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Death Valley Duel: A Novel
In the ninth book in Graham's National Park Mystery Series, an archeologist must stop a century-old crime to save his daughter.
“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. This novel is a steady, dangerous, and addictive race toward justice.”
—NINA DE GRAMONT, New York Times bestselling author
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 race. 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. This novel is a steady, dangerous, and addictive race toward justice.”
—NINA DE GRAMONT, New York Times bestselling author
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 race. 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.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
12 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Scott Graham
100 books73 followersScott Graham is author of Canyon Sacrifice: A National Park Mystery and Extreme Kids (winner of the National Outdoor Book Award). He is an avid outdoorsman and amateur archaeologist who enjoys hunting, rock climbing, skiing, backpacking, mountaineering, river rafting, and whitewater kayaking with his wife, an emergency physician, and their two sons. Graham lives in Durango, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 20, 2024
I started reading this series because it was set in national parks and I found the first one good. Then I found them a little hesitant in where they where going. I can only say don't give up, this series picks up speed and quality like nothing else. Death Valley Duel by Scott Graham is the latest in the National Parks Mystery series where we get to follow archaeologist Chuck Bender and his family from one park to the next. I love the way this group of characters develop through the series and that is one of the best things about it. Oh, there are some mystery as well. Both historical and present day. I can really recomend this series and I thank #TorreyHousePress and #Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy.
June 14, 2024
Most readers will appreciate the sense of familiarity that comes from reading in fiction accurate descriptions of places they have visited and seen in a kind of literary déjà vu. Environmental activist and author Scott Graham has created an entire series of mystery novels based on the West’s popular national parks. In each of the novels in his National Park Mystery series, Graham places his narrative directly in actual settings that are readily familiar to many readers. The first in this series, “Canyon Sacrifice,” takes place in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a place that many readers have visited in person or vicariously through magazine and/or digital images.
“Death Valley Duel” is Graham’s ninth in this series, which also includes river rafting in Canyonlands National Park in “Canyonlands Carnage,” the encroachment of mining on Arches National Park in “Arches Enemy,” or “Yellowstone Standoff” in our nation’s first National Park. All these stories feature archaeologist and outdoorsman Chuck Bender, his paramedic Latina wife Janelle, and her two children from a previous marriage. In “Death Valley Duel” Chuck is combining archaeological research into a century old murder with his oldest daughter’s 150-mile ultra-marathon race from Mount Whitney through the Owens Valley and into Death Valley itself.
The pairing of the century-old murder mystery along with the challenges facing his teenaged daughter make a fascinating backdrop for a contemporary crime story. Even as Chuck tries to find and preserve evidence relevant to the murder of a Native American activist from a hundred years ago, his daughter faces both the physical and mental challenges of a grueling ultra-marathon and someone who seems to be sabotaging the race and endangering its participants for reasons unknown.
As Chuck moves back and forth between his archaeological research and supporting his daughter Carmelita, there is tension and conflict at every turn. Equally divided between his daughter’s perspective as a race participant and Chuck’s desire to find justice for an almost forgotten murder victim, the two stories weave back and forth against the richly described landscape of Death Valley. Along the way we learn about the environmental issues that have helped to create the landscape, both past and present. As a reader, you will cheer Carmelita along on her race even as you hope that Chuck is able to preserve vital evidence to find justice in the century old murder.
Graham’s description of the landscape of Death Valley is compelling, and he deals with such issues as the desertification of the Owens Valley by the water demands of Los Angeles, the so-called wandering rocks that seem to move mysteriously across Death Valley’s desert floor, and current threats to nearby Mono Lake and its unique scenery. In all it’s a fun read, and may well hook you into wanting to read the other titles in this series.
“Death Valley Duel” is Graham’s ninth in this series, which also includes river rafting in Canyonlands National Park in “Canyonlands Carnage,” the encroachment of mining on Arches National Park in “Arches Enemy,” or “Yellowstone Standoff” in our nation’s first National Park. All these stories feature archaeologist and outdoorsman Chuck Bender, his paramedic Latina wife Janelle, and her two children from a previous marriage. In “Death Valley Duel” Chuck is combining archaeological research into a century old murder with his oldest daughter’s 150-mile ultra-marathon race from Mount Whitney through the Owens Valley and into Death Valley itself.
