Death at the Healing Waters

In the Shadow of Diablo #2

by Dan Hanel

Book two in the series. When foreign language teacher Celeste Scott is asked by police to help translate a strange note found on a mummified corpse, she and science teacher Harrison Barrett are drawn into the intriguing history of the Byron Hot Springs Resort. Their present-day mystery alternates with the desperate journey of Baron Leopold von Haas, who flees post-World War I Austria and winds up at the famous resort, a half-a-world away. Harrison and Celeste uncover a web of clues spanning the gruesome death of Charles the Bold in 1477 France to a covert World War II interrogation center in California. Meanwhile, in order to return to his family, Baron von Haas must reveal his secret to one of the resort's many fabled guests including Fatty Arbuckle, Lefty O'Doul, and the renowned sugar baron, Adolph Spreckels. What untold story links it all? The answer can only be found where past meets present, fact meets fiction, and mystery meets romance ... in the shadow of Diablo.

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 7, 2015

About the author

Dan Hanel is the author of the historical mystery series, IN THE SHADOW OF DIABLO, including Mystery of the Great Stone House, Death at the Healing Waters, and Ghosts of Black Diamond.

He has been an educator for over 30 years and was named the Distinguished High School Science Teacher for the State of California. Dan grew up in Richmond, CA and graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Biology. He received a Masters in Education from Cal State University, Hayward.

Dan, his wife, and their dog, Luna, currently live in Brentwood, CA . . . in the shadow of Diablo.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

terrific mystery focused on the Byron Hot Springs, one of the most famous resorts in the western U.S during the first quarter of the 20th century. it has a French battle, an Austrian prince, Alma Spreckles and one of the most clever endings i've read in a long time.

[Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as gripping as The Mystery of the Great Stone House, but still much enjoyable especially for people, like myself, who enjoy discovering history tidbits. And the scope of the book is certainly sweeping, moving from a battlefield in Nancy, France with Charles the Bold in 1477 to an upstairs room in Danielle Steele's San Francisco mansion.

The Byron Hot Springs, at the center of this tale--situated in a neighboring county--was a place I knew nothing about. Yet it had been designed by the same architects who had designed San Francisco's fancy Fairmont Hotel AND had served as a prison camp and interrogation center during WWII.

As in the Mystery of the Great Stone House, two stories--actually three--during different time periods, are told providing suspense and mystery, while our sleuths add romance to the mix. Also a plus: the continued amazing cleverness of the author.

[Peter Sidell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting historical fiction about eastern Contra Costa County. This is the second of a series of books - now three in number about eastern Contra Costa County. It has been fun getting to know the teachers. As the writer is a science teacher there may be an element of autobiography here - albeit probably not the specific adventures. The history of the Byron Hot Springs resort was fascinating. I enjoyed reading about Fatty Arbuckle, and the Spreckles family. Also the story of the shooting of the newspaper man was interesting - clearly life is often more surprising than fiction. It was interesting to learn how C and H sugar came from Spreckles sugar. Now I must visit the remains of the old Byron Hot Springs.

[Mary Burks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Mostly because it's set close to where I live. East Contra Costa CA. Weaves in history and modern day life. Makes me want to do more research about the Byron Hot Springs.

[Cyndi Hagerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best writing, but the local history lesson is fascinating!

[Deborah Troxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were many suprises in this book. Interesting history combined with mystery and a little romance made this an enjoyable read!