Mountain Rampage: A National Park Mystery

by Scott Graham

Overview

"A fast–paced mystery with dozens of quirks and turns…"
—THE DENVER POST

In the riveting second installment of the National Park Mystery Series, archaeologist Chuck Bender finds himself and his young wife and stepdaughters in the crosshairs of an unknown killer when he defends his brother–in–law from false accusations of murder in the brutal slaying of a resort worker in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781937226459
Publisher:	Torrey House Press
Publication date:	06/09/2015
Series:	National Park Mystery Series , #2
Pages:	265
Sales rank:	359,613
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

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.

Editorial Reviews

"A fast–paced mystery set in the majestic country around Estes Park, with dozens of quirks and turns…Graham brings his knowledge of mountains and climbing into play as his hero, Bender, scales mountains and rappels down mine shafts."
—THE DENVER POST

"Graham's clever tale is tailor–made for those who prefer their mysteries under blue skies."
—KIRKUS REVIEWS

"Description and dialogue balance to bring both the rounded characters and the Rocky Mountain setting alive in this tale of danger, death, and intrigue…Scott Graham has created a satisfying and suspenseful adventure."
—FOREWORD REVIEWS

"Mountain Rampage combines archaeology education, family relationships, outdoor adventure and taut mystery."
—ROUNDUP MAGAZINE

"Filled with murder and mayhem, jealousy and good detective work—set against a stunning Colorado backdrop—Mountain Rampage is an exciting, nonstop read."
—ANNE HILLERMAN, New York Times bestselling author of Spider Woman's Daughter

"In Mountain Rampage, Scott Graham delivers taut writing, solid plot twists, a cast of interesting characters, and an appealing protagonist both men and women will love. Get ready for a leave–you–breathless high country southwestern adventure."
—MICHAEL MCGARRITY, New York Times bestselling author of Hard Country

"Move over Nevada Barr—clean prose and confident storytelling combine to make Scott Graham's second National Park Mystery Series novel a must–read for fans of Western outdoor fiction and for mystery lovers everywhere."
—CHUCK GREAVES, author of Hush Money

"In archaeologist Chuck Bender, Scott Graham has created a flawed, all–too–human, and memorable investigator who had me rooting for him to the end."
—MARGARET COEL, author of Night of the White Buffalo

From the Publisher

2015-03-21
An archaeologist trying to clear his brother-in-law's name is distracted by the possibility of treasure. Now that archaeologist Chuck Bender is married to Janelle, his primary job should be taking care of her and her two young daughters. But he can't resist the opportunity to lead a field school in the Rockies. Chuck brings his family to stay on-site, and most of the summer passes without incident, with even the college kids seeming to behave themselves. When a mysterious pool of blood is found near the cabins, Janelle's brother, Clarence, is implicated in the incident. Chuck's not worried, though; no body means no problem, and he figures that it's some sort of animal issue and goes on with his work. Besides, the dig the teams are working on gets interesting when they stumble on an abandoned mine filled with a mysterious substance resembling coffee grounds. Even Chuck isn't sure what to make of it, so he consults a local librarian to try to learn more. Apparently there's a mystery surrounding something called The Cassandra Treasure, though what or where it is aren't clear. Chuck wants to know more but is stuck trying to keep Clarence from getting into deeper trouble. Apparently the college kids are behaving more like college kids than Chuck had thought, and incorrigible Clarence just can't stay away from the drama or the girls. A twist with a local wildlife poacher makes it unclear what motivations underlie the mystery. Graham's clever tale is tailor-made for those who prefer their mysteries under blue skies, though it's a bit more gruesome, with less sympathetic characters, than the works of Nevada Barr or C.J. Box.

Kirkus Reviews