The pairing of the century-old murder mystery along with the challenges facing his teenaged daughter make a fascinating backdrop for a contemporary crime story. Even as Chuck tries to find and preserve evidence relevant to the murder of a Native American activist from a hundred years ago, his daughter faces both the physical and mental challenges of a grueling ultra-marathon and someone who seems to be sabotaging the race and endangering its participants for reasons unknown.
As Chuck moves back and forth between his archaeological research and supporting his daughter Carmelita, there is tension and conflict at every turn. Equally divided between his daughter’s perspective as a race participant and Chuck’s desire to find justice for an almost forgotten murder victim, the two stories weave back and forth against the richly described landscape of Death Valley. Along the way we learn about the environmental issues that have helped to create the landscape, both past and present. As a reader, you will cheer Carmelita along on her race even as you hope that Chuck is able to preserve vital evidence to find justice in the century old murder.
Graham’s description of the landscape of Death Valley is compelling, and he deals with such issues as the desertification of the Owens Valley by the water demands of Los Angeles, the so-called wandering rocks that seem to move mysteriously across Death Valley’s desert floor, and current threats to nearby Mono Lake and its unique scenery. In all it’s a fun read, and may well hook you into wanting to read the other titles in this series.
June 18, 2024
In this 9th installment of the Natural Park Mystery Series, Graham takes the Bender clan to Death Valley where his step daughter is competing in an ultra marathon. Taking liberties with the Badwater 135 (an actual race from Death Valley to Mt Whitney), Graham added 15 miles and reversed the course. Graham describes many of the stops along the actual ultramarathon in detail and gives perspective on the history of the land under which the race occurs.
This book was an easy read, with lots of details around the emotions of the participants in the race as well as their support crews. Unlike the last installment, where I felt the character development was a bit weak, in Death Valley Duel, the two obvious antagonists, another young female competitor and her dad, bloom with color. It is also an interesting foray into the somewhat obscure world of ultra runners, and the support they get along the multi-day races.
There are really two flaws in this book:
1) while I recognize this is a work of fiction, the rapid progression of Carmelita from a climber to trail runner is more than a bit of a stretch. Having her first ultra be in Death Valley makes for an interesting story, but ridiculously far fetched, especially when the Leadville 100 is much closer to home (but doesn’t involve a national park, which removes its candidacy).
2) the way in which the mystery is “solved” is a bit of a let down. The mystery itself isn’t even fully known by Bender and team, and so while the reader is trying to connect the dots, there’s not really much sleuthing going on. It’s a different approach, and works for this book in general, but requires a bit of an anticlimactic solve.
Four stars. Much better than the previous installment in the series, but doesn’t quite peak as much as Canyonlands Carnage.
This book was an easy read, with lots of details around the emotions of the participants in the race as well as their support crews. Unlike the last installment, where I felt the character development was a bit weak, in Death Valley Duel, the two obvious antagonists, another young female competitor and her dad, bloom with color. It is also an interesting foray into the somewhat obscure world of ultra runners, and the support they get along the multi-day races.
There are really two flaws in this book:
1) while I recognize this is a work of fiction, the rapid progression of Carmelita from a climber to trail runner is more than a bit of a stretch. Having her first ultra be in Death Valley makes for an interesting story, but ridiculously far fetched, especially when the Leadville 100 is much closer to home (but doesn’t involve a national park, which removes its candidacy).
2) the way in which the mystery is “solved” is a bit of a let down. The mystery itself isn’t even fully known by Bender and team, and so while the reader is trying to connect the dots, there’s not really much sleuthing going on. It’s a different approach, and works for this book in general, but requires a bit of an anticlimactic solve.
Four stars. Much better than the previous installment in the series, but doesn’t quite peak as much as Canyonlands Carnage.
June 3, 2024
In this 9th in the Chuck Bender series, Graham has wound together the threads of two different plots successfully while also educating the reader about water issues in the American West. When Chuck discovers that his eldest daughter wants to compete in a 150 mile ultra trail running race called The Whitney to Death 150, he arranges to support her efforts while simultaneously taking on an archaeology contract near Death Valley National Park.
