“Death Valley Duel” is the ninth novel in Scott Graham’s National Park Mystery Series. As an environmentalist and author, Graham has created a series of mystery novels that take place in the National Parks in the west. His descriptives of the west are spellbinding. He makes it easy to visualize the terrain.
The main character is Chuck Bender, an archeologist and stepfather to his wife Janelle’s two daughters, Carmelita and Rosie. Chuck is currently trying to solve the 100-year-old disappearance of Russell Raining Bird, a water rights activist. It is suspected he was murdered trying to stop the redirection of the water by the State of California. When Chuck finds a tooth and finger bone, he is sure he is on the right track. He delays reporting his find so a famous ultra-marathon will not be canceled.
Meanwhile, Carmelita has been training for the ultra-marathon called the Whitney to Death 150. This is a 150-mile run and mountain climbing event from Mount Whitney through the Owens Valley and into Death Valley. I had not heard of an ultra-marathon. I have trouble grasping how someone could possibly finish such a race.
While Janelle must work, Chuck and Rosie are Carmelita’s support staff during the race. Rosie records Carmelita’s training and the actual race. This helps with Carmelita’s publicity and popularity with the fans, especially the ones who are betting on the event.
Carmelita has a special vest to carry her water, electrolytes and a few snacks. Most of the runners do not carry cell phones during the race. Even a few ounces from the weight of the cell phone can slow the runners down. Chuck and Rosie wait at the check-in stations to help with nutrition, liquids and moral support. They provide a cot to rest for a few minutes and even have a cooktop to make quesadillas.
Just before the race is to start, Carmelita gets up from her folding chair and one of the other racer’s parents’ van has no brakes and plows into her chair, barely missing Carmelita. One racer has to go to the hospital with anaphylactic shock. Someone has placed a cage of rattlesnakes on the runners’ path. Several of the other participants’ support staff suspect sabotage.
Chuck begins to wonder if his archaeological finds and the race “accidents” are related. Chuck must make time to follow up on his dig sight and be available to protect Carmelita from any more dangers during the race.
This is a fast-paced novel full of action and suspense. Graham weaves a splendid story on a phenomenal locale. This is the first book I have read of his. But I have already started reading the first book in the series, “Canyon Sacrifice,” which is set in the Grand Canyon.
In addition to the National Park Mystery Series, Graham is the author of five nonfiction books, including “Extreme Kids,” which won the National Outdoor Book Award. He is an avid outdoorsman. Previously, he worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and a coal shoveling fireman on the steam-powered Durango-Siverman Narrow Gauge Railroad. He lives in Durango, Colorado with his spouse. Learn more about Scott Graham’s work at www.scottfranklingraham.com.
