY DUEL
"A propulsive, page-turning murder mystery with an environmental cold case at its core."
—MOLLY IMBER, Maria’s Bookshop
"Move over, Chuck Bender, because it's Carmelita Ortega's turn. Fans of Scott Graham's novels will relish in watching one of their most adored characters take center stage. By turns a life-and-death thriller and a fascinating examination of endurance sports, Death Valley Duel is an adrenaline-soaked journey through one of the most forbidding and alluring places in the United States. Expertly paced and compelling, you'll find it hard to put down once you've started."
—C. MATTHEW SMITH, author of Twentymile
"A twisty thriller that promises an epic race to the finish."
—CLAIRE KELLS, Grafton Award finalist and author of Forgotten Trail
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SCOTT GRAHAM is the author of the acclaimed National Park Mystery series, featuring archaeologist Chuck Bender and Chuck’s spouse, Janelle Ortega. In addition to the National Park Mystery series, Scott is the author of five nonfiction books, including Extreme Kids, winner of the National Outdoor Book Award. Scott is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys backpacking, river rafting, skiing, and mountaineering. He has made a living as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, radio disk jockey, and coal-shoveling fireman on the steam-powered Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. He lives with his spouse, who is an emergency physician, in Durango, Colorado.
"An exciting, rewarding puzzle."
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
GRAHAM'S NATIONAL PARK MYSTERY SERIES:
PRAISE FOR GRAHAM'S NATIONAL PARK MYSTERY SERIES
“As always, the highlight of Graham’s National Park Mystery Series is his extensive knowledge of the parks system, its lands, and its people.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
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“Intriguing . . . Graham has a true talent for describing the Rockies’ flora and fauna, allowing his readers to feel almost as if they were trekking the park themselves.”
—MYSTERY SCENE MAGAZINE
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“Graham has crafted a multilevel mystery that plumbs the emotions of greed and jealousy.”
—DURANGO HERALD
“Graham has created a beautifully balanced book, incorporating intense action scenes, depth of characterization, realistic landscapes, and historical perspective.”
—REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE
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“Only a truly gifted novelist is able to keep a reader turning pages while imparting extensive knowledge about the people, the landscape, and the park system. Scott Graham proves yet again that he is one ofthe finest.”
—CHRISTINE CARBO, author of A Sharp Solitude: A Glacier Mystery
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“A winning blend of archaeology and intrigue, Graham’s series turns our national parks into places of equal parts beauty, mystery, and danger.”
—EMILY LITTLE JOHN, author of Shatter the Night: A Detective Gemma Monroe Mystery