The race includes the crossing of a now-dead lake, passing by a set of old kilns which holds special interest for a Native American group. In the middle of the 20th century, the Paiute people fought a losing battle to keep Los Angeles from draining the lake, and there is hope that what is found in the kilns could keep this environmental tragedy from recurring. As Chuck conducts his archaeological dig, he finds a relic of potentially huge import.
At the same time, his daughter, Carmelita, is running a 50-hour 150 mile race through punishing terrain and he and his family are serving as the support team. The plot moves back and forth between the natural and human dangers that Carmelita encounters on the race and the dig's progress. The race forms a sort of central path for the plot, around which swirl the environmental message, the indigenous history of the area, and the role of parents in their children's athletic quests.
In DEATH VALLEY DUEL, Graham imparts a lot of information about California landscape and history, environmental effects of the need for water in the West, Native American history, and the sport of ultra trail running. He does not become didactic, however, as he interweaves that information smoothly into the plot. The characters are well developed in this book, which can easily be read as a standalone but which fits well with the previous books in the series. Each of the books has taken us to a different National Park, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Graham takes us next.
This review first appeared at reviewingtheevidence.com.
The race includes the crossing of a now-dead lake, passing by a set of old kilns which holds special interest for a Native American group. In the middle of the 20th century, the Paiute people fought a losing battle to keep Los Angeles from draining the lake, and there is hope that what is found in the kilns could keep this environmental tragedy from recurring. As Chuck conducts his archaeological dig, he finds a relic of potentially huge import.
At the same time, his daughter, Carmelita, is running a 50-hour 150 mile race through punishing terrain and he and his family are serving as the support team. The plot moves back and forth between the natural and human dangers that Carmelita encounters on the race and the dig's progress. The race forms a sort of central path for the plot, around which swirl the environmental message, the indigenous history of the area, and the role of parents in their children's athletic quests.
In DEATH VALLEY DUEL, Graham imparts a lot of information about California landscape and history, environmental effects of the need for water in the West, Native American history, and the sport of ultra trail running. He does not become didactic, however, as he interweaves that information smoothly into the plot. The characters are well developed in this book, which can easily be read as a standalone but which fits well with the previous books in the series. Each of the books has taken us to a different National Park, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Graham takes us next.
This review first appeared at reviewingtheevidence.com.
September 7, 2024
Scott GrahamDeath Valley Duel: A Novel
Ninth in a series of who-done-it mysteries set in national parks, Death Valley Duel, by Scott Graham, is so tense, so scary, maybe it spills over from the mystery genre into thriller genre. The characters feel real, like you will go out and celebrate if they win, or bawl if they die. “Carmelita, please don’t die,” I said throughout the book as I flipped from one page to the next. If you love page turners that keep you guessing, this book is a winner. Graham keeps getting better and better. What I liked just as much as the main plot was the smattering of rich history of California’s water challenges: the Owens Valley and domination of Los Angeles. While all of Graham’s books are in a series, each can stand alone, so if you haven’t read his previous books, it’s okay to start with Death Valley Duel.
Ninth in a series of who-done-it mysteries set in national parks, Death Valley Duel, by Scott Graham, is so tense, so scary, maybe it spills over from the mystery genre into thriller genre. The characters feel real, like you will go out and celebrate if they win, or bawl if they die. “Carmelita, please don’t die,” I said throughout the book as I flipped from one page to the next. If you love page turners that keep you guessing, this book is a winner. Graham keeps getting better and better. What I liked just as much as the main plot was the smattering of rich history of California’s water challenges: the Owens Valley and domination of Los Angeles. While all of Graham’s books are in a series, each can stand alone, so if you haven’t read his previous books, it’s okay to start with Death Valley Duel.
March 24, 2025
This is part of series but works as a stand alone. You can feel the authors passion for the national parks and environment as he describes in vivid detail the parks, the history and the people. It was interesting to read and learn about the area.
Carmelita wants to run in and win the Whitney to Death 150. This is the toughest ultra running marathon running in the heat through dangerous terrain. She has trained for this and has her pit team and her family to root for her. Behind the scenes something sinister is going on as runners are having accidents and some of them don't survive.
Carmelita has a heart of gold and is full of compassion.
This was a quick fun read.
Carmelita wants to run in and win the Whitney to Death 150. This is the toughest ultra running marathon running in the heat through dangerous terrain. She has trained for this and has her pit team and her family to root for her. Behind the scenes something sinister is going on as runners are having accidents and some of them don't survive.
Carmelita has a heart of gold and is full of compassion.
This was a quick fun read.
July 5, 2024
A fantastic addition to a beloved series, Death Valley Duel gives center stage to one of my favorite side characters, Carmelita, as she competes in an ultra race where bad things keep happening. Are those mishaps somehow related to what archaeologist Chuck Bender finds at a historic site, evidence of a long-ago crime? Pedal to the metal the whole way, the novel ratchets up the tension throughout before bringing it all home. As always, Graham interweaves the history of this particular national park and the land and people who inhabited it. A fantastic read.
July 23, 2024
kept me on the edge of this of my seat
I loved following Carmelita’s race, both the details of the race itself and the mystery involved. I am a runner but only for very short runs and one marathon, so I was mesmerized and amazed by this ultra marathon race. I have read all the books in this National Park mystery series and have visited most of the parks myself. It is always entertaining to continue to read about the adventures of all the characters in the novels. I feel like I almost know them personally.
I loved following Carmelita’s race, both the details of the race itself and the mystery involved. I am a runner but only for very short runs and one marathon, so I was mesmerized and amazed by this ultra marathon race. I have read all the books in this National Park mystery series and have visited most of the parks myself. It is always entertaining to continue to read about the adventures of all the characters in the novels. I feel like I almost know them personally.
June 24, 2024
National Park Mystery #9. I read the Torrey House Press paperback version with the stunning David Jonason cover, but the Kindle version is the only version listed.
The theme of a 150-mile ultra marathon foot race from the top of Mt Whitney to below sea level in Death Valley was great fun. As always, there were some interesting characters and quite a few murders wrapped around Carmelita’s epic run and determination to win this relentless 48 hour mountain marathon.
The theme of a 150-mile ultra marathon foot race from the top of Mt Whitney to below sea level in Death Valley was great fun. As always, there were some interesting characters and quite a few murders wrapped around Carmelita’s epic run and determination to win this relentless 48 hour mountain marathon.
September 28, 2024
This was a fun, cute, easy read. Written by a local author! Was fun to read about a 20 yo ultra runner who lives and trains in Durango.
Plot was fun with a murder mystery element, some sports betting and drama with the race. I normally don’t gravitate towards a book like this but it was a fun mix up. I thought it was a bit out there with a lot of stretches but not supposed to be super serious.
I wonder how accurate the information was with the ruins and water control.
Plot was fun with a murder mystery element, some sports betting and drama with the race. I normally don’t gravitate towards a book like this but it was a fun mix up. I thought it was a bit out there with a lot of stretches but not supposed to be super serious.
I wonder how accurate the information was with the ruins and water control.
April 21, 2025
The kind of mystery where the plot carries you along at a brisk pace and you absorb historical information without even realizing it. Now I've got to add Death Valley (and those kilns--got to see those kilns!) to my travel plans. Graham braids an ultra trail-running race with an archeological mystery with a family that is fun to root for. I'll be looking for more in the series.
March 16, 2025
This may be my favorite of the series so far! The combination of ultra running, water conservation, environmentalism, and just a touch of murder is so perfect.
Absolutely stunner for any fan of the monkey wrench gang.
Absolutely stunner for any fan of the monkey wrench gang.
September 7, 2025
All of the National Park Mystery series books have been full of suspense and family interactions.
I was curious to see if anyone else found the typo in the book. I am sure the character's name should have been Chuck, but said Scott Graham. I am looking forward to the new book next year.
I was curious to see if anyone else found the typo in the book. I am sure the character's name should have been Chuck, but said Scott Graham. I am looking forward to the new book next year.
July 2, 2024
There is some unrealistic premises in this book, but the glimpse into the ultramarathoning world is worth it.
July 27, 2024
Another fantastic book from Scott Graham!!!
January 4, 2025
These are fun reads and good ways to learn about archaeology and national parks.
February 27, 2025
A pretty quick read, and not as good as his books I've read previously. I was disappointed that it didn't mention any of the many sites Death Valley other than Badwater Basin.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews